Drug Ratings for DEPAKOTEAverage Rating: 3.1 (487 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Age from youngest to oldest (no age reported listed first) 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 | | | | |||
| 3 | bipolar | Stomach irritations, weird dreams the first week, little more tired than usual. I have been on it for over a month and thus far gained about 3 pounds, some hair loss. | I have an appt in July with my dr. not sure how should I be feeling? I am more stable, at least my family tells me, I am more approachable, I don't spend as much, my incredible sex cravings have gone down a bit. So maybe it is working.... | M | 34 | 45 days | 7/3/2007 | 2 | Migraines | 500mg for first 4 months - no side effects but I was still having migraines. Increased dosage to 1000mg a day and still had migraines, memory loss/slowed mental processing, tired, dizzy/faint headed and tremors (increasing every day). | F | 34 | 8 months 500mg 2X D | 12/4/2011 | 2 | take this for mood swings | i have been taken this along with 100mg of zoloft(which i take for ocd) . I cant sleep, moods are not any better i would say worse. My back hurts, cant stand to hear people talk or noises around me. And i also have really bad menstral cramps whether i am or not.... | F | 34 | 30 days 250 2X D | 6/10/2011 | 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 | 5 | Mood | They were all pretty mild. I take the ER version 750mg a day. I like the way it effects my mind. It calms everything down but my body still wants to move. I don't get confused and I sometimes tend to over analyze details which is OK. | It helps me greatly. | M | 35 | 7 years | 4/16/2007 | 5 | bipolar | None. No nausea possibly because I titrated up very slowly from 250mg/day and always take it with food. I haven't gained any weight or lost any hair. I'm on a relatively low dosage of 750mg/day which works well for me. | I'm bipolar but with many more manic than depressed episodes and my depressions were usually irritated, angry things. Depakote evens out my moods; things don't get to me as much and I'm coping with life much better. I wish I'd found it sooner! | F | 35 | 1 years | 4/8/2007 | 5 | Mood/Slight EEG abormalities | I have not gained weight or lost any hair but I only take 750mg of the extended release. What I notice ometimes is that my mind is very calm but I feeling like moving around. Also, occasional slurred speech. | No cognitive impairment is big for me. I have taken Dilantin, Tegretol and Lamictal. Lamictal sucked, Tegretol gave me acne I never had before so that was bad. Dilantin was OK but Depakote ER is much better to me. I never took the regular version but I hear the side effects are worse with those. | M | 35 | 7 years | 4/30/2007 | 5 | Chorea/anxiety | Stability of mood. Nothing really negative | This med crushed the anxiety that plagued me for over 10 years. I have energy and never get nervous anymore. It's eerily good. My Dr. says there is a big difference between men and women taking this drug. In his experience, women have more side effects ie; weight, hair loss. I love it. 750mg ER per day. | M | 35 | 8 years | 8/3/2007 | 5 | hypomanic | absolutely no side effects | its a great experience ,i feel cool,calm and composed,no racing thoughts,no flight of ideas,i used to feel like "volcano" in my head ,i use to have too much of sex ,now after depakote my mind is icy,really a sweet drug that makes you calm | M | 35 | 10 days | 12/9/2007 | 5 | Bipolar/Anxiety | At first some weight gain (10lbs.) but my body adjusted after about 6 months and ultimately I have dropped a couple pounds in the last 8 years. | I have confidence in it and it works for me, no doubt about it. | M | 35 | 8 years | 1/25/2008 | 4 | Bi-polar | At initial 750mg level curly hair. Had a breakdown (psychosis)a year ago and was upped to 2000mg. Within hours couldn't stop shaking, feeling sick, but had incredible appetite increase for sweet sugar and carbs. Wanted to sleep all the time for about a month. Eventually settled down. Yr on still on 2000mg (apparently I'm still manic) but I don't see it. Weight gain horrendous for me plus my hair is even more curly. Loss of libido, but that could just be the illness. | Have never had a bad word to say for evening out mood swings. Weight gain for me is a killer and I miss the mania's. Would definitely recommend. | F | 35 | 8 years | 4/13/2007 | 1 | Bi polar | hair loss, weight gain, liver damage, sexual disfunction, lethargic | quickly damaged my liver with no relief of depression | F | 35 | 6 months | 11/27/2007 | 1 | Chronical depression | Sleepy, sore throat, lethargy, pimples, nausea, name it. I had to stop it after 10 days. | The dosage was 250 mg, 3 times a day. It did not work for me, but does not mean the medication will not work for other people. | F | 35 | 10 days | 4/22/2006 | 1 | Complex Partial Seizures | Severe memory loss, tremors, significant weight gain, issues with low blood sugar | I've been off Depakote and on Keppra for about four months now, and while most symptoms have gone away, my memory shows no sign of returning. My doctors denied the connection between Depakote and memory loss when I asked them about it. | F | 35 | 10 years | 11/27/2005 | 5 | BiPolar I | The first month I was doing 500mg/day and felt no side effects. I researched the heck out them, so I knew that weight gain was very possible. I immediately quit soda! lol I love soda. I did not lose nor gain the first month, so I think that I counteracted the weight gain. The last 2 weeks, I have been increased to 750mg per day at bedtime, and I have experienced some quickness of the digestive system. No problem, though. Makes me feel detoxified! I do not feel sleepy, rather more energetic. Sometimes mildly manic. For the increase these last 2 weeks, I have started running again (well, it is 1/2 run and 1/2 walk right now). Still, no weight gain, but I am ready with more ammunition if I see any creepers. | I was on Lithium 750mg for over 2 years, from when I was first diagnosed, but my blood tests showed that my thyroid went haywire (hypo) and my kidney(s?) started struggling, so we switched me to Depakote. I was nervous because I FEAR change, but I honestly feel better! I feel like there was a fog (maybe from the Lithium) has cleared and I am happier. I went through a few different antidepressants the last 2 years because I think the Lithium had me a little smothered. When I first switched, I went through a couple of weeks where I was EXTREMELY agitated and irritable...over-sensitive and over-reacting. I think that was the withdrawal from the Lithium. I feel better now, although I will admit to some excited anxiety...another scary way to say mania. My biggest fear of all of the side effects was weight gain, but I hope to be able to control it. Most of the other side effects were the same as Lithium, so I have already been dealing with swollen hands and feet, hair loss, and tremors for over 2 years. My hair fell OUT with Lithium. I lost half my density...but I got a shorter style and did a Keratin strength treatment and my hair has not felt better in 10 years. The Depakote is better than Lithium for me, so far. Should have tried it sooner, but the weight gain scared me away. | F | 36 | 1.5 months 750MG 1X D | 5/26/2012 | 5 | bipolar | mild hair loss, mild nausea and mild tiredness | I started this medication after they tried to put me on ativan. Later they found out I needed something for bipolar. The side effects are easing off after my two weeks and I feel so much better. I was having panic attacks. I felt like I was about to have two since starting the medicine but they subsided! So not only do I feel better with the depression, but I am not struggling with the panic attacks. I am sorry for the ones who are having problems, but I am happy that I am starting to feel somewhat normal again!! | F | 36 | 2 weeks 500mg 1X D | 9/5/2011 | 5 | bi-polar | I'm writing this for my daughter who is bi-polar and schizoaffective. She is SO much better with this new med. | Here's the strange thing: she tells me that ever since puberty she has felt desperately hot, all the time. She said it got worse and worse as the years went on (she is now 36) and continued until she started Depakote. Now, she has no problem with feeling too hot and would fight to stay on this med! | F | 36 | 1.5 years | 11/19/2005 | 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 | 5 | epilepsy | none that i know of. i have been taking this since i was 15 years old, So, anyside effects are just part of "me" | I have been taking this drug for my epilepsy for 20 years. I love it!! it works for my petit mal and grand mal seizures. I have only had 1 seizure since taking Depakote... a new dr. had taken me off it, it took 4 days before i had a seizure. i will never go off it as long as i live. | F | 36 | 20 days | 2/16/2007 | 5 | Anxiety & Mood | I had some sluggushness at first and gained about 5 lbs. Some occasional heartburn and slight tremor. | I found that my body adjusted to the side effects as time went on. I returned to my normal weight. Occasional heartburn but the benefits have been great. I only take 750mg of the extended version and have for 8 years. I like that I never get rashes or nervous with this drug and it always seems to work. My co-pay is 10 dollars more but it's worth it. | M | 36 | 8 years | 9/14/2008 | 4 | Bipolar | Weight Gain (~15lbs). Not sure about hair loss, but I started taking zinc and selenium right away--but I am noticing some hair falling out:-(. All in all, it has helped me. | M | 36 | 3 months | 8/20/2008 | 4 | Re-occuring migraines | Only on day three of 500mg Depakote, but have had some diarrhea after eating. | Was on Topamax for 2 months and had a constant headache for 2 months (Topamax did not work for me). Today is the first day in three weeks that I am headache free!!! The doctor put me on Depakote and forwarned me it could cause some weight gain (vs loss on Topamax) and that did not make me happy. Comments on this site have scared the heck out of me thinking I can have so much weight gain, mood swings and even hair loss ?!?!?! I am hoping that I will fall in the small percentage that does not have any adverse side effects since it seems to be working on my nasty headaches. I go back to Dr. in 2 weeks for blood work (liver functions) and if any weight gain will be asking for something else. I dont want to be the next person on here to state they have gained 40lbs in 2 months since it does not seem to be the increase in appetite that causes the gain, it is the meds. | F | 36 | 3 days | 11/19/2007 | 4 | Epilepsy | Paranoia, waight gain, dry mouth | M | 36 | 10 years 500mg | 5/16/2012 | 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 | epilepsy | F | 36 | 4 years | 11/18/2003 | 3 | Bi-polar, anxiety | stomach pains-like I was being poisoned, hair sheds a bit more than normal, tired, can't remember what I was saying in the middle of a sentence, weight gain, constant dull headache, mild visual hallucinations, some ear-ringing | Liked Effexor XR much better combined with Topomax, but... have also tried abilify, seroquel, lithiam, and others I can't recall. The side effects are a trade-off for major mood swings. The Depakote (250mg am, 500mg pm & increasing)has definitly taken the edge off. Dislike having to get blood tests done. | F | 36 | 1 months | 3/31/2008 | 2 | Bi-Polar Type 2 | Medicine or Misdiagnosis? Regardless, 10+ pound weight gain and have been craving carbs and junk food I would have previously never given a second thought. Even though I exercise, weight gain continues. Definetely a feeling of being in a "rut", activities that used to bring much pleasure I no longer care about. Agitation, anti-social, impatience, and easily distracted. I feel that everyday I just go through the motions, am I am a typical type "A" personality always on the go. The doctor has me on 1500mg at bedtime and this diagnosis was formulated from a 10 minute interview. | Physician has me weigh in on a bathroom scale when I go to his office. He has commented that my weight has not increased rapidly enough and may have to increase the dose! At this rate he is going to have to throw in a shirt that says "I beat anorexia". Not to mention the fact it will probably cause my liver and kidneys to fall out. So, if you like walking around like a zombie, finding little to no pleasure in life's activities, like your monthly copay, eating horse pills, tiredness, difficulty focusing, memory loss,decreased libido, etc. Depakote is the right drug for you. | M | 36 | 2 days | 2/22/2008 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | rapid cycling bipolar disorder | I have gained about 20 lbs on this medication. | I wouldn't trade depakote unless I developed one of the severe side effects like liver disease. It has helped so much. I take 2000 mg a day. | F | 37 | 2 years | 6/3/2006 | 5 | Bi Polar I | Bit sleepy (increased the lethargy I felt from 600mg Seroquel),mild hair loss and believe may be causing stomach cramps/painful periods. | Really helped with mood stabilising. Manic episodes minor and down from 15+ a year to a max of 5. Wouldn't consider anything else. | F | 37 | 18 months | 1/20/2008 | 4 | Bipolar II | Taking Depkote ER 1000mg/day now. The only side effects were indigestion and sleepiness. I take Pepcid AC OTC right before a med and need another one in the afternoon because the indigestion comes back with the extend release tabs. I also take the Depakote prior to bed and feel fine in the AM. No other side effects though at this point. | F | 37 | 7 days | 4/7/2005 | 4 | bi-polar | fast weight gain of about 5 kilos - CONSTANTLY hungry; severe lethargy in afternoon; very active dreams (which i still don't remember) that seem to disrupt my sleep a bit | major stabilization of mood - still have highs n' lows but nothing overly severe and the bottom line is that i'm functional whereas before i wasn't ... i have only been on the medication about 2 months now and it took a really difficult 2 weeks to get adjusted, but once that happened it was like opening a new door. i am much more in control of food-related compulsions and have the energy/desire to workout so the initial weight gain is already fading. | M | 37 | 2 months | 2/18/2005 | 4 | Bipolar Mania | Intermittent stomach pains for several hours after taking it, then tiredness after that. Some nausea/dissiness when I first started taking it, but not so much anymore. If I take it all before bed (750mg), I don't notice any of these sideffects, except I still get more tired during the day than I used to. There is also some nervousness after taking it if I stay up more than 1 hour after taking it, before falling asleep. | It definitely helped stabilize my mood when I needed it (the part that was caused by my biological/bipolar). For the first few weeks I improved asymptotically, until things got better and now I feel fine (after about 2 months). However, I think now I feel worse than I would feel if I stopped taking it. I'm considering going off, since It makes me so tired so often. | M | 37 | 2 months | 8/7/2006 | 3 | seizure | I was on it all my life n got taken off 3yrs ago.well after i lost all my teeth. From it n now doctors say that coould not cause it | F | 37 | 10 years 1500x2 | 12/17/2011 | 3 | seizures/Grand mal | I was on depakote for 12 plus years and I was seizure free. In the end, I was depressed and had weight gain. (10 lbs) I also had several other effects from depakote and I wouldn't recommend it long long term. I did experience some nausa, weight gain, hair thinning and loss, mood swings, major pms (that is for women) and weakness in my muscles. I think i might have a fatty liver now (according to my doctor) but i was completely seizure free on depakote and it did help my seizure control. I was on 750 a day. I think the worst side affects was the moods/depression/pms. | F | 37 | 12 years | 1/12/2005 | 3 | Bipolar II- rapid cycling | Huge weight gain (40 lbs); low blood sugar | Helped balance out my moods; it is the only drug I can tolerate for bipolar II, but the weight gain is horrible. | F | 37 | 7 years | 4/20/2004 | 3 | bipolar | thinning of hair, 20 lb weight gain | I am not sure if this is working with the other meds I am taking and I am not sure if all of the weight gain is from this or the lexapro and seroquel that I am taking. I do not get drowsy from the med so I guess it is doing it's job. | F | 37 | 3 months | 1/17/2009 | 2 | seizures | Constant muddy-headedness, trouble remembering words, balance problems. Felt like I'd been drinking, even when I hadn't. | Seemed to get WAY worse after I had a cold and took an over-the-counter cold medicine! | F | 37 | 2 months | 1/4/2004 | 2 | Grand mal, abscence seizures | A LOT! Tiredness, Lethargy, always needing a nap...not the greatest at night...Hair loss was significant, Weight Gain, Memory/muddiness, loss for words at times, tremors | I immediately gained 10 lbs though very active. I can't live with the constant sleepiness and tiredness. Or the weight gain. I don't recommend. From this area, it appears to be more beneficial to bipolar than epileptics due to effects in mood? | F | 37 | 1 years | 1/1/2006 | 1 | seizures | I gained 35 pounds during the 3 months I was on Depakote. I literally couldn't stop eating. I think it also messed my metabolism up because I haven’t been able to shed any of the weight I put on, no matter what I try to get rid of it. I also suffered from extreme fatigue, tremors all over my body, extreme short term memory loss and severe mental confusion- which was the scariest part. Taking this medication also seemed to make the depression I have suffered from for years, and always been able to successfully treat with anti depressants- much much worse. I basically could not function while taking this medication- at all. In the end, I also started experiencing hair loss. Even now that I have been off of the Depakote for a good two months, my hair is still falling out by the handful. I am not sure what that is all about. The negative side effects were so awful for me; I basically refuse to try any other anti-convulsent medication- even though I know I should be taking som | F | 37 | 3 months | 2/12/2007 | 1 | seizures | I gained 35 pounds during the 3 months I was on Depakote. I literally couldn't stop eating. I think it also messed my metabolism up because I haven’t been able to shed any of the weight I put on, no matter what I try to get rid of it. I also suffered from extreme fatigue, tremors all over my body, extreme short term memory loss and severe mental confusion- which was the scariest part. Taking this medication also seemed to make the depression I have suffered from for years, and always been able to successfully treat with anti depressants- much much worse. I basically could not function while taking this medication- at all. In the end, I also started experiencing hair loss. Even now that I have been off of the Depakote for a good two months, my hair is still falling out by the handful. I am not sure what that is all about. The negative side effects were so awful for me; I basically refuse to try any other anti-convulsent medication- even though I know I should be taking som | F | 37 | 3 months | 2/12/2007 | 1 | Head Injury | Memory problems, blurred vision, do not care about anything,very lucid vivid dreams, extreme anger, dizzness, spacey feeling, trouble verbally communicating, and can not hold onto anything | I was put on this medication after a head injury. The EEG showed numerous abnormalities on the left side of the brain, very quickly put on med and even recieved a $75 dollar off coupon from the doctor. I suffered from extreme headaches that dropped me to my knees. To be honest, I would rather take the head aches and everything else than live like this. In addition, I am a Type II Diabetic and have a hard time controling blood sugar levels on this medicine. So much that my Endocrinologist has had to add a few new medications, and if they do not work have to go to straight insuling injections. I start freaking out having to give myself an insulin shot. Before taking an insulin maybe once in 6 months from going out to dinner with friends and eating a little more than usual. The dreams that I have are so vivd and feel real. I hate going to sleep, because I keep reliving the death of a close friend as I do everything to get to him to keep him from passing away. Neurologist says not to worry it will pass. I ask how long that will be. I get a get a dial tone. | M | 37 | 1 months 1000 1X D | 3/19/2011 | 1 | depression | I have never seen or heard anything that was not there, ever....I suffer from depression and anxiety only. After taking this drug for a short period of time, I became troubled with hearing whispers, sounding like someone whispering my name!!! I had a horrible time sleeping, kept thinking someone was in my room. Yuck!!!!!!!!!!!! | Scary side effects for me, never have experienced anything like that before. | F | 37 | 15 days | 5/8/2008 | 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 | 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 | 5 | Bipolar, depression, mania | mild hand tremors, mild weight gain, mild hair loss, short stomach cramps | I experienced the traditional symptoms, but not to any great extent. My hands are a little shaky, but not so much that it effects daily living. I lost a little hair, but I was going bald anyhow. I gained about 15 pounds, but no one really notices. I get a belly cramp if I take it on an empty stomach, but a lot of medicines do that, so it's no big deal. This drug has worked wonders for me, though. I take Prozac for the depression end of things, and take the Depakote for the mania and agitation end of my symptoms. It works very well. The psychiatrist had me taper off Depakote, to see if I still needed it I suppose, and symptoms of paranoia and agitation returned very quickly. After restarting Depakote, the symptoms were relieved quite quickly. I'm very happy to tolerate the side effects from Depakote because it works very well for me, make me more tolerable to be around, and I credit it for saving my marriage. | M | 38 | 6 months 500 mg 3X D | 10/13/2011 | 5 | bipolar | Been on depakote before quit because of weight gain but back on it with 1500 mg of lithium 100 mg of lamictal 40 mg Valium 300 mg neurontin and 20 mg celexa....they seem to work with alot of sedation but no mood swings | F | 38 | 1 months 2000 mg | 5/20/2012 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | hand tremors, absent mindedness, easily confused, forgetfull, weight gain, trouble sleeping | Even though I have side effects, I would only trade in Depakote if it affects my liver or I develop a major side effect. This drug truly was a life saver for me after years of trying almost everything else. | F | 38 | 8 years | 4/26/2006 | 4 | bipolar II | diarhea, bad hand tremors, and weight gain (because food tasted amazing). Oddly enough, it curled my hair. | Worked very well for controlling my moods, but the side effects led me to switch to tegretol. | M | 38 | 1 years | 2/8/2005 | 4 | Bipolar II | Hair Loss | If not for the hair loss I would be very satisfied. No weight gain at all. | M | 38 | 3 months | 12/3/2007 | 4 | bipolar manic depression | Glad to finally know why my hair is so curly! Fatigue, indigestion, vivid dreams & weight gain. | My dose has been between 1500 and 2000 mg; seems a lot for a 125 lb female but the increase along with the 120 mg of Cymbalta for depression has given me a sense of "normalcy" again. | F | 38 | 18 months | 4/22/2007 | 4 | mood swings/atypical depression | gained about 20 lbs, tiredness, dry mouth, decreased libido, sleepiness, dizziness | This really helps me. I tried every class of drugs and this is the only thing that works with tolerable side effects. Helps with fatigue in my head (similar to headache) too. That was an unexpected surprise. I don't like the side effects, but they are usually mild. Hard to lose weight on this. | F | 38 | 7 years | 8/26/2005 | 4 | epilepsy | drowsiness, memory problems, | I was prescribed Depakote after Tegretol (unfortunately) stopped working. I am always groggy and have forgotten what it is like to feel wide awake and full of energy. My friends joke with me all the time because I have a hard time remembering things. I also forget words and lose my train of thought easily. Thank you for the comments about the drug..now I know that there is a high probability that Depakote is causing these issues. I will say though-I haven't had a grand-mal seizure since I've been on the drug and so I count myself lucky. | F | 38 | 10 years 250 MG 3X D | 9/27/2011 | 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 | 4 | Seizure Disorder | Tremors in hand. | Led to 6 months of no seizure activity, then seizures resumed but at a lower rate. | M | 38 | 7 months | 4/27/2007 | 4 | Migrains | When I had first started taking it I had a lot of dreams and could not sleep very well. Now I have been taking it over 5 months and I sleep very well and the dreams have mostly stopped. I have not gained any weight. I can work as I have always worked and I put in a lot of hour's. It makes me a little tired when I first take it but I can still function like I have to. It has made me a little forgetfull but nothing major. My migrains have went from almost everyday to maybe two or three a Month. I also heard and read it can cause hair loss but I have not experianced that either. My hair has always been very long and is still long and thick. Although I do think it made it a little dryer. So I condition a lot more now. | I'm very happy with the medication and has worked very well for my headaches with little side effects. | F | 38 | 5 months | 6/11/2007 | 3 | Complex Migraine | Weight gain, little hair loss, tired, little depressed | I have lupus and very frequent complicated migraines, take many meds, nothing has every made me gain weight but this has, just starting 5th week. Migraines have decreased due to combo of depakote and prednisone. Very concerned about the weight gain. We'll meet with doc in 3 weeks to discuss. | F | 38 | 1 months | 12/16/2007 |