Valproic acid and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Res...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug is clearly extremely dangerous for some people. It was for me. I felt like I was an entirely different person - and not a normal person either. It was as if an alien had taken over my body. I had bizarre paranoid thoughts and started thinking I was seeing symbols in everything. I lost all motivation and purpose. I became depressed and suffered from chronic insomnia that caused me to be awake at night and asleep during the day. My right hand started to tremble involuntarily. It got so bad that I couldn’t write or type. I lost the dexterity of my fingers such that I had to purchase voice recognition software to type and use my computer for the work I was doing. And my memory crumbled. I would walk into the kitchen from another room only to forget why I went there. This happened constantly and daily."

• rwa...
• September 29, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "Was prescribed this to stabilize mood swings. Tended toward depressive episodes while on this medication with severe side effects such as feeling faint when walking, going up stairs, etc., unable to sleep, nausea, foggy mind, unable to think of words, constantly dropping things, heart palpitations, very dry eyes, and anxiety."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Wow. Quick acting and highly effective in stabilizing bipolar II disorder. Some initial side effects were vivid dreams, trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, and upset stomach. All of which have passed. That being said, this is my first mood stabilizer, but it has been really effective nonetheless. Turns out I’ve had bipolar and not just manic depression. Really worked for me. I’m on 500 mg CR per day."

• Cry...
• January 9, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this medication after being diagnosed with bipolar. After a few weeks, I found I was in the most depressive state I’ve ever been in - no hope, no will to live, the most insecure I have ever felt in my entire life. Did I mention the weight gain aspect of it? - actually water weight, not fat, but it isn’t pleasant regardless. I work from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. I go to the gym from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night, yet I couldn’t sleep for the life of me. The insomnia it caused had me sleeping less than 3 hours a night, which when dealing with bipolar is just asking for trouble. I don’t like this medication, the side effects I had a problem with may seem “stupid,” but to me, feeling that way in general and about myself is not a life worth living. This medication made every day more of a struggle to get through than ever before. I have talked with my Dr. and am going to explore more natural supplements alongside my healthy lifestyle and therapy."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Excellent! I've been completely stable since the medication fully kicked in and am now trying to put my life back together after 13 years of being manic and depressed (misdiagnosis). The only downside for me was severe insomnia when I first started taking the medication, my doctor prescribed a very ugly sleeping med to 'take when needed' (Nozinan). I almost stopped taking it, VERY happy that I kept taking it!"