User Reviews for Depakote ER oral

I am a 54 yr old female who is bi-polar with recent diagnosis of possible seizures (I have a neurologist appointment coming up). I was on lithium which helped me but with bad side effects (hair loss, trembling, etc). I put up with the side effects because it helped me. My doctor took me off of it a month ago due to me being in stage 3 of 5 kidney failure and started me on Depakote ER 1000 mg/day. I take this before going to bed. The first two mornings I had a slight headache upon awakening. I have to rave about this drug at this point. For the first time in my life, my brain feels like one brain. It is so calm and peaceful. I feel rested. My mind no longer bounces around. I like to describe it as my brain resting on a nice cushy cloud. I have not seen any negative side effects and hope I don't (weight gain, tremors, etc). I do however, believe it is wearing off before 24 hours. Around 8 or 9 PM I start feeling some anxiety, brain "not so calm", and sometimes a little depression. I highly recommend Depakote ER based on my experience.Read More Read Less

I was prescribed Depakote 500 mg the very first time I saw this new psychaitrist. I have battled depression and anxiety for a few years and been on and off Lexapro. This new guy gives me the depakote and I don't think it will help my symptoms. The first day it made me feel very nervous and jittery. I am then to take remeron at bedtime which puts me to sleep, on top of cymbalta and anxiety meds. I just feel the dr. really jumped the gun prescibing this medication to me. I don't want to continue taking it. Read More Read Less

I started taking this and it kept my migraines away and when, if I do get one, they are less painful and last shorter.

I was on Depakote for 15 years. I am trying Depakote ER (500mg 4 times a day) also take mysoline 250mg twice a day as I have had what I call "blurps" or stuttering/dropping objects at times. The ER form expected to give me the extra coverage I need.

In January of 2008 I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. My doctor prescribed me Depakote ER for my manic moodswings and at first I found it really helpful. The third month I was on it I noticed that it wasn't helping me anymore. I couldn't sleep at night, the racing thoughts were back, i became very paranoid at night right before i would go to bed and i would still have my manic episodes. As of right now, im not taking anything and Im trying to take one day at the time. My doctor assured me that depakote would not make me gain weight like other medicines and it didn't, i didnt gain one pound the couple of months i was on it, i guess everyone experiences different side effects.Read More Read Less

I hate Depakote. I was prescribed it for seizures due to a brain tumor and gained 40 lbs in 18 months! I am switching to another anti-epileptic as soon as my chemo is over. My on-going shaking hasn't gone away and my panic attacks have increased ever since I started taking it. My doctors wouldn't listen to me, but deep inside I know it's the wrong drug for me... and I've been on many kinds of medication for the past 8 years!

Please speak up for yourself or have a loved one clearly convey your wishes when taking a mood altering medication. Depakote not only robbed me of some of my prime years because I was in a slumber state and unable to articulate my cocoon state but left me in a deep haze. I should not have been driving but that is when I hit a pedestrian in a cross walk mind you and it left my family in horror that we could be sued for every penny we own for the next three years until they settle. I never felt ‘right’ on Depakote. I lost concentration and they kept increasing the dose after my blood work was not registering high enough. Finally, I left school and left my doctor and Depakote! If you are a loved one reading this sometimes a loved one needs your help with medication when they are being over medicated…Read More Read Less

It is amazing how clear my head is. After all the years of being on SSRIs that put me in a hypomania phase, this medication has been a godsend. I also think as a healthcare professional that Depakote works better for bipolar type 2.

Can this drug be taken mid day or will it knock me out like the Seriquil?

Am a 42 old female, I was on it for about 5 months, it helped my racing thoughts, and mood swings, family could tell the difference cause it slowed down my rapid speech, something I had done all of my life. But do not have insurance, was costing me $250 a month. Stopped taking it, and now my hair is falling out, racing thoughts back, cant afford to start again.

i have been on depakote for 6 years with only hand tremors for sideafects it has worked very well for me

35yo BipolarII on Depakote for the second time since diagnoses. First used 10 years ago 1500mg with good results,only noticable side effect-hand tremors symptoms tolerable when dropped to 1000mg. At age 35 I'm back on Depakote ER 2000mg/daily for migraine prevention which it has worked wonders for. I have not seen any improvement this time around with my severe depression. Side effects were intolerable WEIGHT GAIN!!45lbs in <4 mos. SEVERE hair loss. I also take Lyrica since 12/06 and recently began Lithium 2wks ago. Though the other meds can cause similar side affects, to me, the timimg of being on Depakote ER leads me to believe it is the culprit of these intolerable side effects, and therefore I am weaning off the medicine. Read More Read Less

I feel that Depakote has help me faithfully with my diagnosis of being Bipolar, and I'm coping with it through life's up's and down's. I feel that my Depakote will help me for the rest of my life.

I have gained about 50 lbs. while being on this medication. I have not had a manic episode in more than 5 years.

tiredness and vomiting

I have been on Depakote (now Depakote ER) since 1991. It is a life saver. Not real happy about the weight gain (50+lbs), but its great to be Seizure Free. I have my liver test ran once a year.

My whole life has changed since I was put on Depakote ER. I have BPD, bipolar and manic disorders and with this med and my others I am at happier more plaesent person to be around.