The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: My daughter (8) was on Valproic Acid (liquid) for a year. About a month ago she began the pill form Divalproex. Both medicines stopped her Gran mal and Petit mal seizures. Fiends and family have commented for the last year about her personality change. She is no longer a joyful and energetic child, but has become very lethargic and depressed. We are currently researching different medicines to give her.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: Depakote in use with Zyprexa has given me my life back. I haven't felt this "normal" in many years.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Mania: I have been taking Depakote ER for about 9 months. I have found it helpful for the mania. The bad side effect is that I gained about 30pounds.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: I have been taking Depakote ER for approximately 4 weeks now with good results. Prior to this medication, I was experiencing frequent dull pressure type headaches, some lasting several days, and occasional short duration sharp migraines. Since using Depakote ER, I have had no migraines and only a couple of very mild and short duration pressure headaches.
I realize it's only been a short amount of time on this medication, but the relief has been quite noticeable for me.
I have also not experienced any sudden weight gain side effects, however, just prior to starting this medication, I commenced a health eating regimen, which has actually caused me to lose several pounds, and which may be contributing to my weight situation.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have been on Depakote ER for about a year. I have had JME since I was 14 and tried Lamictal from about age 25-30 and had seizures every 6 months. Since I've been on Depakote ER, I have not had any seizures, jerks, or funny feelings in my head! It's been a year, but the only bad thing is I've gained 20 pounds.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: I would never recommend this medication because of the horrible weight gain side effect. I gained 70 lbs on this medicine while trying to convince my doctor to change my medicine. It didn't really help my headaches either. I finally had to change doctors to get off this. I got on Topamax and the weight just melted off. Depakote changes your metabolism where everything you eat changes to fat. I took it 18 months too long.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have taken Depakote ER for awhile with Lamictal. I have not had a seizure in 34 months. I do have hair loss and weight gain problem.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I've been on Depakote for 11 years and it's worked pretty good. I was on Zarontin as well for a few years but I stopped that about six years ago. Just Depakote ER since then and I've only had 1 grand mal seizure. Works pretty well.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have been diagnosed with absence seizures and have had several Grand Mals for 6 years now, but have been seizure-free for 4 years, after being put on Depakote ER. I went through 2 prior doctors and twice as many medicines before finding the right one. If taken in the morning, I get nauseous and I'm always tired, but otherwise, no problems. 155 lb female on 500 mg once daily.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I took the medication for two years as a teenager. It stopped the seizures but I lost all my energy and put on 40 pounds. Once I stopped Depakote, I nearly lost all the weight within 2 months.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: It did do okay for my seizures but I ended up with so many of the side effects it was unbelievable. They had to take me off I still have seizures to this day because they haven't found the right medicines. I have had a VNS inplant though but still having seizures.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: I have been on Depakote ER 1000 mg/day for over 7 years now and my once 4 migraines/months have pretty much subsided to less than 4/year. That's a great improvement for me as I've had them for over 45 years. Nothing worked before, just many pain medicines tried, or shots to put me out for a couple of days and the after effects weren't so fun. I would recommend this to anyone with migraines. Ask your doctor.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have been on Depakote for about 11 years now. It works pretty well for the most part, but every once in a while my body gets out of whack and I have seizures anyhow. My doctors have tried other medicines as well but Depakote seems to be what works best.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Mania: Great medicine, it's the only one that stops the agitation that comes with being too manic for too long. It keeps me from crashing after mania because the mania never peeks. I would have given it a 10, but sometimes a little coffee can make me get manic even though I have taken the medicine.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: I have been on Depakote ER 1000mg for 2 months and it has almost solved my migraine problem. I still get a few slight nagging headaches, which are easy to treat with ibuprofen. The side effects of stomach upset and fatigue seem to be improving. I think I notice some weight gain, maybe too early to tell. So far so good. I'm happy with this medication. My migraines were threating my ability to earn a living and many days were spent in bed. Things are looking up.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: Responded well to this medicine, after failing everything, including Topamax. I had severe motion component with migraine. Could not stand, roll over or lean over without increased pain/pressure. Depakote finally worked after trying many medicines for 2 1/2 months.
just don't like the weight gain
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: After trying 4 different meds this one was the first I was able to tolerate for a longer period. The seizures came under control and all was well. Unfortunatly my amonia levels (a very rare side effect but one that you need to be aware of) began to rise to scary levels so I had to quit ASAP. However if I had not had this issue I would have gladly stayed on the drug.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: After trying Topamax for months with no relief, I have been on Depakote ER for three months with GREAT relief! I was having migraine headaches 17 out of 31 days a month, now- maybe one a month (taking Axert when I have pain). The only problem I have had is I have gained 10 pounds in less than three months....this is horrible for me, as I could have afforded to have lost 10 pounds when starting Depakote!
My Dr. is going to have me try to mis in 25 mg. of Topamax to suppresse the appetite.
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Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have had no gran mal seizures now for 4 years. I was on regular enteric coated Depakote since 1989 but always seemed to have a break through seizure every 2 to 3 years. I am on 1750 mg of Depakote ER now per day and I weigh about 175 lbs and am a 5.5 foot man.
I was once diagnosed with complex-partial seizures because I had a psychomotor seizure and petit mal once or twice, but most of mine have been gran mal/ tonic/clonic.
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Lilraidermom said: 
