Question: Hello, Dr Sheppe, I am XXXX XXXXXXX XXXX, and I wrote you recently about Propranolol for anxiety.

I have been a psychiatric patient for 15 years now, and in 2010, my diagnosis was changed from that of Schizophrenia, in 2001, to Schizoaffective bipolar disorder in 2010.

The medicine that I was prescribed was Valproic Acid, because the tablets were too big for me swollow. I asked for something easier to swollow after first taking the three very large tablets once a day, to Valproic Acid Syrup, 5ml 3 times daily, which is what I take now, or did, just before going to psychiatric hospital for anxiety attack on March 14, 2016. After seeing a doctor, he removed one medicine, Welbutrin, which I had been taking for two years... that medicine I questioned why it was prescribed in first place. But nonetheless, without Welbutrin since March 14, stopped in hospital, I have not had anxiety as before, which was very severe a few months before going to hospital... I entered hospital voluntarily and asked to go middle of day, was beautiful day, but I was very nervous that day.

What the doctor did a psychiatric hospital, as well, was increase Valproic Acid to 10ml from my previously prescribed 5ml. Before the 5ml prescription just a few months before, it was 2.5ml 3 times daily of Valproic Acid, which had been dropped for a period of time because of my better health. The reason it was changed - increased to 5ml of Valproic Acid 3 times daily, was because the doctor said it was the least effective dosage possible for that medicine to have any effect. That 2.5ml was too low a dosage of Valproic acid to take effect.

What I am writing you is that I have been sick with the 10ml dossage of Valproic Acid 3 times daily. I have bad headache, and other symptoms that don't let me function normally. I had to decrease to 5ml dossage immediately and thankfully I feel much better again. I tried the 10ml dossage for a long time. I tried 2 to 3 times, and every time I get the symptoms. I know it has something to do with the Valproic Acid syrup medicine.

I told my psychologist today and he told me to tell the nurse that administers my injection. I take Risperdal consta injection 50mg once every two 2 weeks, and Risperdone tablet. These, in total are my only medicines.

The psychologist I see told me to keep taking the dosage I lowered, and he asked me if I felt headaches I told him no, after my voluntary change of dosage. The psychologist said it was good that I don't have headaches anymore.

They made an appointment for me for tomorrow to see a nurse practitioner about my change in dosage of Valproic Acid.

I just write to comment on my situation. I realize I should not change dosage of medicine without a directive from a doctor, but symptom was painful for me. Luckily I will see nurse practitioner soon. I am just scared because as a psychiatric patient I don't have the right or permission to change or stop my medicine without the consent and directive of a prescribing doctor for psychiatric medicine.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to me Dr Sheppe. I just write you to ask your viewpoint and any advice you may have for me. I am usually a calm person keep to my things but sometimes I like to talk and be open with people, too.