Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2013

"I started up on 250 mg and ended up at 1500 mg. I noticed very subtle effects, if any. Hard to remember, I went through a lot and was on Seroquel also at the time. Seemed to have a slight calming effect. However, after time, it raised my liver enzymes and lowered my platelet count (which is a potential side effect). So I went off of it. I don't have many hypomanic episodes and never a manic episode, so I don't know why my dose got that high. Didn't notice anything significant. Gained 20 lbs, made me sick and tired. Wasn't for me."

• Anonymous
• June 20, 2012

"Manic bipolarism for 7 years. Know I'm a type 'A' person, Depakote, Effexor, Xanax. I come from the medical field, lab, and have seen people come in for blood work on everything from lithium to Thorazine. I have (with M.D. agreement) backed down from 500 mg ER Depakote to 250 mg 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 lifesaver."

• Zee...
• April 9, 2011

"I was put on Depakote ER and Celexa for depression and anxiety. My mood and depression were helped, and it knocked out my migraine headaches completely. I experienced so many horrible side effects, though. I gained 50 pounds in the six months I was on this, I lost my hair, I developed tremors that have not completely subsided, I had horrible stomach problems, heartburn, it made me extremely lethargic, libido was gone. This was just my experience with Depakote, and if it weren't for all of the side effects, I would have stayed on this medication. Hope this helps."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

"I have bipolar disorder. This is the only drug that's worked without 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. It controls my temper well, without making me sleepy."

• Man...
• May 15, 2016

"Noticed that Depakote improved stability of mood and reduced depression. However, it did not help with mania mood swings. This drug also totally removed my libido. I have never experienced such an inability for sexual activity than while taking this drug. A week after stopping the drug, and sexual libido is back. I would avoid this drug if male."

• Dep...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 4, 2018

"After the birth of my daughter, I had a depressive episode. I would like to note I was 40 pounds overweight after having my daughter, normal after childbirth. I delivered a healthy baby, and my pregnancy had no complications, and I had normal lab results on physicals before Depakote. After being on it, I ballooned up another 40 pounds. The Depakote messed with my thyroid issues, gave me obesity, sleeping about sixteen hours a day, mental fog, severe fatigue, depression, and fatty liver diagnosis. I like walking every day, and after the depabloat, I could not get the energy to walk anymore. The doctor blamed everything on me (wonderful doctor). Before Depakote, I did not have any of these problems. So beware. The professionals can care less what the medication does to you. I wouldn’t take this medication again. This was all over the course of eight months. The doctors will blame you for every adverse side effect to cover their own bottoms when prescribing this crud of a medication."

• Kba...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 15, 2019

"I’ve noticed no change in my mood swings or manic tendencies on this drug. I still go through both; in fact, I’m concerned it could be causing me some insomnia. I’ve taken it for about a year, and in the last month I’ve dealt with major depression and mood swings, which bring me swiftly to paranoid thoughts and delusions. All in all, it’s done literally nothing it’s prescribed to do. Everyone will have a different experience on different drugs, so take this with a grain of salt."

• Sio...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 12, 2016

"2007 - Put on 750 mg/day of Depakote alongside Lithium 800 mg/day. Killed libido stone dead. Did not help stabilize mood but worked away destabilizing good lithium effect. Found this out after stopping Depakote in 2014. Depakote has caused prostate cancer, which was removed by radical prostatectomy in June 2014. So it has caused me to be severely incontinent now, with erectile dysfunction. This month, June 2016, it has been confirmed I have Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer. Depakote is the suspected trigger again. These effects result from being put on Depakote for seven years with no investigation of physical symptoms being reported to 'psychiatric professionals.'"

• 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."

• Gag...
• October 6, 2015

"I honestly don't know how many stars to give this medication as much as I've never had such an experience. I was in a coma-like sleep when my therapist came, I heard myself say, 'we need to go to the airport,' when actually I never said anything at all. I felt drunk waking up, started losing my hearing, and it got cloudy. I only took it for a month, but being in that state of mind frightened me. I gave it up, and my hearing is mostly back, about 98 percent, but my balance and coordination still suffer from the medication but have improved since I stopped it. I was so upset that I called the FDA and reported my experience, I would hate for anyone to go through that. On the plus side? When I was awake and aware and not 'drunk,' it did help my manic episodes."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2013

"It did help a bit, but you really have to watch out for side effects. I recommend starting a mood journal if you haven't already while taking this medicine. It made me very violent without realizing it."

• JDB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 22, 2023

"I was put on Depakote 2000 mg a day to treat manic disorders, bipolar, and migraines. I was also on Seroquel 800 mg daily. Suffering from schizophrenia, manic depression, and having constant panic attacks, I was on disability at the time. The disability people sent me for a review of my benefits. I lost my benefits because the doctor who reviewed my case told Social Security that I was a drug addict. I was only on prescription medication and having a breakdown. Social Security took my benefits away, and I had no way to pay for these medications, which are extremely expensive. My prescriptions were around $1500.00 a month. When they took away my benefits, I experienced bad withdrawals because I couldn't continue to buy the medicine. I completely lost my mind and lived on the streets and wherever I could find a place to sleep for over a decade. My family is trying to help me now, but if you can't afford to keep paying for these things, don't start. It's hell when you withdraw."

• Sav...
• 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!"

• els...
• November 24, 2011

"I was diagnosed with bipolar type II almost 2 months ago at age 40. It was long overdue. 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 master's 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."

• Piz...
• 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."

• 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) every day, 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 130 lbs starting, now am 178 lbs."

• tee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 20, 2018

"I have been taking Depakote at 1000 mg for the past year and a half. I also take Risperdal at 1 mg and just added Zoloft at 100 mg 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 sleepwalking 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 psychiatrist, I am going to ask to switch medications. This might work for some, but it has not worked for me in the slightest."

• who...
• October 24, 2011

"I've been on Depakote ER for about 7 years and regularly for 5 years before. I am a rapid cycler, I think. Currently prescribed 2000 mg/day (1000 in the morning and 1000 in the evening). I notice weight gain (though it could be due to less nightly manic behavior and age), some upset stomach at times. Overall, I think it stabilizes me. Caffeine does make me feel more alive when on ER. Otherwise, I feel quite lethargic, apathetic, and less motivated. I tend to feel more like I am depressed when taking this medicine. Will look into a combination of anti-depressants."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2020

"This is a very effective drug for most people with bipolar and anger disorders. It can be used in higher doses when there is also a diagnosis of insomnia. It does different things to different people, but it is generally tolerated well. I'm a RN with bipolar and also work with a psychiatric population. Just a PSA: if you have a loved one with psychiatric issues in a facility because you don't want to/can't deal with taking care of them yourself, you have no right to complain when the facility medicates for behavior issues. 1) You didn't want to deal with it yourself, but now you expect others to. 2) 'Behaviors' usually indicate the patient is in a distressed state; nobody hits/kicks/screams/refuses care because they are comfortable and happy. It might upset you that mom can't be away exactly when you want her to be, but it's really not about you. Take her home and take care of her yourself, and if you want to stop psych meds when it's your turn, then more power to you."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2016

"Didn't realize how great it was till it was gone. After 4 years of failed cocktails until I found Depakote with Zoloft. I was on it for 3-5 months @1250mg and had excessive weight gain, insatiable hunger, but worth it! I was productive, positive, stabilized, making plans and following through. Then liver enzymes high @ 6 mo. and abruptly taken off... horrible move by panicked doctor. On my third medicine since and all bad results. Any opinions on Depakote retry while protecting my liver with milk thistle & turmeric? My last blood work was best it's ever been. I have no faith in my doctor and am seeking a new one."

• mop...
• 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 1500 mg, 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."

• Tam...
• 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)"

• Rac...
• 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 citalopram. 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."

• Rox...
• 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 500 mg, 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 effects, but I did gain weight. Now it's 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."

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

"I've recently gotten married to my partner of 6 years. Last year, he was diagnosed with bipolar. He has tried all different kinds of medicine, but he’s started a new one called Depakote 5-10-17. For the last 2 weeks, he’s had 2 personalities: Mr. Nice and Mr. Horrible. It can change within minutes. 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 normally down, and I know when they are coming, and I can take time out, and after 3-4, he’s back to his normal happy self. But this, I’m not sure how much more I can cope with! We have a 5-year-old who keeps saying, will Daddy get better? I’m just in desperate need for some help."