Divalproex sodium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 28, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "My husband has bipolar. When we first started dating, I didn't know he was bipolar, but every day was crazy until he had a nervous breakdown and this great doctor put him on Depakote. It took a while, but he got back to handling life and being more of himself. Don't get me wrong, there are still bad days, where he needs to sleep all day or he's ready to fight everyone, but I try to be his anchor, no judgments, but just being there for him. I married him for better or for worse, and it's now been 14 years. He's now on disability with Medicaid, helps a lot. I love him. He knows that no matter what."

• Iva...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 8, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I've taken the Depakote medication since 2014, and this is the only drug that eases my symptoms without causing extreme sleepiness. Classified as a mild case, most of the time I experience hypomania. Upon finding closure in therapy to change my mindset and behavior, I've been channeling the disposition for self-development and productivity, gradually gaining confidence and control, becoming less dependent on the medication, only taking a tablet each time I'm unable to manage the irritability and distress."

• Sta...
• April 25, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently hospitalized during a manic episode. I have been treated for bipolar going on 20 years (I'm 41). I have been on Zyprexa and other medicines for anxiety. I am a rapid cycler (frequent manic episodes). I have tried all the meds from A-Z. It's been a while since I've tried Depakote, but it's the first thing they put me on in the hospital. It's been 15 days. I think it's okay, but when I lay down, I feel like weights are holding me to the bed, and I seem to get disoriented as to my location in the house (weird, right?). When I get up, all is fine again. If anyone has experienced this, please share, it would really help. Let's face it, 'regular' people would freak just having this discussion."

• Rho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've had migraines since the age of 12, and I'm in my mid-fifties. I had chronic common migraines for years, up to about 15 or more a month. I tried every prophylactic out there with no success until I tried Depakote 500 mg ER at night. It took about 2 weeks, and I have not had a headache in over a month, and when I do have one, I take 50 mg of Sumatriptan and it's gone in 10 minutes. It's been a miracle for me and has changed my life! The only side effect is increased hunger, but I'm managing that. I take that over pain that took over my life any day!"

• pre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Depakote for over a month now, it has really helped me. I was diagnosed with bipolar II at the age of 16, I'm 21 now. This was the first medicine that I have tried. I still get down and depressed sometimes, but it is nothing like I used to. All of my suicidal thoughts have stopped, I used to have them multiple times a day. Depakote has also helped very well with my anger and aggression issues. I feel as if I can live a normal life now and handle tough situations better. I would definitely recommend this medicine for anyone dealing with bipolar disorder!"

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "Depakote has been a lifesaver 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 of Zoloft. I sleep okay but usually need a nap in the afternoon. I look forward to my life now instead of just existing."

• akc...
• September 27, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I started on Depakote with my new neurologist. I've had bad depression and bipolar attacks, but about 2 years ago, I started having seizures. This new neurologist took me off all my medicines and just put me on a low dose of Depakote. I've been seizure-free and much happier in general. The only issues are the constant snacking and I seem to catch colds and flus easier. Any advice about that?"

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Today is my second day on Depakote. I was freezing yesterday, and it was 80 degrees. I have been on gabapentin, lithium, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, and so many others. I tried to commit suicide 3 weeks ago, and that’s when I decided enough was enough. As soon as my oldest started ninth grade, I started sleeping on the couch, having crazy mood swings, and then my daughter graduated. I slept on that couch for 6 years. My husband worked 3rd shift and me day shift. I was self-medicating with hydros, then when I wanted to stop that, I got addicted to Suboxone. I also have a thyroid disease and had no idea that played into it. I’ve weaned myself off all drugs, and now they started me out 500 mg twice a day, and my thyroid medicine. This is going to be a long road, but I know it will be worth it. Please don’t give up."

• mda...
• March 26, 2008

For Mania "I have been using Depakote for nearly eight years now and it has kept my mania episodes under control. The only thing is I have weight gain from using this medication, but that's a small price to pay. Thank you."

• han...
• May 1, 2009

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 the 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, 2009, it will have been 2 years without any kind of headache. Not even a little one. THANKS Depakote."

• Bol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 30, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication helped my symptoms tremendously. The main issue I had (and had to stop taking the medication) was a low platelet count. Please, if you are on this medication, have your platelets checked routinely. My therapist never told me this could be a side effect. I finally went to my family physician because I was bruising so badly."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder after goodness knows how many years of episodes. It took my shrink the best part of 2 years to finally diagnose me after many different antidepressants, sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and wild partying until the early hours (sometimes on my own!). I just started on Depakote 3 weeks ago, initially on 500 mg per day, which didn't help my mania. Now I'm on 500 mg in the morning and 500 mg in the 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 and 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."

• gfa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 28, 2020

For Mania "I have taken Depakote (or a 'good' generic) of this medication for nearly 3 decades. It is very effective, has few side effects (with the exception of weight gain, which is responsive to diet and exercise). This is a far more effective and moderate drug than what I was initially prescribed (Lithium-on which I hallucinated and felt terrible). I've had no long-term effects to date, maintain my dosage, and lead a healthy life with this medication. Be careful when using GENERICS... some vary immensely. Let your doctor and pharmacist know immediately if you have issues. (i.e., find the right generic or return to the original Depakote brand). Lovely and effective for a 'unipolar' patient that I am."

• 46j...
• August 18, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Depakote was prescribed to me after two manic episodes. I've been on a lot of bipolar meds, so many that have made me so depressed I spent a whole summer in bed. Depakote definitely saved my life. It's been a year now, a little anxiety, but not nearly as much as I've had in the past, and a little weight gain and tiredness. But no mania and very little to no depression, so thank you, Depakote. I rate you a 10, it's been a year and no mania. :) You're a lifesaver. I take 1500 mg, though, so that might be why I'm so tired."

• qwe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 26, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Love this medication. After 2-3 years of severe, long-lasting manic episodes, I finally decided to take meds full time. Hardly any side effects, very hungry, simply eat normally and you won't put weight on. The medication doesn't make you fat, eating does. Occasionally very tired, and my stomach, from time to time, gets a little funny. Just take with lots of water and food. Very calm, can concentrate, no racing thoughts, level, basically gave me my life back. Works well at 750 even though I'm 80 kgs. Dr. upped me to 1000 mg but felt too sedated, so dropped back down. I move to 1000 mg if I feel like I'm starting to drift a little for a few weeks, then move back. However, this is the 7th med I have tried, all others have failed. Never write one med off."

• kno...
• September 24, 2008

For Mania "This stuff works great. I have recommended this medication to many others who have similar symptoms regarding bipolar and hyper-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."

• Bel...
• July 22, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "This was my first medication for bipolar. I'm a 40-year-old woman and a long-distance runner. This medication was great because it made the rapid thoughts and anxiety go away. However, if you're an athlete like I am, I found this difficult as it caused extreme fatigue to the point where I was a couch potato not wanting to do anything. I gained 10 pounds in the first month and found it exhausting to run even a mile, where I'm accustomed to running much more. My doctor is switching me to Topamax, today will be my first day taking it, and I'm praying for good results."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Used this for a few months as recommended to prevent my frequent and painful migraines that I've had since I was 12. Depakote was okay, I guess. I still had two major migraines while on it and didn't give it any extra time because the side effects are awful! I wanted to sleep constantly. Felt depressed and irritable, and hated life! Plus, the weight gain alone I experienced in a couple of months was absolutely enough reason for me to not want to be on it anymore. I gained about 15-20 lbs!"

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication has kept me stable for 4 years. I am now 23 and was on 1000 mg at night. I recently went down as my blood tests came back too high. So I went back down to 700 mg and had another manic episode. I am now in the process of finding an antipsychotic to go with it. I have managed to stay at 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."

• Deb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 7, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with Bipolar I, forty years ago. On Lithium first. Made me worse. Treated with over 30 drugs, all made me worse, before realizing Depakote ONLY was the med for me. A doc explained to me that folks who lean toward mania should not take antidepressants. Hindsight! Then, after years of benzos PRN, I started experiencing interdose withdrawals that wrecked my entire immune system. NEVER take benzos!!! Trying to get off of them almost killed me. I got down to 95 pounds. Also, coming off of them is DANGEROUS! Must be done SLOWLY under the guidance of a medical professional who is experienced with the withdrawal risks and tapering schedules. Google the CNN Lisa Ling special. Now with anything I try, one new medicine at a time under close medical supervision. Then I know what it does FOR and TO me. Less is more. After years of being on various cocktails, Depakote alone is best for me."

• Bui...
• August 26, 2014

For Epilepsy "Started with Depakote upon being diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy in my teens. I took it for years without issue. I decided to switch to Keppra XR because of potential liver issues with Depakote and the somewhat tiresome redundancy of lab work related to Depakote use. Keppra XR did not work for me as my memory began growing progressively worse, and I could not think clearly. I also began losing my train of thought mid-sentence fairly often. Switched back to Depakote ER and am feeling much better mentally. The quarterly lab work is not a big deal when compared to being in a mind fog for over a year. That's my experience, hope everyone finds what's right for them. P.S. I do not take generics, noticeably more side effects."

• Ros...
• October 31, 2019

For Mania "My mother, who has a mental disability and is 56 years old, was prescribed this medication twice while residing in a long-term care facility under the reasons of 'behavior.' The first time she was on approximately 1000 mg, and it made her sleep for hours, put her in a fog, and made her delay in response if she even responded at all. I asked several times for her to be taken off of the medicine, and the facility was disagreeable. She was hospitalized for malnutrition and severe dehydration, where I was able to convince the doctors to remove most of the dosage. They kept her on a low dosage between 125 mg to 250 mg. She did fine, three years later, they increased the med to approximately 500 mg and put her on more behavior meds. Same thing happened: went back to the hospital, this time with sepsis in the blood from lack of hydration and UTI. This medicine is good for some and not for others. Doctors should listen when expressing concerns and symptoms caused by this med."

• Cri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "First day of starting it had bad abdominal pains, headaches, lower back pains, spasticity in legs, dystonia, tired, ankles hurt, tender muscles very sore. Blurry vision, not happy at all. But Lamictal also caused all of these side effects as well. I hate the bipolar meds they offer."

• Bea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Depakote has worked amazingly well for me for the past 2 decades. I have changed over to something else for a short period of time when it became ineffective. That has only happened 3 times in 17 years. It is not the greatest drug when you have to get off of it. You have to taper down very slowly."

• sf1...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 7, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 35 years ago, but finally received a diagnosis on the bipolar spectrum two years ago at the age of 60. Depakote ER (2000 mg at night) fixed things I didn't know were wrong and has stilled the ultradian cycling that was really my problem all along. I feel lucky that the only side effects I have encountered are hair loss at first (now resolved) and occasional heartburn. It relieved most of my depressive and hypomanic symptoms within three weeks, but I just added Lamictal to help a little more with depressive symptoms. I take a complicated stack of meds to manage psych symptoms, but Depakote is by far the most important."