Depakote for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ljt...
• March 1, 2017

"Depakote was started three months ago when we exhausted all efforts with every other preventive med for migraines and headaches. I have been experiencing these my entire life. Since 6 years old. Now 35. Imitrex was used to try to knock off the migraine, but insurance only provides nine pills a month, so I found myself breaking them just to get through a day. And if overused, they will no longer work. So I'm adding in aspirin and all that junk, ending up in the ER. Just to go back the next two days because the stubborn migraine would come back, or laying in bed holding my head with ice. Needless to say, on a small dose, 250 a day. Wow, a few headaches a week I can deal with. Weight gain, well now I can work out, no real excuse there."

• Suz...
• July 27, 2009

"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 an allergic reaction. After stopping, got a HUGE rebound headache. Went in for my 1st time of Depacon via IV, which made me loopy, nauseous, and 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, had nutty dreams, but slept. 2nd night, woke up at 2 a.m., awake and cleaned house, folded clothes, etc. Not tired yet at 5 p.m."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2010

"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."

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 21, 2018

"Was on Depakote ER for years at a very high dose (2400 mg), and while it completely prevented my migraines with aura (numb face, tingling arm, bad visual changes, dizziness, etc.), the side effects were not worth it. Severe weight gain (I went from about 115 to 170 lb in a couple of years). Menstruation stopped completely. Pre-diabetes. Although it can be used to stabilize mood, it created mood swings in me. Horrible, horrible medicine with very serious side effects. Depakote ER should not be used on women of childbearing age due to the effects it has on your hormones. I've been off it for almost 8 years, and my health has returned to normal. I started a daily calcium channel blocker, and it's prevented most of my migraines."

• dLy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2017

"I meet with a neurologist for my migraines. He put me on Depakote at bedtime. I've been on it almost 6 months now, and I am starting to have them as frequent as I used to...3 times a week. I also take Keppra and duloxetine every morning. I've been struggling for almost 20 years now. I just can't get rid of one all the way. Any hospital visit that I go to, they give me Benadryl and tramadol, even when I tell them it doesn't work for me. I've only gone to the hospital about 6 times in my life for them."

• Wow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

"I had a checkup with my neurologist to discuss migraine treatment. I’d been taking propranolol for about 4 months, and it was keeping the migraines with aura days at bay, but side effects were no good. Doc started me on 500 mg Depakote ER and told me to taper off propranolol for the next 7 days. I had a migraine the first day on Depakote, however, the pain associated with the migraine subsided rather quickly. After day one, I began to notice a definite improvement in my mood, and my head was not hurting like normal. It’s been about 30 days now, and I haven’t had any other migraines or cluster headaches. I dare say I feel normal. So far, this is the best I’ve felt in 5 years. It works for me, benefits are not having cluster headaches or migraines, and a normalized mood. This is easy to use with no major side effects so far."

• Cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2017

"Horrible! I was on it for a month and quit immediately. I have migraines with aura. My neurologist told me a secret behind closed doors because he was a cool dude. He said to get off all the crap, and once the aura comes, chug two beers and it will disappear, no aura, no headache. He swore by it, and so do I."

• Man...
• March 25, 2008

"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!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2013

"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."

• Ren...
• October 1, 2013

"I started back on Depakote 2 weeks ago. My headaches are better, but my hands are shaky, and my stomach aches. Better than a migraine, so I will continue."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2012

"Worked well for migraines but had to stop due to double vision, dizziness, and 16-pound weight gain in three weeks."

• dep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2017

"If you want to sleep a lot, as in all day long, and gain lots of weight, enjoy. I am listless and have pre-diabetes now."

• Dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 12, 2018

"Lethargy, weight gain, depression, headaches, muscle aches, nausea."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2009

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

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2010

"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 the headache. Guess I have to try something else."

• Fre...
• October 24, 2020

"Day one of taking Depakote. No difference. But day two, fantastic, out of the park. Went fishing for the first time in years! 250 mg once a day before bed. Day 3... we shall see."

• Jen...
• July 6, 2021

"Took this as preventative for migraines. I did work, but my ears started plugging up like they did using Topamax, which I lost 30% hearing, so I quit in fear of losing any more hearing."

• tlr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2012

"One dose sent me to the ER with a horrible dystonic reaction."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2022

"Definitely stopped my migraines. But I started bingeing, and I think this drug had something to do with it. Gained 50 lbs."