i don\'t remember it working very well, though there\'s a lot i don\'t remember from that time period in my life. it gave me tremors to the point where i couldn\'t even recognize my own handwriting, and my hair was falling out. it was the first mood stabilizer i tried and i asked for a different one eventually.

I\'ve had really good luck with Depakote. I started taking it after my first manic episode, and I haven\'t had a major episode since then. It was a little rough to get used to. For the first couple weeks, I was often nauseous and very shaky. My tremor diminished gradually, and at the six month mark, it\'s at a level that I\'m okay with. (I can\'t hold my hands nearly as steady as I used to be able to, which sucks for my photography, but I think my hands are still steadier than much of the general population\'s.)

If you\'re starting Depakote, my main recommendation would be to tough out the first week or so. (Assuming that you\'re only feeling minor discomfort.) It really got so much better for me. Also, make sure that you get regular bloodwork while you\'re on the drug.

I TOOK DEPAKOTE FOR YEARS .IT WAS ONLY AFTER HAVING LAPBAND SURGREY THAT I HAD TO QUIT TAKING IT
I HAD TO SWITCH TO LIQUID AND COULD\'NT NO LONGER SWOLLOW THE PILLS . COULD\'NT HANDLE THE LIQUID,SO I HAD TO GIVE IT UP . THOUGH I HATED THE WEIGHT GAIN IT WORKED WELL , THOUGH YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT EVERYONES SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT AND EVERYONE REACTS DIFFERENT. I SWEAR BY LAMICTAL IT WAS WHAT I CALL THE MAGIC PILL. HOWEVER I WAS ONE OF THE SMALL PERCENTAGE THAT WAS HIGHLY ALLERGIC. HOWEVER I WOULD SUSJEST TO ANY ONE ALEAST GIVE IT TRY IF NOTHING IS WORKING.

My DR. wants me 2 try Depakote.. BUT, I will NOT try it for the simple reason of the weight gain. I research and research and know that is a side affect of Depakote is just that, weight gain.. NO THANKS

Depakote was one of the first meds my
"new" Dr put me on 10 years ago. With Depakote & Tegretol, I was stable for 5 years!!! However, I did gain weight. I guess the key would be to exercise and be disciplined about what u eat, because it increases your appetite...u don't have to give in to the desires! Anyway,
performance-wise, I think it's great! I've had BP for 20 years & the 5 years I was on Depakote, is a record for my stability!

My wife took depakote and it made her hair fall out. Doc wanted my to try it and I refused.

i took depakote for a very short time, it didnt work for me, made me real sick

You're absolutely right, this program DOES work. I lost 7 lbs in a matter of 9 days. I would HIGHLY recommend this plan.

They put me on that for about a year. That doc was a jerk so I fired and found another.

The new one changed meds and I stopped one day without any withdrawal problems at all. I don't know if I am "weird". Just wanted to share my experience.

I was on heart meds, muscle relaxers, and nervous system disorder meds that have a side effect of relieving pain.
WHen those were stopped in hospital, that was really bad withdrawal.
Maybe my body works backward.

Depakote was bad. It made me want to kill myself.

Look! *points* Another TROLL. Grrrr.....

I take Valproic Acid, which is the generic form of Depakote. I've been on it for awhile now. Personally, it's doing a fair job at keeping me from getting TOO manic (still have minor episodes where I think I may be manic or hypomanic). But it doesn't really touch my depressive episodes. I just got out of the hospital today because I was suicidal and depressed. I have to be on a good dose of an anti-depressant to keep me in check. It's a hard balance, but one that can be found.

I had been on Depakote twice in my life and there was two different outlooks with them.
Once I had it in the late 1980's ( that is probably putting my age here again) and it didn't effect me at all.
Last time was the worst for me, I gained 75 lbs in 6 months!!!
Needless to say they took me off of it and so far never replaced it.
I am in the process of loosing the 75, by walking dvd, and a wellness program through the Lilly corp. It was given to me by my psyc doc.
I do hope that it helps someone here. I have only lost 30 lbs in 6 months. Still hoping that I can loose the rest.
ttfn AnnieEm

depakote was the first med I tried... it completely stopped my elevated mood but ended up making me feel very flat and zombified... I was on 1500mg which in retrospect I think was too high

I put on 14lbs in 6 weeks... it made me sluggish and tired all the time... the deciding factor in stopping it was its potential link to PCOS.. as I have cysts due to endometriosis it was too risky for me

I take it twice a day, along with Serqueol, Cymbalta and Prozac. This is the first time since 2005 I am finally stable and feel in control. I think this is the one that has helped a lot as I was kept on it even as others were changed. I wanted it that way because I didn't get many side affects and still helped a bit.