depakote
I've still got my hair, but had all of the other symptoms you had. I started at 1/day for 2 days, then 2/day for 2/3/day for 2 and was on my first day of 4/day when the hallucinations and falling ovcer started. I had to taper off, but did so faster than I'd gone onto it. The side effects last two weeks past the day of my last pill. By the way, I'm still here until Friday morning. My wife "forgot" to pick up our dogs last night, so I had to change my train ticket from Thursday to Friday. It will still get me to the air base with time to spare, but will make for a very long day. I'll check in again when I get home on the 14th. Jeff
Hi Kat and all: I had a great trip, very busy with long days, but I got to play the part of a tourist with a day trip to Trieste in the far northeast corner of Italy and then in Zagreb, Croatia. The plane picked me up in Aviano, then went on to Zabgreb to drop off some Canadian peacekeepers. It overnighted there, then brought some others home on Sunday. I had a bad migraine the first Sunday I was there, but it didn't affect my work as all non-essential personnel were told to stay away from the base because of a big anti-war demonstration. I had another Saturday night, but I'd already done my walkabout in Zagreb and going to bed early was probably a good idea anyway. I shot lots of film and now have lots of work ahead sorting, editing, and labelling all of my slides. I hope everyone had a good week. Jeff
I know that some of you are on depakote and I'd like some feed back from anyone taking it or has been on it!!! My doctors have been trying to put me on it, I took it for a short time many years ago and it wrecked havoc with my stomach. Now they tell me they prescribe sprinkles which you put on applesauce or cottage cheese and it is tolerable. I have heard some side effects of late that include weight gain and hair loss. I have put on enough weight from the meds I am presently on and am on a strict diet so I don't need that side effect, and I certainly do not want to lose my hair. My hair is fine weight so not an over abundance. Thanks to any one who can help me. Suzanne WMUBronco
The side effects that I had included such joys as falling flat on my face with no warning at all. I even fell over while trying to crawl on my hands and knees. My neuro says such symptoms are in the literature but are extremely rare. I'd worked up from one pill a day to four, taking about 6 or 7 days to get to that amount, so I hadn't been on it for long. Other side effects included while sitting still, it felt and looked (to me) like I was swaying very rapidly from side to side. I tried later and i can't move back and forth anywhere near as fast as it felt and looked like. And then there were the hallucinations. For some reason, they were worse with my eyes open, so I ended up wearing an airline "sleep mask" as well as keeping my eyes closed. It was a horrible couple of weeks until the side effects finally stopped. However, I've seen quite a few posts here from people who say depakote worked for them, so I hope it works for you, too. Jeff
My neurologist put me on this stuff and it did nothing...every month I'd go see him and he'd just keep increasing the dose till it was making me ill to even take it..even at this point it's the only thing he was convinced would work- the last time I saw him, he seemed actually to be upset with me because I was insisting it wasn't working. Like I was lying or something. I have since stopped seeing this neuro and have stopped taking it. I know it does work for some people, though. My opinion is that anything is worth trying, at any rate.
I was on depakote for a while. I found it did nothing for my migraines, but I do know that it works for many people. I experienced neither side effect, though I did experience weight gain on propanalol. Good luck with it. (Oh - no hair loss either, but I have alot of very curly hair, so I don't know whether I would even notice. Suzi Kaplan, MA Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc. Drug Detoxification, Rehabilitation and Aftercare Program Pharmacologic Research Unit 603 Clayton Street San Francisco, CA 94117
Hello, New here but if you don't care will jump on it :) I just quit taking Depakote. They had me on 500 milligrams at bedtime. I didn't notice any changes whatsoever. So I quit taking it (haven't told dr. yet). He wanted to up me to 1000 milligrams. But I am on so much other medication I am afraid to keep taking more. I worry what all this will eventually do to my body. Does anyone take birth control pills? I noticed my migraines have been more frequent since I started taking them. ----- Melissa D. Morgan ellison7@...
Birth control pills screwed me up completely. I have always (or at least since puberty) suffered from migraines, but they went from between 0 and 5 a month (during pms) to every day only when I went on the pill. I have now been off the pill for 9 months, but neither my menstrual cycle nor my migraines have returned to their pre-pill pattern. If your migraines have increased in frequency since going on the pill, the best thing to do is to go off the pill, or so my doctors have told me, anyway. Suzi Kaplan, MA Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc. Drug Detoxification, Rehabilitation and Aftercare Program Pharmacologic Research Unit 603 Clayton Street San Francisco, CA 94117
Suzanne, I thought Depakote was the pits. Couldn't stay out of the bathroom and felt fatigued much of the time. And it didn't even work. Good luck in your search. Dick in AZ
I've described the extreme side effects I had from Depakote before (hallucinations, falling flat on my face with no warning), but even so, my neuro insisted that I had to taper off it. He warned me not to quit it abruptly. That applies to almsot all drugs. Please, folks, if you stop taking a drug on your own decision, be careful how you do it. For some drugs, quitting abruptly can cause some very serious consequences. Jeff
In a message dated 8/2/99 1:42:09 PM Central Daylight Time, ellison7@... writes: Welcome Melissa.....I can relate to the added estrogen, I had a complete hysterectomy and was put on estrogen due to my age.....certainly dont want to look 84 when I was only 35...that was 4 years ago and my migraines most definately increased...and keep on and keep on and......... Hugs to you, Jan :*)
In a message dated 8/2/99 2:49:45 PM Central Daylight Time, dw13204@... writes: Most if not all migraine preventatives need at least 6-8 weeks in your system to tell if they are working or not. I know of so many people who have taken a med to prevent and when they get the first migraine, they just quit taking it. Some meds are not meant to quit cold turkey either....you gotta wean off. Just FYI...Hugs from Jan :*)
My neuro had me try Gabapentin (sp?) and gave me enough for five days. He said if it didn't work by then it wasn't going to. (It didn't.) I agree, though, that most drugs need to be in your system longer than that for you to tell if they'll work or not. Jeff
Melissa~ Many women cannot take BC pills, it makes their Migraines worse, more frequent. Did you tell your GYN you have Migraines? I recently found out that Depakote is Valproic acid, an anticonvulsant.(seizures) This works on nerve transmitters for pain? ~Lyn~ He wanted to up me to 1000 milligrams. But I am on so much other medication I am afraid to keep taking more. I worry what all this will eventually do to my body. Does anyone take birth control pills? I noticed my migraines have been more frequent since I started taking them. ----- Melissa D. Morgan ellison7@...
Hi Folks, I went to the neurologist today and he wants to maybe add Depakote to my regime. Anyone on this who would care to comment? I hear it can cause you to lose hair and gain weight. Has this happened to you? Any input would be appreciated while I attempt to make my decision. He also gave me some samples of Maxalt Melties to try. Hope you have a pain free day tomorrow..Blessings, Linda
Well, I got my son to the neurologist, who put him on Depakote. Anyone have any good/bad reactions to this drug? He said it works well for adolescents. BTW, I have yet to meet a neurologist who has a personality. LOL. This guy was exactly like Spock from Star Trek. I cracked a joke about how my son (painfully thin) could stand a little weight gain from the Depakote, and the doctor just stared at me as if I were from another planet. Ack! Lynn
Lynn, I myself just got off of Depakote this week due to the weight gain (20 lbs. in less than a month) not good for a woman that is over weight to begin with.It did make me really tired too so if he seems like he is falling a sleep at the drop of a pin this is why. It did help the migraines though. I just started Topamax Monday and woke up with a migraine this morning, I hope this is only a one timer and I don't start with the every day ones again. Good Luck with your son. Peggy
Peggy: I was wondering what dosage you were on. They've got my son starting at 250mg. then increasing to 500 mg. The neuro said that adolescents seem to tolerate it well and it makes them less tired than Inderal or some antidepressants. So far, he's pretty nauseated, but since he also got a touch of a virus, it might be coincidental. As I mentioned, the weight gain would actually be a plus in his case! Thanks for sharing. Lynn
Lynn, I was started out on 500 mgs. but that did not help so it was upped to 1000. It did not make me nauseous at all, so maybe it is just a virus that is getting to him. Peggy
After talking to you all last week about my neuro prescribing me Depakote, I decided to at least give it a try. WELLLLL, am I EVER sorry I did! I started it Friday......and within an hour I was hunched over in stomach PAIN & Cramping! (Keep in mind I had 40% of my stomach removed in 1992 from ulcers) by dinner time Friday night, I was vomiting and had dry heaves, terrible. Saturday, I woke up with a monster migraine! I was feeling a tad bit better, so I took the depakote. I again got VIOLENTLY ILL and started vomiting. My husband was so angry at this doctor, because I told the doctor that I had stomach surgery, and I can't take ANYTHING that is prone to cause stomach upset! OK Sunday, another BAD migraine (Not as bad as Saturday) I took the Depakote, thinking it needed to get into my system to help these monster headaches (I don't know I had so much faith in this med!) After vomiting most of the day Sunday, my husband said "We are throwing these pills down the toilet!"........SO, I took myself off of them yesterday. Today, I have a migraine, but it's only about a 6, and I am NOT sick to my stomach at all. I have a call into the neuro and he hasn't called back yet. If he doesn't call in an hour, I am calling him back! He's my neuro now, and I NEED some pain meds (more then 6 a month) and I need him to put me on something else! What do you all think??? Thank you!! Diane
Sorry to ask again, but I was wondering if anyone on this list ever heard of Depakote causing depression? Teri? My son has become quite despondent since he's been on Depakote and it's getting me concerned. The neurologist's nurse said that several parents have complained about this depression problem, but didn't mention if it just goes away. I don't see it listed on the side effects lists in PDR, etc. The neuro is going to call me back, but you know how that goes. Sometime this year....hahahahahaha. Thanks for any advice you have. Lynn
Thanks, Kelly K., for the links. The neuro called back and said behavior and mood changes definitely can be caused by Depakote. We are going to watch this and if it persists into next week, he's going to take my son off of it and try Elavil. Lynn (who had her own lovely menstrual migraine today....grrrrr)
Dear Lynn: Hi there- I am almost 39 and have been on Depakote for several years. I have heard that sometimes it can cause depression, but I was on an antidepressant called "Pamelor" before the Depakote so I don't have any problem. Good luck to you and your son! Iva
Why have some of you refused to try Depakote? I took it last summer and didn't find it effective and gained weight so I stopped it. My neuro then wanted me to try Depakote ER about two weeks ago, the very extended release form. So I am using it and don't feel any side effects at all and I do think my headaches are lessened a bit. So I probably should go on increased dose. I'll talk to her. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Kim, SAH/WAH mommy to Dakota, 7 Jeb, 16 months wife to Wade, 9 years in June (\o/) /_\
Hi Kim, I turned down depakote because I am just do not want to take it. I don't need any help in the weight department, and to be honest it scares me a little. I also like to occasionally have an alcoholic drink (like 2 a month) and you really cannot drink on it, so I have heard. I just am more comfortable trying Prozac. :-) Which I know you should not drink with either but for me for some odd reason I am not as scared of.
Bonnie, Maybe your neuro would be willing to try topomax instead? Losing weight is a side effect of that one. It's a similar drug. There are some concerns about a visual side effect though that you should be aware of before making a decision. Linda
Experiences with Depakote, please? I got allergic to Neurontin, and hated verapamil, which didn't help. Now I am to try Depakote ER 500 mg. nightly. I also have Maxalt as an abortive - haven't tried it yet. Let me know your experiences on these.... Thanks in advance. claire Claire Callahan Goodman PG&E ABS 415-973-3884 510-918-9299
Hi Claire, my husband was on Depakote ER for 5 months and it didnt help him. He started out on 500mg and went up to 1500mg with no luck. He has also just started taking Maxalt. Sadly that hasn't worked for him either. Billie
Hi Claire, I tried Maxalt a couple of times. Didn't work too well for me. Didn't last. I generally need to take double the usual dose with triptans though. Can't remember if I tried a higher dose. Sorry I can't remember more. Linda
Claire...I am on both neurontin and depakote, and have found that the combo is no fun. As you will see in my other response, I have had weight gain and water retention. I also have seen no decrease in migraine occurrence. I am on 2000 mg of depakote a day, and still only test out at a level of 58. My doc tells me that 50-100 is normal. So, I can increase even more if needed. Good Luck, Maggie
I was on depakote for several years with moderate success. When I was having an especially bad time, a neurologist changed me to corgard, which has been a better choice for me. I remember that my hair changed texture while I was on depakote - got curlier and more coarse. I am on neurontin now too, as well as low dose prednisone for an ear problem. I am having no weight or water retention problems, though I know that can happen. Becky F.
Hi- I myself am on Depakote ER mainly for bipolar disorder, but it seems to help a bit-not completely, but a bit-with my migraine problems. My partner, on the other hand, is on regular Depakote and has had a fabulous time with it. She used to get migraine attacks god knows how many times per week-now she only has a few a month, and their duration is definitely shorter. So (as with any drug of course) it depends on who you are and what your own brain chemistry's like... and if it doesn't help you, there are tons of other meds that could work, and a good few of them are also anti-convulsants like Depakote and Neurontin (which, by the way, did notably help my migraines, but because I'm more manic than depressed usually, it made more sense to put me on Depakote). By the way-I've got some good news for folks. For the past month or so, since I started taking periactin, I've been doing great! Woohoo!! :) So far, I've only missed two days of work out of one month, so knock on wood. I still seem to be having attacks on the weekend... but not as bad as before. I wonder if those attacks are because of my job, granted, since everyone I work with seems to end up in a lot of pain on the weekends, when we're not typing nonstop at our computers (I do data entry work). Sounds like it might very well be muscle tension and bones being out of alignment in my upper back. If it gets to be unbearable, luckily, I know a good chiropractor (who used to have major migraine pain too...) Good luck and keep your chins up :) Jen
Claire, In my experience with Depakote (which was about 2 and a half years off and on, mostly on) I did notice a little improvement in my migraines, but the side effects outweighed any benefit at least in my case. Migraines were less often and less severe but not great by any means. My biggest problem was getting these sleepy attacks. I would be at my desk or driving home or just watching tv and could NOT keep my eyes open. It was really scary sometimes. I don't want to scare you away from it because it has really helped some people, but please be aware of the problem. I know it was the Depakote because after being off of it for a couple weeks I stopped getting those sleepy attacks and have not had them since. I am a consultant/programmer too. Currently unemployed but it looks like a contract is about to open up... Cross your fingers for me. Hope you do well with your meds. Feel free to write if you have anything you want to ask about. Maxalt worked for me about half the time. It took about 2 hours to get relief and left me pretty goofy for a while after. Confused and sort of high feeling. I much prefer Imitrex or Zomig. But that's just me...:) Lynn
Good to know that someone understands. I haven't noticed a change in texture on my hair, though I have noticed that it is coming out more when I brush it. Not significant amounts, but more. Thanks for the response. -Maggie
gained 33 pounds in 3 months so my doctor took me off. OH NO...Don't say that! :) My Dr. has just switched me to Dapakote to avoid gaining so much weight. I'm on 500mg a day. Good grief. Well she is much more understanding than my old Dr. and hopefully will continue to work with me...sigh.. Anne
anyone know the Max dose that you can be on depakote?? melissa
my problem was taking the depokote and then since the doc didn't do liver tests before upping it, i would try to go down on it and that would cause a headache in me and that is what the doc said is that if you go off it and it gives you a headache then it is helping, though by the time i got up to 1500 mg it seemed like it was making me worse and my new neuro said that anything over 1500mg isn't benificial Melissa/WI Misty, First of all, welcome to the group. I wanted to let you know that I have also tried Depakote. I was on it for quite some time several years ago, but did not notice any difference as far as the migraines go. Almost three months ago I had to go to the er because my migraine was so bad. The week after I tried to start the Depakote again and just couldn't do it because it made my nausea absolutely unbearable. So, I tried "Remeron" also called "Mirtazapine", and I can't even begin to tell you how much it has helped me. I used to have everyday migraines for over five years and the past two and a half months have been so much better for me. I do still get the migraines, but I don't get the everyday migraines anymore. Gabrielle
See Becky Depakote is a good example to me about how drugs work different. I was so allergic to it I almost died on it. Oh what a time I had. I was in bed three months recovering from it. Just remember Topamax may not work for you. We all have to give it time and get to a max dose recommended if our bodies can handle it and our Dr.'s recommend it for us. Some of us take medications that don't allow us to take certain meds to. Research is the key. Pumpkie
Back to business!!! Has anyone ever had trouble with nightmares while on Depakote, particularly Depakote ER? I quit taking it after a week because I was having such trouble with nightmares and waking up very anxious or very depressed. Sue (formerly known as Sue H but the other Sue doesn't seem to post anymore and I am lazy)
Nightmares- I had them on Siquine (Spelling?) I mean "wake up thought you saw the devil bed soaking wet from sweats." Bev