I have been in denial too long, I haven't been feeling right and my pdoc wanted me to try depakote for mood stabilization some time ago and I refused. Well I just took my first one. Wish me luck that it helps. For the first time this year I will be going to bed with bare nails. Jack wants me to polish outside, says it stinks up the house, even with the overhead fan on in my bathroom with the doors to the bedroom and the bathroom closed.

I tried to polish outside and it was an utter failure, it bubbled and looked HORRIBLE, I cried for about an hour. This is pretty much what triggering my call to pdoc and then the pharmacy to see if I had the depakote on file, which thankfully I did, so I didn't have to have the dr rewrite it. I am really worried about side effects. But I can't be feeling like this all the time. I've been really depressed for awhile and it's worn away at me. Doing my nails was a coping mechanism for me, and to have that taken away? Just stinks...

So I am going to try to do my nails in the garage. If that doesn't work? It's time to pack away the polish and just give up on my nails and nail art. I feel terrible about it, but I don't have any other choice since Jack gets a headache when I paint them when I am in my little bathroom on the other side of the apartment. I am out of ideas and beyond tired of trying to make it work. I can't get as upset as I was today, again, I just can't take it. Its not worth it and I'll end up sick over it.

I wish he'd be okay with me doing it inside, I really feel this isn't fair, but what can I do? I don't want him to get headaches and feel ill so my nails can look good. If it fails tomorrow I am going to seriously give up on it. And that loss will hurt as much as losing my ability to pump out decent fiction hurt me. I won't have anything left that I enjoy for ME. My little joy of nail art will simply die of neglect where as the writing was medicated out of me. I really have a problem with having to move the car out of the garage just so I can be in a black widow free zone, and attempt to do my nails. I really am NOT looking forward to this tomorrow. This pretty much has killed my joy and relaxation ability from manicuring, the idea of having to move the car and deal with all that trouble.

Pam

For one thing can you restart after you move. If you can figure out a
place to do them in the new house.

I haven't idea yet. But I'll think about it.

Donna

Dear Pam,

I hope you feel better about your nails soon. Stopping the nail polish is temporary. I really think you will come up with a plan in the future.

For now, let the Depakote do its work. It will take a while for it to help you. Be patient if you can.

Lots and lots of hugs.

M

Dear Pammie, I am sorry that you are having to put your nail art on hold until you get your new house then you will have more space. maybe even a basement?
you will come up with a new solution.
bizi

Dear Pam,

How do you feel about the Depakote?
'Hoping you are ok.

M

I am actually feeling a lot better, just two days on it and I am noticing a pretty radical difference. I actually laughed with my mother on the phone last night and I am not so touchy or feeling like crying...Thanks everyone, for caring. I was really in a BAD Place before, I just hope I don't gain a bunch of weight, that's really the one side effect that scares me....

Dear Pam

fwiw i've taken Depakote for about 7 years now and haven't had any major problems with it other than a bit of dulling at higher doses when they weren't required. I take the original brand. Mine is extended release (24 hour formulation) and enteric-coated.

my typical maintenance dose is 800 mg. i've had to go as high as 1500 to medicate mania. (that's not when i had the cognitive dulling roflolol i was anything but dull.)

I've not had any weight gain or hair loss from it. Hair loss can be prevented or, if it should happen, counteracted, by taking zinc and selenium supplements along with the vitamins that complement them. L-carnitine is also recommended because it is depleted by Depakote. I do not take that but I am considering it because I don't really get a lot of red meat which is a natural source. There is some evidence that folate absorption is somewhat impaired by Depakote, and i was found to be folate-deficient, so i'd recommend taking a supplement. I only take 200mcg and that fixed it but it will vary from person to person.

I wish you well on it. it does act fairly quickly and it has helped me a lot.

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

I sympathize about the nailpolish and the writing as i have been stripped of all my hobbies by my current conditions. i really hope that in the new house you will be able to find an arrangement for polishing - perhaps a very well-aired room - or if there are two bathrooms... one with a window or suction vent. lots of possibilities. so just cross that bridge when you come to it.



~ waves ~

how is it going pammie?
The house, your nails, your depakote?
hOw are you doing?
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Hi, Pam,

'Thinking of you.

M

I just had a thought. Do you have any local community Art studios? Sometimes they have classrooms, that are open to the public to do their art. Nail Art is art, and that may be an option. Also your local regular community center may have a public room for crafts. Just an idea....ginnie