I have a question about DEPAKOTE. I was put on it to help with depression, migraines and to help me sleep at night (and anxiety)..anyhow, I have read that it made people gain weight & I have been on it for 2 months but recently noticed myself eating a lot. Do people gain weight because it makes them unusually hungry or does it interfer with your metabolism? I don't want to gain anymore weight. I am 20 lbs heavier than I normally am anyhow (i am 140 and im normally 120 lbs... 5'5") --i will be huge if i gain anymore weight!
2006-12-11 13:50:07 · 5 answers · asked by Amber F 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Yes, for some people it does...
2006-12-11 13:57:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
any depression medicine will usually. Being that this one is more of a mood stabilizer it more than likely will as well.
The worse part is not the weight gain but the problem is that if you take this for a long time period your problems that you had to begin with when you started will seem like nothing. Because you will get more anxiety and depression.
I would try to work these things out if you could on your own. The only time for meds like these is when you truly cant control mood swings, hallucinations or violent moods.
Good luck and happy holidays.
2006-12-11 22:00:42 · answer #2 · answered by twism 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I've read about Depakote it can possibly cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. I was on it for a while and noticed that I felt more hungry during that time but when I switched to a different medication the increased appetite went away.
Since you're worried about the weight gain be sure to talk to your doctor about it but whatever you do don't stop taking it until you and your doctor come up with a solution such as reducing your dosage or switching to a different medication.
Take care :)
2006-12-11 22:06:19 · answer #3 · answered by mountaingirl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All the psych med's have different effects on different people. I gained a huge amount of weight during my time on Depakote (as in I went from 200 lbs to 285 lbs). My doc took me off the Depakote (finally) and I lost all the weight. However, I know people who actually lost weight on Depakote. Work with your doc and find something that works for you that has minimal side effects.
Good Luck!
2006-12-11 22:26:53 · answer #4 · answered by doug k 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
im pretty sure that if you do some regular exercise and eat healthy which are two vital components of any mental or physical health recovery procedure), then the weight gaining affects will not be so bad.
i for one know that I have definitely noticed an increase in appetite, as well as a lot of drowsiness. however, i'll give it another week or two (its only been2) and see how it goes. for now, i'm exercising either every day or every other day to keep myself in check.
2006-12-13 08:42:58 · answer #5 · answered by Paul C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋