Depakote and medication

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 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! ****** )

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

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 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 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 son is 15 and has been taking Depakote for 6 years. He stopped taking it about 3 weeks ago. He says he feels fine. Is it okay to stop taking it cold turkey. He has a doctor appt next month and I would prefer him to be off of it. He was diagnosed with mild bipolar for his mood swings. I just want to make sure there are no real concerns with him stopping the medication so abruptly. (The only side effect he had during his taking the medication was that his legs hurt him)

Thank you.

I have chronic pancreatitus and I'm looking into haveing a Medtronic Inrathecal Drug Pump implanted. This pump would despense medication to block pain. The drug used is Depakote, in small doses from what I'm told. Just the side effects listed here are making me think twice about the drug. I have had one dose in the form of a shot in my back, a low dose and it did take the chronic pain from a 9 out of 10 to a 3 out of 10 for about 4 days. This has been the most pain free days I have had in over 2 years. I'm looking at learning more about the side effects anyone has had with a low dose of the drug and if you become addicted to it.
Thanks.

My 18 year old son is taking Depakote for the first time and I am wondering for people who have taken this what do you remember from the first time taking the medication?
I am concerned about depression, concentration and increased weight.