There are 398 ratings for the drug: DEPAKOTE in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for depakote: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
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1	Taking it for depression	My brain is scrambled. My sort term memory is terrible. I cannot always remember the easiest words,making it hard to put together sentences. I have no ambition to do anything and I used to run my own business. I am forgetful,make excuses for not attending social events, fall asleep easily. In addition, I have a hard time writing because my hands shake. This is not a constant but it does happen. My family tells me I am just "not with it" and my son is so upset. If I have a good day, he will tell me, "Mom you sound so good today"! I am trying to convince everyone that I can still think. Iknow my husband thinks I am entirely unable to do much of anything. I am making his life so boring.	When I first began taking depakote, I did not notice these effects. I guess they were gradual. It must have started when I was operating my business because I had to hire an assistant to help keep my mind organized. Now, years later after retiring, I am noticing everything. I just had a liver test and my dermatologist told me to stop taking another medication he had prescribed for psoriasis. I believe my liver problems are cause by the depakote, not the other med I was taking. I am also on Cymbalta and I have not researched effects caused by this drug. But Cymbalta keeps me straight. Without it, I would probably start having suicidal ideation again. My psychiatrist said that Depakota was a mood medication??? It is more like a brain death medication. I am going to stop it. I would like to enjoy the rest of my life feeling, thinking, participating and enjoying the company of others. This is a dangerous medication and I think controlled testing should be done on hundreds of people.	F	64	15 years 500mg 1X D		7/15/2010
1	Migraine	Severely aggrevated existing pancreatitus, I believe it was a major factor in her death 6 months after starting the drug. She was age 46.	My wife was prescribed this drug by a PA, who was well aware that she had chronic pancreatitus (although in remission at the time, she was relatively healthy using digestive enzymes). She was not experiencing migraines but was deathly afraid of them. Within a week of starting this drug, she became very ill, experiencing pain from the pancreatitus. After this, she had difficulty eating, and died about 6 months later. Message is DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG IF YOU DRINK ALCOHOL IMMODERATELY OR HAVE EXPERIENCED ANY PANCREATIC SYMPTOMS. Doctors are too stupid to read the warnings of even the greedy drug manufacturers.	F	46	2 months 150mg 1X D		7/8/2010 Email
3	Bipolar Disorder			M	47	1000mg 1X D		6/29/2010 Email History
2	Bipolar	Constantly tired, drowsy, lack of ambition, no motivation, feeling blah	I've never felt so lazy my entire life until I started this shit. I feel like maybe it's because I'm not really bipolar like my psychiatrist seems to believe, so this drug is having an inverse effect on me. I don't like it.	F	20	2 months 500mg 1X D		6/27/2010
1	Bipolar II Diagnosis	Weight gain (Gained over 10 lbs in a week), uncontrollable bladder problems, Tremors, Nausea, Anxiety, Impaired short term memory	I'm now determined to become a lawyer so I can sue bastards that insist these drugs help you with bipolar disorder.	M	23	4 months 200 2X D		6/23/2010
5	Bi-Polar	The only side effect I have is that my period has stopped. My breasts are sore and tender. Almost mimicking pregnancy, however even though I had a tubal 3 yrs ago, I still took a test. negative whoohoo	This medication has been a miracle drug for me. I am 32 yrs old and until 3 weeks ago never really lived a single day of my life. I was recently hospitalized for another suicide attempt. Doc put me on Depakote within 3 days I felt like a different person. I wanted things, wanted to shower, wanted to walk, wanted to take care of my family. Upon coming home over the next week or so I had so much energy i felt as though I had lost 100lbs. My appetite has decreased (i am overweight so this is a good thing) I am consistent, concentration is better, no feelings of hopelessness. If I know something is coming up that may be difficult I am worried but I dont do the "freak-out" I know it will be hard, but also will be ok. THANK YOU DEPAKOTE YOU SAVED MY LIFE	F	32	4 weeks 500 2X D		6/22/2010
4	Bipolar Disorder	nausea, constipation, increased appetite and 10 lb. weight gain	After about 2 weeks, the nausea and constipation subsided which was great. When it did, I noticed a tremendous change in my emotional and mental state. I was more postive, actually looking forward to living out the day. The increased appetite and weight gain, however, is not cool. I'm at the heaviest I've ever been in my life! But with a stricter exercise routine and more careful food choices, hopefull it won't be too bad of a problem. Either way, for me, the side effects have are worth fighting through to feelt the way I do now while on Depakote. Do not give up! It's always going to be hard :P	F	27	1 months 500 mg 1X D		6/17/2010
2	NEWLY DX BIPOLAR 2	Only taken twice and I feel awful. Had to "cut and paste" post from another person as I can't function. I did not read ANY side effect information before I took as I did not want the info to "go to my head" well... two days and I Googled "I hate Depakote" and found this site. I don't like it. I know I should give it a chance?	DITTO!!!Confusion, can't find words, lose track of what I'm saying mid-sentence, can't think clearly at times, hands shaky, brain fog--have to make lists to keep myself on track--vivid dreams which I remember, frequent waking during night, exhausted during day, loss of enjoyment at work, embarrassed because I feel like people look at me strangely when I can't express a thought--like someon	F	51	2 days 250mgER 1X D		6/17/2010 Email
3	bipolar 2	Confusion, can't find words, lose track of what I'm saying mid-sentence, can't think clearly at times, hands shaky, brain fog--have to make lists to keep myself on track--vivid dreams which I remember, frequent waking during night, exhausted during day, loss of enjoyment at work, embarrassed because I feel like people look at me strangely when I can't express a thought--like someone with Alzheimers.	Was being treated for depression for 16+ years. New MD thinks the depression is secondary to bipolar 2. Depakote calmed my brain, which always seemed to be racing with thoughts, but my sleep quality is so poor with the constant dreaming and waking multiple times during the night, it's difficult to work. This drug would be fine if I could just stay at home, do very little, and not have to think straight.	F	38	28 days 500mg 1X D		6/15/2010
3	Bipolar after opiate addiction	Severe aggression and agitation, annoyance, short-fuse (no-fuse sometimes), fatigue with mild aches and pains. No change in appetite.	I started taking this back in late April 2010 for bipolar depression/OCD/anxiety after years of painkiller addiction. My doctor says I have some weird mix of bipolar depression, mania, obsessions, and anxiety as well as severe mood-swings as a result of years of painkiller abuse. He says that Depakote has been extensively-studied in numerous cases like mine and that it will take months for the brain to heal and that Depakote can speed up this process. Along with Neurontin and Zoloft I feel we were making progress and he added this medication back in late April 2010. Since then I go through periods of way up and way down, usually lasting about 2-3 days each respectively; the lows are the worst, feeling like I've got a pallet of bricks on top of me and way way beyond just being "bummed out". Additionally I am EXTREMELY agitated, annoyed, short-tempored, over almost anything, as well as overwhelming feelings of paranoia and dread. The smallest things can send me into a whirlwind of obscenities and four-letter words; additionally whenever someone at work or out in public or on the highway cuts me off or gives me lip suddenly I want to take out their kneecaps or run them off the road. My doctor seems "surprised" somewhat by this series of behavioral changes but says that it is all part of my condition and part of the process of my brain healing and that it will take time to improve. Anyone else have their own experiences like this with Depakote? Any lig	M	27	2 months 1000 1X D		6/14/2010 Email
2	Bipolar II	I have had mild nausea ever since I started taking it and sometimes acid reflux, vomiting, and other mild tummy trouble. I also have tingling in my face, tongue, arms, and legs that comes and goes. My doctor keeps saying these side effects will pass but they haven't gotten even the slightest bit better. If anything, they're getting worse.	I REALLY wanted to like this drug because I've tried several that didn't work (Lamictal, Lexapro, Seroquel, etc), but I really really hate it. I've been viciously irritable since I started taking it and sick on a daily basis. I'm also so terrified of the weight gain that everyone reports that I workout twice a day and eat about 1200 calories a day. I also force myself to ignore random hunger pains soon after I've eaten. I've actually lost 4 pounds but it's been a huge struggle. My doctor is not alarmed by any of my complaints and keeps telling me to wait it out. Exactly how long am I supposed to be completely miserable in my "treatment"? Luckily, I'm in between jobs at the moment. Had I been working, there is NO WAY I could have gone to work in this state. It makes no sense to trade depression for a horrible lifestyle. I'm going off of it ASAP.	F	30	1 months 500mg 1X D		6/14/2010
3	brain surgery	Weight gain of 50 lbs. Try to hold off of all drugs for as long as possible. I tried Kepra and it reacted badly in my system.	Gets one tired so take before going to bed. Will help you fall to sleep/ Hard to lose weight. I gained 50 pounds. From 210 to 260 over the last 10 years. . However does not seems to be causing any other negative health consequences. It causes a burning which makes one hungry after taking. Try to take it after eating. Really hard to lose the weight after taking Depakote.	M	48	10 years 250 4X D		6/12/2010 Email
1	mood stabilization	On just a starting dose, I became extremely fatigued from simply walking for a 1/2 hour. I was NEVER full after eating plenty.	Even though I hated it, I've seen it work great for a lot of people.	M	20	1 months 250 mg 2X D		6/3/2010
3	Bi-Polar Disorder	I have expierenced confused thoughts, lethargy, lack of co-ordination, eating something in the middle of the night and an effect that I would describe as being unable to grab something with my hands (muscle elastisticy),anxiety due to these side effects, ideas trailing off ( I have given up on the creative life that I had while manic) I understand the trade off!		M	55	15 years 2500MG 1X D		6/2/2010
1	bipolar	I gained 21 pounds in weight and a very worrying amount of hair loss. I stopped taking DEPAKOTE 2 months ago and my hair is still coming out at a fast rate. Every morning i wake up and its all over the pillow , i run my fingers through it an literally hundreds come out , my kids have my hair stuck to them , also i have to often pull strands of my hair off my partners face and clothes . Im terrified to brush it and wash it as it seems to come out much more so then . Does anyone know when this will stop ? It doesnt seem to be slowing down at all and im very concerned . This hair has taken years to grow and its very depressing seeing it every where but on my head . Im the fattest i have ever been in my life . It was as if i was starving constantly on DEPAKOTE .Food was a priority no matter where i was or what i was doing and there didnt seem to ever be a point at which i felt full enough . Thankfully my appetite has now dropped since stopping two months ago and i have lost 7 pounds so fa	If i had known the mess id be in on this drug id of steered well clear of it !!!!!!!!!	F	36	6 months 500 3X D		6/2/2010
5	Mania	Heartburn that comes and goes.	Nothing beats this drug. Nothing. Blows Lamictal out of the water. I have been in some of the most stressful situations one can conjure up, with nowhere to run and hide, and this drug I can count on. It works.	M	29	5 years 250mg 3X D		6/1/2010
4	bipolar 2	10lb weight gain, tiredness, bad dreams.	it definately helps but i find the weight gain hard to deal with, i go to the gym 3-4 times a week but have to starve myself to drop any weight and it soon returns.	M	47	4 months 750mg 1X D		5/20/2010
2	bi-polar	It is making my hair thin especially in the part and I have gained 20 pounds, I have trouble communicating my mind is sometimes in a fog, I know have worst depression but less manic, just dont feel very much, diareaha ,memory problems	My mother is on it she has parkinsons disease she was on the lithium and haldol for years She cant walk and in nursing home now I think its working for her she takes depakote but it is a dangerous drug	F	44	6 months 1500 mg 1X D		5/19/2010 Email
3	Bipolar	Brain fog: trouble remember the order of events, stupor, I stopped caring about things, felt cut off from my emotions, mentally numb, severe birth defects	Depakote did help with my ups and downs. Everything seemed to level out. I was no longer constantly suicidal, obsessive, or overwhelmingly depressed. I gained control over my impulses and fit in with my peers better. However, as a writer, I tanked. My ideas stuttered then stopped; I felt like I was a robot with out emotion. I just didn't feel anything, I was completely emotionally numb. I lost my fellowship from my inability to string a coherent story together, and had to give up my dream of being a writer. But I no longer attempt to kill myself. I'm not entirely sure the trade off is worth it. I stopped taking it when I accidentally became pregnant and miscarried. I knew it caused severe birth defects, and stopped taking it when I found out about the pregnancy, but it was too late.	F	25	300 days 1500 1X D		5/12/2010
5	atypical migraines	slight hair loss, weight gain, drowsiness	Depakote has helped me so much. I started to experience light- enduced atypical migraines about a year ago, and it got continually worse. I would experience tunnel vision and severe dizziness when exposed to bright lights on stage and while driving, especially at night. After I started depakote, the migraines completely ceased. The drowsiness has slightly affected my life, seeing as I'm a college student with very early classes. The weight gain and minor hair loss I can deal with, I'll just have to start running and eating a bit better! It's so nice to not have that constant fear of having another episode. I highly recommend this drug for people with similar symptoms.	F	20	5 months 250 2X D		5/9/2010
4	bipolar	severe hair loss. noticable waight gain. sleepiness.	I had been misdiagnosed for 8 years before starting depakote. I was being treated for severe depression when I was actually bipolar so the medications I was on was actually increasing my manic episodes. After starting depakote my mood did stabalize. I feel calmer and less out of control. I am hoping my hair grows back like others have said.	F	47	5 months 750 1X D		5/7/2010 Email
4	Simple Partial Seizure	Osteoporosis	Kept me seizure free for 17 years, but eveloped significant osteoporosis despite having no risk factors (age, gender, family history); in fact, I was doing all the things that are associated with strong bones: lots of milk into early adulthood; calcium and Vitamin D supplements, running 35-40 miles a week for 29 years, weight lifting 3X per week for same period. Anyone taking Depakote should have regular bone scans.	M	59	17 years 250 MG 4X D		4/27/2010
3	Constant Migraine	Horrible nightmares, irregular periods, some hair loss, sleepiness, increased appetite	I was switched from Topomax to Depakote to treat constant migraine pain. At 500mg each night it wasn't very effective at lowering the pain so my neurologist added 250mg in the morning. The pain is a bit lower but still not as low as on Topomax. On the plus side I have less confusion than I did on Topomax although I'm no longer working since the switch so it just may not be obvious. I've always had frequent dreams but I'm now having constant nightmares some of which leave me unable to sleep. Hair loss is annoying but okay. I find myself hungry only an hour or so after eating which is not terrible since I'm thin.	F	36	3 months 500/250mg 2X D		4/21/2010
3	bi-polar	visible tremor, hair thinning, weight gain, vivid dreams, tiredness, short term memory loss.	I am currently taking depo, but am looking to review the dose with my consultant. I am quite happy to put up with a number of the side effects as it has improved my mood, but I am very unhappy about the weight gain and this is now having a negative affect on my mood and I am developing a unhealthy attitude towards eating, and this worries me. I eat a healthy vegee diet exercise daily but have started to restrict the foods I eat, and have major guilt issues sometimes eating in secret outside of mealtimes, If a eating disorder is part of your symptoms don't take it.	F	38	4 months 1500 2X D		4/19/2010 Email
5	Bipolar	mild stomach pain when beginning/raising dosage.	This drug was a miracle drug for me. Bipolar disorder is terrible. I spent 2 years before i was put on this drug and it works fantastically. It gets rid of the headaches, stops the mansism. And it regulates you brain. A++	M	26	4 months 1000mg 1X D		4/18/2010
4	daily h/a, migraine & cluster-like	A little "zing" or "buzz" in my head when the dose I take kicks in; weight gain, frequent, intense hunger!	At 250 mg, I was having improvement, but break-thru headaches every day, and no weight gain. At 500 mg, the break-thru's are even milder, but all of a sudden I started gaining weight. I have worked hard since adulthood to keep up good eating habits, and really "checking in" with my stomach to see if I am hungry before I eat that snack. So when I saw I gained 5 pounds in the last week, I was baffled. Then I started reading about the hunger, and realized I have been crazy hungry lately, just an hour after a meal, and so I was eating. Wondering if I can train myself to ignore the hunger, and wondering if that will keep me from gaining weight....	F	47	6 weeks 500 ER 1X D		4/14/2010
4	Migraines	heartburn, somedays worse than others, minor hair loss but I tend to shed normally. Other issue is weight gain. So far I'm steady at having gained 10 lbs.	Seems weightgain is a very common side effect. It's lessening my migraine frequency so far. Guess I would rather be fat than having daily migraines.	F	31	2 months 250 2X D		3/25/2010
4	Bi Polar	Minor weight gain, 5-10lbs. Initial drowsiness. Acid reflux.	I've adapted very well to this drug and it has been quite a positive experience for me. I wouldn't say it's a cure-all for my bi polar/depression but it's kept a lot of it in check which is more than Lexipro, Effexor and Prozac did for the last ten years.	M	31	500mg 1X D		3/23/2010
1	Bipolar	Major weight gain. Height is 5'9". Went from weighing 170 lbs. to 215 lbs in a matter of about 5 months. Also, developed nystygmus (involuntary fluttering of the eyes), a sporadic hand tremble, and had trouble recalling words and formulating coherent sentences. My appetite went through the roof and was very hard to control. I craved things I never would've considered, like Big Macs *twice* a day!	This drug is a notorious weight gain medication. I had been warned about it before taking it but thought, It won't happen to me. Well, it did and now I am trying to lose 45 lbs. I went from a size 10 to size 16. It calmed my mania, but so do other drugs. Took Zyprexa after going off the Depakote but it did not help me lose the weight. Trying Carbatrol now.	F	32	9 months 3X D		3/15/2010 Email
4	bipolar	some weight gain, hair loss, tremors, wild dreams	I am willing to deal with these side effects because no other medicine has actually worked. I am able to actually get up in the morning and function all day. Once in awhile I get tired, but that's easy to handle. The one you want to avoid is, Symbyax----- I gained 50lbs in a few months and got high cholesterol from it. I have been off of it now for several months and I am still battling the weight and cholsterol.	M	40	8 months 500mg 2X D		3/4/2010 Email
5	Unstable Moods	The first 6 months I put on a few pounds, maybe 5. I adjusted after that.	I can't believe some of the negative posts here. PCOS, yeah, everyone has known about that for years, get over it. Dilantin is definitely more dangerous as are other AED'S and check out the rashes associated with Lamictal. The rashes and lack of anti manic effects of Lamictal are documented and undeniable. This drug was discovered in 1882, synthesized in 1963 and first marketed in 1967 Euro, 1983 USA. Every side effect has been published. This med has too many positives to list but I am sure the next post will be a 1 rating with a PCOS warning and death and dying listed as side effects probably. I advise the Extended Release version and ignore the maniacal negatives. It may not work but it sure as hell won't kill you. Look it up.	M	37	10 years 250mg 3X D		3/2/2010
5	Migraine Prevention	I did have some moderate hair loss--but it was also right after I had a baby, so it's hard to tell if that was all post-pregnancy related, or was due to the Depakote.	Take at night to avoid any side effects, so I have had none. In the time I have been on Depakote, I have had 2 break-thru migraines in a 10 month period, which is great for me.	F	34	10 months 250mg 1X D		3/1/2010
4	Bipolar	abdominal cramping, nausea, acid reflux, hair loss, and nightmares.	My psychiatrist started me on this medication to treat rapid cycling. It has been working pretty well and at the moment I am going to try to stick with this medication. However, it is giving me horrible nightmares and if they get any worse I am going to have to see if she will switch me to something else. As far as weight gain goes I am thinking 5 lbs so far. I'm not sure because I don't weight myself.	F	22	4 weeks 1000 1X D		2/21/2010
2	Prevention of Migranes	Extremely tired after taking this medication, I start to just fall asleep in the middle of the afternoon. I can hardly even keep my eyes open. When I take it in the evening, same thing, I fall right asleep, which at night I don't really mind because I usually have problems sleeping, it knocks me out for at least 8 hours straight. Before I was lucky if I got 4 hours of sleep. I also have increased appetite, I am hungry pretty much all day! And if I do wake up in the middle of the night, I am hungry then too. I also have had a lot of cramping in my stomach. I have been very irritable, which I believe is from the medication making me so tired. My sister has even noticed my increased attitude and snappiness.	I started doing some research on this medication because I was concerned with the side effects I've been having. Now after reading other peoples posts, mine match up almost identically! I am talking to my doctor about stopping this and trying something new. Not to mention, my migraines haven't even stopped! I am still getting them, along with these horrible side effects in addition!	F	27	3 weeks 500 mg/day 2X D		2/13/2010 Email
2	bipolar	dizzyness, stomach pains, sleepy, fatigue... just plain blah!!!	after taking the first pill, i woke up the next morning feeling horrible!!! towards the afternoon, the stomach pains go away, but im still tired and feeling blah. so far, im not enjoying it, and neither is my job...	F	21	1 weeks 500mg 1X D		2/4/2010
2	seizures	"In a fog" grogginess, strong negative effect on short-term memory loss, dehydration and serious peeling of skin, weakness, lessened sense of balance, nausea, vivid nightmares	I was being weaned from lamictal (caused more seizures) and introduced to depakote. Transition went well, but now that I'm on just the depakote, I feel like I'm in a fog or 'suspended animation' for about 4 hrs after taking a dose. My coordination is poor, my speech is slurring. I don't know if it will affect my seizures since I've been on it just over a week by itself. Considering its current effects, my hope is slim. Within 48 hrs of beginning the drug, my hand & foot flesh became terribly dehydrated, wrinkled, separating into small patches, ripping off if I inadvertently brushed up against something. Moisturizer hasn't helped. The visual and headache side effects of the lamictal have ceased, but it seems a whole new trainload of terror is awaiting me. I'd been on depakote years ago and forgot why I came off of it. Between then and now,everything else has had horrific side effects, particularly the lamictal and topomax which nearly killed me(I guess a side effect of being dead should be okay if I'm seizure-free?). From reading the patient reviews, I share many of the same side effects. If the depakote doesn't do something positive in about 3 mos, I'll go back to no Rx at all where I would have 1 or 2 seizures per 3 to 5 years; on Rxs, I have about 4-5 per 2 months. The state requires me to be on a Rx and seizure free if I am to continue to drive;if the Rx causes the seizures, how then will I ever become seizure free? Somewhere, I'm missing the logic in all of	F	54	28 days 500mg 2X D		2/4/2010
1	bipolar	major hair loss	i have very long hair and I had major hair loss. I had to stop taking this medication immediately	F	17	1 days 1X D		2/4/2010
1	BP II	Memory loss, confusion, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, tremor, major weight gain (80lb+), major hair loss, difficulty finding the right words, painful bone aches.	Honestly this has been the worst medication I've ever taken, and I've tried a lot. It helps bring down the highs (and is the only one that does that for me, so far) but it comes at a huge cost. My pdoc described the side effects as "pseudo-dementia" when I was on a higher dosage. I'm also experiencing terrible aches in my bones, and now I'm trying to get myself tested for bone loss (this isn't uncommon with depakote!). I hate it! Also the weight gain is terrible... dieting just makes it worse.	M	21	1 years 1000mg 1X D		2/4/2010
3	Grand Mal Seizure	Weight Gain, tingling in my legs and feet, tingling in my head in the last 8 hours of dose.	I had my first and only Grand Mal Seizure in Oct.2009. I had just stepped off my motorcycle. I have been becoming unmotivated and my short term memory is becoming a real issue. I just dont feel like myself. My body clock has always woke me up at 6 am. and now I am not awake until 8am or even as late as 10am. I also have the dizziness.	M	49	3 months		1/24/2010
1	bipolar	weight gain	this medicine didnt do anything for me, i felt no changes	F	21	3 months		1/22/2010
2	severe daily migraines	weight gain, hand tremors, hair loss, fuzzy vision, indigestion, confusion	Doc put me on Depakote as a last resort in addition to 400 mg/day of Topomax to try to break the cycle of 24/7 migraines. He started low, but within 2 months I was on 1500 mg and my life was impossible. I couldn't think, wake up, have a social life, and was still trying to work and raise 4 kids. I asked for a second opinion, and was seen by 2 other docs. One was out of state at UC-San Fran. He was awesome and set me up with some "rescue" painkillers. He suggested I start weaning myself off of the high levels of drugs I was on and take the painkillers only when needed. That's what I've done. I'm now on 200 mg. of Topomax and 500 mg of Depakote and still trying to work my way down. I THINK I WAS OVERMEDICATED AND HAVING REBOUND HEADACHES IN BETWEEN DOSES. Now I can take one of my painkillers in between doses if I need one (maybe 2x/week). GET A SECOND OR THIRD OPINION!!! GOOD LUCK!!!	F	45	18 months		1/16/2010
4	Depression	At first, dizziness. Dropped from 1500 mg to 1000, it went away. I can get slightly scatterbrained though. Eventually I went up to 2000 mg. (starting last week) After 3 wks I am still dealing with a bit of scatterbrainedness and most noticably, clumsiness. I have broken more glasses by dropping them in the last week than I have in the last 5 years.	I am def'ly getting better results with is vs. the SSRIs (Zoloft or Prozac) I was on. I think I have had some sexual side effects in the realm of oversensitivity around the glans, leading to premature ejaculation. However I am not sure if that is due to the coming off of SSRIs with their notorious sexual-response-deadening side effects getting reversed-out suddenly or if it is related specif'ly to the depekote.	M	41	21 days		1/8/2010 Email
1	diagnose bipolar	My mother lost the ability to walk, talk, feed herself, and could not communicate with us. She could not sit nor turn over in the bed. She was falsely diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease for years. Depakote destroyed her life and cost her years.	I was contacted by the nursing facility and urged to have hospice take care of my mother since her "Alzheimers" and "Parkinson's disease" had progressed to the point that she could not eat enough to sustain her life much longer. During the Hospice meeting I was told that Mother would not be given anything to sustain her life. I refused to sign with them and had her transported to her neurologist. He said that she was in late stage Alzheimers and could not live more than 18 months. I still refused Hospice "care". I decided to get her medical records instead,and became horrified at what I found! A few years earlier she had told one of her doctors that she would not take Depakote anymore because it was stopping her from being able to walk very well. He stated this in the records, then stated that she would from then on be given Depakote syrup and he raised the dosage. This was hidden in her drinks. He actually signed this report. I started to research Depakote and found that Alzheimer's and Parkinson's caused by this drug was reversible. I had him take the dosage down until she could come off the drug. She woke up! That was almost 4 years ago. She will never be able to walk again because her muscles athropied. She can barely sit up, but her mind is alert to everything that is going on and she remembers everything except for the years of being bedridden because of this dangerous drug. She also calls to tell us what goodies she would like to have us	F	61			1/8/2010
3	migraine headaches	hair loss, weight gain, tremors, dizziness, delayed mental response time, indegestion, reflux	My neurologist told me the Depakote ER was the "court of last resort" for my migraines. I have noticed it takes my body about a month before I can see the results of the medication. I have 13 to 14 severe migraines a month that are linked to my monthly cycle. The Depakote ER 500 mg per day almost stopped them at first, then they crept back. Now I'm up to 1000 mg per day and am not sure I can keep it up because of the worsening side effects. It's like my digestive system has completely stopped working and I'm gaining more weight and losing more hair if that's possible. I may try the topomax again sooooooon!	F	34	8 months		1/1/2010
3	Bipolar 2	no side effects for first 2 weeks - after that I had weight gain, irritability, hallicinations, trouble sleeping, confusion, dizziness when I look to the left or right	I hate this medicine and want off of it ASAP	F	31	30 days		12/30/2009
3	Seizure Disorder	nausea,weight gain, hair loss, hand tremors, CRAZY DREAMS that I remember almost every morning & insomnia	I was just diagnosed with a "seizure disorder" in July of 09'. Apparently I have been experiencing the "aura" as my crazy doctor call its for years but had my first full blown seizure this year. Depakote ER is my third medicine and for the most part the only one that is stopping the seizures from coming on but I have experience alot of side effects. At first on this medicine I was nauseated for about the first month. Now I have horrible hair loss and I've just started to notice I get tremors in my hands and I've gain 15 lbs in about 3 months. I have been experiencing insomnia and when I do get to sleep I have the crazy vivid dreams that I remember almost every morning when I wake up. I have had two seizures since I've been on depakote er but again according to my Dr. they are what are to be considered "break through" seizures. I am currently looking for a new neurologist. Hopefully I can get something that I can have a normal life on!!	F	29	3 months		12/16/2009
1	epilepsy - partial complex seizures	personality change, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, my period stopped, memory problems, loss of interest, gained 40 pounds and unable to work.	I took depakote, 1250 mg twice a day, for 15 years and it destroyed my life. It did stop my seizures at first. And that was all my neurologist cared about even though it was evident that it had changed me and I kept telling him that it made me depressed. At first it was okay, I finished undergrad and grad school but my personality changed overtime, I became severely depressed, suicidal, I had memory problems, loss of interest, gained 40 pounds, my period stopped and I was unable to work. I started seeing a psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist for the depression and he became my advocate. He said I should not be on this drug and definitely not at 2500mg a day. With his help I finally switched to another doctor and then to another drug. It was like I came out of a fog. My brother said that the sister he remembered was back. Slowly, I was able start working again and to have a life – to laugh and have fun. This medication stopped my ability to live and I will never get the last 10 of those 15 years back. NO ONE should ever take this drug for epilepsy. It may help people with bipolar disorder from being manic but if you do not have a manic problem it takes you so far down past the medium line of normal emotions into depression that I would have preferred to have seizures everyday. There are other epilepsy drugs that have little to no side effects. Make it clear to your doctor if you are having problems. I now take lamictal and keppra and am doing great!	F	43	15 years		11/28/2009
4	Bipolar I	Major hair loss, weight gain, tremors, muscle spasms, losing ability to spell words and speech, decreased ability to concentrate.	Despite the serious side effects of depakote, it has helped control my mania. I am taking 1500 mg a day. In addition to the depakote, I take seroquel and lamictal. This combination has greatly stabilized my mood swings. I have also suffered from migaine headaches for 32 years and depakote does nothing to diminish the pain. I am very concerned about the hair loss. I used to have very thick hair and the hair loss is most obvious on the top of my head. I'm considering requesting litium instead of the depakote to see if it will stop the hair loss. Does anyone know if the lithium is a good subsitute for depakote?	F	53	4 years		10/31/2009 Email
1	Bipolar Manic Insomnia	Severe heartburn, indigestion, nausea, almost 24/7.	Due to the severe side effects, actually brought me down into depression. Within two days of discontinuing usage, I was feeling great on just Seroquel.	F	55	2 months		10/30/2009
5	Migraine prevention	The only side effect I had was when performing fine motorized skills such as typing on my computers keyboard like now. My fingers or hands twitch. I keep hitting the same key over, or, I'll hit wrong keys. It drives me crazy but the consequences are worse.	My migraines were familial (inherited) and atypical (not typical)I had them as long as I could remember. I get turned into an invalid. My mother & one brother got same thing, sometimes everyday for a while. When afflicted I was like a mind without a body. I knew what was going on arround me but couldn't walk or talk. I had one migraine 2 days after my first Depakote. I haven't had a migraine since. I only take 500 mg. every day.	M	56	4 years		10/13/2009
5	bipolar II	weight gain, thinning hair, though i'm taking remeron too, so not sure it might me from that one too	taking 2000mg. The drug is beautiful, minor side effects, though it doesn't control my mood swings completely, i still can take only 7,5mg of remeron for my depression daily, be on casein/sugar/gluten/caffeine free diet, and control my binges, otherwise it doesn't help much	F	24	3 years		10/5/2009
3	Chronic daily migraine	Very drowsy (needed nap after work, slept great at night), tremors.	Depakote ER did help with the headaches, which had caused me to miss a week of work. But it made me very sleepy and also caused tremors in my hands and jaw. I had a lot of trouble having minor dental work done, because of the jaw tremor. I also had trouble doing yoga. Only a little weight gain (5 lbs.) over two-and-a-half years. I went off it to see if I could end the tremors and fatigue, but had nothing but trouble with other drugs.	F	56	2.5 years		10/5/2009
5	Bipolar Disorder	Slight Drowsiness	I was experiencing extreme paranoid delusions which led to an extended hospital stay. My doctor put me on Geodon 120mg/day and Depakote 1000mg/day. The delusions went away and I was able to resume life as normal, but I was extremely tired for the first two or three hours of the morning until I stopped taking Geodon. Now that I am only taking Depakote I feel much more stable and in control.	M	30	8 months		10/2/2009
2	Epilepsy	Severe nausea, sleepiness, confusion, slight hair loss (curly regrowth), depression, memory loss	I took this medication for 2.5 years, starting out with a low dose and then gradually increasing to 1000mg/day. I had tried various other medications (and combinations of medications) for 3 years before I was put on Depakote. My doctor was very hesitant to try it because of my age and the effects it has on pregnancy. I was seizure-free after about 7 months of altering the dose, and once I hit 1000 mg/day I did not have another seizure on this medication. However, I was so sick from the side effects that I had to be slowly taken off Depakote. I vomited at least five times a week, and I had no appetite. I was down to only 86 pounds at one point (I'm 5'3") and my doctors decided it would be best to stop taking Depakote. While I was being weaned, I had no seizures, and I did not have another until I was off the medication completely. Since then I've had one seizure a month for 6 months, even on a new medication.	F	23	2.5 years		9/24/2009
3	Anxiety, Seratonin imbalance.	BAD memory loss, loss of concentration, nausea.	I took it and I thought it was working fine. I experienced some nausea in the beginning but it wasn't a deal breaker. I was experiencing some memory loss as well, which at the time wasn't a deal breaker either. I sometimes forgot names briefly, phone numbers, spellings, simple math, song lyrics, and had to make a lot of lists reminding me of various things each day. But I thought all this was worth it compared to how I felt before taking the drug. THEN, I went back to university and not only had the memory loss started to get worse by the second month, I noticed that functioning and doing kind of school work was next to impossible. I couldn't concentrate on anything and couldn't remember anything I read or wrote down. This made it really hard to....hold on I can't remember the word I want use here.....be motivated to do any work. Before taking the drug I was able to write 20 page research papers in about two days. NOW, I have been struggling to write three pages in a day. My school work is severely suffering and I have no idea how I am going to remember anything when I have mid-terms. To conclude, from my personal experience I have been having trouble with the drug since taking it. BUT, everybody is different and I have known many people who have said it helps tremendously, I just wanted to get my two cents in regarding my own experience with it.	F	21	2 months		9/20/2009
1	JME seizure disorder	severe hair loss,hirsutism, weight gain, caused me to develop Metabolic Syndrome- a.k.a Syndrome X and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), fits of rage- like if someone harassed/antagonized me, I would "black out," beat them severely, then suddenly come to my senses, not remembering doing anything. Also lots of joint pain/body aches/sore muscles and my teeth became brittle. Occasional sleep paralysis, menstruation stopped, fluid retention, etc, etc. Any doctor who does not study the drugs he prescribes, deserves to have his teeth kicked out and be dragged through the street. A doctor who does study those drugs, and prescribes the dangerous ones with a clear understanding of the side effects, while withholding this information from the patient should be shot in the face twice with a 12 gauge. A doctor who knows these dangers, and REFUSES to help a patient change drugs, should be publicly tortured and humiliated for 3 days, then shot twice in the face with a 12 gauge.	I was forced to stay on it for years because you can't simply quit the stuff, you have to wean off. I could not find a doctor who would agree to take me off it and put me on something else. They would not listen to me, they would flat out lie and tell me "Oh, no depakote won't do that, it's perfectly safe." Eventually I found a doctor who is not lazy and apathetic; and she immediately took me off depakote and put me on lamotrigine (lamictal). I have been on lamictal now for 3 years, and my hair is very slowly growing back. I don't need a wig anymore, but I do have to use strategically placed extensions and it's still too thin. I finally starting dropping weight (20 lbs) AFTER staying in the gym regularly for 2 YEARS. Depakote weight is NOT like normal weight gain- it is HELL to lose, regardless how active you have been or how sensibly you eat. I was NOT a couch pig during my depakote days. I worked outdoors for a living, camped frequently, and was generally active- so sudden weight gain was cause for major concern. I think I sustained joint damage from the depakote, as I still hurt all the time. The pain is less when I stay mobile, otherwise I "lock up," as one does with arthritis- I feel this in all of my joints, but very bad in joints that have been injured, such as my knee and shoulder. The lamictal is controlling my seizures, luckily- and I'm only taking 150 mg once daily. MAY DOCTOR DONALD BUTTS OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI ROAST IN HELL.	F	33	17 years		9/18/2009
5	Bipolar Disorder	I did have to get over some initial side effects of stomach upset. I felt tired at times in the begining which was actually good. I would rather be calm and a bit tired than freaking out.	All I can comment on is how it works for me and for me it's great.	F	27	5 years		9/11/2009
1	Bipolar 1	MAJOR HAIR LOSS, HUGE WEIGHT GAIN (20 LBS. IN ONE MONTH), IRREGULAR PERIODS, STRANGE/VIVID DREAMS. ACNE	I only took Depakote for one month; I stopped when my hair started falling out by the handful. Have lost 2/3 of my hair's volume--have been off of it for 2 months now and hair is still falling out. My skin looks awful--breaks out in acne. I missed two periods, and then had three cycles in one month's time (probably the early onset of polycystic ovary disease) It did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help my mood. Seroquel alone works much better for me, without all the nasty side effects of this DEVIL'S DRUG.	F	43	30 days		9/4/2009
4	daily headache prevention	increased appetite, weight gain, hair loss, sensitivity to sound, nightmares, anxiety (taking buspar for anxiety and it seems like it decreases the effectiveness)	It has decreased my headaches by about 80%.	F	30	1 months		9/1/2009
1	JME/seizures	Weight gain,bluryness,fatigue,tremor,dizzyness,nausea,agressive- behavior,and confusion.	I was diagnosed with JME(Juvenile Myclonic Epilepsy)at the age of 13 years old. Soon afther my diagnosis I was put on depkene for the end of my 7th grade-and half of my 8th grade year.Did nothing.Nexst,on the list was depkote the same thing did no good even being on it.Made me see colorful spots floating in the air or on my paper and made the classrooms,hallways,and living room I was sitting or standing in..etc. look like a funhouse mirror if you were to look at a fun house mirror.I stood that as my neuro increased the dose to the highest and did nothing.By the end of my 8th grade year to the beginning of my 9th grade year he leaned me off and put me on depkote ER(extended release).Still no improvement even as he increased more and more of this med did nothing.Just effect me with more side effects as they get worse every high dose you increase it to.	F	18	3 years		8/25/2009
4	Bipolar I Disorder	When first went on it caused loads of weird side effects - my legs felt like rubber bands and I kept falling over all the time. I also couldn't stop shaking, my hands and legs swelled up like elephants and the mania seemed to get worse. They increased the dose within a short time from 750mg (with seroquel) to 1000mg and the side effects seemed to lessen. I started to lose control of my bladder which was really embarrassing and immediately saw weight gain. I have now been on Depakote for 9 months and have put on 45 lbs. I am going to explode if I carry on at this rate. My hair falls out as well	My moods stabilised from a dangerous dysphoric manic episide - but I was still manic 3 months after going on it. They increased dose to 1500 when seroquel was stopped and I went low quickly, sleeping all day and not really moving off sofa. Now I am on 1250mg after much persuading of shrink and this seems better. But for me despite looking like a beached whale, depakote has been a life saver and hopefully a long term solution to bipolar for me	F	31	10 months		8/8/2009
5	bipolar II	weight gain, memory loss, depression and anxiety	Depakote decreases levels of acetyl l-carnitine which is an amino acid that plays several important roles in the human body; It helps to reduce anxiety, depression, improve weight loss and inhance memory. Acetyl l-carnitin could be found in red meat and dairy. Your body can produce a very small amount of L-Carnitine on a daily basis. But since I'm vegetarian and have been taking depakote for years, guess what? I've been suffering from anxiety disorder and depression for years and was treatmnet resistant. Since I started taking acetyl l-carnitin, my mood has significantly improved and anxiety disappeared. I did research it says people who take anti seasure drugs should take high doses of acetyl l-carnitine. I hope it helps someone.	F	24	5 years		7/30/2009
5	cyclothymia (mild bipolar disorder)	Only on 375 mg/day. Some stomach upset at first (a probiotic was suggested by my doc, which remedied the issue), drowsiness, mild appetite decrease. Nothing major. Have read that most major side effects occur above the 1000mg dosage.	So far so good. My biggest complaint is drowsiness, but I am also taking klonopin with it which my psychiatriast says is known to cause drowsiness when taken together. We are attempting to tweak the dosing time to remedy the issue. Otherwise, I am happy with it. This is the first drug that controls my moods without inducing mania (antidepressants do that to me) and it has no effect on my sex drive nor has it caused me to gain weight (everytime I take antidepressants I encounter rapid weight gain and sexual side effects). Absolutely zero weight gain so far. Not every drug is for everyone but this one seems to work for me.	F	28	3 months		7/20/2009
1	Bipolar	stupor, anxiety, depression, anger, psychosis, inability to think clearly, depersonalization, derealization, weakness, electric shocks	These pills are awful, or at least in my case they were. I was given to them by one of my psychiatrists due to bipolar and depression, and quite strangely, it didn't do a thing at all to correct said bipolar and depression. In fact, they probably made the depression even worse. This, along with Remeron and Thorazine, were the last pills I ever took, and are the last pills I ever will take. I quit taking them on 06/01/2008, and I am NOT looking back. I am still going through the withdrawals from these awful drugs. Every now and then I have waves where I get REALLY shaky and weak, and I'm ALWAYS depressed and miserable, and sometimes have rage that is hard to control, particularly towards my former psychiatrists, anxiety, electric shocks, rattling of the brain, hypersensitivity to light and sound, tingling skin, hands and feet, and occasional trouble sleeping, and I am 99% sure that all of this is because of those drugs. I would take extreme caution with these, and pretty much ALL other potentially mind-altering medications.	M	21	3.5 years		7/16/2009
1	Epilepsy	slurred speech, dizzyness, loss of appetite, blurred vision, severe memory loss as well as short term memory loss, confusion, tremors, severe sleepyness	I experienced slurred speech, the doctors even suspected stroke, blurred vision, states of unconciousness, 911 had to be called several times. as far as controling my seizures it did the job.	F	55	15 years		7/16/2009
1	mixed/manic episode	20 lb weight gain in 6 weeks, increased tremor	took me out of the mixed state quickly, but continuing it (1500) caused such quick weight gain, that it was not worth continuing	F	37	6 weeks		7/16/2009
4	BI POLAR	hand tremors, weight gain, substantial libido decrease,knawing feeling in stomach which drives me to eat way more than needed or usual.Swelling in hands and feet,horribly upsetting dreams about people in my life etc,repeating dreams for years,anxiety,memory problems,loss of some cognition processes,continued depression with effexor and wellbutrin on board.Lethargic,frustration with people. I have trouble staying asleep and need sleeping pill to get to sleep. I have developed restless leg syndrome that drives me insane. Vison blurring,difficulty in waking up. Headache in the morning until i do get up on my feet.	I feel it has stabalized my moods and am afraid not to take it. I take 1000 mg a day. Libido issues are very unwelcomed.Weight gain,25 lbs,is very upsetting as well. The rest I have learned to accept. I was accidently taken off it suddenly without anyones knowledge due to a persription error and I am still struggeling with that. I am uncertain, since it has been two weeks, about going back on it. Withdrawal was/is very dramatic and makes me very sick,dizzy and nausious. My drs don't know about their mistake yet. I get pressure from significant other to stay off of it. Geeeze !! I often hope I don't wake up in the morning.	M	62	12 years		7/5/2009 Email
4	Bipolar I	Significant hair loss, 15 pound weight gain (over 2 months), temporary aphasia, problems with thought processing	Fortunately I started out with a full head of hair, so I could afford to lose some...but it was quite horrifying to see so much of it come out in the shower, my brush, etc. I began losing it in the 2nd month, and about 40% of it fell out with in 3-4 weeks. I started taking Centrum Silver (which has selenium and zinc), and I've just now noticed a decline in the hair loss. I was VERY weary of stopping Depakote completely because it has been WONDERFUL for me otherwise. I've been hospitalized 3 times in the past, and have tried a number of other drugs for Bipolar, and made the hard decision to trade vanity for stability. I've been on the new vitamins for two weeks now, and things seem to be leveling out! If anyone else out there is nervous about the hair loss...it DOES stop, and it DOES grow back...just be strong...lower your Depakote doses a bit and get on some vitamins. As far as the other side effects I listed: I started eating better, and lost the 15 pounds...and the aphasia and trouble thinking eventually went away.	F	23	4 months		7/5/2009
4	bipolar nos	indigestion, weight gain, loss of libido, tremors	Yeah, it has a lot of side effects, but for me, I'd rather endure the side effects than not take it. Depakote stabilizes my mood and I'm not the irritable witch I am when I'm not taking it. It also helps a lot with my concentration and improves my overall capability to function.	F	38	10 months		7/1/2009
3	Mania	I have gained 80 lbs, lost most of the hair on the top of my head, become depressed	Based solely on its ability to control mania Depakote deserves a 5, however the long term side effects have been pretty severe. I have gained nearly 100 pounds, am going bald and have developed a tremor. I currently take 1500mg every day, down from 3000mg that I took when I first began treatment. Either because of the side effects or the drug itself I have become depressed and I rarely leave my house anymore. I have managed to go back to school and am doing very well academically. I will be taking my LSAT in the fall. Having lost the mania I have also lost the creative insights that go along with it. Consider carefully before taking this drug or any drug. On balance I still consider it beneficial so I keep taking it.	M	33	10 years		6/27/2009 Email
5	Mania	Occasional drowsiness but I am a hyper type guy so I don't mind.	My Dr. stopped my Depakote and put me on Lamicatal a few years back and that was a big mistake. I had all kinds of problems on Lamictal. Fights with co-workers, cosmetic problems and general anger. Depakote is not perfect but it calms me down day in and day out. I am staying with it. I have to.	M	33	7 years		6/22/2009
2	Bipolar depressive side of spectrum	NO SEX DRIVE, Massive diarrhea (6 to 7 times a day), fountains of acid reflux, stomach PAINS, mental confusion, sleep disorder, minor weight gain, lethargy (sleep 12 to 14 hrs a night and still feel like I didn't sleep), muscular twitching (my wife tells me especially when I sleep), irritation, apathy.	Drug worked for approx. one year with manageable side effects. Side effects are worsening. I am a disabled vet and was given the opportunity to go to law school for free. This was a life long dream and now I could care less if I even go. I am afraid I don't posess the mental ability to perform in law school anymore. I graduated cum laude as an undergrad and now I'm a blithering idiot. I used to cough out papers in hours and now it has taken me all day to fill in this survey. I am relatively sure that I won't make it to class if I keep sh***ing in my pants.	M	40	18 months		6/11/2009
3	severe, frequent migraines	weight gain, minor hair loss, very weird dreams, ringing in the ears	Started on 500mg daily of Depakote ER. Experienced weight gain, hair loss, weird dreams. Dr. reduced dosage to 250mg daily and added 250mg daily of Topamax after a few years. The combination seemed to help the migraines (and lessened the hair loss), but I associated the incessant ringing in the ears to the addition of Topamax. Dr. switched me from Topamax to 250mg daily of Keppra; did not help the ringing. Recently went off Keppra and Dr. added 7.5mg Deplin daily (due to high level of homocysteine). Migraines have subsided almost completely since menopause hit about a year ago. I guess in general, Depakote helped prevent migraines for me.	F	55	10 years		6/10/2009
1	Bi-polar	Destroyed me completely and totally	Any doctor that does not explain the side effects of this drug should be forced to take it!	M	57	3 years		6/1/2009
1	Misdiagnosed bi-polar disorder	Confusion, slurred speech, inability to understand simple questions, weight gain (50 pounds in a year), hair loss, clinical paranoia, and made diabetes much harder to control.	Idiot shrink diagnosed bi-polar based on one period of insomnia 10 years earlier after losing a child, moving, divorce & career change, all within 6 months. I have been off of it over 7 years, and still suffer from slurred speech, increased pain and fatigue "brain fog", inability to answer questions, especially about things like preferences, social anxiety, etc. when ill or fatigued. It apparently caused permanent neurological damage. I am also still frequently irritable, snap at family and friends more easily, and occasionally exhibit signs of paranoia - e.g. thinking that Dr. & others were trying to kill me. My overall stress tolerance is greatly reduced, and I have been taking Wellbutrin since then, and xanax and vicodin occasionally to help with the residual anxiety and extreme pain.	M		2 weeks		5/20/2009 Email
5	Hypomania	I take 3 250mg tablets of Depakote Er per day. Sometimes I get a get a little shaky for a few minutes. Other than that nothing really.	I have not gained any weight. I think my body is just used to it. It never stops working for me and is effective. The generic form that just came out in 2009 did not work as well for me so I pay a higher co-pay. It's worth it.	M	29	4 years		5/17/2009
4	Migrane Prevention	Tremble in hands, Sore throat, Loss of hair	I took Topamax for 2yrs, it worked in the beginning then stoppped. Now I have switched to Depakote, I liked Topamax when it worked for me. I have only had 2 migranes in this 2 month period, but I dont know if I can handle this on and off sore throat. It has helped w/ the miganes but not helped w/ daily headaches. Maybe some time will help w/ depakote.	F	30	2 months		5/13/2009
4	severe migraines	confusion, unable to concentrate, hair loss, weight gain, loss of memory,	At 1500mg daily for 1 month I could not function period, the most basic things I could not do. Now going on 6 months @1000mg as a migraine preventative. The side effects at this point are "ok". I would get locked in migraines; migraine that lasted 30 days or more. Now I average 1 or 2 migraines a month and use Zomig & Arthrotec when one comes on. All prescribed by a neurologist. It works. I have blood test to check the liver.	F	47	6 months		5/11/2009
1	Bipolar I and PTSD	Weight gain like woah - 75 lbs, and had to stop the drug to stop the gain. Stupidness. Loss of hair. Laziness and tiredness.	Made me old before my time man, seriously. I gained 75 lbs, and my doctor said it would stop but it never ever did. I exercise, I eat healthy. And now I weigh over 200. Seriously! Not fair.	F	31	2 years		5/11/2009
1	miss diagnosed with bipolar	Feels as though you are walking knee high in wet cement all day. You feel like you need caffeine all the time. For what you think is one minute passing, it is actually 10 minutes.	Hated the way this drug made me feel. I could not function. I had to force myself to eat, to shower, to just live. You feel tired continuously.	F	37	14 days		5/9/2009
4	seizures	I have been taking depakote for 9 years but I just started to notice hair loss and until I looked online I had no idea that this medication had that side effect. This is the only medication I've ever taken for my seizures and it's worked fantastic up until now. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow to find out what can be done, but I am bummed about the possibility of going off the medication.		F		9 years		4/21/2009
5	Bipolar 2	stomach burning like hunger pains, wake up once every night at 2 am, some twitching	I think that it saved my life. I have been misdiagnosed for 12 years (was diagnosed as depressive with ADHD). Depakote started working after only a few days. Was scared because I thought that meds would change my personality..... it has, but in a positive way. I am able to process information and concentrate better. My energy level has levelled out. Was afraid that I would be considered boring now, but friends and family are so happy that I am no longer self destructing. My thoughts are no longer crazy and out of control. I have control over my impulses. I don't get obsessed.	F	32	30 days		4/15/2009
5	seizures	weight gain, hair loss, i get shaky at times, and possible tooth decay.	I have been on Depakote for almost 3 years now. I have not had one single episode since I have been on this drug. It had it's bad side effects at the beginning but my hair is back to normal and I got back to my normal weight or around my normal weight.	F	18	3 years		4/7/2009 Email
5	Mood	Sometimes tired.	I'll keep it brief and tell the truth, it's been great for 10 years. The drug deserves a higher rating and it's a shame someone can post 'taken 1 day, caused PCOS'. Read the side effects and ask your Dr. Every drug has warnings and nothing is being hidden about this drug.	M	30	10 years		4/1/2009
4	bipolar	I have absolutely no libido.		F	31	3 years		3/29/2009
1	seizures	high ammonia levels over 300, confusion, sleepiness, slurring of words, mental changes	It seemed to be working ---then I started acting strangely and my wife was told to bring me to the ER; I wouldn't go; the police had to remove me and take me to the ER	M	65	7 months		3/24/2009
5	bipolar	the drug has completly balanced my moods and cured my depression but weight gain, swelling of hands arms and legs a problem also extreme tiredness. going to docs for advice on weight gain.		F	50			3/23/2009 Email
5	migraine	Hungry, sleepy, lack motivation, sore breasts, indigestion, poor night time sleep, memory disabled.	It took away my daily migraine that imitrex couldn't. I get vascular spasm as well as dilated, migraine. They have to be treated differently and would vacillate from one to the other. Imitrex for dilated would take only part away, then vascular spasm would set in and I'd still have a terrible headache. Would have to dilate the spasm and eventually use imitrex again. Depakote at 250 mg stopped them completely. Still have to be careful with about 50 different triggers, but at least I can do that, and I'm headache free. I hate the side effects though and may try soon after taking Depakote for about a month, to see if I can taper off of it and still not have daily migraine. I want to use as little of it as possible. Hair loss for me hasn't been too bad, but sleep is not good, 3 good hours a night, then light sleep off and on, so am tired in the daytime. Lack motivation, but can make myself do what I have to. Gained 15 pounds in the month I've been taking it and I'm a very disciplined eater normally. I eat very low calorie, but when you're hungry, you're hungry. Hoping to lose the weight working in my yard, flowers, this spring.	F	60	4 weeks		3/22/2009
2	Absence Epilepsy	Waking up in the middle of the night, frustration, aggitation, behavior changes, lack of appetite	DID NOT WORK FOR MY 6 YEAR OLD diagnosed with ABSENCE EPILEPSY	M	6	4 months		3/19/2009
1	Epilepsy	Weight gain, word searching, inablility to think/conceptualize at an expontial rate. Memory loss. I don't remember my 40's.	Hell on earth!!! I was taking 5000mg a day for 10 years. No, 5000 is not a typo and yes the doctor actually prescribed that amount. I was also taking Tegretol, Neurontin, and Topamax at the same time. I am lucky to be alive, literally. I hope somewhere, somehow, this comment helps someone. If so, pay it forward.	F	55	12 years		3/15/2009
5	Epilepsy	None known.	I have been taking sodium valporate for over thirty years and have not had any significant side effects. While taking the medication I completed two undergraduate degrees and one graduate degree from a top 10 university. I have my CPA and work for a Fortune 500 software company developing accounting software. I don't suffer any ill effects that I am aware and I don't think the drug has limited me.		48	30 years		3/13/2009 Email
1	bipolar/psychosis	no memory at first, but,later, (in hosp) didnt know who or where i was, didnt recognize dgtr.,was unable to dial a phone but desperate to reach husb. for answers. now, 2 yrs later-off drug-forget family ph. no's,list ideas on hands to not lose,lose track mid-sentence,severe confusion, forgetfullness-a nightmare!!!!	turns out, thanks to a devoted husb.,i was poisoned by a highly TOXIC level, d/t dr. not doing blood tests.ended up in locked unit,husb. nearly forced to assault dr. for answers,still wouldnt speak to him, banned from my hosp!! husb called abbott for advice,now wish to seek retribution and SUE their as. off!!! please dont take without trusted,wise dr.!!!!	F	45	5 weeks		3/13/2009 Email
2	Mood swings	After about 1 week of taking 1000mg a day I had bad diarria, some minor hair loss and became very lethargic. By week 2 my appetite was unbelievable, I started to have strange dreams, and the other symptoms had gotten worse. It did help my mood swings but I felt like was doped-up all the time. My doctor has now taken me off of it after 2 1/2 weeks.		F	20	19 days		3/9/2009
3	Migraine	About 15 minutes after taking Depakote, I experience very harsh abdominal pain which usally goes away soon after. I am horrible at remembering things. Mood swings! I also drop just about everying I put in my hand.	I thought that the only side affect was the abdominal pain, but after reading the other comments I realize that all of the other problems that I had been facing were side affects of the Depakote as well.	F	19	3 months		2/25/2009
5	Severe Migraines	Some what sleepy for the first few months, can't complain about hair loss cause It's hereditary for me. Minor weight gain. While taking this medicine my doctor has directed me to have a blood test once a year in order to monitor my liver function. Which has been fine.	I take a 1000mg dose of Depakote ER every day in the form of to 500mg pills. I suffered all the way through High school and much of my early 20's with horrendous severe Migraines. I tried using several different medications that are used to terminate migraines that are often dangerous and in some cases can cause severe heart problems such as Imitrex, Migranal and Zomig. All of these drugs for whatever reason were unable to offer me any relief and failed to terminate the migraine as they promised to do. I used to suffer from 2 severe migraines a month with each one lasting about 8 hours of excruciating pain. Now I am cured!!! I have not had a single Migraine for two years!!! For someone like me the side effects are well worth it and very minor in comparison to severe migraines that would often times have me huddled into a fetal position and feeling like some one had a chain saw on the back of my head. I think it is important for people who suffer from migraines to consider Depako	M	25	2.5 years		2/24/2009
4	Cluster Headaches	very mild lethargy	I've only been on for a week now - quickly went from 250mg to 1500mg/day. But the clusters are in remission. I've read a lot of the comments on this page and it seems as if some people are reporting clusters as severe migraines.. hope the world realizes they are much worse than migraines!! Any, have gone from 8-10 attacks every 24 hours to just 2.. if they continue to taper off I will be very happy indeed!	M	47	5 days		2/20/2009 Email
5	Anxiety & Agitation	The first few weeks and they were minor. I expected worse and have never had bouts of intolerable side effects.	I don't take a high dose. 750mg a day in the extended release form makes a big difference for the better.	M	36	5 years		2/18/2009
4	mood swings	Constipation/indigestion, pretty much all the side effects related to that area. Not severe, just a real drag. Some rash/itching (abdomen/head). Lethargy.	I'm on 1250mg of generic depakote & 300mg of gen. wellbutrin. How do you know which is helping/hurting more? I've been depressed/angry/paranoid all my life. I used to break into a sweat & throw things. Easily frustrated. Total rollercoaster. When I start to go there now, the brakes go on and after 30sec or so I'm calm again. There is a feeling of sedation. I've been feeling more lethargic recently and I need more sleep than I used to. It's a relief not to feel the constant anger every freakin' day. People aren't plotting against me. The itchy/flaky scalp(never a problem before)is really starting to give me OCD, though. I don't want to quit like I have in the past w/other meds. I'm going to try to deal w/the side effects. I just hope it doesn't screw up my liver.	M	41	4 months		2/15/2009 Email
3	Migraines	Outbursts of frustration, reduction in memory and other cognitive functions, but no migraines after taking 500 mg daily for one week.	After reading other comments, I have concerns about staying on this medication.	M	47	7 days		2/13/2009
3	mood	On the drug exactly two weeks now and have had slight heartburn from day one. It seems to be helping with my temper, though. I'm on 1000 mg a day, and I'm assuming this will go down, as I have read that everyone else is on 750 mg a day. I'm not sure why I'm on so much. Today my skin is a little itchy which makes me paranoid because Wellbutrin gave me a rash and severe chest pain at week two - totally sucked, as it was working great. Hopefully the itching is related to something else but I doubt it. I am eating more, by the way. WAY more. Still, I'd rather be fat than high strung. Hope I don't get a rash.	I hope I don't get an allergic reaction like Wellbutrin. Seems to steady my mood.	M	33	2 weeks		1/30/2009

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Average rating for drug: 3.2. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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