Divalproex sodium and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2021

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I'm on 1,500 mg twice a day, so I'm just bothered by the side effects, which are: 1- Laziness 2- Drowsiness (frequently) 3- Lack of ambition 4- Lack of comprehension 5- Euphoria (sometimes) 6- Nausea after being caffeinated, I completely had to stop drinking coffee. 7- Double vision."

• Sec...
• February 19, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have struggled silently with impulses to self-destruct/self-injure for many years. Various things would trigger episodes, frustrating conversations. Some temptations were very strong, and sometimes I quickly self-injured. I let people think I was suicidal, and therapists were geared to interpret it that way, but it wasn't that; it was overwhelming impulses to hurt myself, which I couldn't explain and felt humiliated about. Then I got to a very good psychiatrist who put me on Divalproex extended-release pills, which I take at night. While I am groggy in the morning, I feel tired in the afternoon and sometimes require a nap. Recently, I've been triggered, but the impulse to hurt myself was much less. The drug was to slow things down."

• tn2...
• April 9, 2009

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "I have been diagnosed with absence seizures and have had several Grand Mals for 6 years now, but have been seizure-free for 4 years after being put on Depakote ER. I went through 2 prior doctors and twice as many medicines before finding the right one. If taken in the morning, I get nauseous and I'm always tired, but otherwise, no problems. 155 lb female on 500 mg once daily."

• BiP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 2, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Depakote may have saved my life, but it made me fat, tired, bald, have sexual problems, and edema so bad I was told to go to the ER by urgent care. It made me not want to hurt myself and others, but at the total expense of myself. I felt like a martyr. It is a terrible drug with great uses. In this regard, Depakote is the closest thing to chemotherapy in psychiatry, in my opinion. The closest thing that I have found works like Depakote but without the fat-slow-swollen effect is Tiagabine. Both affect GABA levels, and this is what 'does it' for my bipolar symptoms. If you get angry a lot and are on Depakote because of it, try taking Tiagabine instead. If it works, your life will get better. I cannot express with words how much Depakote sucks, but I can also see how it may have saved my life when I was too emotional and angry to function otherwise."

• sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2021

Divalproex sodium "I don't like this drug. I was put on it for anxiety. I was on Ativan on and off. It was unbelievably effective. I felt calm, solid, and stable. With Depakote, I am having side effects: nausea, tired, full of anxiety, deep depression, dizzy. This is an old-school drug that should be retired."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2023

Divalproex sodium for Mania "I have just started taking Depakote for anxiety to help me sleep. It causes pain in my stomach and makes my eyes tired when reading. Now suddenly, my right hip has become quite sore. It is helping me sleep, though."

• tmi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 17, 2022

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "My experience using Depakote for my bipolar 1 diagnosis has been extremely positive. I was hospitalized 3 times from 2002 to 2003 and given several different medications. Some of those medicines made me tired and almost living like a zombie. Eventually, I was prescribed Depakote, and it's been amazing for me. I've been taking 500 mg twice a day and 250 mg once a day. My dosage has been stable for over 10 years, and I no longer see a counselor. This has changed my life, and I feel confident and stable. I have put on a little weight, but that's a small price to pay for what Depakote did for me."

• jam...
• December 29, 2009

For Epilepsy "I was on this med in Europe before it was available here. (35 years ago) I was in the clinical trials in the US starting with Depakene and then moving to Depakote and Depakote ER. At this point, I can't really point out the side effects since I've been using it for so long. Being tired is probably one of them. Also, blurry eyesight occasionally. It started out as an anticonvulsant and then was used for other things."

• MJR...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2021

Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention "This has been the most helpful migraine preventative - my migraines were becoming a full-time disability, and for the first time in a long time, I’m hopeful - my doctor added 20-30 mg of Vyvanse (stimulant - a very low dose) to suppress appetite and lethargy, and it is amazing - no appetite, no weight gain, and I’m energetically working full-time. Fingers crossed it keeps working. Try the stimulant to prevent the weight gain!"

• Joh...
• November 13, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I think it works somewhat. Still feel a little crazy towards people, but a little bit more calm. It makes me very tired. I was supposed to be on Seroquel, but even with good insurance, it’s still 500 dollars! I have only been on this for a week, will give it a chance. Thanks."

• mmm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "After hypomania (due to lithium withdrawal) was successfully terminated with this drug, a post-3 month effect of blunted feelings, hypersomnia, and just general CNS depression, similar to clonazepam; I think I would now like to stop it, along with Lutada, as this soup disrupts my ability to be alert enough to check my blood sugars, life tasks, and insulin routine; just too tired and sedated."

• Jos...
• September 18, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I can't rate it yet, but I gave it a 5 because it's been about 5 days. I've noticed a calm, relaxed feeling. Normally, after I exercise, I still have energy. Since I've started to take it, I've noticed a good, calm, relaxed, tired feeling. Not a drowsy tired, which is good. Also, I'm noticing an attitude switch for the good. As for weight gain, nothing yet, and I hope it stays that way. I'm eating much better and exercising more to balance, just in case. I definitely feel a change for the good. Hopefully, this is a fix until I can do it off medicine. If not, it is what it is. I'll keep an open mind. Let me know if anyone has anything different."

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2014

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "It made me cognitively impaired, numb, had headaches, and caused weight gain. Plus, no energy."

• phe...
• September 15, 2009

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I gained 50 lbs on Depakote, it also makes me lazy since 2007."

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2012

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "General tiredness with the medication, but no manic episodes. I guess the trade-off is fair."

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

Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention "Lethargy, weight gain, depression, headaches, muscle aches, nausea."

• soc...
• May 13, 2015

For Mania "It's good for mood stabilization, but I want off. I want to switch. My doctors won't listen. The weight gain is terrible, and I'm exhausted all of the time. I feel hopeless and helpless."