Drug Ratings for DEPAKOTEAverage Rating: 3.1 (487 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added 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 II | weight gain, constant hunger and craving of sugar, hair loss, mental "fog", clumsy, exhaustion, lack of motivationn. | I was prescribed Depakote for Bipolar after a brief hospilitization. When I first started taking it, I was on several other meds and pretty "out of it", so I was unaware of all the potential side effects and failed to notice them gradually creeping up on me. I even began to feel somewhat positive for the first time in years. I was tired all the time and started gaining weight very rapidly, several pounds a week. I have always been overweigyht and had a problem with food, but had lost weight for Military entrance in 2005 and was able to keep it off until I started this medication. My life sucked. I lost my job and seemed to turn off my friends and family. My anger probelems seemed worse than ever within a few months. Now I am very depressed and have packed on 30 lbs. My roomate moved out, I am broke, and hating life. I begged my Dr. to take me off this crap. I have been very physically fit for years and still work out 5-6 days a week and lifeguard pt. My Dr. and I keep butting heads, he claims weight gain is not a factor and I tell him all the time its making me more manic. I don't have many options beacuse this is all through the VA and this is the only health insurance I have as I am no longer employed full-time. I am dieting now in addition to the excersize and the scale is pretty much stuck. I think I will start weening myself off. My nuero suggested Topomax instead. | F | 36 | 11 months 1000 1X D | 3/14/2011 | 3 | Bipolar disorder | I gained 40 pounds while taking this medicine. | It helped my mood sometimes but the weight gain made me real depressed. My doctor took me off of it. I'm already losing the weight and its been 3 weeks since stopping it. | F | 23 | 9 months 500 mg 2X D | 3/9/2011 | 3 | bipolar 2 | feel a little more human like today,but still feel sick,have no appetite.tried eating samll amounts.little light headed too.with slight heavy head .... | F | 43 | 6 days 250 3X D | 3/7/2011 History | 1 | Bipolar 1 | Gained 40 lbs in two months, appetite through the roof, hand tremor, involuntary eye flutter (nystygmus) | Try Lithium first. Depakote is a notorious fat making drug. I wish I'd taken this advice before I ballooned and became pre-diabetic. It didn't help my symptoms much either. | F | 33 | 6 months 1X D | 3/3/2011 | 1 | bipolar | My teenage son was on Depakote for bipolar. He started to lose his hair. The psychiatrist said, the hair loss was not from Depakote. When my son quit taking the Depakote, his hair grew back. Also, there was no improvement in his bipolar symptoms when he was on Depakote. | I have read other people's comments who have taken Depakote, regarding loss of hair. It was very frustrating having the psychiatrist say the hair loss could not be from Depakote. I read other patients lost hair on Depakote. Bipolar is hard enough to live with for a teenager, and when the medicine that is suppose to help them, makes them lose their hair, it made the situation more traumatic. I don't think some psychiatrists know about the side effects of the medicines they prescribe. | M | 17 | 90 days 250mg. 2X D | 2/26/2011 | 2 | Bipolar II | big weight gain, shaking, dizziness, fatigue | This drug really affected my balance. I also shook so badly that I had trouble using utensils or even holding a pencil. It was supposed to work with Lithium and Lamictal to stabilize my mood, but it really hurt my self esteem when I gained 40 lbs over the course of 3 months. I was just so tired and hungry. | F | 29 | 4 months 1X D | 2/16/2011 | 1 | Seizure disorder | memory loss , trouble thinking, fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, | I was on depakote for ten years. I suffered short term memory loss, slurred speech, weight gain and extreme mood swings. I also found thinking of simple words and trying to get them from my head to my mouth extremely difficult. I have been off the drug for two years and still am affected by the short term memory loss as well as calling up simple words, my mind goes blank. Also this drug caused a severe heart defect in my child that has required two open-heart surgeries so far. If you are a female taking the drug and of child bearing age i strongly recommend another drug. I have never felt better physically since being off of Depakote. Even though I still suffer from some memory and cognitive issues, my fatigue is gone as well as my mood swings and my weight has stabilized. | F | 31 | 10 years 250mg 3X D | 2/10/2011 | 2 | cyclothymia | slurred speech, memory issues, not feeling as sharp mentally | yeah it stabilizes mood, but sometimes I feel like im not all together "there" mentally. Im to start a new job and im concerned that the depakote might negatively affect my performance. I dont like anything medication wise that dulls my cognitive thinking. Have to talk to my doctor about this. I think psychiatrists mean well but most of these meds they prescribe have horrible side effects. I havent had a full blown manic episode and im on a antipsychotic? Psychiatry has a long way to go. Its like the a hundred years behind the rest of medicine. | M | 51 | 3 weeks 500 1X D | 1/27/2011 | 3 | manic depression | minor hair loss, feelings of menstrual cramps without menstruating, zombie-like at times (very indifferent toward most things) | F | 18 | 3 weeks 250 1X D | 1/26/2011 | 3 | Epilepsy and Migraines | I cant sleep well at night. 3-4 hours is all. but the side effect was supposed to be MORE sleep. maybe it was just stress or something. i eat more food. | M | 15 | 3 days 500mg 2X D | 1/4/2011 | 1 | maigraine prevention and bipolar | it was if this drug made all my other mood stabilizing drugs ineffective, i had severe mood swings, paranoia, anxiety through the roof. | definitely rather have migraines than be as out of control like i was on depakote. | F | 34 | 4 weeks 500mg 1X D | 12/29/2010 | 1 | migranes | severe migranes first two days, severe stomach cramps, feeling like being stabbed in the stomach and diahhrea up to 10-12 times a day | I had been on 200 mg topamax and was experiencing cognitive issues, I would rather have that problem then ever have to go through this, I have rolled around crying on the bathroom floor for 4 days in pain worse than childbirth. | F | 46 | 4 days 500mg 1X D | 12/21/2010 | 2 | Migraines | Still having daily headaches and extreme nausea which is new since starting depakote. Nothing seems to settle my stomach. Decreased appetite. Feeling very tired during the daytime. Also take Topamax 200mg daily. | F | 31 | 10 days 500mg 1X D | 11/11/2010 | 5 | seizures | Hair loss...but have taken this durg for so long have adjusted to any other side effects that I just didn't notice | Was put on Depakote at age 11 for uncontrolled seizures. As the years progressed, my seizures got worse & my neurologist upped my depakote. For 26 years Depakote has been my anti-seizure drug. Ive been able to drive, have children & live a fullfilling life. I pray that there will never come a day when my body rejects Depakote because I am thankful for how far I have lived!! | F | 37 | 26 years 2500 1X D | 11/6/2010 | 4 | Cyclothymia (bipolar disorder) | Memory is horrible. I jumble my words. I say words wrong. I forget what i was talking about often. My hands shake at times through out the day. I've developed a tic. | The chaos caused by my mood swings is very destructive and disruptive to my life. The depakote does help me with them A LOT. So although the side effects I have been experiencing are frustrating at times, i am grateful that I'm not being yo-yo'd by my emotions. This medication is helpful for me | M | 24 | 3 weeks 500mg 1X D | 10/28/2010 | 5 | Seizures, Epilepsy, Headaches | Memory Loss "short term", anger, dry mouth, Tired all day it seams, , Sleep loss, vivid dreams "life mini series" physic like abilities I have predicted the next day several time | Without it I would still have seizures. I have actually lost weight while taking it. (watched what I ate also) but I lost over 46 lbs Still have no idea why I had my seizures? Right temporal lobe abnormality. I have tried several meds until Depakote ER & another med worked -- I used to have a foggy - hazy - dope feeing but it went away after I lost weight 1-depakote er 1-topamax morning, 2-depakote er 1-topamax night | M | 27 | 8 years 500 3X O | 10/21/2010 | 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 | 2 | Bipolar II | Loss of libido, inability to orgasm in many instances, weight gain, trembling hands, lack of energy, weak bladder (would "leak"), dull sense of self, lack of emotions | I believe I was diagosed incorrectly with BP II, and have taken myself off the med after explaining my discontent to my doctor and his lack of response. | M | 32 | 6 months 1000 1X D | 10/6/2010 | 2 | Bipolar 2 | Tiredness, constant hunger, inability to concentrate, disinterest in life in general and things I am usually passionate about, rapidly becoming more depressed | I feel sedated and more in control in that sense (less irritable, somewhat protected?), but I also feel like I don't care about anything and would rather just sleep all day. I have had suicidal thoughts on this medication, but cannot be sure that it is due to this. I do not take any other medication nor do I drink. I am more depressive than manic, and thus feel as though this is unsuitable. I'm off to the docs tomorrow to see what he says. | F | 25 | 14 days 250 2X D | 9/28/2010 | 2 | Mood Swings | Nausea, vomiting, impaired motor function of my eyes/neck, then loss of motor function in my legs (couldn't walk straight). Finally, I lost the ability to speak in completely sentences. ( I sounded drunk.) Next morning, I was hallucinating, and that is when I was driven to the ER, where this medication had become toxic. Normal: 50 Mine: 111. Could have destroyed my liver or had a stroke within a few days. The good? It did take away my mood swings. | First sign of any odd behavior or loss of motor function STOP taking right away | F | 21 | 6 days 250 mG 3X D | 9/19/2010 | 4 | Mood stabilizer | I took it for almost 6 months, I was bloated all the time, felt unmotivated, forgot things easily, slept a lot. I gained 14 lbs in ~3 months. I weaned myself off it and can't wait to lose the pounds, I never weighed this much in my life... 5'2" and 134lbs because of this drug. I'm still on Celexa 20 mg and feel so much better. | F | 34 | 6 months 250 2X D | 9/11/2010 | 2 | Bipolar II | Hair loss, minimal weight gain, severe memory loss, increased agitation | I was never made aware of any side effects of this drug and am waiting on an appt with a new dr. This medicine does help more with my moods than some of the others that I have been on but the side effects are not worth it | F | 30 | 8 months 500MG 1X D | 9/7/2010 | 3 | Bipolar II (depressive) | Drowsiness, fatigue, headache, weight gain (10lbs in 6 weeks), hair loss, short term memory loss and clouded thinking. All pretty "text book" side effects. Tremors in my hands. Also a lack of desire to get out of bed and do anything. Apathy. But could that be the depression? | Depakote has definitely stabilized my depressive mood swings. However I am still dealing with the depression. One of the side effects that bothers me the most is the tremors in my hands. I am constantly dropping things. I don't hold any glasses or ceramic mugs for fear of dropping/breaking things. I am always spilling things. If it doesn't have a lid... I always use two hands, like a child. UGH. But... that's the worst of it so far. I think this medication is okay. Let me put it this way: I'd rather be on this than Lithium. | F | 28 | 6 weeks 1500 1X D | 9/4/2010 | 2 | bipolar ii (depressive) | total apathy. complete lack of motivation. | I didn't gain weight; actually, it neutralized my appetite and made me lose a few pounds. It gave my brain a calm feeling, but psychologically I was very anxious because I wasn't getting *anything* done. I had no motivation whatsoever. Wouldn't get out of bed because I saw no reason. Wouldn't even drive to 7-Eleven to get snacks. Saw no reason to work on projects. When I drove, I saw no reason to use the turn signals unless absolutely necessary...you get the picture. And this was on a *tiny* dose. Even after weeks of it, i was intensely sedated. Not helpful because mania is not my problem. | F | 22 | 7 weeks 250 1X D | 8/31/2010 | 1 | bipolar 2 depression | spaced out, tired, could not move, could not concentrate,loss hair, weight gain. I was so out of it family made me get off of iy | F | 50 | 6 months 1250 1X D | 8/28/2010 | 1 | Mood Stabilization | NONE | I was prescribed this medicine to take 500mg once a day for 5 days and then 750mg a day each day after. However, I was lucky enough to find this website and after reading all of the reviews, THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I AM TAKING THIS MEDICATION! I called the doctors office and told them that I just picked up the Depakote and read up on it and I will not put this in my system. There really has to be a better way to stabilize my mood then this! | M | 38 | 0 days 750mg 1X D | 8/23/2010 | 3 | Bipolar II | Diminished ability to think, slowed down metabolism, reduced sexual drive, thinning of hair, weight gain. The worst are reduced ability to think which gradually is reduced towards the end of the 24 hour cycle. | It controls bipolar, but it feels like "brain death". For a very ambitious person who had a succeful track record this is a high toll to pay. I will "train my mind", as I am finding ways to coop better with this illness. And do not forget, even if you are alone in life, you can always have control of your illness, your doctors and meds, if you really really want to. | F | 43 | 5 years 1000mg 1X D | 8/18/2010 | 2 | Migraine | Initial severe stomach cramping and diarrhea. No appetite for the first 2 weeks (on 250 mg ER) - upped to 500 mg after first 4 weeks. Also difficulty falling asleep. Possible sexual side effects (inability to orgasm). | Depakote has not yet made an impact on my migraine frequency or severity. (Though my Dr. feels it should take 12 weeks to see). At this point I am not seeing any weight gain or additional hair loss (I already suffered from the hair loss from something else). I am on 100 mg Topamax daily so that makes me a little foggy, but Depakote hasn't made it any worse. My biggest concerns are the sexual side effects which don't seem to be definitively linked to Depakote. Will be speaking to my neuro. soon. | F | 45 | 6 weeks 500 mg ER 1X D | 8/16/2010 | 1 | Bipolar I | Confusion, visible tremor (hands shaking, teeth chattering), hungry all the time, very lucid dreams, weight gain of 17 lbs, hair coming out in chunks, low energy, extreme apathy and depression, nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth rapidly) | I don't know about any of the other Bipolar users but I think it is mandatory you take an antidepressant with this awful drug otherwise you will never leave the house and just eat yourself silly. I couldn't hold a book or magazine in public because my hands shook so bad, I also could not write a letter. I agree with everyone on being unable to finish a thought or struggling to find the right words. The weight gain is sudden and startling, I woke up in the middle of the night hungry and every morning starving. My hair when I wash or brush it comes out in massive amounts I am very upset about it and hoping it will stop now that I have discontinued this terrible drug. The only positive I can say is I noticed an evening out of my manic episodes. But the side effects aren't worth that one benefit to me. Seroquel is working well and I am happy I switched. | F | 38 | 5 months 1000mg 2X D | 8/11/2010 | 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 | 3 | Bipolar Disorder | M | 47 | 1000mg 1X D | 6/29/2010 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 |