tish: buspirone and Depakote

[tish]

Is bupirone an activator or sedative? trying to taper off , but it's causing me real shaking,

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, tish.  Sorry for the delay in responding.

 

Buspirone is a sedative.  The shaking is very likely caused by your tapering too fast, causing you to suffer from withdrawal.  Shaking is a common withdrawal symptom.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

 How fast are you tapering?  How long have you been tapering?  What was your original dose and what is your current dose?  Please put this information in a drug signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

We recommend tapering Buspirone by no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

The following link is specifically about tapering Buspirone.

 

Tips for tapering off busipirone (Buspar)

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  Again, welcome.

[tish]

I'm on 500mg of depakote [2x250mg] and needing advice to reduce as my shaking hands are causing me problems.My Neurologist thinks that the medication could be the problem.

Unfortunately in the UK liquid seems to be unavailable and crushing them is not recommended.So I'm at a loss as to how to do this.

I was put on 500mg depakote [2006]14 years ago after a Bi polar 2 diagnosis I reduced it after around 5years to 250mg, but then it was increased to 500mg in feb 2019 due to personal external pressures.

I am also taking Trazadone 300mg from 2006 - 2011,  reduced to150mg from 2011 to Jan 2019 then increased to 200mg.

zopiclone 7mg from 2006  reduced to 3.75mg  approx 2008

propranolol 10mg as & when to help with shaking from april 2019.

Buspirone 5mg since march 2019 shaving approx 1mg off for last 5 weeks. feeling terrible. 

Thank you to anyone who has experience of depakote withdrawal.x

[ChessieCat]

Hi tish and welcome to SA,

 

To get you started please create your drug signature.  Please include ALL drugs.

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

Also, please put ALL the drugs your are CURRENTLY taking in the Drug.com Interactions Checker.  Either copy and paste the results here in a post OR copy and paste the URL for the report.  Thank you.

 

I have asked the other mods for their assistance.

 

This is your own introduction topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.

 

Edited September 14, 2020 by ChessieCat

[tish]

Hi Chessiecat, thank you for your reply.

I listed all my meds on the intro page, with doseage and dates, sorry but not sure what else I need to do.

[tish]

 Hello everyone,

Looking for help/ experience of tapering off Depakote ER.

Many thanks.

[Gridley]

Welcome from me too, tish.

 

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

This link is specifically about tapering Depakote.  At the end of the first post are specific instructions about how to taper 500mg ER.   

 

 

Tips for tapering off sodium valproate and valproic acid (divalproex sodium, Depakote, Depakene)

 

Please also complete the drug interaction check as requested by ChessieCat and paste it here in your thread according to her instructions.  The link is in her previous post to you.

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

We recommend tapering only one drug at a time.  Your buspirone taper is much faster than the 10% of current dose every four weeks than we recommend.

I suggest you hold where you are on the buspirone if you're going to taper Depakote.  Please put the dates and rate of taper of your buspirone taper in your signature using this link.  

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

This is your Introduction thread.  Only one Introduction thread per member, so please don't start any new Introduction threads.  All your questions and posts should go here in this thread.

 

Edited September 15, 2020 by ChessieCat

[tish]

hi and thank you Gridley, I'm holding on the Buspirone and using a syringe to liquid taper a more accurate 0.5mg now.

 

My struggle is to obtain a liquid dose of the depakote as it isn't available in the uk & the smallest tablet is 250mg.

 

Edited September 15, 2020 by ChessieCat
unbolded

[Altostrata]

Hello, tish.

 

Before doing anything else, read

 

Can you get Depakote sprinkles? They're probably the most convenient way to taper.

[tish]

Thank you, Not sure on the sprinkles as they are direct release[DR] and I am on  extended release {ER]at the moment.

concerned if the 2 can be mixed.

[tish]

Until I can start my Depakote taper, can you help me with the Buspirone please.

I'm holding at 4.5mg as recommend,I'm crushing the 5mg tablet adding in 5ml water and with a syringe using 4.5ml of the mixture.

Is this correct?

thank you.

[ChessieCat]

tips-for-tapering-off-busipirone-buspar

 

[tish]

thank you chessiecatx

Feeling really anxious & my shaking is bad do you think I should reinstate buspirone?

[Altostrata]

What has been your reduction schedule for buspirone? When did your symptoms get worse?

[tish]

 

Dear Administrators, Thank you for your replies,                                                                                                    'My GP is switching the Depakote ER to Depakine DR[ liquid] for me to taper.

However I'm concerned about the switch.

Can you please offer me any advice? bers

Have there been any other Members who have done this method to taper?

Kind regards,

Tish