Quote: From what I know about Depakote, the initial dose is 3 pills (750mg), and then upped as fast and as strong untill the 'desired effect' is reached. Whatever that desired effect is. It's not uncommon for people to be on 2000mg or even as high as 4000mg. But those would truly be seriosu cases I guess.
then again, in one of the few talks we had about the issue, she argued how her 'depakote blood level' (which is determined by how much medicine pickup the person has) was 'optimal'. (She metnioned some 70ul or 'some' term liek that). Well, from what I know, there is no absolute 'optimum'. First of all, this is not an absolute science, not at all.
It's not a matter of higher dosage = more serious case. It's a matter of the variation of metabolization of Depakote impacted by an individual's liver enzymes. 1000mg is the most common lowest dose. Blood levels are measured as the prescription is ramped up and it can take days before therapeutic levels are accrued in the system. The desired effect is to get those therapeutic levels reached and sustained. With the ultimate goal being a cessation, or at least some control over the symptoms for which the Depakote is being prescribed.
Depakote is prescribed for serious disorders, most commonly epilepsy and bi-polar disease. So, we're probably looking at some serious repercussions if the dosage drops below therapeutic levels. I can see where she would be hesitant to drop it if she feels her symptoms are currently being kept at bay. But most p-docs will gladly work with the patient on adjusting dosage or working in other drugs that might have fewer side effects for her.
I would hesitate to push in on your wife's medical automony if she is resistant. However, I wouldn't hesitate to contact her doctor and express your concerns over the symptoms that are causing you concern, especially if your wife isn't open to hearing you.
Sleepiness might be an unwanted side effect, but there are much worse.
The wedding went great, not my story book ending, but we had a great day. The next week we left on vacation and has a good time. We had a talk about MC and he said he didn't feel that we needed it although he was feeling disconnected too. I said that if things are looking better by December, we were going, no questions. He agreed.
So, although there have been no great changes over the past couple months, we are both commited to fixing our R, so that is good. I am learning that there is no quick fix here...this takes a lot of time. It took us 8+ years to get like this.
I am seeing small changes...we are being nicer, more considerate of the little things, small compliments. Longer embraces, more cuddling...I can only hope all of this will add up to a healed R.
-Nicki-
"There are two types of people -- those who come into a room and say, 'Well, here I am,' and those who come in and say, 'Ah, there you are.'"
Frederick Collins
Wow- it's been awhile since I've posted. We last left of with MC to start in Jan if things weren't improving. No improvement, no MC. H says he won't go, there isn't a need. I am thinking of going on my own. I guess just to talk out the whole HD/LD sitch. Find out if I am rightfully thinking I deserve a physical affection in my marriage.
For a couple months I had been thinking that there is just no way I can go on forever dealing with this. That it was probably easier to leave and get a D. At least I could be happy, right?
It's taken me this time to realize that I don't think that I could find anyone that makes me happier than my H. We do really well together if it weren't for the lack of sex. We are trying hard to build the "family feelings" we have been lacking the past 18 mo. since our S was born. We are getting there. He really needs to feel happy as a family. Maybe I need to put more effort into that.
It's getting longer and longer between each time we ML. We're hitting the 5-6 week marks now. It's never been that long between. I had a chance to meet up with an old co-worker (male) for "happy hour". I said yes and then couldn't make myself go. I was so afraid of what going to meet him meant. I knew it was leaving things open for something to happen. It was then I really decided that I am not going to leave just b/c of sex. As one of the previous posts asked "If you could never have sex again..." If we couldn't for some reason, he's the best person to spend my life with.
Okay, so a new perspective on things is good. More positive.
Thanks for listening to me ramble. It's nice to have a place to journal, share...with no judgment.
Nicky
"There are two types of people -- those who come into a room and say, 'Well, here I am,' and those who come in and say, 'Ah, there you are.'"
Frederick Collins
