Husband was diagnosed bi-polar!?

[goneriding]

My husband sought the assistance of a phsychiatrist and therapist. The phsyc put him on Dekatope. Ever since he started this medicine - he is doing better. Still a little negative at times and angry - but not as bad. Unfortunately, his sex drive is down -that was my therapy Is anyone else taking Dekatope and how do you feel on it? Are you gaining weight quickly?

Thanks for listening.

[Juls]

Goneriding,

I don't have experience with Depakote, but I do know that many of the meds used to treat mental illness can cause decreased sex drive and/or weight gain.

There are people here who have experience with being on Depakote, who I'm sure can give you some feedback.

Juls

[ksos]

Originally posted by goneriding
My husband sought the assistance of a phsychiatrist and therapist. The phsyc put him on Dekatope. Ever since he started this medicine - he is doing better. Still a little negative at times and angry - but not as bad. Unfortunately, his sex drive is down -that was my therapy Is anyone else taking Dekatope and how do you feel on it? Are you gaining weight quickly?

Thanks for listening.

I've been on Depakote for a few years now and I am a guy. This medicine, in my case, has literally saved my life, but it does have side effects. There is weight gain, although one can exercise a bit more to compensate for that and yes, there is sometimes a decrease in sexual drive, although this should go away after a while.

The most important thing is that one's aggressivity will decrease if the medicine is at a therapeutic level--this is done by monthly blood tests, initially. He may feel very tired, have more than an occasional headache, and dryness of the mouth, but these should remit after a while.

Personally, I feel good on this medicine, although there are probably many who don't....

Ksos