Got my meds... concerned with dosage.. help?

[AndrewIrish]

Hey all,.

I was able to purchase my volpraic acid(Depakote) today... just took my first dose (500mg) an hour ago. I'm supposed to take 2000mg today, and get a bloodtest tomorrow... but... to start with, does this sound right? It seems like alot to me... in conjunction with my ativan... anyone have experience with this combo?

 

[Nakamova]

Hmmm, it does seem a bit high. The starting dose for Valproic Acid is roughly based on your weight, so for a 150lb person, the starting daily dose would be between 750 and 1000mg per day. If you weigh more than 150lb, they may be starting you out on a somewhat higher daily dose. Ordinarily you would wait at least until the next day before going up by another 750 to 1000mg. So it should take at least 2 days to reach 2000mg/day, especially given that you are also still taking the Ativan.

Can you call someone to see if the slower ramp-up would be okay? And re-schedule your blood test for 2 days from now? The blood test is to see if you are at the target blood level (between 50 and 100).

 

[AndrewIrish]

I'll check in on that... but yea, that stands to reason, I'm a big guy. I'm 280 lbs. so now it doesn't sound too out of touch....he told me to 'load' up on it for a full day and then go the next day for a blood test... he's scheduled me for eight bloodtests seperately for this, which is gonna suck...

 

[Nakamova]

Okay, yeah, then higher dose makes more sense. Did he also tell you to back off on the Ativan? Or wait until after the blood test?

 

[AndrewIrish]

Nah, he said to just take the ativan as normal in conjunction with the depakote... but man, I'm feeling warpy right now...a good warpy... but warpy nonetheless...

 

[Crash]

How used to are you the Atvian/Lorazapam? Could well be that,that is giving you your "good feeling" after all it is a benzo prefered for severe anxeity.Forgot to mention im on 2000mg of Epilim thats Depakote over with you? 800mg Tegratol and 10mg diazapam but ive been on that for years now.

 

[AndrewIrish]

im new to both the depakote and the ativan...

 

[acpollard2010]

depakote i will never go back to that it was my first but it will probably work for u i was younger and a 150lbs but it made me big i wont go into other side effects i had dont want to worry u.andrew im just glad they are given u something and was this through a gp or neuro

 

[Crash]

im new to both the depakote and the ativan...

Personaly i rekon by the sounds of it,its certainly the Atvian that is making you feel well,after all thats what its for.

 

[jayde-101]

Forgot to mention im on 2000mg of Epilim thats Depakote over with you?

Neil isn't epilim ... sodium valporate
and
depakote .... valporate acid

i think they are different drugs ? Well that's what i think they are here Im in England ?? Just clarifying as Im confused myself now

 

[frshbeat]

Neil isn't epilim ... sodium valporate
and
depakote .... valporate acid

Yes, they are all the same. I'm in Los Angeles, CA, and took Epilim, brought in from Europe over 30 years ago. Took it as a research med before the FDA had approved Valproic Acid here in the US for seizures. The FDA approved it within a couple of years and Abott branded it as Depakote. I switched to Depakote when it was approved.

At the outset, the side effects were barely noticeable, if at all. When I compare it to the Dilantin I was taking previously, the side effects were negligible. But everybody responds differently. More importantly, the drug was very successful in totally controlling my myoclonic and Grand Mal seizures. I finally got a license to drive a year later. Until that time, no other drug had been effective. I was on 1750mg at the outset, and dropped down to 1500mg. Seizure free ever since.

Last year, the side effects were concerning enough for me to finally switch off of the drug. It was time to explore some of the newer, safer drugs. That oxymoron seems to plague this forum.

Andrew, for the time being, Depakote may work for you. Not sure about the Ativan combo. Never was prescribed a combo. Just keep getting your blood levels checked.

Good luck.

 

[Crash]

FFS I wish they would just name everything the same,my box does actually say Epilim,Sodium Valporate below in smaller lettering,sorry for the confusion people.