What does Depakote feel like?

[thejayfunk]

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  

[Asmith8980]

I take 3500mg for seizures and it makes me feel like I'm out side of my body and real shaky. It's hard to explain but it feels like I'm high with blurred vision. It just makes me weird.

[jaltaf]

i was diagnosed bipolar in 2013 and then was put on divalproex sodium and quietipin fumarate. later i decided to stop taking these meds. i once again ended up having a manic depressive attack back in 2015 feb. since then i am continuously on depakote 750, it really does help in making u behave and act like a stable and normal being but with a cost on your creative side. it has almost been a year using depakote and i can easily distinguish between the guy before and today. it feels as if depakote is sucking every creative cell in my body as i no longer feel any interest in writing, composing music and singing. but i do sing at times. the point is that the intensity and precision of artistic abilities has diminished as there is a hampered emotion pool, which obviously doesnt help a creative guy. but yes, the roller coaster of the highs and lows....i feel that no more.

[Abbidee]

I have been fighting depression ect for years please don't give up on your creative side sing writ and let all of us out here hear and read it ! I would love to!

[DawnTin]

Hi I am 42 this year and have been on depekote since my early 20's. They started me on lithium at the time I was diagnosed rapid cycle bi-polar with borderline personality disorder.the lithium made me feel like a zombie...emotionless. So they switched me to the lithium 500mg twice a day and a mood stabilizer. I take Fetizima. I have little to no side effects  except for loss of appetite. from the meds and have lost weight. I do haft to watch forgetting meds though because I go through major withdrawl if i do forget a few times. But my life has became more normal than it ever was. I still suffer from insomnia quite often and use. A low dose of ativan for that. I tried several times through out my life and know for a fact I would not be he today without my medications. I thank god for a doctor that worked with me to find the right combination so i can be closest to normal as possible. If something doesnt work dont hesitate to talk to your doc about your concerns.

[Candissss]

Well I started depokote 500 mg at night and 250 in the morning about three weeks ago. At first I noticed a change in my moods I felt somewhat calmer and less irritable. But now I'm noticing it is slowly becoming less effective. I am going to start a higher dosage in the morning. As of now all its doing is making me gain weight.

[rjsch]

The doctor started me on 500mg of Depakote 14 days ago. No side effects at all so far. I seem to be calmer than before, but not sure. Is 500mg enough for my mood? What do think?

[kd540720]

Has anyone had any luck with lamictal and depakote?  both being fairly low doses. I would like to know some experiences people have had with the two.

[helplogan]

Hi, I have rapid cycling bipolar and I have taken both sodium valproate and depokote, different versions and releases of valproate. Sodium valproate was my medication I took to help me manage my manic phases, really helped but due to going toxic on it as my levels weren't being checked regularly. Afterwards I couldn't get near a therapeutic range, I just I kept going dizzy and trying to fall over. We tried many different medications before taking the chance with depokote, unfortunately for me it didn't work in my medication combo anymore. Try not to exclude a medication because of side effects you are experiencing without giving it chance to settle and then decide if things ar
Anninside makes a good point, you need to treat all mood states in bipolar for the best chance of success.
I take a moodstabilizer to help my highs, a moodstabilizer to help my depressive episodes, an anti psychotic med to help with irritability and anxiety I think you get the picture. I take 5 different medications at the mo I officially rattle.

[Anneinside]

If you have bipolar then you will need a mood stabilizer. I am only irritable when hypomanic or manic. I believe I heard someone say that seroquel helped with their irritability. Don't give up on trying medications, you are very early in the process. It can take many years to get the right medications.

[Swim5]

Hi, I started on depakote er 500 mg twice a day, four days ago for bipolar I just turned 40 in August 2012 and have suffered  from depression for at least twenty years. The only med that ever really helped me was Zoloft but, it was still not enough, I tried all these years to get more help but the docs always would say " well at least Zoloft helps you" and then just add xanax. Finally I met a doctor that seems to understand what I am going through, So far I am very happy with this med other than some stomache cramping I am very hopeful that I have found that one thing to add to my Zoloft to keep me from being over emotional, wish me luck and I shall do the same for all of you

[mrspeabody373]

Depakote works well for mood-stabilizing but not for my depression.  I have bipolar II.  Ask about Lithium.  The side effects of Depakote are lowering of metabolism.  The side effect of Lithium is increased appetite.  I am not happy on Depakote because I gained a dress size, but I am stable but still depressed even though taking 20 mg of Prozac also.  Everyone is different, so unfortunately, you will have to just keep trying until you see what works best for you.  Good luck with everything.  You'll be okay.

[feelingpsycho]

I took my first dose of Depakote today. I've been dealing with horrible episodes of anxiety and manic behavior for over 7 years. I first noticed it when I was about 29. It has become so bad that I have lost out on opportunities like going back to school and performing in my band and just leading a normal life among other things. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to fall into unconsciousness. My palms will sweat and I will loose my ability to focus and become nervous. This usually happens when I'm in a situation I find uncomfortable. Another thing that has happened is that I've been getting migraines. The only time they happen is after I've gone for a run. I've had 5 migraines in the last 3 or 4 years after running. I know that isn't many but it's really odd that they occur after I run. Even short 2 mile runs. I took Paxil a few years ago and Xanax a few years back when this all first started. It seemed to work but now my doctor is suggesting Depakote and Ativan this time around. I've read that many of the symptoms I feel are due to a lack of serotonin. I thought about taking a serotonin supplement as an alternative to the meds. All I want is to be able to live a somewhat normal life. Hopefully Depakote will help. Hopefully it will help you too. Take care! Joseph 36 from Los Angeles

[fish996]

My main problem with my bipolar is not the manic highs, or even really low depression although the latter does bother me. My main problem is my irritability and getting angry at every little thing, especially other people. I'm not relazed and I'm angry at the world. did you have the irritability that I am explaining?

[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.

[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.

[snoopy65]

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

[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

[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).

[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 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.

[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