Depakote side effects

I was put on Depakote for my migraines after I had a bad experience with Topamax. It helped great with my migraines, but the weight I gained from being on it was not worth it. I have not taken it in probably 3 years, but I still cannot get my weight back to what it was before. I have always been one of those people who couldn't gain weight. Well, thanks to depakote, I am now one of those people who can't keep from gaining weight. I wish I was never introduced to the drug. I stopped taking it on my own, and my migraines are fine now. I have them sometimes but not every day.

I just started on this med a couple of days ago and it's already got me feeling ill. I have nightmares all the time, i was also just diagnosed with bipolar. Tired, slow movement, slowed mind, weight gain. Can't deal with this and i just started it.

My son's on 500mg. Depakote along w/Zyprexa for past 8 months. In past month he's had insomnia and doesn't want to go to sleep for fear of nightmares. He's dreaming he's going to die and someone's going to take him. Recently, i've read where Depakote can cause horrendous nightmares. what to do?

My son has been taking Keppra since his first seizure last year when he was 18, starting out with 500g. He kept having the seizures (all grand mal) off and on and because he was planning on going into the military, he was told that because of the seizure disorder, he could not serve. Given a medical discharge and coming home, he still had them, but the cause was because at times he forgot to take his meds or he worked out over exerting himself, stuff like that. From the end of April until July 6th, he did not have a seizure (his Keppra was increased to 3000g a day), and that seizure was not as bad as the previous ones he had.

We ended up switching doctors because the original doc did not want to do an eeg on my son, so with my husband and my decision plus our primary care physician agreeing, we starting having my son see a new doc. This doc seems to really care about his patients, and after talking with us, he gave my son a prescription for Depakote, 500mg three times a day along with the Keppra. A day and a half after taking the drug (the first day he took it at night then taking it as prescribed daily), he started vomiting. He would eat, later on lay down, wake up EXTREMELY nauseous, and start throwing up. This happened for four and a half days, and the doctor told him to stop taking the meds immediately. He did blood work again and said that his Depakote serum levels had dropped drastically and he wanted to put my son back on the Depakote, but at half strength; 250mg three times a day. Our answer to that? HELL NO!!! My son was miserable; he has a job and hangs out with his friends and not being sure if he would start throwing up again, he minimized going out except to go to work. It is frustrating as all HELL, took that crap for six days and four and a half of those days he was vomiting, unsteady on his feet, eyes were red looking like he was a zombie, and had starting messing with his memory in ONLY SIX DAYS! Yes we all want him to be free from this demon, and so far for these past few months of this year, (from end of April to July 6) he has had one seizure. He has not had another one since that day. As far as we are concerned as his parents, he will never take that crap again, I don't care WHAT this doctor says. And I am going to say that I believe that my son will not want to take it again either, even at a lower dose.

I took the time to call the company who manufactures the Depakote, and one of the reps I spoke to said that even if my son took a lower dose, it could still have the effects of vomiting as with the higher dose, and her concern is that when he is throwing up, he is also throwing up the Keppra which could cause him to have a seizure. NOBODY wants that!

sounds like several people want to get off of this medication. glad i didn't start my son on it. if you wanna get off of it, just wein yourself off. either talk to your doctor about lower dosages or start cutting your pills in 3/4 for a week or two, then 1/2 for a week or two, then 1/4 for a week or two. That is what I do when weining my son off of a medicine that i no longer think is benefiting him or is causing more harm than good.

I am diagnosed with bipolar - The Dr.s gave me Depakote and I took it for a good 3mo before

A) Returning to the Dr. to be treated for my constant DEPRESSION

B) having the WORST SUICIDAL/HOMICIDAL thoughts of buying a gun and using it...

They wouldn't give me anything for my depression because they said I was too HAPPY at times (You have to be f***g kidding me)

I simply stopped taking it and haven't had but a few minor suicidal thoughts - at least they are not homicidal, and I have been back to being super happy all the time. Im sorry if you are not supposed to be happy in this life - I will gladly embrace the daily ups and downs over the 3 months of flatlined hardcore depression any day! I did not like NOT being myself at all.

I feel sick to my stomach every day, pal in my face , depressed, pressure on stomach, gassy pressure on heart ,hurts feelings, makes upsetment ,jiddery,fussing, gain weight , sleep to much,have a hard time breathing,hard time talking,paranoid real bad,don't want to do any thing , no activities,bright light in eyes,feels like having high blood pressure, tingles in face and arms,

I am noticing that whenever my symptoms arise and they do, then the Doctor increases my dosage which increases my weight. I am fortunate enough to have a new Doctor who wants to try Lamictal, which doesn't make you gain weight. Also Topamax is known for suppressing the appetite. Its very frustrating dealing with these medications. I have gained a tremendous amount of weight.

I forgot to add to the last post: have other women noticed this? Thanks

Irregular menstruation

I have been taking 500 x 3 each night of Depakote for 7 years. It caused me to gain 50 lbs. I used to take walks every day at least 6 miles a day after i started taking Depakote, my motivation to walk and do much of anything at all, went away. All i wanted to do was sleep.

I still suffer from depression which was my main problem in the first place and the main reason I went to the Dr. and I still do suffer from depressions.

I used to write poetry, now I can't do that anymore because I don't have a single inspirational thought coming to my mind about anything.

I don't notice the beauty in things like nature anymore as I used to, Basically I just feel like a walking half-zombie. A wall of partial numbness.

Recently, now I have been having short term memory loss and it is very irritating and I find it getting worse with each week.

The thing I hate the most about this med is the fact that it has made me physically dependent on it, because if I miss a day, or if I am some hours late with taking it, I get a horrible headache, and everything starts to get real bright to my eyes and I feel nauseated and I get stomach pains, which worsensw by the hour that goes by without me taking it.

which means I have to always make sure I have an extra dose with me in case I go somewhere and don't get back in time for my next dose. I hate being controlled by a med like this.

I am afraid to stop taking it because I have heard stories that if you just stop taking it suddenly, your body will shut down and you can drop dead. I have actually heard this. and I am afraid to tell my doctor that I don't want to take it anymore.

Reading about the hair loss is scary, so far that hasn't happened to me.
If it does, you can be sure I would end this med faster than anything.

I have been on depakote 1000 mg a day for a month now. I am experiencing terrible abdominal bloating,cramping, and gas and think i may be gaining weight. Somebody please help-has anyone else ever experienced symptoms similar from depakote????????

I had been treated with Depakote, Lamictal, Lithium, Fluoxetine and more (I do not even remember all of them...).
I have been depressed most of my adult life I guess.
My depression caused me to destroy many relationships, loose friends, making me unable to build a carrier and ruining my marriage too. Wasting years of my life feeling always an unworthy mistake. I have had many suicidal thoughts too.
Then this past August I started to loose A LOT of weight, suddenly and for no apparent reason... I would also be so terribly tired and unreasonably nervous (but you know...being a dark depressed looser... that was usual and "normal"), feeling week and exhausted. Being summer and having always had low blood pressure I did not pay too much attention to all that until I did by chance some blood tests...
I AM HAVING BIG TIME THYROID PROBLEMS!
...I am not crazy! My depression had an actual physiological problem and I have been always treated with medicines that would actually make the thyroid gland worse!
I hated Depakote, it made me sick even while I was sleeping, waking up dizzy and nauseous! And I hated all the rest!! These medicines poisoned my liver, my memory and intelligence!
Check this out... to any of you that my have a thyroid problem instead:
*******
That's my experience and I hope it might help you. If it doesn't... good luck. I do understand the pain of being ALWAYS "under the weather"....
(PS. You'd might like to look at this too if you do not already know M. T.... IT DOES HELP! ****** )

I have been on Depakote 1000mg x2 daily for 2 months now. I am experiencing really itchy skin so bad i can break the skin.Also my appetite has increases loads and i'm tired a lot of the time.
I take it for personality disorder and i think i have noticed a slight change in my moods, i'm more stable and not so impulsive and don't feel the need to self harm so much.

Didn't have bad side effect but kept a constant look out for what they listed on the paperwork. But I was in so much shoulder pain that I needed this too bad. (I've used it before (5 yrs) so I knew people had bad experiences).

Hunger pains were the worse but I kept food in the house and with me so that I could eat (protein) when the SHARP hunger pains happened.

I took Depakote for a few years and I will never go on that drug again. I gained over 50 pounds, my hair fell out in clumps, and I developed very bad acne. I also could not go out in the sun because I would blotch up for weeks. It worked great on my migraines and seizures, but the side effects weren't worth it.

I have been on a 1000mg of Depakote for over fourteen years,in the last month i have become severely ill with feelings of electricity going thru my brain,vertigo,nausea and fainting spells. I have been communicating with my Doctor and he said stop all Depakote immediately. As a result of it i feel like a new person.Always pays to do your own research and listen to body symptoms.I saved my own life. Andrew.

MY SON IS TAKING THIS MEDICINE ANDHE IS STILL HAVING OUTRAGES,AND HISDOCTOR HAS UPED HIS DOSAGE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO

it works most of the time for my epilepsy have always had pretty good luck till lately. I am 36 and I have been on depakote 500 mg 3xs daily now for 21years. I am tired a lot and my memory is so bad I get so mad. I recently went to the Dr. sick and he done some blood work and said that the depakote has made my platelets low and my pancreas has elevated a little so its time I think to come off the med. really does well a side from all the hair loss and a little gain over the years 10 to 20 but also love to cook so cant blame it all on the medicine. Look they have new good meds out there don't be afraid to try them this med was good in its day but theres new and better and I'm going to try some time soon to do just that good luck everyone and God Bless each one of you as you go through all this.

MY GOD PEOPLE WAKE UP ! HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT LOOKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX AND SEEING WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD IS DOING ! THEY ARE GETTING RID OF THERE MERCURY FILLINGS AND CURING THEMSELVES ! 50% OF SILVER FILLINGS ARE MERCURY> HENCE THE SAYING MAD AS A HATTER ! FLUSH YOUR BODY WITH A GLASS OF GREEN JUICE EVERY DAY. YOU CAN BE LAZY AND TAKE A PILL AND AND JUMP OFF A CLIFF WITH EVERYONE ELSE OR YOU CAN LOOK AROUND AND SEE PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP AND CURING THEMSELVES ! IF YOUR CHILD IS YOUNG AND SPASTIC MAYBE IT WAS THE MERCURY SHOTS THEY GAVE THEM OR YOU CHILD JUST CANT HANDLE THE FLUORIDE ! LOOK OPEN SEE THE TRUTH OF ALL THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SAVED FROM THESE DRUGS THAT KILL YOU !

depect alone ok, other then memory problems, low libido, nou=oise in my ears etc I ended up on both dep.200mg and Lamictal 300mg. The side effects were memory(source) inability to spell, do simple math, totally cognitively disconbobulation , it was so debilitating that I went into get a crise appt. I have read others w/ similar problems w/lamictal. thanks Helene

I'm 49yr old male just started taking Depakote, 1000mg a day. Bipolar, which I was just diagnose with. I've had depression for years, Prozac, etc the usual suspects.
I've been on Depakote 10days now, along with Cymbalta 60mg which I started 18days ago(I was on Celexa 30mg) New doc and therapist also helped. I've already taken a complete 180, and I mean within a matter of days I feel like there is hope and a future again. May be Cymbalta/Depakote combo? Whatever it is I have no complaints. I actually feel TOO GOOD? If that's my problem I have no problems. No appetite increase/hair?- hey, I'm 50yrs old, who cares...

I have been taking 100 mg Depakote ER for several months and had noticable hair loss combined with dry, itchy skin.

How I cured it: One tab Centrum Silver multiviatmin per day provides the zinc and selenium you need to avoid this side effect. Also take an extra 40 or 50 mcg tablet of just selenium, because the amount of selenium in Centrum Silver is too low. That did it for me.

I have heard it takes six months for lost hair to grow back.

My son has been taking both Invega and depakote for roughly 2 months and just a week and a half ago, he has been torementing me about people who are watching him and wondering if someone is going to jump him - just three days ago, he started going through the kitchen garbage bin searching for some tiny piece of info that he had written on an envelope, not wanting it to go outside to the garbage for someone to find - he finally found this envelop, and having ripped it up into shreds, he was constantly back and forth, questioning me as to when the garbage collectors would come by to take out the garbage - my son sat on the steps early that morning waiting for the garbage collectors and after that was done (which he had promised not to do again), he kept it up again and now he is on another matter, talking about some guy who drives this black truck and wonder if he has someone hiding in back to get him.

I have been taking Depakote / Dilantin cocktails for over 10 years !! 600mg Dilantin and 3000mg Depakote every day !! If I miss a few pills or a dosage
I will inevitably have a traumatic grand mal seizure. The funny thing is, I have not experienced many of the side effects you guys speak of. I have gained some weight in the last few years (20lbs), but I'm also getting to that age ( 49 ) where guys put on a few pounds.

It is very scary knowing that my body (brain) could be this screwed-up !!
I wish my wife was more understanding about this - although its tough for her too...

MY SON WAS JUST PUT ON DEPAKOTE HE IS ONLY NINE AND TO START OFF WITH HE IS TO TAKE 125MG 3 TIMES A DAY THEN I AM TO GIVE HIM 2 IN THE MORNING ONE AT NOON AND 2 AT BED TIME TO ME THAT JUST SEEMS LIKE ALOT FOR SUCH A LITTLE BOY CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THAT

My son is on 3500 of depakote a day which I think is an unbelievable amount. It is said that it goes according to your weight (he has put on 50 lbs) & his dep.level always seems to come low so they kept raising it. He is on seroquel which we believe made him gain the weight & is eing weaned off that.
He is exhausted a good part of the time & reading other posts I see it is a tiring drug & that is a large amount.

Any comments would be appreciated.

I have been on Depakote for several months, for migraine related seizures. The side effects have kept me from functioning , as I have had chronic pain in my bones & joints, muscle fatigue, muscle spasms and my favorite wieght gain.

well i havent been on long but i do feel better. my moods no highs and lows.i dont haft to say im sorry all the time.my balance is of. i always had short term memory loss.i have migrains at least once a day.so im on a diet i watch how an when i eat.no hair loss yet.just pray for me an i will do the same for everyone.

I am a 38 male and have been on 1000 mg of Depakote daily for about 4-5 months to treat bipolar disordor. I can honsetly say that this drug saved my marriage, my job and perhaps my life.

I am sorry to read that so many fine people are experiencing such terrible side affects. I seem to only experience a very slight lack of concentration, increased sleepiness but no more than 8-10 hours tops and a touch of weight gain. Hair loss?? Not sure as I have losing some for a good while :)

As far as the weight gain goes; strongly suggest that people try and eat smaller meals broken out throughout the day and keep sugar-free popsicles in the fridge :-) And of course working out. This seems to have kept my weight within normal range.

Good luck all and don't be so quick to dismiss Depakote, it cant be all things to all people but may help the rest of us.

i have been taking depakote for 1month (500 mg extended release). i have been starving, note a 10lb weight gain, i am also having muscle pain in from my hips down. i have alot of swelling in my legs also. i can do without this medication. last night was my last dose. i was taking this med for a recent diagnosis of mania.

I was taking Lamictal (600 mg) for 8 years and had 2 minor seizures per week. I was able to read, write, good memory, think and talk properly.
My doctor added Depakote(750 mg/day) to control seizures. My seizures almost stopped in 4 weeks. However my body started shaking all day so much that I am unable to write and eat food properly.
I like to know if shaking of my body is the side effect of Lamictal with Depakote..

I have not experienced any hair loss or weight gain with this drug. I take Depakote 250 milligrams 3x per day for migraine headaches. Once in the morning, and two in the evening. What I do get is an unbelievable case of indegestion. I always make it a point to eat when taking this medication. I was also wondering if anyone has had a decrease, in thier sexual desire ? Being on this drug? any comments would be greatly appreciated

i have been taking depakote for 4 months and this past month my hair is thining at a very fast rate it comes out when i wash it brush it or even touch it i have now stopped taking depakote but can anyone tell me will my hair stop falling out or will i go bald? does it grow back? and how long does it take to grow back?

I am 64 years old and I have been taking Depakote for app-
roximately 10 years. For many years I was diagonosed with
Bipolar. Through the years I have been on many anti-depress
ants. Some would work and some wouldn't. I got so sick and
tired of all the medications, I just wanted to throw them out
in the yard. However... for the past three to four years, I
have just been totally depressed. Going to different Dr.'s
trying this and that. Still depressed. So, this past week I
went to a new Dr. and guess what... he took me completely
off of Depakote. I was only taking 1,000 mgs. a day. In the
past I have taken as much as 2,100 mgs a day. Once I got
toxic, didn't even know my own name. Couldn't even call
anyone for help because my memory was in such bad shape.
Weight gain, memory loss, leg aches, swollen feet and legs,
and it messed up my thyroid. Felt drugged every morning,
tired all the time, didn't want to go anywhere, just wanted to
sleep all the time and let everything go. It's a horrible feeling
to have. You don't have a life. There has been many times
in my past, that I had just soon been dead. But.......I would
be a fool to do something so stupid! I have two wonderful
sons and four lovely grandchildren. Those of you that are on
Depakote, I wish you the best of luck. And remember...
you are suppose to have blood work done every three months
so that the Dr. can know your Depakote level.

I had taken Depakote for a few months when i was a young child. Now, at age nineteen, my doctor has put me on it again. Atfirst, I had a horrid reaction: a lovely red rash all over my arms and legs. Tehn I began to have headaches, along with a decreased libido. When I asked my doctor about all this, she said to keep taking it as she had originally prescribed; she told me that these were all "transitroy effects," meaning that eventuallythey would go away. In the meantime, this is hell on earth for me. Anyone have any suggestions? Because i can't take much more of this crap..

listlessness, outragous hunger. weight gain over 100lbs in a yr no energy sleep all day all night every day no enthusiasm or interest in anything. sweats profusely at any kind of exertion. am on them for seizures but they never stop i still have them, i am on over 3000 mg a day.

I was on depakote from 1982 until 1996 for seizure disorder. I first notice that I was having problems walking straight, I began to stagger needing help climbing stairs. I began falling, difficulty with speech & writing. During this time I was going to Barrows Neurological Group. One doctor diagnosed me with dimentia then the next doctor said I had Ataxia. By 1996 I was no longer able to bathe myself, get in and out of bed, conversation was very limited with answering questions with yes or no. I had been wheelchair bound for 5 years. On my visit to my neurologist in August 1996 my husband talked to the doctor about changing the medication. I was then put on Neurontin. In one month after this switch to the new medication I was talking. When I saw the doctor he told me he wanted me out of the wheelchair and walking again. Let me tell you that this was no easy task. It took me 3 years to learn to walk again. I believe doctors should be made more aware of this reaction. I believe if I had gone on much longer on Depakote I wouldn't be alive today.

I was on Depakote CR for 2.5 weeks 1000mg. When I contacted my pdoc she and told her the side effects: (lethargic, dizziness, tired, seeing double), she told me to stay on the medication. I had difficulty at work so I dropped myself down to 500mg (even had trouble with the 500mg trying to work). I am now seeing a new pdoc and told her the story. She is weaning me off the med, I am now taking 250mg for the next 4 days and starting Ripersdal (however you spell it).

My experience with depakote is pretty muck like everyone else, I take it for migraines. I'm so tired all the time and my legs always hurt, I can no longer walk my normal 4 mile walks. I still get migraines but not as often. I have gained about 15 pounds which Stinks! My doctor up my dosage to 500 twice a day, now I'm having horrible nightmares.
I don't know what else to do. I would reather be off of it but will get migraines at least 4 times a week again.
What else is out there????

I was recently taken off Dilantin and given Depakote ER. I had a terrible reaction at first. Seizure episodes, nausea, loss of memory, etc. I was told that this was a "transitional reaction". Have been on Depakote ER for two weeks and am exhausted all the time. I have bursts of energy but this dissipates quickly. Still have loss of memory and bizarre dreams.

learning problems, inability to focus, weight loss, behavior problems, moody, sleep more than 12 hours each day, upper respiratory problems (bronchitis, pneumonia, flu, cough)

I have been feeling great mentally except I've been eating like it's going to be the end of the world. If anyone has any ideas besides the obvious ex: exercise, eating correctly please e-mail me. Good Luck to everyone and god bless

Hi,
I have been on this medicaton about one month for bypolar, and it feel like I have gained at least ten pounds. I have been throwing up, and non-stop diarrea. I am very tired all the time. I don't know what to do about this. But i have been feeling sooo... much better!!! Better moods, happier not getting irritated easily. I love how it makes me feel, but the side effects suck!!!

I take Depakote ER which is extended release and coated. The doctor said I am not supposed to gain as much weight but I am still gaining so I have to excerise more but I has REALLY helped the mood swings. AND DONT stop it cold turkey I did and my moods were horrible. I am still looking for informaition on it too to know more.

I have been on Depakote for bi-polar for about 4 months. I have gained about 15 pounds and I have a lot of hair loss. The doctors at Mayo told me that 10% have hair loss and I am one of them. The worst part is not only that my hair is falling out, it no longer will even curl. I have tried different cuts and no luck. The bi-polar is better, but is it worth it?...

hey im 16 yrs old and i've had a very tramatic past. i've been through a hell of a lot and sometimes cant get my thoughts all together and think right. i take depakote and i think it is the best thing that has happened to me, of course there are the side effects like gaining weight and hair loss which i have seen in my own case, but then again you have to look at the bright side and figure out what means more to you. if you are a changed and better person when you take this drug then those minor things wont be such a problem for you. i dont know but i have struggled my whole life and i am only 16 turning 17 like i said and finally i feel like i can live and have a normal life with no stress and with people feeling like they want to be around me not being scared that i might snap at any minute. well good luck you guys and if nothing i said mattered or even applied to you then follow your heart and do what you know deep inside is good for you and dont let your emotions tell you what to do cause they come and go. thanks for listening email me if you would like to talk.

I HAVE BEEN ON DEPAKOTE FOR THREE MONTHS NOW, FOR PSSIBLE BRAIN SIEZURES. I HAVE` GAINED 20 TO 24 PUONDS AND ALSO RETIAINING FLUID. LEGS AND ANKLE ARE SWELLING. I FEEL TIRED AND WEAK ALL THE TIME.

People taking this drug for seizures are going to have very different experiences then the bipolars, I believe. Pretty much everyone has some weight gain, but not major (10-20lbs).
I was diagnosed as a rapid cycling bipolar, and before this drug, I was completely miserable. I was started on Depakote instead of Lithium due to fewer side effects, and it was a huge sucess.
Moods are stable, manic episodes are gone, sleep is stabilzed, libido is normal, depression is rare. I am 20 lbs heavier, happy, and "normal". I can't say enough good things about this drug.
Bipolars, steer away from the negative comments here and go to the bipolar support sites. You will find almost nothing but positive testimonials about this drug for our condition.

I was given depakote for bipolar disorder; it made me extremely shaky and weak, and also seemed to make me even more panicky and irritable that usual. I'm off it now and instead take a very low dose of an anti-anxiety med, which helps me sleep; I may have to take an anti-depressant in addition to this, to balance out the manic/depressive episodes. It is so scary and frustrating trying to find the right balance of meds, and it's different for everyone. I wish each of you the best of luck in finding what's right for you!