Hi, I'm Lily P.

Hi @Lily P., welcome to Taper Community! Is your clinician familiar with Hyperbolic tapering? We recommend Hyperbolic tapering here at Taper Community - monthly reductions of no more than 10% of the previous month's dose. The reductions will therefore get smaller and smaller as time goes on. The greatest changes in receptor occupancy happen at very low doses, so tapering this way is safer and easier on the brain. Some members can only taper by 5% or even 2.5%. Everyone is different in what their own body can handle. They key is to listen to your body and adjust your taper accordingly. We have many members here from the UK, so hopefully you can find and connect with them. Everyone's location is listed on their posts (on the left side under their profile name). Here is the information we have about Depakote: https://taper.community/drugs/depakote https://taper.community/resources/blog/valproate-depakote-tapering-guide If you go to the Tapering Protocols, Symptoms & Self-Care, and I Need Support sections of the forum and click on the Guides tab, you'll find lots of helpful advice and tips. The Resources section also has lots of helpful information. We look forward to supporting you on your tapering and healing journey! Catina 💜

Thank you Catina for the welcome and explaining the hyperbolic tapering you advise. I've only recently been seen by an NHS clinician for a tapering review, they didn't describe the suggested options for tapering as 'hyperbolic'. The options he suggested from the current 500mg x6 days was to alternate daily 500mg day with 250mg doses or by cutting current dose immediately to daily by half eg., 250mg, however first before commencing he will arrange in-person support from community worker. I look forward to trying to weigh and consider whether the hyperbolic tapering is preferable for my needs.