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 (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: 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.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I have Bipolar Disorder. This is the only drug that's worked with out breaking me out in rashes, or making me feel so drugged I couldn't work or function. The only problem I have with it is it makes me a little hyper. I controls my temper well, without making me sleepy.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have been on Depakote for 13 years after I had 2 grand mal seizures in one year. After being placed on the Depakote delayed release I have been fine ever since, there was a time that I tried the extended release and my legs started to show some spikes so I switched back to be on the safe side which was the better call. I also use the sprinkles. As for the weight gain I never really gained more than about ten pounds but I stay active and mainly keep it off, my doctor also put me on Topamax which helps balance out the weight gain because Topamax makes you lose weight and Depakote makes you gain so they both kind of cancel each other out. Topamax also helps with seizures so it was an addition, and I have been seizure free for 13 years.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania: I have been on Depakote for 4 years now and I haven't had an episode of Hypermania. This has changed my life. I have gained about 40 pounds but it is a small price to pay for the positive changes. I control the anxiety with occasional klonopin. I am working on healthy diet and exercise for the weight.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have been on Depakote for about two years now, and it has certainly been effective in stopping both Grand mal and Petite mal seizures. I was diagnosed with localization-related epilepsy when I was 21, but this drug is great in that it treats many types of epilepsy. Still, I did experience negative side effects, such as hair loss, a little weight gain, and drowsiness, although all of these were slight enough that they didn't really affect my life. Because Depakote isn't ideal for young women like myself, my doctor suggested I try another drug. After a brief stint on Keppra (which made me feel like I was walking in a haze - awful!), however, I switched back to Depakote, only this time adjusting was way harder - I was incredibly emotional.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I would give Depakote a lower rating based on my personal experience with it, but I don't want to skew the overall rating. For whatever reason, I did not respond to Depakote as a mood stabilizer. This is surely not the case for everyone. The problem is that while taking this medicine, I gained 30 pounds, as I constantly felt hungry. I was warned ahead of time that this tends to keep the brain from perceiving fullness (or something to that effect). I noticed this within a few days of starting Depakote but continued taking it because I didn't have many other options at the time. The weight gain created an entirely new aspect of depression. Just something to keep in mind if you're just starting it and weight gain is an issue.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have been on Depakote for a very long time. I have not had any seizures in over 12 years now. I am also a border line manic-depressed. I am using it for that too plus Keppra they are both helping me in my two areas. I have not had any feeling of trying to kill myself or hurt myself in any way. Like I said before I had not had any seizures in over 20 years now. I do have to say this about Depakote that it does make you gain weight. I went from 250 to over 320. My doctor switched me over to levetiracetam 500mg (generic form of Keppra), and Lamotrigine 100 mg. Since I have been on these two medications for about 4 years now I have lost about 55 pounds in almost 2 years.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: As far as control, this drug has been a God send. In way of weight gain, this drug has been a nightmare. I have gained 90 lbs in the 10 years on this drug. I have tried switching medicines, but have had two seizures doing so. I am healthy other than the weight gain. The drug has done what it is meant to do, stop seizures. I call it being Fat and Functional.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania: I was in a manic state, unable to sleep, racing thoughts. My doctor prescribed Depakote. This was a miracle drug for me! My manic state dissipated, along with the severe anxiety. I was able to sleep.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: 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.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: Great medication for controlling petit mal seizures. Absolutely do not combine with alcohol. Went out drinking with friends while using Depakote and after only 2 margaritas, went home and had a grand mal seizure (first in 9 years). Otherwise, only other drawback to this medication is the price.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: 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.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania: I cannot account for those with Bi-Polar I, but this may apply to you if you have been diagnosed with social anxiety, Bipolar II or a mild form of the disorder. On 1000mg (combined with 200mg Lamictal) I felt "far away" when talking to people. I cut back down to 500mg. I began to feel it was inhibiting my creativity; sometimes I felt "dumb." I used other drugs to combat the Depakote from holding me back. Plus drinking on it caused depression and knocked me out. My doctor should not have put me on this medication to treat me for anxiety.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: 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.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: My 6 year old son has been on this medicine for 3 1/2 years. He has had some side effects such as overeating. He craves corn and strawberries like you wouldn't believe. He eats can after can of corn and crates of strawberries. At least it's healthy food, he isn't overweight. He also started having symptoms of ADHD and Autism (behavior problems). Most ADHD medication does not go with Depakote. We got the seizures under control only to have other problems. Also, you should ask your doctor to do blood checks every 3 months to rule out any other complications from this medicine.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I was on Depakote sprinkle for many years and no problem (other than having to take way more than adult ones). Now on adult Depakote I have seizures in my sleep and my blood work is normal.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania: I've been taking Depakote for eight years and have not had a manic episode. I had two severe manic episodes prior.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania: I have had great success with this in conjunction with low doses of Prozac. The combination does a great deal to still the racing thoughts and anxiety.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania: This stuff works great. I have recommended this medication to many ohters who have similar symptoms regarding bi-polar and hyprer-mania. I am very fortunate to have been diagnosed correctly and to have been treated correctly with Depakote. I have noticed the changes myself and so have many others.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I was on Depakote for 17 years with little to no breakthrough seizures. Then I suddenly developed leukopenia and had to be removed from the drug. I have not found another medication that has been as effective as Depakote. I am presently on Carbatrol and have had breakthrough seizures monthly and after 7 years have again developed leukopenia from it.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: My 9 year old daughter has used Depakote for 2 years now for seizure disorder. I am happy with it as there are little side effects. We increased the dose when a seizure occurred. When the dose is high enough it helps with her migraines as well. She gained 5 pounds but we keep it down with a healthy diet.
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania: i have been using depakote for over one year and it has helped me with my manic episodes, i have not had any since i started the medicine, it does not however do much in regards to racing thoughts and helping me stay positive. hoping for a cure : )
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania: I have been using Depakote for nearly eight years now and has kept my mania episodes under control. The only thing is I have weight gain from using this medication but thats a small price to pay.
thank you
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Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: 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!
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joyann said: 
drewgaren said: 
