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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MM on October 20, 2001, at 0:02:17
I don't know if I'm gaining weight on my combo of depakote (1000mg) and paxil (20mg) (I'm craving sweets and carbs) or if it's just swelling (I'm fluctuating quite a bit, so that makes me think it might be swelling). Does anyone have any tips on how to counteract it either way? I'm too lazy now to do my regular exercise (running) and feel like a blob :(
Thanks
Posted by Cam W. on October 24, 2001, at 23:51:44
In reply to Swelling?/weight gain on depakote, posted by MM on October 20, 2001, at 0:02:17
MM - Both drugs, by themselves can cause weight gain, and usually to the same extent. You've got to stick to a strict diet and fill up on vegetables. Yeah, I know it does take away the craving, but with time you can control it. - Cam
Posted by judy1 on October 25, 2001, at 2:59:22
In reply to Re: Swelling?/weight gain on depakote » MM, posted by Cam W. on October 24, 2001, at 23:51:44
Cam,
I was curious if edema (and this is definitely edema) is a side effect of depakote, I am trying to figure out which of my meds is guilty- klonopin, xanax (prn), fentanyl (tapering off) and had a manic episode recently which necessitated depakote and zyprexa and coincided with the edema. Thank you for any input- Judy
Posted by Cam W. on October 26, 2001, at 18:06:53
In reply to Re: Swelling?/weight gain on depakote » Cam W., posted by judy1 on October 25, 2001, at 2:59:22
Judy - Occasionally, Depakote can cause edema, but I haven't seen it often. It is nowhere near as common as with lithium. I believe that Zyprexa can cause edema, as well. - Cam
Posted by judy1 on October 26, 2001, at 21:17:02
In reply to Re: Swelling?/weight gain on depakote, posted by Cam W. on October 26, 2001, at 18:06:53
Perhaps it was the combination, but come to think of it I've never experienced edema with just depakote. Thanks for your comments. Take care- Judy
Posted by Gracie2 on October 29, 2001, at 22:13:22
In reply to Re: Swelling?/weight gain on depakote » Cam W., posted by judy1 on October 25, 2001, at 2:59:22
I gained weight on Depakote, I think mostly because it made me so terribly sluggish. After a few months I started having awful swelling in my ankles and feet, so bad that I couldn't tie my shoes. This was frightening to me, because I also have high blood pressure.
I went to see my doctor, but since he was on vacation I saw the doctor subbing for him. This is just another example of a good doctor, and a not-so-good doctor. The replacement doctor looked at my feet and he said, "Well, you could have diabetes or you could have congestive heart failure. Come back next week and see your regular doctor."
How's that for patient treatment? He absolutely terrified me and then sent me home without tests, medication, treatment, or even a reassuring word,
and I had to wait an entire week with these two
possible diagnoses hanging over my head like the sword of Damacles: diabetes or CHF, both serious and life-threatning conditions. Jerk. By the middle of the week I was such a wreck that, if I was 17 years old again, I probably would have found the guy's car and sliced his tires (note: you have to let the air out of the tires first. I'm a reformed punk.)Needless to say, I was sitting outside my doctor's office on the curb, waiting for them to let me in, on his first day back. I had neither diabetes or congestive heart failure. My doctor switched my blood pressure medication to a very good drug called Prinzide, which has a powerful diuretic, and the edema was gone in days. Why the OTHER doctor couldn't have done that is beyond me;
prehaps he was too busy, too inexperienced, or a sadist.There seems to be a lesson in there somewheres...
-Gracie
Posted by susan C on October 31, 2001, at 20:59:13
In reply to Re: Swelling?/weight gain on depakote, posted by Gracie2 on October 29, 2001, at 22:13:22
>
> I gained weight on Depakote, I think mostly because it made me so terribly sluggish. After a few months I started having awful swelling in my ankles and feet, so bad that I couldn't tie my shoes. This was frightening to me, because I also have high blood pressure.
> I went to see my doctor, but since he was on vacation I saw the doctor subbing for him. This is just another example of a good doctor, and a not-so-good doctor. The replacement doctor looked at my feet and he said, "Well, you could have diabetes or you could have congestive heart failure. Come back next week and see your regular doctor."
> How's that for patient treatment? He absolutely terrified me and then sent me home without tests, medication, treatment, or even a reassuring word,
> and I had to wait an entire week with these two
> possible diagnoses hanging over my head like the sword of Damacles: diabetes or CHF, both serious and life-threatning conditions. Jerk. By the middle of the week I was such a wreck that, if I was 17 years old again, I probably would have found the guy's car and sliced his tires (note: you have to let the air out of the tires first. I'm a reformed punk.)
>
> Needless to say, I was sitting outside my doctor's office on the curb, waiting for them to let me in, on his first day back. I had neither diabetes or congestive heart failure. My doctor switched my blood pressure medication to a very good drug called Prinzide, which has a powerful diuretic, and the edema was gone in days. Why the OTHER doctor couldn't have done that is beyond me;
> prehaps he was too busy, too inexperienced, or a sadist.
>
> There seems to be a lesson in there somewheres...
> -GracieHi Gracie,
Thanks for the tip on the tires...BTW, what dosage were you on of Depakote? I started noticing some swelling at about month four, but at month two of the established dose of 500mg 2x a day. I havent asked about it because it is slight and I keep forgetting. Plus, in the last two months or so, I have been having the diuretic and weight loss thing going on...it is all so confusing.a mouse gathering random grains of wisdom
susan C
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