Cycling maybe-Advice

Hi,

I was taking 75mg of effexor for depression and after two weeks at this dose i noticed an improvement in my mood.My Psych doc appointment coincided with this improvement in mood and so my doc advised me to start 200mg of epilim(valproate) as i had a history of cycling on ad alone where i was never manic but cycling in and out of depression.I am on the combo of effexor and epilim for a week now and i think i am seeing a pattern emerging.I have at times certainly felt normalish only to change back into depression a day later.I am on a low dose of epilim to start it up.I believe the plan is to increase this next week.I am just wondering has anyone experience of this and is their light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks
Pj

There is deifinitely light at the end of the tunnel. Having recognised a pattern is really good and hopefully now you and the Dr can experiment with drugs like the sodium valproate to get on top of things. Finding the right combination and doses of meds can take some time but it can be done and I hope that this happens quickly for you.

Hugs

Cracked

Thanks cracked,

I know that seeing a pattern means im nearer remission but at the same time it means il have to tough it out until next appointment with psychdoc.I always start on low dose of valproate of 200 for 2 weeks and then bump it up to 500 or 600.Is this universally accepted that you have to start on low dose and build it up,it seems to be the case for valproate?

If the plan is to bump it up,does my doc not expect me to feel well on the 200mg?Or is it bumped up to get a therapeutic range?

I have not been on valproate so am not sure about the logic of introducing it slowly but certainly in the case of lamotrigine it needs to be introduced slowly in case of adverse drug reactions. This may be the case for valproate too tho I am not sure. Hopefully someone here has been on it and will be able to answer your question better

Cracked

Hi, I cycled all he time. I've been on evry med there is to stop. I would cycle twice even three times a week at times daliy. I fund that anti-depressents were the cause of my cycling. Now
I"m just on 1350 of lithium and I have been stable, or as stable as I can get. I'll still get very depressed but it has knocked out the mania cycling. Maybe something to look into. But Oi feel better jut cant ever sleep advice on that?

Hi dave,

I find that i eventually do well on both the anti-depressant at low dose and then epilim(valproate),once depression lifts i introduce the epilim whic takes a few weeks to stabalise me(basically stops cycling).I found i was cycling every other day,and also within each day,small cycles of mood changes.As time has passed on epilim i am no longer cycling.This has lasted 4 days so far so fingers crossed.I have been known to be ok for a week only to cycle again so i am hoping that i am in fact stable.As regards your sleep im afraid im not sure what to advise.I think the best people can do is explain what works for them in the hope people can find similarities.

Pj

I am on valproate, and also had it introduced slowly (in my case that would be 500 mg going up to 1000 mg, but I'm a big bear of a guy). I hope your cycling is over now pjfog!