Depakote for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Saved...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2022

"I've spent my life since puberty trying various SSRIs and one SNRI with poor outcomes. Finally, I received a BP2 diagnosis and since then have been on this medication for a little over a year. I've had neither crushing lows nor frenzied highs since starting this medicine. Even old triggers, like poor sleep or the onset of wintertime do not cause me much disturbance anymore. This is the only drug I take for my condition. It has significantly curbed my anger and anxiety as well. The only side effects are nausea and stomach cramps if I take it on an empty stomach. The pills smell like vanilla and have a coating that makes it easy to swallow (doesn't stick to your throat). For the first time in a decade I feel very close to "normal". I have hope for my future. For me, this medicine has been a blessing. Bipolar is a serious neurological condition, never be afraid to seek help and advocate for yourself. To all reading: you've got this and I believe in you!"

• 40...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2013

"I took Depakote for bipolar and the very first night I had very vivid dreams which turned into nightmares and audio visual hallucinations. It's been 3 days and my dreams are not back to normal yet. I've read the reviews and it seems to work for most people. I haven't gotten a good night's sleep. My doctor put me back on Trileptal 300 mgs twice a day."

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2011

"Been on this medicine for more than ten years. The 8/10 is for it is due to its overall minor side effects over time, and its very powerful effects when not taken CONSISTENTLY. BE ADVISED. This medication works best when taken at the exact time(s) everyday and I have experienced all other symptoms people have described as bothersome but this is not the typical take it to be a walking zombie pill. I also don't think people realize how much they are moving when manic and when on this medication, you calm down. So it's completely natural to want to sit around all day and watch T.V. I also have gained weight and have difficulty shedding the pounds, however I would rather be SANE and curvy. I weighed 130lbs starting, NOW am 178lbs."

• Tamar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2016

"I took my first dose of Depakote at night before bed. The next day I was so leveled out; I wasn't talking fast it was great. The rest of the day starting around 1:00 p.m. I slept all day. I woke up at 12:00 a.m. with my eyes extremely wide and dilated, my skin on my arms and legs was swirling (like the Starry Night painting), the walls were moving and things on the wall were levitating up and down. I was up until 3:00 a.m. and an on call nurse told me to sleep so it would wear off; I have never taken this medication again. (Taken for Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar type)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2012

"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."

• RoxyM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2019

"Depakote has overall been a very good experience for me. I started it about two months ago and I have not had a manic episode since. I was on Lamictal for 8 years, I went all the way up to 500Mg and it touched on it and even caused motor tics the reason why I was able to last that long on it was because Klonopin was masking the symptoms... once I discontinued the motor tics vanished. I did not lose hair on the Depakote or have any nasty side effect but I did gain weight. Now its stable and I changed my diet and started exercising. It increases appetite and slows down metabolism especially in women... but overall I would say great medication! I no longer need the Klonopin either which became habit forming"

• elsrn
• November 24, 2011

"I was diagnosed with bipolar type II almost 2 months ago at age 40. It was long over due. My psychiatrist started me on Depakote 250 mg twice a day and Wellbutrin SR 150 mg in the morning. Also take trazodone or Ambien to sleep. I can tell that my moods are much more stable on Depakote, no more hypomania and staying up a week at a time. It's a relief to get back to much more normal, but I do miss the hypomania in many ways (I work full time, have a family and go to graduate school for a double masters degree-- hypomania was great with those things at once). I am still on Depakote 250 mg twice a day. Depakote will change my life as long as my body tolerates it. I'm trying to deal with the ravenous appetite. Up 10 lbs already."

• Life1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2017

"Hi I've recently got married to my partner of 6 yrs, last year he was diagnosed with bipolar he has tried all different kinds of medicine but he’s started a new one call Depakote 5-10-17 for the last 2 weeks he’s had 2 personalities Mr Nice and Mr Horrible it can changed within mins do you think I should contact his doctor or bear with it. He’s never been like this I can’t talk to him, I can’t even look at him without him asking me what my problem is. This is really out of character. He is normal downer I know when they are coming and I can take time out and after 3-4 he’s back to him normal happy self but this I not sure how much more I can cope with!! We have a 5 yr old who keeps saying will daddy get better! I’m just in desperate need for some."

• fifi
• August 10, 2013

"Could not afford Abilify out of pocket, started back on Depakote. I had no problem with gain weight. I do however find I tend to be a little more moody but less frequently. I take with bupropion XR. Seems to be a decent cocktail. Not too potent, and not under effective. I like how it does not create a sedative effect like antipsychotics."

• Liz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2018

"Start a few days ago this medicine. So far I'm ok, no side effect. I can sleep all night and wake up rested. All my body pain is almost gone. Calmed my mania and anxiety. Been on Lithium before but was awful with the side effect and the worry to hurt my kidneys. Hoping this medicine works for me."

• teelar
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 20, 2018

"I have been taking depakote @ 1000mg for the past year and a half. I also take risperdol @ 1mg and just added on zoloft @ 100mg as well. The only positive thing this medicine has done for me is rid me of mania. I am constantly depressed and have persistent suicidal/negative thoughts. I feel like I have been sleep walking through my life since I have been put on this medication. Also I have gained 50 pounds and am so hungry all the time. I also have zero libido. When I say zero I mean zero. I have had sex on this medication and it was the most unenjoyable experience ever. Just nothing. Next time I go to see my physiatrist I am going to ask to switch medications. This might work for some but it has not worked for me in the slightest."

• Rach
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2013

"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."

• mopar...
• June 4, 2010

"My 17 year old daughter started taking Depakote 750 mg 1 1/2 months ago. She has gained 28 pounds. When the dose was upped to 1500mg she had daily migraines. We have seen several improvements in her symptoms but not enough to keep her on a medication that makes her gain weight and decreases her self esteem."

• Still...
• March 19, 2018

"This review is on behalf of my 16 year old son. Manic Ups and downs for years, between over the top excitement/happiness (rare and short lived) or anger/violence or full depression /sadness. Just trying to help him level out. Has been moved on and off many different medications to try to find a fit. Most recently Dr added depakote to his 900 mg lithium & 15 mg abilify. First four days started with depakote 500 mg; then added another pill to 1000 mg. Started to have digestive issues and tremors but pulled through. Increased to 1500 mg 4 days later which led to more tremors and violent vomitting. Dr suggested splitting the doses am/pm. Within 2 hours of taking the am dose the next day- same violent vomitting. Confirmed no stomach bug. His body was unable to handle the level of Depakote. Now, No longer taking. I've read many positive reviews on this medication , but sadly ours is not one of them due to his adverse reactions."

• Ash
• January 26, 2018

"I have been diagnosed as bipolar for 20 years now and just a month ago listed as bipolar 1 severe with mixed moods. This is the only medication that REALLY works to help control my manic moods. ONLY side effect for me is a little bit of shaky hands after taking for a few hours."

• larubia
• December 7, 2009

"I was prescribed this because it is a mood stabilizer. In other words, I sank down pretty low in mood with long term stressors such as death of family members and a couple of moves, not going to AA and not being in therapy (ugh). I started this recently and at 500 mg seemed to be able to sleep. At 1000 mg, I was restless. If I'm feeling low then it's doing what it's supposed to I suppose. I will cut back to the 500 mg and take it in the morning and see if it makes me sleepy or hyper. I take 22 mg of Buspar at night because I was also suffering from anxiety that was not letting me sleep. I liked the fact that Depakote works well almost immediately, and I was assured that after three weeks, I should feel "normal" again and can quit."

• Pizza...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2022

"HORRIBLE!!! I tried taking this for 4 months and I had to cut it cold turkey. The side effects- Unmanageable, it made me manic, it made me HUNGRY all the time, for carbs carbs and more carbs, irritable at things I never would imagine being angry at, bloated, screaming, crying daily, it made everything so overwhelming. I couldn't take it anymore. Now I never recommend cutting cold turkey I just never have physical side effects from doing that, my whole life. I just could not do it anymore it made me feel like I was going crazier than crazy."

• Pepsi...
• December 10, 2011

"When I started this I was 135 pounds. When ended this I was 198 pounds. Went to the gym all the time, ate healthy and didn't eat fats and I still gained. And this was not working to stop me from sleeping too much. I was also on Seroquel that made me sleep like 12 to 14 hours. When the doctor took me off this I went from 198 and now I am 145 and went off Seroquel. Now I don't sleep too much."

• Aladd...
• August 2, 2011

"I take 2500mg Depakote per day for rapid cycling bipolar disorder and it works very well. I've been taking this dose for 4 years. Few side effects apart from the inevitable weight gain and some hair loss. Depakote keeps the mood swings away for good and doesn't impair my movements or thoughts. I prefer this mood stabilizer. "

• troyz
• March 6, 2010

"Took depakote for almost ten years (300 x 3)...now I will admit I had three minor episodes in that time. Super, yes, I know but I started at 140 lbs in six months I bottomed out at 206lbs. I slept 12 hours a night, plus a nap of 2 hours in the evening. Someone finally caught the Depakote/Paxil fiasco, and lithium and wellbutrin became my friends...more importantly, I feel like I "woke up". I lived the life, but it seemed so surreal looking back on it...IT completely controlled me. It's not the Wellbutrin and the Paxil, it's the lack of Depakote (and for a large part, Paxil) that made me almost another person. I'm sure Depakote works for thousands of people...it just took me out of the equation TOO much."

• jessi...
• August 9, 2010

"I have been on Depakote ever since I was diagnosed (finally) with bi-polar disorder. I am currently on 1000 MG per day, but have taken as high as 2000 MG per day. On 1000 MG per day I am (or have been somewhat stabilized, which leaves me somewhat hypo manic which seems to be the best level for me. I say somewhat stabilized because I started to go hyper manic in the past 2 weeks, have no idea why. Going to see doctor tomorrow). For the 2 years or so when I was on 2000 per day I was also taking 40 MG per day of Paxil. My moods were stabilized all right, but I turned into a zombie. I have never taken another mood stabilizer so I can not make comparisons. Depakote makes me gain weight big time!"

• Yes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2022

"I have been mentally unstable nearly all my life i am a Rapid cycling manic depressive. Multiple drugs and alcohol related problems from trying to self medicate. I can rapid cycle between moods so quickly it can be scary. Also when I am having a manic episode, I feel like the world is ending and nothing is worth living for. I tried many medications. To name a few: zoloft, wellbutrin, deplin, mirtazapine, lithium..... none worked, in fact a couple made me literally freak out and I got baker acted. When I was in the hospital the psych they had me stop taking lithium and start depakote and I thought - here we go again, I'll probably be in jail or dead soon. Within 1 week, I had my emotions back, was actually feeling happy, and could feel that my mood was stabilized. This medication has saved my life. God bless depakote. I recommend giving it a try when nothing else has worked. This one is different. Best wishes to you all. Love and gratitude"

• Rain...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2019

"I take 1000 mg at night and 500 mg in the morning. And I'm always tired. I slept 15 hours last night and I'm still tired after drinking 3 cups of coffee. I have bipolar disorder 2 and I don't have manic episodes anymore. Still experience delusions but certainly less. I seem to have gained about 15-20 pounds. I also take 300 mg of seroquel, which can cause weight gain and drowsiness. If it weren't for weight gain, and drowsiness things would be good"

• John
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2019

"I had a very rapidly fluctuating merry-go-round of symptoms, particularly psychotic type symptoms and Depakote didn't seem to have any effect. Cycling continued. It also made me physically slow and caused weight gain that mostly dropped after going off of it."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2019

"29 year old Male w/ Bipolar 1, 10 years on Depakote Depakote was the first medication I was prescribed during a manic episode along with Seroquel, which I discontinued or use only for emergency mania/sleep at very low doses<25mg. Depakote worked excellent for me for about 6 or 7 years as I was predominantly manic. The last 3 years or so I have become depressed and hypomanic and I have found Depakote to be much less effective. I switched to Lamictal and it appears to be working much better for depression."