User Reviews for Depakote

Depakote was (and still is) a miracle drug for me with my migraines. I used to get one almost every day, and now it's down to just a few small ones every month!

I've suffered with bad migraines as far back as I can remember and finally after 52 years they got so severe I ended up in hospital. A new doctor took my history and decided to try Depakote (500mg) for 2 weeks and then in 2 weeks double the dose. I started with the 500mg and never had to double the dose. This July 2nd 09 it will have been 2 years without any kind of headache. Not even a little one. THANKS Depakote.

I have tried Depakote for migraines, as well as Childhood Epilepsy. My son has tried it for Bipolar disorder. It can and does make me and my son lethargic, can cause an increase in salivation, causes massive weight gain (from 105 to 155lbs). In my opinion, the possible benefits are not worth the side effects.

After years of migraines which continued to get worse. I was getting them almost everyday, and ending up in the ER several times Depakote has come to the rescue. I tried Neurontin, and Topamax both did nothing. It's been several weeks and no headache...what a relief this has been for me. I am praying this continues to work.

2-1/2 months of low-grade migraine (from old whiplash accident and cervical spine damage). Saw my neurologist (specializes in migraine) and she put me on a steroid pack. Migraine stopped within a day but then started blotching on face and chest, having allergic reaction. After stopping, got HUGE rebound headache. Went in for my 1st time of Depacon via IV, which made me loopy, nauseous, uncomfortable. This happened for 4-5 hours 2 days in a row. Migraine was pretty much gone. Then put on Depakote at night by pill. Made me feel a little loopy but OK. So first night I was restless, nutty dreams but slept. 2nd night woke up at 2 a.m. awake and cleaned house, folded clothes, etc. Not tired yet at 5 pm.

Very good for helping with migraines but if you're prone to weight gain, be careful or reconsider. I have gained about 30 pounds in 5 months. I struggle with depression so gaining weight is not something that I'm dealing with in a good way. It came on very quickly and I was already overweight...(Just a word of warning about the weight gain).

After having migraines for about a year and trying Effexor which made me vomit, this medicine worked miracles for preventing my migraines. However, it made me extremely depressed and even suicidal. I had to get off and switch to Topamax.

I have been on the medicine for three weeks and the headaches are still there. Sometimes worse.

Depakote worked great as a migraine preventative, but caused a weight gain of over 100 pounds in less than 3 months. It also caused non-alcoholic steatoid hepatitis (aka extreme fatty liver). I also now have Type 2 Diabetes. My body was shutting down because of Depakote. If you decide to take it, please, please, please keep up with the blood tests to check liver function and see your doctor immediately if you have sudden weight gain. By the way, after over 12 years, the last 50 pounds of that weight gain is stubbornly hanging on.

Just didn't work.

I have had migraines most of my 67 years. 5 yrs ago I found a Doctor who prescribed Depakote 250 mg. My migraines decreased from one per month to maybe five in the past five years. Taken in combination with sumatriptan succinate tablets (only when I feel the onset of a migraine) I have a life mostly without pain.

Depakote twice a day worked for the headache, but made me so anxious that I could barely function. Once a day is not working for headache. Guess I have to try something else.

For prevention, I give Depakote a 10 . I was having migraines 7 days a week. Mine began at the age of 4 (at least that's when I was old enough to put words to how it felt in my head. Dr. said I'd probably had them long before that). I have genetic and environmental migraines. Lucky me! I was in a test group that tried Depakote to see if it worked for prevention of migraines. I went 14 days without a headache for the first time in 10 years. That was almost 30 years ago. Then the weight gain started. I already had a yoyo weight problem. My weight (at 6' tall for a female) had never gone over 190. On Depakote it skyrocketed to 262 lbs. Not nice! I told my neurologist who told me it was all in my head. Changed doctors taking Topamax now!

Taking Depakote for migraine prevention. My headaches finally went away after a year and a half of chronic migraines. Free for 7 months but my headaches have returned now. I've also gained 10 pounds since I started the medication, had some hair loss at the beginning and I do have a problem with constant anxiety.