Was prescribed valproic acid after a psychotic break arrested with lithium and prozac. Initially diagnosed with depression, subsequently altered to bipolar disorder. Have been on 750 mg divided dose for several years, no significant side effects. Went off medication for 3 months, had a manic episode characterized by wild overspending and other dangerous behaviors. Resumed medication regimen an...
NOT SURE HAVEN'T TAKEN IT LONG ENOUGH FIRST TIME ON THIS MEDS.
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mlisc | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
4/9/2010
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
after increasing dosage to better level started to feel less confusing(Bi-Polar)
3
1
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ellie210 | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
1/24/2010
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have distorted vision and blurred vision in both eyes. Have been taking Depakote (Valproic Acid) for 10 years. Does anyone have any eye problems taking this drug?
13
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k ay | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
11/19/2009
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
1
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aberg2009 | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/12/2009
Condition: Bipolar I Disorder with Most Recent Episode Mixed
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I was on this medication before as a teen. I am 30 now and It has been the one to help with the mood swings and depression.
4
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[email protected] | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
10/14/2009
Condition: Other
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I was on Depakote 250 Extended Release on the East Coast. Had been taking it with no problems for years in conjunction with 2 mg of klonopin. Went West and the drug store and they dispensed this drug as a generic for depakote. Very bad reaction, incuding inability to walk, tremors, shaking etc. This came in a large oval pill, produced as depakene on the label, the pill had "Devil" or something similiar imprinted on it by the drug company. Those who have taken Depakote on the East Coast should be careful when changing to this "generic" - same for the klonopin I was taking - it changed to a green rather than blue pill in the West (Colorado). Generics are not always the same as the brand name - depakote has two generics that are actually chemically different. Read More Read Less
2
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kburg | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
10/12/2009
Condition: Mania associated with Bipolar Disorder
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
1
1
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dan | 13-18 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
10/8/2009
Condition: Simple Partial Seizures
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
my son takes this
2
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M'Lis | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
10/3/2009
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Seems to have aleviated the confused feeling
7
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MacGreen | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/2/2009
Condition: Bipolar I Disorder with Most Recent Episode Mixed
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
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I have been on this medication at 2500 mgs for about three months now and have incredible heartburn and problems with weight gain. I am fairly active and eat a constant diet, so definitely from the meds. Also have a lot of stomach pain, but the worst is the heartburn and taking so many pills at one time.
4
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lucy | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
7/22/2009
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I am prescribed valporic for schizoeffective bipolar disorder in low doses like 250 mg i have found to be very effective in mood stabilization and with ambien a sleep medication it makes me very happy a laugh until i go out...And i awaken the next day refreshed and not manic... it also works well for withdrawl off any medication try it its very versatile
3
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thspaceman | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
7/6/2009
Condition: Multiple Seizure Types
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
This drug should not be given to any epileptic. This drug has caused many problems. I have been taking for many years. Effects have never been told, only liver, which count is starting to fall. I intend to see a neurologist immediatly to be taken off this drug. I have had epilepsy since i was twelve, and many types of drugs. I have all three types of epilepsy, and now reaching towards 50, and never going any length of time without seizures, one neurologist increased the dosage...and i didnt have the sense god gave me to look this drug up. If your doctor suggests putting you on this drug, ask for an alternative, i currently take 1250mg in morning and at night, as well as lamactogine and lorazepam. This drug does no good for anyone with our disability, please dont think that this drug will control your seizures. Thank You Leonard K. CollinsRead More Read Less
2
2
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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
6/22/2009
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
NOT SURE HAVEN'T TAKEN IT LONG ENOUGH FIRST TIME ON THIS MEDS.
2
9
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Anonymous | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/28/2009
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I am a 135lb female who was put on 1500mg of this immediately and was told that my blood level was fine, I was almost comatose! I couldn't get off the couch for days on end, finally my local doctor lowered my dose and I am now down to 250mg daily--I fell human again, I'll take the depression over this!
16
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kay | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
4/1/2009
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
3
2
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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
10/27/2008
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
On this and Abilify. I'm not quite feeling myself just yet. This medication gives me bad heartburn. I also experience blurred vision after taking my meds. Not so much weight gain, but it does make my head feel a little funny.
10
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Tom | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
4/12/2008
Condition: Seizures with Breaks in Consciousness & Other Symptoms
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I switched to Depakote in 1999 on learning that Dilantin made me dizzy. I stopped taking Depakote for almost 30 days in December 2005 when I learned my insurance for the year had topped-out and a 1 mo supply would cost me $125. I foolishly believed I bcould go a month with no Depakote until my Rx coverage kicked-in again January 2006. Around Christmas 2005 my wife noticed i was having minor seizures that I did not even recognize at the time. After about two weeks of symptoms reappearing, i mentioned to my wife "oh, by the way, I've temporarily stopped taking the Depakote." She immediately saw the connection. We asked our doctor if a generic, less costly, form was available, and I immediately switched to Valproic Acid, 2 250 mg caps 3 times a day. With attention to exercise, sleep and diet, I've had no problems since. Read More Read Less
11
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Anonymous | Female | Caregiver
3/4/2008
Condition: Petit Mal Seizures
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
My daughter who is 5 has been on this for the past 2 mths. She takes 1/2 tsp twice a day. She seems to be doing so much better. This is her second medicine for her condition the first really affected her mood. This one so far has had no side effects expection of her weaken immune system I don't know if it is from it but she has been getting sick so much since being on it.
6
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rhofer3616wowway.com | 35-44 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Caregiver
2/5/2008
Condition: Petit Mal Seizures
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
My daughter is 4 1/2 years old and weighs 31.lbs. She has to take 1/2 tsp twice a day.I think that its too much for her.She acts like she's druged up and I don't like seeing her that way. What should I do?
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2
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Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Caregiver
1/4/2008
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
it has helped my daughter very much
7
1
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MTgirl | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
12/24/2007
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I am Bipolar and have a seizure disorder. I am frustrated that I have to take 10 - 250mg pills to get the correct does. That's a lot of pills! It is also the only medication I can afford. I have hair loss and hand tremors. I don't know about weight gain. I don't think I can attribute all my weight gain to my meds. I'm lazy. I don't feel it controls all my bipolar symptoms and I don't want to increase my dose any further. I would love to try something else with fewer pills that I could still afford.Read More Read Less
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