has anyone been on depakote for bipolar before

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.

I have also been diagnosed with bipolar 1. All medications have possible side effects, but that does not 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 & there will be others u wo not get side effects from & 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 & I lost the weight. However, i never had a headache while I was on Depakote, & with the exception of the weight gain, it worked well for me.

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 & 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 & fibromyalgia.

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 am 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. Do not be shy about telling your doctor how you feel about this drug. Talk to him/her!!!

I am also bipolar. I have not 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.

i just started it about a week ago & so far it seems to be working great for me. my psychiatrist said that u should see results in about 3-4 days. also ur 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 u should be fine. if u want u can im me on monday night & i can let u know more details. i would love to help u because i wouldve loved to have someone there to help me when i got diagnosed. ive been on multiple meds & this one seems to be the one thats working so far. Hope this helps & hope u feel better. good luck!!!

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