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. Psychiatrist will readily admit to this. Every person will react differently to different doses. Some people will hardly feel an effect with say x pills, while others may get serious side effects by half that dose. Her reply was something to the effect that she had always been on this dose, and that it was a perfect dose. Add some circle reasoning to that ("How do you know a lower dose would be wrong?" "Because I feel good now" "How do you know you'd feel worse on a lower dose?" "Because I wouldn't feel good on a lower dose"), and a quick end to the discussion.
Quote: Double dito what GEL said. If you love this woman, then get involved with her health. She's probably too sedated to know WHAT'S going on. Is her shrink aware of this dosage?
Yeah, they and the MD exchange notes. But like always in the M world, I don't think either would interfere or comment on the other's 'work'. It would be like a butcher telling a baker how long to bake hsi bread. They're too professional for that. One is the expert in therapy, the other is the expert in medicine. No need to think either can do each other's job 'better' I guess.
Concerning the 'sedated' part. She isn't like drugged in that it effects her mental capacities. It's not like it incapacitates her abillities. But she is more sluggish, and tired a lot. She sleeps at least 8-9 hours a day, sometimes 10. In the weekends, she'll sometimes sleep for 12 hours and often takes an afternoon nap as well. Liek last sat, she was actually out of bed at 12pm, and tired by 8pm (and asleep by 9). That's 24-9...
Her explanation: "I simply don't have your energy". Which is enough for her, EOD.
