has anyone been on depakote for bipolar before?

Question

i have been diagnosed with bipolar1. today i got my meds, wellbutrine, depakote and kolonipin. i got home and read up on depakote, and was very scary to see all the thigns that can go wrong and side effects. so my question is, anyone thats been on it for bipolar, how has it helped you? and did/do you have any problems with it? i dont like taking meds anyway, but this one is totally new to me, and i have no personable info on it and how its worked or not worked? please if anyone can fill me in, i would appreciate it, ty!

oh yea and i also was concerned about the weight gain if any with this med? thanks again

Answer 1

I have also been diagnosed with bipolar 1. All medications have possible side effects, but that doesn't mean that everybody gets all the side effects listed. Your doctor will be trying to make the best guess about what might help you.

I used to get all worried when I read the stuff about the various med's. You will get side effects from some and there will be others you won't get side effects from and there might even be some that work for you.

By the way, for me (not necessarily for you) Depakote caused a huge weight gain. So, my doc took me off it and I lost the weight. However, i never had a headache while I was on Depakote, and with the exception of the weight gain, it worked well for me.

Answer 2

I was diagnosed with Bipolar alomost eight years ago. I have been taking Depakote for four of those years. I still to this day am taking it. Of course no one with depression or any mental illness gets 100% better, but I am now only seeing my psychiatrist every six months. I only see my therapist if I need to. From my personal experience I think this is one of the best medications out there. I also take Seroquel for my depression and to help my sleep. The only other medications I take with these have nothing to do with my depression. The others have to do with my seizures and fibromyalgia.

Answer 3

I'm also bipolar. I haven't been on Depakote but I watched my friend on it. She gained alot of weight and she got really spacey. She would just stare off into space and kind of check out emotionally. I finally had her gotr back to her Dr. and get diff. meds.Wellbutrin is good. My mood stabilizer for my bipolar is currently Tegratol. I have also been on lithium for 7 yrs. Tegratol has been the greatest! No side effects.

Answer 4

With the drug, Depakote, you need to have blood tests for a liver profile. I know people who were prescribed Depakote. When his/her doctor changed his/her meds, the family had a party. This person had a personality change while on this drug. I'm not suggesting the med has this effect on EVERYONE who takes it. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. There ARE other meds besides Depakote. Don't be shy about telling your doctor how you feel about this drug. Talk to him/her!!!

Answer 5

i just started it about a week ago and so far it seems to be working great for me. my psychiatrist said that you should see results in about 3-4 days. also your doc should have blood drawn a week from now to make sure nothing is going wrong. i have to have them done next monday. my doctor said its usually uncommon for the worst of the side-effects to happen but with proper monitoring you should be fine. if you want you can im me on monday night and i can let you know more details. i would love to help you because i wouldve loved to have someone there to help me when i got diagnosed. ive been on multiple meds and this one seems to be the one thats working so far. Hope this helps and hope you feel better. good luck!!!

Answer 6

I was on it for 3 months before I insisted on being taken off. Gained 30 lbs (never gained a lb. in my life) and hair was falling out by the handfuls.

Answer 7

Sorry if offended but is it possible for me to interview you about being Bipolar it only a few questions. Thanks