Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2012

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "I along with most people here have had an excellent result with Depakote ER, however the biggest side affect for me is the weight gain. (10 lbs in a month!!)May I add, I eat healthy and work out...it just keeps coming. I've been on Topamax for 17 months with no relief. I hope there's something else I can try that's comparable to Depakote ER, I really don't want to be obese from medicine."

• careb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "Got on it for migraines, it worked great for the first 8 months. The last 4 months I've gotten depressed, panic attacks. I lost weight so weight gain wasn't an issue but I've always had issue with weight loss and not gaining. Made me lose appetite a lot and I was never thirsty either."

• gregw
• July 14, 2008

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "I have been on Depakote ER 1000mg for 2 months and it has almost solved my migraine problem. I still get a few slight nagging headaches, which are easy to treat with ibuprofen. The side effects of stomach upset and fatigue seem to be improving. I think I notice some weight gain, maybe too early to tell. So far so good. I'm happy with this medication. My migraines were threating my ability to earn a living and many days were spent in bed. Things are looking up."

• Lucy
• October 21, 2011

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "For prevention, I give Depakote a 10 . I was having migraines 7 days a week. Mine began at the age of 4 (at least that's when I was old enough to put words to how it felt in my head. Dr. said I'd probably had them long before that). I have genetic and environmental migraines. Lucky me! I was in a test group that tried Depakote to see if it worked for prevention of migraines. I went 14 days without a headache for the first time in 10 years. That was almost 30 years ago. Then the weight gain started. I already had a yoyo weight problem. My weight (at 6' tall for a female) had never gone over 190. On Depakote it skyrocketed to 262 lbs. Not nice! I told my neurologist who told me it was all in my head. Changed doctors taking Topamax now!"

• Chelle
• May 11, 2009

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "I have tried Depakote for migraines, as well as Childhood Epilepsy. My son has tried it for Bipolar disorder. It can and does make me and my son lethargic, can cause an increase in salivation, causes massive weight gain (from 105 to 155lbs). In my opinion, the possible benefits are not worth the side effects."

• csb
• May 5, 2010

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "Very good for helping with migraines but if you're prone to weight gain, be careful or reconsider. I have gained about 30 pounds in 5 months. I struggle with depression so gaining weight is not something that I'm dealing with in a good way. It came on very quickly and I was already overweight...(Just a word of warning about the weight gain)."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2010

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "For two months now, Depakote ER has cured my migraines, which were occurring approximately two to three times a week, lasting between one to three days each. I had some of the blurred vision and trembling side effects, but the worst has been the weight gain, 10 pounds in two months, when I normally never, ever gain weight. I suppose given the choice, I'll choose the weight gain. Wish I didn't have to choose."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2011

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "I've been on Depakote for 2 weeks now. Not one single migraine. I was having them 2-3 times a week, and less severe tension headaches daily. I haven't even had the tension headaches twice now. I have not gained any weight as of yet either."

• Overh...
• January 1, 2020

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "In 1994 I was in a Semi truck collision. A one ton Ford hit my Semi flatbed loaded with three fork lifts. I received whip lash side ways then the fork lifts broke the tie downs the force started to throw me through the Cab over windshield my seat belt sat me down. I received whip lash front to back. I did not hit my head or get knocked out, as one Doctor stated. I had sharp severe headache's. For months I was allowed to take 10 aspirin a day, 300 a months. A year later I went to Portland Oregon, I found Dr. Christina Peterson she told me I was having rebound headache's. She put me on Depakote twice a day maybe 250 mg not positive. It was a miracle. I was able to work again."

• Happy...
• December 10, 2015

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "I was on Topimax 1000mg a day for approximately 10 years. Yes, I experienced the side effects of tingling in my fingers & toes sporadically. Had a migraine maybe 1 time/year (prior I had 2 migraines a week) Finally, the Topimax became ineffective (body probably was immune) and switched to Depakote 250 mg a day (125 mg in the morning and 125 mg at bedtime). No headache! I did gain 15-20 pounds in the first 3 months- I was well aware of the possible weight gain. Weight gain is well worth it - when the alternative is migraines. Have to weigh pro's & con's. Also I take OTC 5-HTP to combat the fuzziness and such. Can't complain...."

• stefa...
• June 10, 2008

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "Responded well to this medicine, after failing everything, including Topamax. I had severe motion component with migraine. Could not stand, roll over or lean over without increased pain/pressure. Depakote finally worked after trying many medicines for 2 1/2 months. just don't like the weight gain"

• pinky...
• May 11, 2010

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "I have been taking this medication for 3 weeks now. I have not had a headache since I started it. I was getting a migraine 3 times a week previously. Topamax did not help me. I am hoping for no serious side effects! This has improved my quality of life tremendously"

• Jim
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2018

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "I have been suffering from migraines for about 15 years. On average I would have a migraine at least weekly sometimes more. About 8 years ago I started on Depakote. I went from having migraines at least monthly to 1 or 2 a year. The last count was I hadn't had any for over 2 years. Now just recently I started having migraines more frequently. I have experienced some weight gain but not sure if it's the aging process or the meds."

• Meadow...
• September 4, 2016

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "I had debilitating migraines for 15 years and went on a small dose of Depakote (125 mg) twenty years ago. It was amazing. Maybe five headaches over all those years. However I have now gone off hormones and having steady weight gain, increased dizziness and some depression. I am uncertain what to do. Our chemistry changes as we age, and the science is not keeping up."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2009

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "I have been on Depakote ER 1000 mg/day for over 7 years now and my once 4 migraines/months have pretty much subsided to less than 4/year. That's a great improvement for me as I've had them for over 45 years. Nothing worked before, just many pain medicines tried, or shots to put me out for a couple of days and the after effects weren't so fun. I would recommend this to anyone with migraines. Ask your doctor. "

• Maggi...
• March 7, 2008

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "After trying Topamax for months with no relief, I have been on Depakote ER for three months with GREAT relief! I was having migraine headaches 17 out of 31 days a month, now- maybe one a month (taking Axert when I have pain). The only problem I have had is I have gained 10 pounds in less than three months....this is horrible for me, as I could have afforded to have lost 10 pounds when starting Depakote! My Dr. is going to have me try to mis in 25 mg. of Topamax to suppresse the appetite."

• Joani...
• September 7, 2011

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "I have been on Depakote ER for three weeks. I've had 4 migraines during this time, which is less than before the Depakote ER. My GP had me on three different medicines for prevention but the neurologist switched me to Depakote ER. I've had a little weight gain. The problem is I'm on weight watchers and should be losing weight. There have been times where my hands have felt shaky (similar to too much caffeine intake). I think its also effecting my vision. I'm going to call the doctor and ask to switch to something else. Basically its helped reduced my migraine frequency but not enough to live with the side effects."

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

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "Horrible! I was on it for a month, and quit immediately. I have migraine with aura. My neurologist told me a secret behind closed doors cause he was a cool dude. He said 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."

• Suzy...
• July 27, 2009

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

• Beanie
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 21, 2018

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "Was on depakote ER for years at a very high dose (2400mg) 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 170lb in a couple 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 child bearing 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 migraine."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2010

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "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."

• Ljtb
• March 1, 2017

Depakote (divalproex sodium) "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 over used they will no longer work. So I'm adding in aspirin all that junk. Ending up in 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 few headaches a week I can deal with. Weight gain well now I can workout no real excuse there."

• Abaidul
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2023

"I am suffering from migraine for the last 3 years. I tried many medicines like amitriptyline, sertraline, fluoxetine, but I still had recurring headaches. Now I am taking Divalproex 500 mg daily and it has given me amazing results. My blurred vision, memory loss, anxiety, and depression have all improved. Thank you, Divalproex."

• d273
• June 18, 2015

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) "I ben taking 1,000mg a day .I split up 500 in morning and 500 at night for 3 months. I gained 35pounds in the first month. Its a great mood stabilizer, but it only works part of the time. I have the shakes ,acne , vision problems from it. I took topimax before it was great but I got kidney stones from it . I need to get another med that actually works!"

• Adrian...
• May 19, 2015

"I took Depakote for six weeks exactly a year ago. I immediately began experiencing hallucinations, visual disturbances, and constant shakiness. I have been off of Depakote for nearly a year, but these side effects haven't ever gone away. The visual disturbances are constant. In light, it's just a thin, clear layer of static over everything, which is annoying, but tolerable. I still haven't gotten used to the hallucinations I experience in the dark. My eyes never adjust to the changes in light, and everything becomes a huge, swirling mass of shadows. It sometimes pulses so quickly that it looks like a strobe light. My doctors say that these side effects have never been reported and there's nothing they can do. For me, it is not worth it."