User Reviews for Depakote

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I've been on this for 3 weeks now. It has definitely helped my mania. But I'm still very depressed. I've been having very vivid nightmares. Which is strange because I take medicine for those. I also take Ambien and citolopram. I feel like that's a lot of chemicals in my body. I am a drinker but that hasn't seemed to affect anything. My side effects are pretty much exactly what I've been told and read up on. With the exception of the bad dreams. Blood work must be fine. Doc hasn't called. So far so good.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I take this medicine for unexplained seizures. The doctor said they were caused by severe panic attacks. I don't know. It has helped a lot. But the side effects are terrible. Stomach burning, nausea, itching, drowsiness, and much more. I take 1000mg dose.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I've been on Depakote for almost a year now. I also take Paxil and Wellbutrin. I gained around 10lbs right from the start. My weight has seemed to have stayed steady the last few months. It's extremely hard to lose it. I have been through a lot of different medications to try and treat bipolar disorder. Even with the medicines I'm on, I'm still depressed and like I don't matter. I'm very sleepy and can lay down and take a nap at any time. I started taking B Complex because I stay so sleepy. My new concern is memory. I can't think of words and dates or names like movie stars very fast and it concerns me.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: I've always suffered from migraines. I take 500 ER twice a day and gained 16lbs in less than 3 weeks. Since I'm already overweight this caused severe back pain in which I can barely walk and my legs are numb. Works wonders for my migraine but the side effects aren't worth it!

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: I went on Depakote 10 weeks ago. My migraines are no different, but I've gained 25 pounds. That's just crazy! Just switched to propranolol and I think my headaches are getting better.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: Great. Has made seizures controlled.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I am on the 500 X 2 ER and people tell me I'm alot more calmer and they see the change, I guess I was on the depressed side of the spectrum. It may also be that I am on Celexa as well. At first I was severely drowsy, but after about seven months in it kicks in. As far as weight gain goes same there no changes. Hair loss? Was already losing it. I have been on lithium and that didn't work, tried Tegretrol as well, come to find out I am allergic, so if I can feel normal and blood tests on liver and kidney comes back fine, hey I will give Depakote 2 big thumbs up with a normal life.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I have to say some of side effect's to DEPAKOTE ARE TOUGH! But the SIDE EFFECTS TO MY CONDITION IS & could be way worse- So I've been sticking to it & working through The SIDE EFFECTS. It's DEFINITELY a miracle pill- I am only at 3 weeks but I've never felt calm- NO racing thoughts & I feel HAPPIER- & I only have LITTLE anxiety at this time. Before, most weeks I'd end up in ER 3 x's DUE TO A PANIC ATTACK. SIDE EFFECTS: headache, staring, head feels funny like a electric shock, nauseous. My lips & tongue are twitching. Instant cold & clammy feeling. BUT I LOVE THE CALMNESS & all theses side effects have gone away & I feel like I am living like I've never lived! This medicine is AMAZING.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: I have been on Depakote for 15 years, I have epilepsy juvenile myoclonic. No side effects for me. I really like this medicine. It makes me feel safe all the time.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: One dose sent me to the ER with a horrible dystonic reaction.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: Just been diagnosed with Bi Polar Disorder after goodness knows how many years of episodes. Took my shrink the best part of 2 years to finally diagnose me after many different anti depressants, sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and wild partying till the early hours (sometimes on my own!!!). Just started on Depakote 3 weeks ago initally on 500mg per day which didn't help my mania, now on 500mg morning, and 500mg evening which calms me down, helps me sleep, deals with my irritability and mania, and generally slows me down. I have found that I get eye jolts ... fuzziness, but for the first time in 3 years (when it all started back up!), I am beginning to feel "NORMAL". We'll see how it goes. My consultant has mentioned Lithium also.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: Before Depakote, I've tried vitamin B2, verapamil, and Topamax, but for one reason or another none of them have worked. About 6 months ago, my doctor started me on Depakote. Once I started using it, my daily headaches became a lot more tolerable, but haven't gone away completely, and my severe migraines are at about once a month. However, like many others, there was a noticeable weight gain--about 20 pounds--soon after I started, and it's been pretty steady since. I've also had a bout of depression recently, but it's hard to tell how that's related to the medicine because it isn't my first time. As of right now, I'm not sure the minor benefits are worth the side effects.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: Hair loss, extreme fatigue, weight gain, hands trembling and sometimes ringing in ears.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: This medication has kept me stable for 4 years. I am now 23 and was on 1000mgs at night. I recently went down as my bloodtests came back to high. So I went back down to 700mg and had another manic episode. I am now in the process of finding a antipsychotic to go with it. I have managed to stay 110 lbs for 4 years with a healthy diet and exercise. The only side effects I had were major hair loss, slight tremors, and nausea. All of which have passed within a year

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I am a female, first diagnosed at age 19 with bipolar disorder. They first tried Zyprexa which I had a horrible reaction to. The Depakote made me feel like a zombie for months, until it brought me back down to "normal". I stayed on approx 500 mg/day for almost 6 years, then backing down to 250mg until I stopped. I had started to feel depressed at 31 and was put on Lexapro, this led to a manic episode within a few months. Alas I am back on Depakote 500mg/ day. It has saved me. Luckily no significant weight gain besides 10 lbs I lost being manic!) but I do work out and try to eat healthy.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: Depakote has been a life saver for me. I take 250mg in the morning and 500mg at bedtime. Weight gain was minimal. 5 lbs that I have lost recently by going on the South Beach Diet. I also take 200mg Zoloft. I sleep okay, but usually need a nap in the afternoon. I look forward to my life now instead of just existing.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: Worked well for migraines but had to stop due to double vision, dizziness and 16 pound weight gain in three weeks.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy: On the morning of June 23nd, I awoke with a terrible seizure (my first). Throughout the day I got progressively worse, went into the doctors office and the following morning, had slipped into a deep coma. In this coma I apparently continued these seizures. Depakote was used through my nasogastric (NG) tube and it seemed to help a lot. My only issue now is some trembling which is more noticeable when I'm weaker or more tired. Overall, the use of this medicine has been very beneficial.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: Manic bi-polarism for 7 years. Know I'm a type "A" person, Depokote, Effexer, zanix. I come from the medical field, lab and had seen people come in for blood work on everything from lithium to thorazine. I have (with M.D. agreement) backed down from 500mg ER Depokote, to 250mg ER every evening along with a sleeping pill. The sleeping pill is new, so next time I will give the name. When "they" found me, I was so gone into what we call our "BLACK HOLE". I truly have no idea what all they tried....BUT the Depakote, according to my wife (Nurse for 34 yrs) was my marriage and life saver.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I am 20 and on 750 mg of Depakote a day. Gained 10-15 pounds within the first month of taking this medication, but now my weight is remaining stable. I am eating healthier and running each day though. When I first started taking it, I was so restless/anxious, I had to pace around like mad. It took about 3 weeks to really end my mania in combination with 2 mg risperidone. I am experiencing easy bruising now. Sleeping 10 hours a night. Have an irregular period. In general I move more slowly. I am cloudy in the morning. I don't get upset with my family anymore.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I am 29 and just diagnosed with Bipolar after a horrible manic depression cycle. Its worked great to stablize my moods but I'm scared after reading everyone's weight gain stories! I will have to hitch up my diet and exercise plan more. One thing I noticed that I didn't see anyone else write is that I have these horrible and extremely vivid dreams - they seem to be my fears realized. But they are so vivid and real that they hang over me all day. Has anyone else experienced this?

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: I am currently on Depakote. I was put on Depakote while I was in the hospital after having an acute anger episode. It worked the at first but now I am getting highly irritable for no reason and am bruising easily and it is very unusual bruising. I want to get off of it because I am having a lot of episodes. More than ever before. I have been on Abilify and Prozac and now this. Nothings working that well.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: Worked well to keep me stable but caused significant weight gain 50 pounds.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention: 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.

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder: General tiredness with the medication but no manic episodes. I guess the trade-off is fair.