Drug Ratings for DEPAKOTEAverage Rating: 3.1 (487 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Age from oldest to youngest Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR DEPAKOTE | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 1 | Bipolar | Depression - Dizziness - Drowsiness - Exhaustion Insomnia - Lethargy - Memory loss - Nervousness - Ringing in my ears - Weakness - General feeling of ill health | Try something else -- there must be something else. | F | 84 | | 11/3/2008 | 1 | BiPolar | Exhausted. Destroyed my memory. | AVOID this Rx -- it made me a ZOMBIE. | F | 80 | 1 years | 7/21/2008 | 2 | Chronic Migraines | Moderate drowsiness, diarrhea type incontinence | I have had chronic migraines for most of my life and have taken just about everything imagineable. Mostly the meds I have had were for stopping the ache after it started. I was first put on increasing doses of topamax which did not work. So far, I have been on 1000mg depkote for 2 months and still have a migraine each day and need to take imitrex to stop it. Seems that the headaches are weather related, but are definitely not sinus related. I have had three sinusectomies for sinusitis in the past and no longer suffer from that problem. Do not notice any inhibitive effect for the headaches yet from the depkote. About to stop it due to mentioned diarrhea side effects which are progressively getting worse. At my age that is more than an inconvenience. | M | 73 | 2 months | 3/11/2007 | 2 | post stroke seizures | extreme sleepiness, memory loss, could not focus, mood swings, weight gain | When I mentioned my extreme tirdness and always falling asleep to my doctor, she seemed surprised! I have been on 1000 mg ER for six months and have been steadily getting more sluggish. i am so glad I found this site, now I understand my condition. I have an appointment tomorrow with my doctor to get off Depakote. | M | 70 | 6 months | 12/31/2008 | 5 | Cough/exertional headache | TERRIBLE leg cramps at night, lethargy, nightmares and very strange dreams, weight gain, tremor. | Started with 1000mgm/day, went up to 2500mgm/day with but minimal relief, then increased to 3000mgm/day about two months ago. Still only minimal relief from really devastating headaches every time I coughed, sneezed, cleared my throat, bent over or exerted myself. About 3 weeks doc added Diamox (acetazolamide) to the mix and, voila!, it's as if a miracle has occurred. The cough headache syndrome is caused in part by increase cerebro-spinal fluid in the brain and the Diamox (a diuretic) reduces it just enough to, in essense, eliminate the headache. It, too, has some side effects - frequent urination, including at night, lethargy, depressed appetite, but a small price to pay. | M | 68 | 6 months | 6/13/2007 | 4 | Cough/exertional headache | Major weight gain (>20 lbs) and constant hunger, tremor in hands, vivid dreams, libidinal depression and orgasmic difficulty. TERRIBLE leg cramps that wake me up at night. Sleep difficulties. Lethargy and need for frequent afternoon naps. | I developed a rather strange syndrome known as "cough headache" and Depakote ER was prescribed. I've only been on it about 2 months; started at 1000 mgm/day - no help. Dosage gradually increased to current 2500 mgm/day (3 a.m., 2 p.m.). It has proven to be quite helpful with the headaches, which were EXTREMELY painful and debilitating and I'd not trade them for the side effects. That said, Depakote is obviously not a drug one would consider to be without consequence, especially at higher doses. My doc and I are considering reducing the dosage to 2000 mgm/day to see if that helps with the leg cramps. | M | 68 | 2 months | 1/16/2007 | 2 | DEPRESSION | SLEEPY, HAIR LOSS, ONLY MODERATE RELIEF FROM DEPRESSION. | M | 65 | 150 days | 10/14/2005 | 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 | 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 | 4 | migraine | Side effects I experienced:clumsiness,e.g. dropping things, edema in leg that had bad circulation from surgery for cancer(I am a 20 year survivor),that got worse the longer I was on the rx, weight gain, | This was the second time I had tried the Depakote ER: 500mg.taken at bedtime.It really did help control the migraines.I had two migraine episodes( one episode can last from 1-3 days of migraines) while on this rx, this time. The second episode, I went 3 weeks before getting one and that was something I had not done for I don't know how long ago. I have had menstrual migraines since around 1984.I had a partial hysterectomy,but that did not help the migraines. I took Indomethacin(that really controlled the migraines so I got one about every 14 to 21 days) before getting malignant fibrous histiocytoma in 1986, and again in 1987. I am a 20 year survivor now. I could no longer take Indomethacin because it affected my red blood cells in the bone marrow. I tried going back on it this year but it did not work as a preventative now. I wish I could stay on the Depakote ER but the edema made my foot and ankle on my "survivor foot" swell to twice the size. I do not have normal lymph sys | F | 63 | 41 days | 3/25/2008 | 2 | panic disorder | Lethargic, overweight by 100 lbs for past 10 years. Last year, I lost 20 lbs due to gall bladder surgery and another 20 due to South Beach Diet. All 40 lbs are back on. I walk daily but am too tired to walk more, or have little incentive | I don't bring anything into my house that is high in sugar, salt or fats. However, a neighbor stores ice cream for me. I know it is loaded with fat and yet I can't resist. My internist and psychiatrist tell me that is no connection with weight and this drug. | F | 63 | 10 years | 6/9/2005 | 1 | bi-polar | From the age of my mid 20's I have been on psycotropic medications. Fist it was prolyxin. Used as a punishment drug while I was briefly hospitalized at a hospital for the criminally insane. It's a long story but after selling my blood a few times I had held up a gas station with a toy gun. That was used allegedly for my "psychotic behavior". I have had ECT(the doctor who first gave me those later committed suicide after he was found to be "playing around with his female patients), lithium, haldol, abilify and between 50 to a 100 others by now. ALL of them I have found to be poisons to a brain which was once, and I like to think still is remarkably compassionate however bitter and betrayed I know I have been by the minuscule number of psychiatrists who define what reality is suppose to be for everyone. I just got out of doing a 3 week stint in a hospital where I was told if I did not take the depokote again I would be confined to a psych ward and treated over my objection. It is another long story that will be coming out I am sure after my death from the sum total of all of these mind numbing chemicals which seek to have traumas suppressed rather than deal withe them or to just medic ate undesirables out of the social fabric by shutting them up. The economy of the world is going down the toilet hatred is no where to be seen on the DSM as the only really bizarre mental illness meanwhile nuts who become psychiatrists point to a degree as valuable as TP to "p | M | 63 | 1 years 500 3X D | 10/13/2011 History | 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 | 5 | Seizures | I am taking a large dose (in my opinion) 1000 mg am and pm. With each step up I have experienced very vivid and memorable dreams. Not frightening - just vivid. At this time, it seems to be handling the seizures. I haven't had one since I've been on the increased dosage. | Also a slight hand shakiness - not exactly what I would consider a tremor, but I am watching it carefully | F | 61 | 10 weeks | 5/28/2005 | 2 | migraines | obvious hair loss, upset stomach | took this for chronic migraines, it seemed to help but then I noticed bad upset stomach and then hair loss.. tried cutting down to 500 mg a day but then got migraines back again, discontinued it | F | 61 | 60 days 1000 1X D | 9/19/2012 | 1 | epilepsy | extremely sedated, bulging veins, could hardly walk (used to exercising at least 5 x a week), eyes stung, chest pain, | Did control grand mal seizures | F | 61 | 2 months 1000 mg 2X D | 8/28/2011 | 1 | absence seizures | Initially the tremors were mild but increased over 6 years to become incapacitating. I gained a huge amount of weight-about four sizes-and became weak and terribly tired all the time. My lack of balance became a serious problem and I lost a lot of hair. I had difficulty concentrating and became progressively more confused. My libido was nearly non-existent and I was sleepy all the time. The side effects that were mildly annoying in the beginning became so pronounced that my family and friends were concerned about my health. It did control my seizures but I went from small seizures to major tremors. Not a good trade-off. | I would not recommend this to anyone but it has clearly helped some people. My advice would be to immediately revisit your doctor for a re-evaluation if you demonstrate any negative symptoms. Mine got progressively worse until my quality of life reached such a low point that a family member took me back to my neurologist. I am now on Lamictal and have none of the negative side effects that I experienced on Depakote. | F | 61 | 6 years | 11/18/2007 | 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 | 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 | 5 | depression, mood disorder | EXTREME nausea at the start - then no side effects | Have been through numerous anti-depressants. Their effectiveness just seems to wane and stop working after 6-8 months. I thought Depakote's nausea would kill me but after a few weeks it abated and lifted my mood so I could function very well. I'm also on 10mg Lexapro daily. I asked the Doc if we could go slow in increasing Depakote dose and we ended up just keeping it at 250 mg per day and it worked like a miracle drug for 8 months. From other posts, I expected hair loss etc, etc. Nothing, except some weight gain. In the last month, I've noticed a gradual downturn. I'm more likely to isolate, focus on negative, distract myself, get nothing done, eat/sleep not as well, not leave the house. Don't know if dosage needs to increase or it is not going to work anymore, as has happened with other meds in the past. Will see Doc today for next step. I'd urge folks to try to stay at low dosage IF it's working for you. Some Docs are too quick to up the dosage just because that's the protocol. | M | 60 | 9 months 250 1X D | 9/28/2011 | 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 | 4 | Hypomania | DEPAKOTE ER is better than Depakote. I take the DEPAKOTE ER before going to bed so it helps me sleep and I am not tired during the day at all. At first I craved pancakes. I have gained weight. Short term memory stinks. But it cured the worst symptoms of hypomania. | A few times I've run out of it and the symptoms of aggitation and anger come back fast. Overall my thinking is better with the drug, my emotions are stable with the drug and I am able to deal with day to day much better with the drug. So I eat pancakes. | M | 58 | 6 years 1000 mg 1X D | 10/7/2010 | 3 | Atypical Bipolar | Beginning dose (1000mg. daily)-couldn't stay awake or focused! Swelling hands & legs and terrible itching w/light rash! | By cutting the dose in half (500 mg. daily)and adding Zyrtec for the itching and taking 1 and 1/2 Maxide tablets for swelling it has worked well to get my moods stabilized along with taking Seroquel for anxiety. However, after 2 and 1/2 months I have gained 15 lbs. but the worst problem is hair loss! Every time I brush or run my fingers through my hair it comes out in hand fulls! Enough so that I am not willing to continue taking it! I will discuss an alternative at my next psychiatrist appt.. | F | 58 | 3 months | 8/25/2008 | 1 | bipolar disorder | I was failing physically and mentally for about 3yrs. My neurologist called my symptoms "Parkinsonian" After being confined to bed my neurologist finally figured out that I had "depakote encephalopathy" It is considered very rare but as I read postings from other users I think it as also not caught often | enough. Everyone experiencing mental confusion or slow down or tremors should ask their doctor about the possibility . | F | 58 | 1000 mg 2X D | 4/28/2012 | 4 | Bi-Polaqr 2 | Basically - the tremors are the major problem for me I've been on it for 10 yrs. Life has been good. I just switched to Trileptol because I can't handle the tremors. Now I feel like crap - spaced out, still tremoring., Depakote is starting to look better all the time. | I have had mild weight gain - maybe 20lbs over 10 yrs, good sexual function, no hair loss. I took it in combo with Wellbutrin. | M | 57 | 10 years | 11/23/2005 | 4 | post stroke seizures | the only significant side effect i have noticed is a lot of hair loss of my already thin hair. it is like i am shedding when i towel my hair off after my morning shower! It has never been like this before. | I am on a 750 mg daily dose and it has apparently kept me seizure free. I like it except for the hair loss. | 57 | 5 days | 7/10/2007 | 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 | 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 | juvienile myoclonic epilepsy | I take 1200 mgs a day for seizures. it is the only medicine that can treat jme. I am always exhausted. But, I dont really eat well or exercise...i am a student at 45...and i sit a lot, and sleep, too much. | I also have hand tremors...i dont notice, but people comment on it. It is a very sensitive drug, if I miss a does I have seizures when I wake up. My seizures are very odd, happening after sleep only, when light hits my eyes. Ugh | F | 56 | 7 years | 6/10/2005 | 5 | Epilepsy | None. | Have had epilepsy for about 40 years. After various medications I have gone from 140 lbs to as high as 295. I cannot blame the weight gain on medications but on diet. I have had no hair loss. When I am tired I think slower. It is not a problem when I am well rested. I also take low dose thyroid and blood pressure medicine and vitamins. In 2009 I had two bouts of pancreatitis, the first was misdiagnosed and missed. The second time they took out my gallbladder. The pancreatitis was likely caused by small gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct. The gallbladder problem was possibly caused by diet. Reading tonight that Depakote is being tested as a mood leveler on Alzheimer patients and may prevent formation of the amaloyid plaque and tangles that cause Alzheimers. I didn't find any thing definitive on the neuroprotective possibilities. Dosage clarificaition: 2 250 mg ER tabs in AM and 3 250 mg ER tabs in PM. | M | 56 | 25 years 250mg x 5 1X D | 2/26/2012 | 4 | dysphoric manic and anxiety | Mild nausea at 500mg/day which went away after about a week. Titrating to 750mg brought back the nausea (still mild), some morning lower back pain & intermitttant dark feelings so I went back to 500 mg/day. No weight gain, no hair loss. | I'm also taking 1.5 mg/day Xanax, down from 2.5mg/day before starting Depakote 7 weeks ago. So far I wouldn't call it a miracle drug but I do feel more in control, more confident, less anxious and generally better than I did before I started taking it. I'm still hoping for the "curly hair" side effect though LOL! | F | 56 | 7 weeks | 4/29/2007 | 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 | 3 | dysphoric manic, anxiety | Mild nausea at first but that went away after the first week. No weight gain so far. I do feel a little more tired than usual and am sleeping longer, but for me that's a good thing as I'm usually very hyper and a terrible insomniac. | I'm not as anxious/fearful, haven't had any PAs and have even been able to cut down on xanax (just a little... from 2.5mg to 2mg) But I still think I'm just as irritable and bitchy though my husband says my temper doesn't seem as extreme/out of control as usual. I still feel pissed off much of the time though, like this med is handling the anxiety but not the agitation. I'm going to see the doc this week for a blood test and dose adjustment. I'm only taking a total of 500mg, divided into 2 doses and I'd like to add another dose and see what happens. I'll come back with an update in another month or two. | F | 56 | 26 days | 4/7/2007 | 1 | catamenial epilepsy | Immediately experienced weight gain of 25 lbs in one month w/o changing vegetarian diet of 800 cals / day. After about nine months, yellowing and darkening of skin. Skin very fragile and experience ruptures and bleeding and bruising for no reason. This, according to manufacturer is a sign of liver toxicity which should be tested at least every six mos if dosage is greater than 250 mg.; my neuro has not done it even once. Dry mouth which according to dental experts, is a direct side effect of Depakote; has resulted in $4000 dental work to date and $3500 more to come. Dry mouth affects my ability to speak and, being in a career that requires continuous contact with the public, not being able to speak or speak clearly because my salivary glands are shot is a burden and threat to my job. Tremor when I try to write, which never happened before the Depakote. My urine is increasingly darkening...dark brown now first thing in the morning after taking my dose at 10pm each night. Severe | I would NEVER recommend or suggest this poison to anyone for any condition, medical or psychiatric. | F | 56 | 26 months 750mg/day 1X D | 4/11/2012 | 5 | Migraine | My usual dosage was 250mg a day and it was excellent at preventing migraines. In the summer I had to take 500 mg. Very effecive. I was on it for 15 years--Depakote in the States for 5 years and Depakene in Canada for 10 years. (I was never diagnosed as Bi-Polar.) However, when I went off of it, I had what turned out to be a transient manic episode. I had a bad couple of weeks. For the first three days after getting off the drug, I was manic but not severely so--running around doing things and hap-hap-happy. But a few days later my brain was making extremely strange connections i.e. I lit a lighter under my dog's neck thinking it was a leash and I thought a garden trowel would quench my thirst. Also, I pulled into traffic when I consciously knew it was not the time to pull out but my brain told me it was. Luckily, I "came to" before I got hit by a passing car. It was very scary and extremely upsetting. It has now been about 2 months and all the scary stuff is over with. | Migraine patients, take care when stopping the medication. | F | 55 | 15 years | 8/18/2007 | 4 | Bipolar 2 | Astoundingly, none! Maybe a little tiredness in the afternoon but nothing to speak of... | After 5 days, no effect. The sixth day the effects kicked in: first time in a year and a half I didn't wake up with horrible suicidal thoughts. Much more stabilized mood in the daytime, much less physical/mental agitation, more concentration, more calm at bedtime, much less racing thoughts/projects, I now can wait my turn in a bank without feeling I'm going to explode like before. I just can't believe a stupid pill did all this! I am currently at 750 mg. I have suffered SO much for SO many years (ruined my career MANY times, lost over 50 000 $ in Forex bidding over a few months, hang around in the red light district in Montreal chasing prostitutes 18 hours a day for 5 years like a sex maniac, etc. etc.). WHY NO DOCTOR TALK ME INTO TAKING THIS PILL BEFORE! All those lost years, almost a whole life fucked up... Is this a miracle pill? No: to soon to tell. But if this last for the months coming, I'll rate it 6. | M | 55 | 9 days | 5/12/2007 | 4 | Migraines | Hair loss and weight gain | This is one medicine that has actually helped prevent migraines for me. I can now go as long as 10 days sometimes without a headache, where before I had 3-4 migraines per week, despite avoiding my known headache triggers. The hair loss has been noticeable, but nothing I can't live with. I have gained about 17 lbs. since I began Depakote, despite continuing on a diet with which I had previously made slow steady progress. The weight gain is more distressing to me, especially since I had just dieted off about 25 lbs. gained when taking an antidepressant. | F | 55 | 6 months | 1/28/2008 | 4 | temporal lobe seizures | Over the years I gained a lot of weight. I am a lot older since I began my Depakote treatment, but my hunger is so great at times it scares me, Memory loss, hand tremors and hair loss. I have been on the drug so long that I do feel that I have to push myself to get going. I do have vivid dreams and ones that do ocurr very frequently, but I don't mind most of them. I do take Lexapro and Lamictal also to help my moods and seizures. | I used to have terrible temporal lobe seizures (TLE) having as many a one hundred events a day. I started to self-medicate myself but my mind just got worse. Thanks to my Dr who had enough insight, and asked the proper questions I can live a somewhat normal life. Anyone that wants to learn about TLE look it up. It is a living nightmare to experience. I got it when I had chicken pox and the virus laid inactive in my brain until I had my first seizure at 20. I didn't know what it was so I drank alot to cover up the effects. Thank God for this drug,...it has saved my life!!! | M | 55 | 21 years 2500mg 1X D | 5/15/2012 | 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 | 3 | Chronic migraines | at first some tiredness. while @ 1000mg a day for a brief period noticed some hair loss. reduced to 750mg for a couple of months then noticed hand tremors. libido non-existent. now at 500mg daily. still have hand tremors. hair seems to have stopped falling out. headaches less frequent. headaches very weather related. | can't say wether some memory loss is due to age or medication. | M | 55 | 2 years | 10/17/2004 | 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 | 2 | seizure disorder | slowness ,tremors,tired | it depressive to me it makes me shake allover,especially when trying to exercise.i dont really like it but it work of with lyrica | M | 55 | 10 years | 6/21/2008 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 1 | Bipolar/mental health | dementia / weight gain / muscle aches-burning / bladder problems / | depakote is good for some, but it seems reading around on the internet it is an absolutely awful drug with dangerous(underlined) side affects. | M | 55 | 4 years 1000 3X D | 4/21/2011 | 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 | 2 | depression/anxiety/bi-polar | fatigue, some stomach upset, similar visual experiences as noted from others above | taking 500mg; no noticeable difference in depression. agree with previous comment made, seems to have stablized the depression, which seems a very small benefit given the risk of taking the medicine. | M | 54 | 5 weeks | 6/11/2005 | 2 | depression/anxiety/bi-polar | fatigue,lethargy, some stomach upset, similar visual experiences as noted by others. | taking 500mg; no noticeable difference in depression. agree with another comment made, seems to have stablized the depression, which seems a very small benefit given the risk of taking the medicine. | M | 54 | 5 weeks | 6/11/2005 | 2 | mood stabilization | Unusual allergic reaction, blood platelets dropped drastically and resulted in a triple, accute brain hemorhage. | F | 54 | 14 days | 8/3/2005 | 1 | Bipolar II | Weight gain, anxiety, paranoia, lack of sex drive, no orgasm, always tired; was put on bi-pap therapy still tired all day, scattered thoughts, attitude of "screw it" did not pay bills, etc. got fired from 2 jobs for lack of work perfomance | was prescribed for mood stabilization to counter cymbalta high end effects, always felt drugged, I stopped taking them both. | M | 54 | 5 years 1,000 mg 1X D | 5/7/2011 | 1 | mood stabilizer | Turned me into a zombie. Had no motivation or energy to do anything. Just sat and watched TV for the 3 months I was on it. | M | 54 | 90 days | 3/12/2008 | 5 | Bipolar 2 | Somewhat hard to fall asleep at night, a slight feeling of sedation for a few hours after taking the dose, so I take it before I go to bed at night. I am on Depakote ER. | This drug transformed my life for the better. I was in a mixed state episode that Lamictal just wouldn't stablize, so my psychiatrist switched me to Depakote. I personally haven't experienced hair loss or gained weight, though I'm very active and come from genetically thin stock. The drug stabilized the hypomania pretty quickly, but it took a few weeks for the depressive symptoms to significantly ease. I felt kind of zoned for a couple of weeks, but my energy level is at least as good as it ever has been, and I can focus and concentrate much better. I haven't had another depressive episode since I've been on it, and the hyp-mania is controlled as well. I'm uneasy about some of the side effects people are mentioning, but so far I'm just not experiencing the negative effects some of you are. I guess everyone is different, and I'm glad I started taking the medication prior to reading these comments. I may not have tried it otherwise. | M | 53 | 9 months 1500 1X D | 8/7/2011 | 5 | Bi-Polar type II | Weight Gain from 230# to 290# in first year, then gain subsided, but cannot loose it again. Almost no sex drive, nor ability to orgasm. | It has greatly stabilized my mood. I no longer get wildly angry, and throw things, nor do I do crazy things like cut oddly shaped holes in the outside walls of my house, drive on city sidewalks late at night to avoid stoplights, etc. After I was on Depakote for a year or so, doc wanted me to try Lamictal. I went out of my mind titrating down from Depakote, then back up to theraputic dose of Lamictal, and finally back again. I don't want to go off Depakote again...ever. | M | 53 | 6 years 1000 MG 2X D | 11/7/2011 | 4 | Biopolar II Disorder | Moderate weight gain; excessive hair loss, thinning and drying; neck stiffness; restlessness; frequent urination at night; loss of appetite; sleep aid required. | Prozac saved my life, literally, but wore off after about four years. Was prescribed other medications but did not maintain and reduce the hypomanic and depressive episodes. Psychiatrist misdiagnosed condition as only depression. Finally investigated my condition and hired a new psychiatrist who prescribed depakote and lamictal (for depression). After five years, my hair loss has become excessive and depakote may be wearing off. Due to excessive hair loss, I am discussing lithium with my psychiatrist but this drug may also cause same side affect and am fearful of other reactions. At a crossroads but need to stay sane. | F | 53 | 5 years | 7/20/2007 | 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 | 1 | migraine | fried my brain | I used to have a above normal capacity to remember things. After using this drug for several months I would go to the store and not remember why I was there. When I quit taking the it I figured the memory problems were side affects from the drug and my memory would come back, I figured wrong. I have been off the drug for 5 years and still haven't recovered my memory. Doctor doesn't comment about this complaint but I am a very different person now and glad I am not in a profession where ones needs to be sharp because I would be unemployable now. Also didn't help the migraines. | F | 53 | 4 months | 11/12/2007 | 5 | Epilepsy (grand mal) | Started taking at age approx 25, replacing Phenitoin and others. Under names Epilim (UK) and Depakote (mainland EUR) I had no side effects (young active male, burning off excess calories was no problem !). Depakote in US resulted in a 10-15 lb/year weight gain (about 160 lb in total !). Switched to the Extended Release version in may of 2007 and lost about 25 lb in the rest of 2007 - including the Christmas feeding season! | I've been taking this since I was about 25. I can trigger a seizure by combing a blood sugar low, fatigue (from lack of sleep), and considerable alcohol intake. Naturally, I try not to, but parties happen to all of us :) Now I've quit drinking I shouldn't have this problem. For about 2 years I had a problem maintaining terapeutic level, coincident with point of maximal weight gain. | M | 52 | 25 years | 1/21/2008 | 5 | Weight gain , no sex drive, tremors | Has controlled my agression, and makes me feel under control . | M | 52 | 20 months 500 3X D | 10/2/2011 | 4 | Bipolar 2 | Slight weight gain. Made my hair curl | Great mood stabiliser | F | 52 | 3 years | 5/11/2007 |