Drug Ratings for DEPAKOTE ERAverage Rating: 3.2 (176 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.) Page: 1 2 3 |
Charts & graphs: Reviews Summary for DEPAKOTE ER | Top 10 Adverse Effects (reported to FDA)
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR DEPAKOTE ER | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
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| 1 | Suspect Bipolar/Anxiety/mood swings | I have always been diagnosed as ADHD even as a child, but due to heart issues cannot take stimulant ADHD meds. The doctor prescribed Depakote ER thinking it could be bipolar and would stabilize moods. Extreme hair loss, itchy, peeling skin, constant need to urinate with very little output, constant abdominal pain and bloating, constipation, inability to concentrate and memory trouble, constant fatigue, no joy in anything or motivation, nightmares, acne, gained 15 lbs in 5 weeks and very little appetite as it made the abdominal pains worse. | I contacted the psychiatrist who prescribed it in Mid Cities Texas after my primary care provider suggested I get off of it and take a safer alternative for anxiety control. The bigger reason to stop using this was it was decided to schedule a full hysterectomy for endometriosis and PCOS which are the likely causes of the mood swings and not bipolar. Depakote can thin the blood and cause surgery complications such as blood not clotting. The staff said they would get back to me after talking to the psychiatrist. They never did. I am quitting cold turkey since this psychiatry group doesn't seemed to concerned about assisting in my medical concerns. Since I haven't been on it very long I'm hoping not to have any major withdrawal complications. After just one day off it, I already feel tons better and more alert! | F | 37 | 5 weeks 500 mg | 12/9/2016 | 5 | Ptsd bi polar | Nothing except little fatiigue after taking full morning dose , i make extra time in my morning schedule for it. Uset stomach if taken on empty stomach otherwise it works wonders for me | M | 42 | 12 years 2000 1X D | 8/1/2016 | 2 | bipolar | Nightmares,dry mouth, increased hunger,in a fog, stomach cramps. | F | 40 | 10 days | 4/11/2016 | 2 | Bipolar | Memory loss, angry outburst, headaches, hair loss, mood swings, tingling in arms, jumbled thoughts, side pains | Depakote isn't for me. Although it appeared to work in the first 3 months taking it in higher dosages is harmful. | F | 30 | 7 months 500 | 8/14/2015 | 5 | Are migraines | To help my migraine headaches | F | 52 | 3 years | 8/3/2015 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder 1 | It took care of my mania but I, too, was a little slowed downed & unmotivated. But over time my body got used to it & I was able to function better. Did cause some weight gain. (I'm also taking 2 other drugs that cause weight gain, so I got a triple whammy!). I found out that working out has, at least, kept my weight the same. | Because of the potential side effects of the liver, I make sure that I get periodical testing to monitor my liver function. I will continue taking this drug the rest of my life however, because of my age, in the future I will have the dosage re-evaluated so I'm not over medicated. | F | 59 | 18 years 1000 1X D | 7/14/2015 | 4 | Seizure Disorder | Severe Memory Loss | F | 28 | 25 years 500mg 3X D | 6/9/2015 | 1 | Bipolar | Loss of physical and emotional connection to anyone. Very foggy mind. Couldn't think through anything clearly. Difficulty expressing feelings. Gained 30lbs in 2 and a half years. Slept 10-12 hours every night and had to take a nap during the day. Showered only once a week and had no desire to look pretty or be hygienic. It took my life away and since stopping it I've noticed a remarkable difference for the better. | I hated Depakote and will NEVER take it again. I'm now going to have liposuction to get rid of all the traces of having taken this miserable drug. | F | 38 | 3 years 500 | 3/24/2015 | 5 | Bipolar 1 with psychosis | Can of course put a bit of weight on, but I think that this side effect is grossly exaggerated. Drowsiness, so take before bed. | It's the best mood-stabilizer that there is, in my estimation. I've taken it for 12 years now without incident. | F | 51 | 10 years 1,500 | 3/16/2015 | 5 | Manic/Intermittent Explosive Disord | Insomnia/Constant Headache | Only problems so far are I don't sleep (great for anger control lol), and seem to constantly have a low grade headache. I really think that the headache is from the lack of sleep. If I can find something that will help me sleep without knocking me completely out... I think I'll be great. The Depakote ER has GREATLY improved my anger outbursts and frustration. I had previously begun a low carb diet so I feel this will help with any weight gain issues that may arise. | M | 39 | 2 weeks 1000 | 2/23/2015 | 5 | Epilepsy | Mild weight gain. Occasional headaches. | This drug has been very helpful for me. As a man with epilepsy who has suffered from a few partial-complex seizures, this drug has allowed me to be seizure free for 3+ years. The downside is no alcohol consumption, but other than that I definitely recommend it for someone who suffers from epilepsy. | M | 21 | 5 years 1500 MG 1X D | 1/9/2015 | 5 | Bi-Polar / Sleep Disorder | Slight weight gain / dry mouth | Depakote has been a great drug to keep me stable and prevent the ups and downs of Bi-Polar. I also take Seroquel with the Depakote at bedtime because I have a sleep disorder as well and this has worked great for the last 8 years. I take 2 - 500mg at night with 400mg Seroquel. Depakote does have a few side effects such as weight gain but for me the benefits are worth it. | M | 48 | 8 years 1000mg 1X D | 12/22/2014 | 3 | epilepsy | Headaches | F | 31 | 5 years 30mg | 11/8/2014 | 1 | Bipolar type 2 | Extreme fatigue, breast pain, nausea/diarrhea, headaches and a slow speech. | F | 21 | 7 days 750mgDaily | 9/20/2014 | 1 | Bipolar 1 | As soon as I took this, I felt searing pain in my liver area. Basically, the right side of my belly, underneath my ribcage and all the way around to the back. I know this medication can cause liver failure, so I quit it immediately. I felt the GABA in my brain increase, and I'll admit, if I didn't have liver issues, I would love to take Depakote. Talk about calm. Dang. | I already had fatty liver when I took the Depakote. The extra GABA in my brain felt amazing. It's what I know I'm missing out on, but unfortunately, I'm not willing to risk death in order to feel better. Nobody knows about this drug for bipolar, but Keppra. Look into it! If you suffer from ultra-rapid cycling on a daily basis like I do, this drug could be your savior. The side effects are practically nothing compared to Lithium and Depkoate. People who are manic depressive probably already have issues with their bodies and organs. I know I do, from all the drinking and drugs done in the past. I needed something that wouldn't drive my liver enzymes up and cause me chest pain, like both Lithium and Depakote did. In comes Keppra, a novel anticonvulsant. It can work for rapid cycling, you guys. Look into it. Request it. You can take it with a bad liver too. | M | 28 | 1 days 500 mg 1X D | 9/7/2014 | 3 | Bipolar/ mixed episode | Started during a mixed episode. Every attempt to bump up to 750 mg resulted in bad side effects... Ringing in ear, insomnia and when I slept it was more of a sleep paralysis with EXTREME nightmares. Headaches, nausea and depression. Am currently on 500 mg and feel ok | F | 38 | 2 months 500 mg | 8/14/2014 | 3 | Bipolar | I like it because it gives me time to filter and process my thoughts. It makes me really freaking tired though. I got put on bupropion and it has helped a lot but I'm still so damn tired. | F | 23 | 6 months 500mg | 5/25/2014 | 3 | Seizure | F | 31 | 5 days 40 | 7/15/2013 | 5 | Nocturnal Epilespy | Hair loss, unexplained bruising on legs, loss of appetite, nausea, double vision, short term memory loss, sleepy. Almost all of these side effects have went away over time it was mostly just the first year. I'm still tired alot and will randomly have huge bruises appear on my legs, and I feel like I forget alot of things but that could just be a coincidence. It's the only thing that stopped my seizures so the side effects are not a big deal considering the alternative. | F | 29 | 10 years 500mg | 6/19/2013 | 2 | Bipolar 1 | Memory loss, insomnia depression/lack of motivation causing life events, anxiety | Pretty much was ok with a DepakoteER/Lamictal combo for Tx but I have come very concerned about memory retention through the last several years, general sadness and depression. If I miss a couple doses, severe agitation kicks in.Marked negativity the last several months. Doc seemed ok with "flat" mood most of the time during followups. Last appt. he recommended therapy for the depression but increased Lamictal. I just lost my 2nd job of 6 years, this last one due to oversleeping 2X (company policy -- termination). Brain fog with the job and performance, but have been concerned for a long time. I really don't want to increase Depakote, caused brain fog before, or add a drug, have had it with this. I feel like I have lost a decade off my life, cannot even remember events where kids were growing up due to memory. Sometimes wife says "don't you remember that" I don't , it just makes me feel awful. Never had issues with the hair loss, just a little weight gain. God bless to everyone with mental health issues, there will be a special place in heaven for all of us, I am positive of that. | M | 52 | 15 years 1500 1X D | 2/25/2013 | 4 | Bipolar II + Borderline | Weight gain, about 10 pounds but that may be my own fault. Tiredness the first few weeks. | Mood seems much more stable, I was manic when it was prescribed. Titrated from 500mg to 1500mg over 3 days. I was initially reluctant to take any meds, but I feel much calmer and yet energetic at the same time, rather than agitated as usual in a hypomanic mood. | F | 39 | 30 days 1500mg 1X D | 2/5/2013 | 4 | Bipolar | initially spaciness and sleepiness as well as difficulty concentrating. Weight gain and extreme hunger as well as some hair loss-this can be controlled with a multivitamin! The weight gain and hunger are slowing down and after a couple of weeks, the thinking improved greatly. Still get weird dreams, but I have had much worse side effects than this from other meds, so I handle it well. | This is a good drug; anyone who says take lithium or another drug before this doesn't know what they are talking about, everyone is different! Don't make general accusations about medicines and scare people away from something that may help them. Research is showing that people with different genes respond differently to bipolar medications, in fact lithium made me much worse, and there is new research that supports that apoptosis may increase in people who don't do well on lithium. My mood is much more stable, irritability, jealousy and anger are all but gone, and I exercise to keep the depression at bay. This is my second time on the drug, it worked wonders the first time too, but my liver enzymes shot up, not happening this time though, and God willing, it won't. Do I like taking medicine? No. Do I have a choice. No. So I will go with the one that works best, and no drug is perfect. Realize that now and you will be better off. As long as they are tolerable. Thank you God for letting me be successful on this! | M | 3 months 1500 mg 1X D | 11/26/2012 | 3 | Bipolar Disorder | Update: The tremors have lessened, but the heartburn is worse and I have now developed scalp pain and hair loss. I will be discontinuing the med and will have to hope that Seroquel will do the trick for mania. | F | 41 | 2250 1X D | 11/25/2012 History | 4 | Seizure (convulsions) | Weight Gain and that's with dieting and exercise. Always feel hungry and can eat larger amounts than ever been able too! Lazy/Tiredness.. But stop convulsion.. | F | 32 | 4 months 1000 | 10/9/2012 | 1 | Bi-Polar | weight gain, tremors in hands, menstrual irregularities, short term memory loss, tingling in arms, swelling of lower legs and ankles, heat sensitivity. | I was tapered of Depakote and have been off this medication for 3 weeks. I feel clearer mentally and the adverse symptoms have lessened or ceased altogether. | F | 49 | 8 months 750 mg 1X D | 9/6/2012 | 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 | 3 | Bipolar II, GAD | Loss of appetite, tired heavy feeling that comes in waves, nausea, dizziness, sexual function is actually better... But I'm also on wellbutrin and vyvanse, which increase libido, foggy/distant feeling... But I had some of that before. | F | 24 | 1 weeks 500 mg | 4/29/2012 | 3 | Bipolar | Severe tremor/shakiness, bad constipation, extreme nausea throughout the day. | Worked wonderful for mood stabilization but the side effects outweigh the positives. Was sad to have to get off of it since it was working for my bipolar. | F | 26 | 3 months 1500 2X D | 4/23/2012 | 3 | Epilepsy | Stomach Pain, Nausea, GERD, Foggy Brain, Memory Problems, Verbal Problems, Slowed Speech, Extreme Fatigue, Tremors, Bone Loss, Mild Hair Loss, Loss of Sex Drive and life in general. | Prior to taking Depakote I did not have any of the symptoms stated in side-effects. I was a very active, hard working young career woman. I was diagnosed w/epilepsy after having a grand mal seizure at 32 yrs old. After bad experiences w/tegretol and mysoline it was determined Depakote was the best drug for me. After all these years I am still having these "side effects" which some have turned into real health problems. Such as: I have severe osteoporosis - broke 3 ribs and my foot getting out of bed 2 yrs ago. I struggle with major stomach pain, nausea and GERD on a daily basis. I literally shake now. And last but not least I feel like I have early onset Alzheimers because of the brain fog and memory problems. Seems like I can't put 2 words together. I have an appointment w/ my neurologist next week to discuss going off the medication. I have not had a seizure since 1988 and most of my EEGs have been good. Don't get me wrong, I think Depakote does a great job, but for me the side effects just don't seem worth it. I can't work. I want more out of life. | F | 56 | 22 years 500 MG 2X D | 3/14/2012 | 4 | Bipolar disorder | I found with this medication I gained 15 lbs. Also my orgasms seem to take a longer amount of time to be reached. Other than that I am very please with this medication. It serves it's purpose in keeping my moods stable. | F | 32 | 2 years 500 mg | 12/10/2011 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | Very mild sexual dysfunction (slightly delayed orgasm), mild nausea if taken with no food, otherwise no nausea. | So far my side effects have been far fewer with Depakote than with many of the other mood-stabilizing drugs I have been tried on. Some sedated me, others put 40 pounds on me, one gave me tremors. I've experienced none of that with Depakote. Not every drug is for every person, but this one has worked very well for me. | M | 30 | 6 weeks 500 2X D | 10/28/2011 | 2 | Seizure control | My daughter began taking Depakote for years, ages 3-7 on a high dosages due to seizures. It controlled seizures. Her mood swings where terrible, anger, could not learn in school. Kicking biting, hitting and self injurious behavior. Again it controlled her seizures but the behaviors are not acceptable. We are now on Lamictal doing better for about 2 years now. | Never give up on your kids. They ONLY have us, no one else cares like you do....That is why you are on this site. | F | 3 | 4 years 300mg 3X D | 9/7/2011 | 5 | Bipolar/anxiety/migraines | Insomnia, reflux, diarrhea, bloating, dry skin, hair loss, achy teeth, teeth clenching, seeing things that aren't there, sore breasts, weight gain, short-term memory loss, mental fogginess. | You get used to the side effects. I now have to drug myself with Restoril to get to sleep. Despite all of the side effects, I still give Depakote a "5". I'm hoping my hair will eventually grow back. I gained 11 lbs in less than 3 weeks. At least I'm happy! | F | 44 | 3 months 1000 MG 1X D | 9/1/2011 | 3 | Severe Migraines/Clusters | I started at 250mg Depakote ER 1x/night. After a week I took myself off of it due sleeping 10-13 hrs. a night and still feeling extremely tired/drowsy during the day. Due to the severity of the daily pain and migraines I was having and at the recommendation of my Dr. I went back on it w/in 2 weeks. I increased the dose from 250mg to 500mg after a week. I figured that since I was incapacitated by pain every day maybe the Depakote would help, and that even if I was sleeping all day/night, at least I wouldn't be in pain. Besides extremely vivid dreams, the extreme tiredness is the only side effect that I've experienced. | I've been on Depekote for 4 weeks now and went from having daily migraines/moderate to extreme pain every day to having none/dull headache after 10 days on the med. Been mostly pain free since. HOWEVER, the side effect of sleeping 10-13 hrs every day and still feeling like I could sleep all day is making me consider whether or not to continuing taking this med. Dr. said these side effects would mitigate but they have not. My main goal is to get back to work, but cannot do so if in pain everyday or unable to function due to extreme drowsiness - catch 22. Background: I've suffered from migraines for 10 years with increasing frequency/pain within the past five years averaging 8-15 a month. This fall and last fall have been especially bad. Over the years, I had tried every preventative and they have either not been effective or the side effects were too extreme. This fall I suffered from especially severe migraines/possible clusters that led me to the brink. My neurologist is prescribing Botox injections which ins. just approved but am hesistant about this tx. | M | 31 | 4 weeks 500mg 1X D | 11/27/2010 | 5 | Anxiety & Mood Swings | I'm a lean guy, in shape. I just think I got used to any of the side effects years ago. Blood work/cholesterol/BP always good. | I have stuck with this drug. I tried changing once & realized how much it helps me. My life is far from perfect but I never get too 'high' or 'low'. I depend on it. Full head of hair too. | M | 38 | 10 years 500 2X D | 10/31/2010 | 1 | Bipolar / depression | Severe tremoring in hands, insomnia, memory loss, increased saliva | Severe tremors/shaking in hands. Also taking lithium & abilfy, so completely unsure which drug is causing this. My short term memory is horrible and I find myself pausing to think about what I'm talking about. Severe saliva which is completely embarrassing if you're talking to someone. I was told to give everything at least 4 weeks but from these comments it doesnt sound like it will get better. I havent experienced any hair loss thankfully and I have no appettie (and I can't spell either anymore). Total insomnia. | F | 35 | 14 days 1500 1X D | 9/7/2010 | 5 | Migraines and Anxiety | Wow, what a difference! I am so happy I have maintained this drug. I quit once and was quickly reminded how it is without it. | It really does work. | F | 39 | 3 years 500mg 2X D | 6/1/2010 | 3 | mipolar, mood stabilization | unsure yet. acne, diarrhea, EXTREME irritability and tearfulness, dnagerouse thoughyts.... | just went off lithium that i had been on for 4 years...not sure if these changes are from this, b/c they kinda came on before or b/c my hormone levels are severally out of whack. I take progesterone and have for years as well...but was off it , then back on etc...when i first began depakote it was good, these recent abnormal things have occurred in last month, around my cyle | F | 37 | 4 weeks 1500mg 1X D | 5/30/2010 | 1 | schizoaffective disorder | I literally slept 2 1/2 yrs of my life away and gained 135lbs i could not get out of bed | this medicine was not for me i didnt benefit from it i had no life behind my eyes my family said i didnt laugh cry or get angry no matter what that was when i was awake usually i took my morning dose at 8am slept 12 hours then took the night dose and there went all my hope until one day i missed my morning dose and sat on the couch i sat there till bedtime and realized it was the medicine and not my mental diagnosis i begged my doc to lower the dose she did after 8 months she put me on 500mg a day down from 1000mg i was able to bath again and watch tv and enjoy it do laundry cook badly and all kinds of stuff i told her this and she said looks like were gonna have to raise it again but by that time i was down to 125mg i said ok to her but went home and split the 125mg tab in half took it for a month and split half a tablet in half took that 4 a month and i havent been on it in a year but this medicine is dangerous it can make you convulse if you quit cold turkey so do it slowly if you decide to well thats my story good luck and bless you | F | 31 | 3 years 500mg 2X D | 5/2/2010 | 5 | Epilepsy from car accident | This drug is very good for epilepsy. i've tried so many others like Tegretal, Keppra, Trileptal they all caused chest pains but this drug does not. Depakote does have tolerable side effects compared to chest pains. Causes weight gain, everything tastes like a gourmet meal, hair loss is very thin and wispy. So fatigued in the afternoon. a lot of stomach issues, gas, bloating, diarrhea then constipaion. Ugghh ! But I'm seizure free! You must do some kind of exercise on this drug to keep the weight down. | Was on regular Depakote for 20 years and had more weight gain. | F | 49 | 3 years 500 mg 1X D | 3/19/2010 | 5 | Migraines | 15-20 lbs of weight gain, extreme tiredness in the mornings, seems like you never get enough sleep. Calms your nerves however, makes me more relaxed during the day, helps me speaking in public. Prevents the daily headaches I was experiencing and reduces the severity of my migraines. | Only migraine preventative medicine that worked for me, I have managed to decrease dosage down from 1000 mg per day and the medicine is still effective. I've experienced withdrawal symptoms coming down on dosage, takes weeks to taper down, very edgy during this period. | M | 39 | 3 years 250 mg 1X D | 3/5/2010 | 3 | Migraine prevention | Lost a lot of my hair, gained 20 lbs, hands shake. | F | 48 | 9 months 1000 mg 1X D | 2/24/2010 | 1 | bipolar | Memory problems (left food cooking on high and left the house to go shopping), constipation, muscle and joint pain, painful inflamed rash on lower abdomen and itchy over entire body, hair & eye lashes falling out. | My mind felt calm and ok but my body was reacting strongly negatively to the medication. | F | 57 | 7 days 250 mg 1X D | 2/21/2010 | 1 | mania | I was prescribed 500 mg ER in the a.m. and 1,000 mg at bedtime. The night dose really made me tired. I could barley function at night to get up with up with my one year old son. So his father stayed up all night and took care of him while I slept. She lowered the dose at bedtime to 500 mg. I really like that they help threwout the whole day. Certain times of the early afternoon or night I get worked up. I dont like that it causes weight gain though. I will see if there is another medicine that I can take for mania that doesnt do that. I also take Buspar 20 mg twice daily and 300 mg of Wellbutrin Xl. The combination is helping so far. | My mother took Depakote and Serequol and Lithium for Bipolar Disorder. It helped her with the racing thoughts and frequent outburts of rage. | F | 22 | 1 weeks | 2/3/2010 | 1 | Bipolar/Severe Anxiety Disorder | Going against my better judgement, I agreed to start Depakote from my new psych. even after I had heard countless of horror stories, thinking maybe it would be my "miracle" drug....and I was dead wrong. I was started on a medium doseage of 1500mg and within a week I couldn't leave my house. I was so detached from the world. I had no emotion, no connection to reality. And even worse, it didn't treat my anxiety. So I was trying to function in a zombie-like-state with a constant high-anxiety. I didn't even want to talk. And I'm one of those annoying girls who can't keep her mouth shut. My friends were literally scared of me. I called my Dr. crying at the end of the week before I was supposed to get my blood levels drawn, crying, the only emotion I had, telling them that they either medically had to take me off of it or I was just going to flush the pills dow the toilet myself. PLEASE STAY AWAY!!!! | PLEASE, I BEG YOU DO NOT TAKE IT! | F | 19 | 1 weeks | 1/29/2010 | 3 | JME/Epilepsy | Hair loss, insomnia, constipation | I started taking it when diagnosed with JME (turns out it was permanent) and have had chronic constipation and insomnia since (on Ambien for sleep). When my MD decided, without informing me) to up my dose from 750 mg of regular Depakote to 1000 mg Depakote ER I started to experience constant, abnormal hair loss. I'm seeing the MD soon to get switched to something else and hopefully get rid of some of these symptoms. | F | 27 | 15 years | 1/4/2010 | 5 | Anxiety | Some initial heartburn, mostly minor stuff that passed. | I am an executive that needs to make quick decisions and remain calm. I have been taking 750mg of Depakote ER since the year 2000 (when it was introduced). It has saved my career. I work out and remain active and have gained no weight. I also have a full head of hair. | M | 37 | 10 years | 12/29/2009 | 1 | Bipolar | INCREASED HUNGER, Lethargy, Drowsiness, CLOUDY THINKING, Irritated | I work in a job that requires quick accurate thinking and deals with finance numbers. On this drug not only am I ready to sleep all day, I am more irritated and can't think straight. my doctor is taking me off of depakote and starting zyprexa which based off of everything i have read is not good either. I was diagnosed as bipolar at 16 but have not been on meds for the past 7 years. I was stable until 12 weeks ago when I decided to quit smoking. since then I have had uncontrolable rage and my mood swings are changing within hours. My husband actually left for 3 days to force me to get help. I need a medication that will not impair my thinking or I am going to lose my job. | F | 31 | 7 days | 12/9/2009 | 1 | Depression/Anxiety | SEVERE Fatigue! Flattened me like a mack truck! 1000 mg dose for two weeks then weaned off to 500 mg for a week. Took another week to start feeling more normal. Withdrawal headaches, shakiness and felt like crap for a few days. | Don't know why the doctor put me on this for depression after a suicide attempt. It made me miss 3 more weeks of school. I usually work out twice a day (athlete) but couldn't do more than flop on the couch or sleep the 3 weeks I was on it. Currently on 10 mg Lexapro and 2 mg Abilify which is working GREAT! | M | 17 | 21 days | 11/2/2009 | 1 | BiPolar Disorder | The major side effect I was experiencing constantly was insomnia. Not a very good issue when you are a BiPolar patient. | F | 30 | | 10/15/2009 | 5 | Bipolar II | Some sleepiness at about the 4-5 hr mark, some gastro effects (i.e. constipation, diarrhea, mild). Vivid dreams, though not bad. Just, well, animated at times. | A great drug when the right dose is found. I'm currently on 2000mg/day at bedtime, and this is the first time in years I've been able to sleep pretty well. Very helpful with the mania. I am much more relaxed and in control of myself. Can think more clearly without all of the "mental clutter" that I had before. Overall a very good drug. | F | 37 | 2 months | 9/24/2009 | 2 | Migraine | Increased sensitivity to my nerves! Anyone else feel like nails on a chalkboard after taking this for a while?! Or sensitivity to touching paper? Also, very tired in the morning. When I first started taking it, I got severe stomach cramps for a few days, but then it subsided. Some hair loss, and probably no weight gain only because I've been very careful to keep it off. | Didn't work for my migraines. Onto the next med... | F | 25 | 3 months | 9/22/2009 | 5 | Anxiety/Mood Swings | When I switched to the Extended Release version none | There is no question this medicine helps me a lot. It's effects on anxiety are hard to explain. I just know I will be stable regardless of what the situation is. It stabilizes my mood, which is what I want. I take 750mg per day. | M | 28 | 4 years | 9/19/2009 | 5 | Seizure disorder | weight gain | The only seizures I've had were when I was off Depakote. Battling weight gain and paying its steep price (until it went generic recently) are decent trade-offs. | M | 50 | 21 years | 9/7/2009 | 1 | Bipolar I | Obsessive suicidal thoughts | I was fine until I reached the low therapeutic level. My thoughts ALWAYS involved suicide after that. | M | 32 | 1 months | 8/17/2009 | 5 | anxiety | While reportings of hair loss, weight gain and memory loss are prevalent, I have little. I'm on 250mg/day. I've noticed a slight headache about 5-6 hrs after dosage, making me sleepy, but relaxed. Due to my work schedule, I take at 11:30 am my headhache occurs at 5-6 pm and by 7pm I'm just relaxed. I've been watching for weight gain but in fact have lost weight, I just don't feel hungry. Because I'm hypoglycemic, I used to eat every 2 hrs to control by blood sugar, but I don't have this problem anymore. Thank God for my habit of eating because with Depakote I wouldn't think to eat at all. I have notice some hair loss. Minor. Memeory, it may take me minute to remember the lastest but I still remember all of the old. I'm not aware of what day it is, but that's okay. Life is alltogether better and living one day at a time, like it should be. I'm 100% more focused and getting more things done without feeling stressed to get it all done. I wish I would of been on this 10 yrs ago, but everyt | F | 39 | | 8/14/2009 | 4 | bi-polar | I did gain 10 pounds and have hand tremors sometimes. Other than that, it has helped me to focus better. I still have some manic episodes but not as many. | F | 52 | 4 years | 7/23/2009 | 5 | Mood Swings & Anxiety | Some tiredness at times and occassional indigestion but it has really worked great for me. | M | 28 | 3 years | 7/2/2009 | 3 | Bipolar II | hair loss, fatigue, very vivid dreams/nightmares (I sometimes confused dreams with memories), impaired memory., fatigue, hard time focusing, hard time communicating efficiently, made some of my gastrointestinal issues worse, sexual side effects | Have been taking 1250mg each night for several years for my bipolar disorder. It's hard to differentiate between side effects of this medication and the symptoms of all my other disorders because of the way things happened when I went on the meds, and ever since then. I could have more than this but I'm fairy certian the stated effects are in fact due to this medication. It HAS helped curve my mood swings but I don't feel that it is doing enough. I'm going to go to my doctor to try and find a med that works better for me. After all, there are plenty I haven't tried. | F | 20 | 2 years | 7/2/2009 | 4 | Seizures due to car accident | Daily fatigue, lots of gas, constipation then diarrhea after meals, belly weight gain, poor vision. | Losing a 1/3 of my hair, gained 40 lbs in 5 months. Enough explosive gas to power a small outboard boat motor,constipation, diarrhea and fatigue, no sex drive,poor eyesight, this drug makes me feel like I am 90. But NO seizures! Keppra, Lamictal, Trileptal all gave me chest pains and break through petite Mal seizures.:^) | F | 49 | 3 years | 6/26/2009 |