What does Depakote feel like?

Hi,

I'm a 26 year old who has been working with my doctor since November of 2006 on trying to treat my bipolar disorder.  I've tried Lamictal with horrible side effects, and I've kept stable on  a heavy regimen of exercise, vitamin supplements and sedatives.  I'm ready to try depakote and I'm wondering if anyone could share their experience with what it feels like.  I'm not incredibly optimistic about this disease any more, as I've been dealing with it for a year. But, perhaps Depakote will stabilize things.  Who knows.  I would be grateful if someone would share their experience (Also let me know about the side effects).

Jason  

[Venora Moonwind]

I was  on depakote when I was first dx with bi polar and I felt doped up all the time and I still had manic episodes.I didtn like it very much.I am now on celexa/zyprexa and this combo has worked wonders for me.Everybody is different though and the depakote may work for you. Give 4 to 6 weeks to get the full effect to see how it does for you and let me know how it works for you.
Love Venora

[Jezzy_Ricardo]

I am bipolar and I was on Depakote about 6 months ago. Depakote caused alot of anxiety but overall I was doing better. However at times the bipolar syptoms (symptoms) still kicked in and I'd get hypomanic and feel like I could just run around saying "Hi!" to everyone in public. One thing you DO NOT want to do is stop taking the depakote cold shoulder and then take it randomly when ya feel like it. I have done that more times than I can count and it triggered mania big time. I was up all night, I was thinking constantly, and I was in lala land for about 2 days in a row.

[Neemai108]

Ive actually been on depakote for almost over a year now. And its actually working very well as a mood stabilizer. I havent had the same effects as what are mentioned by others. It works very well. It is also good taking it with other anti-depressents because it acts as an anti-epileptic. Most/Many anti-depressents are thought to cause a risk for having seizures. I actually myself had one because of wellbutrin which is why i was initially put on depakote, until a while later when i was thought to be bipolar. One thing that is true is it will make you gain some weight, I noticed that. Another thing which i found frustrating is it really does "stabilize" your emotions, to the extent that you might not feel much emotion wise, but its certainly better than jumping for highs to lows to highs again.
The doctor tried to put me on lithium to try and see if that worked ok, but I feel that depakote worked much better than the lithium. I think you should give it a try. But be sure to get your depakote level checked as well as liver function every now and then, that is important. I am currently myself taking 1000mg Depakote ER (Extended Release).

[jay6996]

Have you noticed weight gain on Depekote?  Iam taking effexor 225mg a day, it is working alright, but I am metabolizing it to fast.  I awas taking 150mg int he morning, and 75 at night, it doesn't seem to help, alot tht way, so he is trying to have me take 75mg 3 times a day.  If that fails he is talking about putting me on a mood stabilizer, and I see many things about the adding depakote

[snoopy65]

I was on that drug for migrane (migraine) prevention. Only on 500mg and I noticed alot of hair loss.

[montymouse]

I've been on it about eighteen months and it is the first thing that has worked for me. I've had no manic or depressive episodes since starting but I agree I have gained alot of weight. However this might stem from the fact that when I was manic I didn't have to do any exercise and I find it hard to do it now. Before I was on lithium and it was horrible. I either felt like a zombie or was so high that I had to be watched the whole time because my behaviour was frighteningly erratic. One thing is true life is more routine and'normal' but I think that's better than how it was before. I don't know if the change in me is down to the drugs or simply getting my head round being bipolar. I was diagnosed ten years ago. Give it a lash and I hope it works out for you.

[MissTilds]

I have been diagnosed having bipolar for a year. My dr has put me on depakote er. Started on 250 mg and lessened as time went by. Its a good drug, no depressions, or attacks. Just weight gain. I gained 20lbs. The reason for the weight gain as my doctor told me, was because your mood is improving. She encourages exercising, eat healthy foods, and positive outlook in daily activities. It helps if you have a good support system with your loved ones. I'm weaning off depakote as my dr advises me I would take it twice weekly. Being overweight is a drag, I know, but it will come off eventually. Just follow your dr. Just be honest with everything happening to your body during medication.