Ok please hold 1 hand while i smack the doc with the other.

**Nana2two** · 05-02-2009, 12:57 AM

I so upset. You all know i have pancreatits, was in hospital last month for a few days so they detoxed me of my meds. Well i also have bipolar and have been off meds for 7 weeks ,started them back 1 week or so ago.
So here i am taking a 1000mg that my doctor gives me of depakote for bipolar.My gastro doc gives me some meds to treat my stomach and pancreas.Well the last few days my pancreas is killing me, chills nausea ect. Im thinking great im going to end up back in the hospital. At this point im bawling. I was surfing info on pancreas problems and look what i find. I have been on depakote for a year.

(Depakote has also been known to cause life-threatening damage to the pancreas. This problem can surface at any time, even after years of treatment. Call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following warning signs: abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Thevail** · 05-02-2009, 01:33 AM

Hold on sweety...you just rest easy...you're not feeling well..

I'll pistol whip the ba

ard for you!

**Nana2two** · 05-02-2009, 01:39 AM

Thankgoodness some here to protect me. Im so angry right now. To think how so very sick i was.Starting to get that way again

**Thevail** · 05-02-2009, 01:53 AM

I'd get a lawyer... I'm just sayin' before he does that to someone else!

**mauimagic** · 05-02-2009, 02:06 AM

I cannot believe the lack of professionalism of the doctor(s). What about the pharmacist, don't they usually warn you of potential problems?

Scary thing is that several of my students with bipolar were also treated with Depakote when they were in elementary school.

Please take care of yourself!!

**HandyMom** · 05-02-2009, 04:52 AM

I feel for you! I think doctors should wear a big button that proclaims "I HAVE A PILL FOR THAT- JUST ASK ME!" I refuse to take some of the meds mine tries to give me and he acts all offended and says he's not a drug pusher! LOL! I am so tempted to print out some of the drug trial results I read about that were published in well respected medical journals when he tries to argue with me over my refusal to take certain drugs.

**ladytoysdream** · 05-02-2009, 07:23 AM

I would be choking him if he was my doctor.

Depakote - if it, was me, I would stop taking it. Sounds like you need another doctor's opinion. Like yesterday.

**JustMegan79** · 05-02-2009, 08:30 AM

I took depakote years ago and gained 30 pounds in 6 weeks. Took a year to get rid of the weight, the depakote I stopped right away. Stop taking it, there are so many other meds for bp if you need them, all drugs run risks, however you should find a new doc who actually cares enough to discuss the side effects and risk vs benefit with you!

Good luck and let us know what happens!

Ps. Stop taking it!

**jas** · 05-02-2009, 09:54 AM

Isn't it wonderful that we have access to tons of information that in the old days (pre-internet) we didn't. Everyone MUST check things out for themselves. Doctors these day don't seem or are not allowed to take time out to talk to their patients for more than 3 min!!!!

Do what ever you can to get off that medicine and whack your doc in the noggin for not knowing the risks in your case!!!! Geeeeezzzzz!!!!

**lilk** · 05-02-2009, 01:57 PM

You are in my prayers. I hope the doctor can put you on something safer. There are so many meds it's hard for the Dr doesn't know all the side affects, it is wise to check things out for yourself. I always ask when they perscribe me something new, Ask the Dr., the pharmist, and use the internet.

**LastDragonfly** · 05-02-2009, 02:31 PM

Honey, I'm not gonna hold your hand....I want you to deck him TWICE!...then I'll hold your hand!

I would call my lawyer....and then I'd find another doctor...

Hugs honey....I'm sorry.

**dcompton** · 05-02-2009, 04:10 PM

How about both docs? The pb guy should have your gastro issues in your chart, and your gastro guy should have known that you routinely take depakote.

Today's drugs are very complex. I work in a medical library. Ask me about the size of the books required to track drugs and their potential interactions, and no one can remember all of it. But with pancreatitis serious enough to hospitalize you, someone should have been looking at the details of the medications you routinely take.

**butterflygreen** · 05-02-2009, 07:50 PM

thats so wrong its just so bad that you docs cant take the time to know that these issues put you at an added risk for side effects.

**Michelle68** · 05-02-2009, 09:01 PM

Sending hugs your way.

Please find another doc for a second opinion. There are so many other meds out there, I can't believe he put you back on the Depakote with all the pancreatic problems you've had.