☼ LilBit: polypharmacy nightmare

[LilBit]

9/19

 

9:30am  500mg Depakote 

10:30am  tired with cog fog/brain fog

11:30am  emotional/ crying

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam 

9:40pm  bath with epsom salt

10:15pm  banana tea

10:15pm  reading/relaxing

10:50pm  meditation

11:00pm  bedtime

 

I am trying something a little different to see if it helps with my sleep.  I did not take the magnesium the day before yesterday or yesterday, and I used less than a half cup of epsom salt in my bath last night.  A friend shared something with me about boiling organic bananas to make a “tea” and mixing with a bit of cinnamon.  I searched online and found lots of references to it, has anyone ever heard of this?  

 

Banana Tea and Its Benefits

 

The drink is supposed to help with sleep because of the potassium and magnesium in the banana and peel.  I tried it last night and I seemed to get a little better sleep than the night before, about 3 hours, but I’m not sure if it was the concoction or just a placebo effect.  If I drink this, I am not sure if I should continue taking the magnesium at a different time of day as well, since the “tea” probably doesn’t have much magnesium in it.  What do you all think?

[Carmie]

On 9/19/2018 at 10:26 PM, LilBit said:

 

Thank you Carmie... I am glad to see that despite how you are feeling that you are able to find ways to distract yourself and that you have such a positive attitude.  Hugs to you as well 🤗

 

I only got about an hour of sleep last night (broken up of course) so I am extremely tired this morning.  Of all my symptoms the insomnia definitely is the most debilitating and the one that I hope shows some kind of significant improvement soon.  It has been almost 3 months for me and the best sleep I have gotten is a broken up 3-4 hours in the past few days. I would rather not sport the dark circles and double eyebag look...👀

 

 

 

Hi Lilbit, 

 

I’m so sorry you’re having such trouble with insomnia. I hope you manage to get some more sleep soon. If not, just get lots of rest. 

 

Yes, I’ve got distractions down pat, I have millions of them. Hope you have some too.

 

Wishing you all the best💚

[Shep]

17 hours ago, LilBit said:

The drink is supposed to help with sleep because of the potassium and magnesium in the banana and peel.  I tried it last night and I seemed to get a little better sleep than the night before, about 3 hours, but I’m not sure if it was the concoction or just a placebo effect.  If I drink this, I am not sure if I should continue taking the magnesium at a different time of day as well, since the “tea” probably doesn’t have much magnesium in it.  What do you all think?

 

Thanks for sharing the recipe, LilBit. I eat a banana a day for the potassium and I've read it's good for sleep due to the potassium and magnesium, as well as L-tryptophan.

 

I never heard of a tea form, so I'm going to give that a try. Sometimes just having a soothing hot beverage can help. 

 

If you find it's helpful and wish to share the recipe, here's a good thread for doing so:

 

Herb Teas: Camomile, Ginger, Mint, etc

[LilBit]

9/20

 

139.6lbs, loose bm and a little blood.  Dark urine.  Feel tired this morning even though I think I got more sleep last night (19th)

 

9:40am  500mg Depakote

9:30pm  25mg  Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam

10:30pm  banana tea

 

 

9/21

 

139.6lbs, loose/floating bm, urine dark yellow

 

I think I got about 3-3 1/2 hours of sleep on the 20th.  I have noticed I appear pale over past couple of weeks and not as healthy looking, still dehydrated but been drinking what I think is enough water.  I also think I may have chronic urinary retention, possible UTI, maybe caused by weak bladder or enlarged prostate.  I am scheduling an appointment with a urologist and my GP or Gastroenterologist.

 

9:40am  500mg Depakote 

10:00am  feeling like I have to constantly urinate and bladder not empty—going on all day

9:45pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam 

10:20pm  heart palpitation

10:30pm  banana tea

 

Is including my weight and other symptoms too much info?  Just want to include as much as possible to help with assessing next steps.

[Altostrata]

How often do you get heart palpitations? Very important to note those. Has the diarrhea and mid-morning gut pain stopped? It does sound like you might need a urology checkup.

 

What was your sleep pattern on the 20th? Please include your sleep pattern in your daily symptom notes.

[LilBit]

I don’t get them as much as I used to, maybe once every 2-4 days, it seems to happen whenever I am stressed or anxious about something.  The diarrhea seems to have gone but the loose stools/gut pain/discomfort persist.  I am starting to suspect there may be another cause.  On the 20th I woke 4 times, around 1:00am, 2:00am, 3:30am and 4:45am.  My sleep is never continuous, it’s usually broken up in 30 minute to 1 hour fragments.

[LilBit]

9/22

 

 

9:30am  slight brain fog

9:30am  500mg Depakote

3:10pm  brain fog (2 1/2 hours)

3:50pm heart palpitation

6:45pm  dull pain in left kidney area

9:45pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam

 

 

Last night I was going to do my evening meditation around 11pm and was so tired I actually dozed off.  When I woke up it was almost midnight so I went to bed.  When I did, I could not sleep and when I would fall asleep I would awake with arm/shoulder pain of whatever side I was laying on (I am a side sleeper).  I finally managed to drift off to sleep around 4 and woke up a little after 5, so I think I got a couple hours of sleep.

 

I have still been feeling extremely dehydrated even when drinking and pee soon after.  Felt like I had kidney pain last night but today I don’t.   I am actually at the ER as I send this for the dehydration/kidney/GI issues and plan on following up with my doctors.  This is all such a mess but hanging in there!

[Altostrata]

Please incorporate sleep pattern in daily symptom notes. It seems to be getting a bit better?

 

My guess is you're still having gut problems from the Depakote and maybe palpitations, too. How do you feel about lowering it to 450mg?

 

You need that urology and liver checkup ASAP.

 

Let's celebrate that at least you've reduced your drug burden. Please update your signature.

[LilBit]

Alto,

 

I think my insomnia seems to be improving somewhat but now my sleep is being interrupted by other factors like having to pee, GI disturbances and body aches so I am still not getting much.  I am making appointments with my doctors to find out what is going on.  I am concerned about prostate issues as well as possible diverticulitis or colitis as I have a history of the former and I am noticing lots of symptoms.  At this point I think even getting checked for Crohn’s or Celiac would not be a bad idea.

 

I am trying to hang in there but every time I turn around there are new symptoms.  I’m having trouble now differentiating between WD symptoms and symptoms from health issues so it’s sending me in a bit of a panic.  I may have ignored my urinary and GI symptoms just thinking they were part of this whole withdrawal.  I do like the idea of lowering the Depakote so I will try that. I feel so weak, tired and sleepy today.  I’ve updated my signature.  Let’s hope for the best!

[LilBit]

9/23

 

9:45am  500mg Depakote 

4:45pm  brain fog

5:00pm  heart palpitations

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam

9:30pm  nausea

9:30pm  heart palpitations 

11:00pm  went to bed—sleepy

3:30am  woke up to pee, could not go back to sleep so stayed up

4:00am  tried to go back to bed, could not fall asleep so got up

 

[LilBit]

9/24

 

139lbs

 

6:00am  tired, fatigued, depression 

9:40am  450mg Depakote 

10:00am  nausea

11:00am  breakfast - Rice Chex cereal

11:00am  Belching, gas, abdominal pain and bloating

2:30pm   Lunch - peeled apple and cesar salad

3:30pm  snack - greek yogurt (maple)

3:30pm  abdominal pain

5:45pm  gas/bloating, shortness of breath

7:38pm  heart palpitations

7:30pm  dinner - chicken breast with poblano sauce and carrots

8:10pm  heart palpitations 

8:40pm  heart palpitations 

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam

10:00pm  relaxed and winding down

11:00pm  still not sleepy so read book

12:00am  sleepy so went to bed

1:13am  woke up, had to pee, went back to bed and fell back asleep

2:30am  woke up, fell back asleep

4:00am  woke up, trouble falling back asleep

4:50am  woke again after dozing a little

5:40am  got out of bed after not being able to fall back asleep

 

I think I got about 2 1/2 hours of sleep.  It looks like I need to get better about getting out of bed if I can’t sleep, it’s just that I’m so tired.

[Shep]

LilBit, just a thought which may or may not be relevant to your situation. Some people find they develop all sorts of food sensitivities during withdrawal. You mentioned having cereal and later in the day, have yogurt and I'm wondering how much dairy you are eating each day. And if that may be contributing to your GI issues. 

 

You may want to have a read of this thread and the links listed at the top:

 

Food sensitivities

 

The Beyond Meds website is run by someone who came off a large cocktail of psychiatric drugs and blogs about different issues related to withdrawal. You may want to read some of her articles on diet and nutrition during and after withdrawal:

 

Beyond Meds - diet and nutrition archives

[LilBit]

9/25

 

138.2lbs.  Noticing tingling, very tired, weak and trouble focusing or thinking/remembering.  

 

9:30am  450mg Depakote

11:00am  agitation/anxiety/restlessness 

12:00pm  Bowl of Rice Chex cereal

1:00pm  Key Lime greek yogurt

4:30pm  grilled chicken salad

8:00pm  grilled chicken and carrots, greek yogurt

8:40pm  abdominal discomfort, heart palpitations 

11:00pm went to bed but not sleepy

12:00am  went to bed when sleepy 

1:50am  woke up

2:20am  woke up

5:10am  woke up and got up for the day, got maybe 1 hour of sleep

 

[LilBit]

Thanks Shep I will definitely check those out.  Today I am having aches and pains all throughout my body, my muscles feel weak and I am nauseous.  Every day it is something new and I am trying my hardest not to get discouraged.  I am pretty sure me not sleeping well after 3 months is causing a lot of this.

[Carmie]

Hi Lilbit, 

 

Im sorry you have so many symptoms n are also getting nausea. I saw you are having dairy, a lot of people have problems with dairy n gluten. I don’t think either of those things are good for anyone.I hope you are able to work out what kind of a diet works for you. 

 

I dont know if youve heard of sea bands? I’ve never used them but some people on here were saying they helped with nausea. I don’t know if they will help you or not as everyone is different. They are wrist bands that you put on both wrists n they use acupressure. 

 

 

I hope your digestion settles soon, Sending hugs🤗

 

[LilBit]

9/26

 

138.4lbs

 

7:00am  450mg Depakote 

7:30am  greek pineapple yogurt

12:45pm  right calf twitching

1:00pm  grilled chicken sandwich and chicken nuggets, apple juice

1:40pm  nausea, gas, stomachache

4:00pm  nausea, confusion 

5:30pm  dinner - fried catfish (removed most of the breading) and tomato slices/salad

7:00pm  tingling throughout body

9:40pm  25mg Seroquel, 2mg diazepam

10:20pm  went to bed

12:50am  woke up

2:10am  woke up, got out of bed, went back after 30 minutes

3:45am  woke up, went back to sleep

5:10am  woke up, attempted to go back to sleep

5:40am  woke up

6:20am   Got out of bed, got about 2 1/2 hours of sleep

 

[LilBit]

1 hour ago, Carmie said:

Hi Lilbit, 

 

Im sorry you have so many symptoms n are also getting nausea. I saw you are having dairy, a lot of people have problems with dairy n gluten. I don’t think either of those things are good for anyone.I hope you are able to work out what kind of a diet works for you. 

 

I dont know if youve heard of sea bands? I’ve never used them but some people on here were saying they helped with nausea. I don’t know if they will help you or not as everyone is different. They are wrist bands that you put on both wrists n they use acupressure. 

 

 

I hope your digestion settles soon, Sending hugs🤗

 

 

Thanks Carmie!  I’ll have to try the sea bands, never heard of those.  I seem to have the most problems with gluten, dairy for the most part okay as long as it is low fat.  

 

I saw my pdoc today and the visit actually went pretty well.  We discussed some of my health concerns and then she asked me when I would like to reduce the Quetiapine.  I told her that I think it’s best if we keep it the way it is for now and not make any changes to it.

 

To my surprise she suggested stopping the Doxepin and then increasing the diazepam.  I told her that maybe we should just stop the Doxepin for now for a week, and then increase the diazepam so this way we are only making one change at a time, and she agreed.  So not only are we on the same page as far as the meds I am on but I get an extra Diazepam supply!  She also recommended that I see a rheumatologist to check for any possible autoimmune disorders.  

 

I am still feeling weak, tired, lost another pound and having GI issues.  The good news is my urologist and gastroenterologist are addressing my concerns and so far everything is looking ok.  I see my GP tomorrow and I hope I can get more answers there too if she can order more labs.  I will continue to post my dosages, symptoms and sleeping patterns here.  Thanks for the support during an extremely rough time.  I feel like I am not exactly getting any better as my symptoms increase by the day and my body is fighting itself, so I am hanging in there!

[LilBit]

 

On 9/23/2018 at 2:08 PM, Altostrata said:

Please incorporate sleep pattern in daily symptom notes. It seems to be getting a bit better?

 

My guess is you're still having gut problems from the Depakote and maybe palpitations, too. How do you feel about lowering it to 450mg?

 

You need that urology and liver checkup ASAP.

 

Let's celebrate that at least you've reduced your drug burden. Please update your signature.

 

Uh oh, I think we have a problem.  How do we decrease Depakote ER to 450mg?  I have been weighing and cutting the tablet and taking that for the past 5 days but just realized that it is ER (extended release) so isn't this bad because then it is not being released into my system slowly?  I noticed I have been feeling irritable and my mood is not the same.

[LilBit]

9/27

 

137.2 lbs

 

8:40am  450mg Depakote

9:30am  breakfast - Sausage egg and cheese mcmuffin with orange juice

11:30am  weakness, nausea

11:45am  right eye twitch, abdominal pain/discomfort 

1:30pm  disorientation/derealization 

2:30pm  lunch - grilled chicken with cabbage, corn, cucumber salad

6:00pm  abdominal pain, gas

7:30pm  dinner - steak and cucumbers in vinegar

9:00pm  continued abdominal bloating and gas

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam

12:00am Sleepy, went to bed 

1:10am  woke up

3:40am  woke up

5:00am  woke up, could not go back to sleep so got up for the day

 

the reason for me going to bed so late is part of CBT for Insomnia--only going to bed when sleepy--but not sure if this is working.  I may go back to having a regular sleeping schedule.

[LilBit]

21 hours ago, LilBit said:

 

 

Uh oh, I think we have a problem.  How do we decrease Depakote ER to 450mg?  I have been weighing and cutting the tablet and taking that for the past 5 days but just realized that it is ER (extended release) so isn't this bad because then it is not being released into my system slowly?  I noticed I have been feeling irritable and my mood is not the same.

 

Today I am feeling unusually weak and tired.  I took 500mg tablet of Depakote ER to be safe but something doesn’t feel right.

[pinkfairy]

Lilbit 

I am just stopping by to say I am truly sorry for what you are going through 

but I wanted you to know your so so very brave & really strong 

sending you huge hugs 

pink xxxx

[LilBit]

1 hour ago, pinkfairy said:

Lilbit 

I am just stopping by to say I am truly sorry for what you are going through 

but I wanted you to know your so so very brave & really strong 

sending you huge hugs 

pink xxxx

 

Thanks pinkfairy!  I am scared as my health seems to be deteriorating but I am hanging in there.  I know it is a tough thing for all of us to endure.  Hugs to you as well!

[LilBit]

9/28

 

136.6lbs

 

7:30am  450mg Depakote

7:45am  10mg Alfuzosin ER - my urologist started me on this but my GP recommended I take it at night instead.  Due to side effects I am probably going to stop it.

7:45am  Breakfast - Rice Chex cereal

8:00am  tired and drowsy

1:50pm  Lunch - sashimi with small salad

2:50pm  vanilla greek yogurt

3:30pm  headache

8:00pm  dinner - chicken fajitas with corn tortillas, beans and rice

9:40pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam 

10:00pm  dull pain in neck, chest, headache

10:20pm  bedtime

10:45pm  got up, could not sleep, felt like I was having trouble breathing 

11:45pm  started feeling sleepy, went back to bed, still with pain/ discomfort 

1:00am  woke up, tossed and turned for a while and eventually I think I fell back asleep

3:45am  woke up

4:20am  woke up

5:30am  woke up, could not fall back asleep

6:00am  alarm went off

6:30am  got out of bed

 

[pinkfairy]

28 minutes ago, LilBit said:

 

Thanks pinkfairy!  I am scared as my health seems to be deteriorating but I am hanging in there.  I know it is a tough thing for all of us to endure.  Hugs to you as well!

 I know your scared & am so truly sorry...but I promise you one thing you will get through this...I am a fellow insomniac as well..my health is a poor way too,so I want you to know your not alone on this journey...your so brave & really strong & I admire your strength!

i don’t know you but holding your hand from across the sea..💕

[Altostrata]

 

Kev:

 

When you split the tablet, the extended-release effect may be damaged, with the drug getting into your system much faster. This may upset your stomach. Please stop doing this.

 

With your doctor's help, you should be able to get a prescription Depakote Delayed Release (DR) in 125mg doses to enable you to taper more gradually, such as taking three 125mg tablets a day to total 375mg. If I were you, I'd take them 8 hours apart.

 

What is your current drug schedule?

 

These are the ways you can take a Depakote:

 

Divalproex Sodium

 

Depakote

 

- Tablets, delayed-release 125 mg

 

- Tablets, delayed-release 250 mg

 

- Tablets, delayed-release 500 mg

 

- Capsules, sprinkle 125 mg

 

Depakote ER

 

- Tablets, ER 250 mg

 

- Tablets, ER 500 mg

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16569797

 

Quote

 

CONCLUSIONS:

VPA absorption from enteric-coated divalproex-DR is rapid following a lag-time of approximately 2 hours and is complete within 6-7 hours of dosing. In contrast, VPA absorption from divalproex-ER starts immediately after administration, but occurs at a slow, approximately constant rate over more than 20 hours.

 

 

Please be aware you might feel some bumps as you reduce Depakote, but the stomach upset should reduce.

 

Let us know how you're doing.

[LilBit]

Thanks for the info Alto, but now I think I am a little confused.  Before you asked how I felt about decreasing the Depakote to 450mg.  I am not sure how I can do that?  In your last post you mention seeing if my pdoc can prescribe 125mg of DR to be able to taper.  375mg is a 25% reduction.  Is this ok and would this be better?  If so, can you tell me what a good taper schedule for the Depakote would be?  I actually think my diet may be causing as many issues than the Depakote,  the diazepam reinstatement did not seem to help at all, and I am afraid I have been on the Quetiapine too long, so I am not even sure which one I should even be tapering now as they are all brakes.  Your input and advice on this would be greatly appreciated.  

 

I am feeling worse by the day and (at the risk of sounding dramatic) almost feel like I am slowly dying... I am not sure if is the sleep deprivation or an underlying medical condition so I had a gamut of labs done to check my blood and organ function for any problems.  Today I feel very weak, lethargic and out of it, with muscles weak and achy.  I think I have even lost some muscle and my skin looks like it is aging a bit but yet I am eating healthy and getting out and walking every day.  

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

What is your current drug schedule?

 

Please answer Alto's question.  Thank you.

[LilBit]

2 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Please answer Alto's question.  Thank you.

 

Sure thing, please see below.  This can also be found in my daily notes that I have been posting.

 

9:30am  500mg Depakote 

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg Diazepam

[LilBit]

9/29

 

9:40am  500mg Depakote

10:15am  breakfast - 2 bacon egg breakfast tacos with corn tortillas and OJ

11:00am  feeling lethargic, weak and tired today

3:00pm  Lunch - Cheddars, lemon pepper chicken with rice, corn and coleslaw

4:45pm  flank pain—right side

6:00pm  brain fog

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg Diazepam 

11:30pm  went to bed

12:30am  woke up

1:30am  woke up

2:40am  woke up

4:30am  woke up

6:10am  woke up

6:30am  out of bed

 

Looks like I got about 2 hours of sleep.

 

9/30

 

8:00am breakfast - gluten free waffles with log cabin syrup

9:30am  500mg Depakote

12:00pm  confusion/brain fog/chills

1:30pm  lunch - chicken with salad and white rice/veggies at Japanese grill

4:00pm  nausea/derealization/aches and pains

4:30pm  diarrhea

7:00pm  dinner - chicken breast with peas

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg Diazepam 

9:40pm  ate banana

10:45pm  went to bed

6:00am  alarm went off

6:20am  got out of bed

 

I didn’t track the times I woke last night, been feeling under the weather so I don’t think the app I use registered them.  I do remember tossing and turning though so might have gotten 2-3 hours of sleep?  

 

Lately I have been feeling very tired and fatigued, and also like I have a fever and chills.  When I check my temperature it appears normal.

 

[LilBit]

My results came back from my labs, and aside from elevated SGPT (probably from the drugs) and Vitamin D deficiency everything else came back ok, so looks like I will need to take a Vitamin D supplement.  Just wanted to provide an update, I felt super tired/ sleepy this morning when I got up.  

[LilBit]

10/1

 

137.2 lbs

 

9:15am  breakfast - lucky charms cereal

9:40am  500mg Depakote

11:00am  severe depression 

1:00pm  lunch - chicken cordon bleu

1:45pm  diarrhea/loose stool

4:45pm  tapioca pudding 

8:00pm  chicken strips w/fried pickles 

10:30pm  went to bed

12:10am  woke up

1:30am  woke up

4:10am  woke up

6:00am  woke up

6:15am  got out of bed

 

10/2

 

136.4 lbs

 

9:30am  500mg Depakote

10:00am  breakfast - fruity pebbles w/ 2% milk

1:30pm  Grilled salmon with asparagus and salad

3:00pm  heart palpitations 

6:30pm  1 cup of applesauce

8:00pm  baked salmon with asparagus

11:00pm  went to bed

12:30am  woke up

3:30am  woke up, could not fall back asleep

4:00am  felt wired, anxious

 

 

[LilBit]

So I am growing increasingly concerned about how all of this is affecting my overall health.  I am growing more fatigued, weak muscles, my skin doesn't look healthy (i.e. wrinkling, dryness, dullness), and it looks like I am still experiencing the palpitations/fluttering.  What's interesting is that sometimes when they happen they seem "weaker" than before, if that makes sense.  My HR has also lowered and a few times it has gone below 60 at rest.  I can't think or focus like I used to, it took me a very long time just to compose this post.  My main concerns at this point are the continued insomnia which really doesn't seem to be showing much improvement at all, the Vitamin D deficiency (16.7 ng/mL) and the palpitations/cardiac issues.

 

For the insomnia, I try to practice good sleep hygiene.  Try to get up at the same time every day, no caffeine, and as little sugar as possible in my diet.  I make it a point even though I am so exhausted, to walk at least 15-30 minutes per day.  No electronics at night (tablet, phone, TV) I turn down the lights and relax by reading or meditation.  My sleep environment is pretty comfortable, I have blackout curtains and keep it cool. 

 

I know heart palpitations can be one of the symptoms in withdrawal, and read up on the thread about that in the forums.  I saw that the recommendation for this would be magnesium taurate, but I know I should probably start the vitamin D supplement first.  I get sun every day when I go outside to walk my dogs, so it was strange to me that I was deficient in the first place.  I read here in another topic about vitamin D supplements that the best way like with everything else is to start off slow (400 IU) and work your way up.  My concern about supplements is that ever since my WD, I seem to be having a super sensitive reaction to everything I take, so I hope the vitamin D supplements agree with me.  I guess the only way to find out is to try.

 

I also am afraid that because of all of these issues going on and the change in my diet and symptoms that I may not be ready to taper yet.  I try to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water but then I have the issue of having to urinate almost immediately afterward.   Honestly I am scared and overwhelmed by all of this and I am sure that the anxiety and panic from the sleep deprivation is not helping matters.  I am attempting to stay as calm as possible but in the last couple of days it seems this is all I can think about.  It seems like when things start to settle down a bit, a new concern comes up.   

 

Mods what do you think in my case?  I know you are extremely busy and going through issues of your own, I am just really feeling like I am desperate and at the end of my rope here, and trying to get back on track.  It just feels like the life is being drained out of me.  I have always been an upbeat and positive person, so this makes me feel ashamed because this is totally out of character for me.  I feel like I am pushing friends and family away and my partner is even becoming stressed and tired, so any guidance you can provide would be extremely appreciated.  

[Songbird]

On 9/30/2018 at 10:09 AM, Altostrata said:

With your doctor's help, you should be able to get a prescription Depakote Delayed Release (DR) in 125mg doses to enable you to taper more gradually, such as taking three 125mg tablets a day to total 375mg. If I were you, I'd take them 8 hours apart.

 

Hi Lilbit - have you talked to your doctor about getting 125mg doses of Depakote to help you taper?

 

The frequent urination could possibly be a side effect of the Depakote and/or quetiapine.

 

With all the GI upset, it's possible your system has not been great at absorbing nutrients.  You could try a sublingual vitamin D supplement.  You could get more magnesium through epsom salt baths, or magnesium creams.

 

[Altostrata]

You can get vitamin D drops to start off slowly. Taking it as a liquid or sublingual is a good way to get it into your system, without depending on absorption in your gut. You can also chew the gel capsules. I like to get the kind that have vitamin D in olive oil.

 

You have been on a ridiculous number of drugs. It could be your liver hasn't been happy, but no so unhappy it shows up in tests. You're going through a bad patch, you'll be able to get healthy again.

 

The heart palpitations may be from drug-drug interactions. If they're getting weaker, that's a good thing. It makes sense, since you've reduced the Depakote burden somewhat.

 

I am still concerned about the side effects of the Depakote you're taking in the morning. It looks like several hours later, it's still causing abdominal pain and maybe pain in your liver, on your right side.

 

11 hours ago, Songbird said:

Hi Lilbit - have you talked to your doctor about getting 125mg doses of Depakote to help you taper?

 

Yes, what do you think of making progress on your Depakote reduction?

 

Please include ALL YOUR DRUGS in your daily notes, not just the Depakote.

 

We need this information to determine whether you might be having additional adverse reactions, which may be affecting your sleep.

[LilBit]

Thanks Alto... I purchased Enfamil Vitamin D drops from Walgreens (400 IU) to start off and see how I do.  I took the first dose this morning with breakfast and I think I am tolerating it ok.  I think getting off of the Depakote is a great idea so I will talk to my pdoc about it.   I have been including all drugs in my daily notes but maybe they are hidden amongst all of the symptoms  .  I am just worried that with my not sleeping, my body is not healing or recovering and getting the deep sleep it so desperately needs, hence the progression of all of these health issues I am having.  I feel like I am losing my mind and it is going to pieces but I really am trying to hang in there!!!  Thanks for the advice.

 

I just realized that I forgot to include the Quetiapine and Diazepam dose for 10/2.  Sorry about that!

Edited October 4, 2018 by LilBit
correction

[LilBit]

10/3

 

136.4 lbs

 

9:30am  500mg Depakote

10:30am  breakfast - fruity pebbles

11:20am  heart palpitations

12:00pm  heart palpitations 

12:30pm  Lunch - cobb salad

2:00pm  brain fog

6:15pm  vanilla pudding 

7:30pm  roasted turkey with corn and coleslaw

9:30pm  25mg Quetiapine, 2mg diazepam

10:15pm went to bed, could not fall asleep.  Got up several times and tried to go back to bed but could not fall asleep.

 

I noticed that brain fog and twitching of my right eyelid occurred throughout the majority of the day.