Depakote

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Depakote
2
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 8:44am

Several of you have asked me why I absolutely refuse to take Depakote for my BP. Well, to be absolutely and perfectly honest, its the side affects. I have taken every single medication out there for BP...the mood stabilizers, the anti psychotics, all of them. Except Depakote. It causes very rapid weight gain...I've known people who have gained 80-100 pounds on it...literally. I have an ED already, and I cannot cannot cannot gain any more weight.

I gained 40 pounds from all the other meds over the last few years. I am still trying to lose that weight.

So, maybe its vain, and petty, but I refuse to take it for those reasons.

And it doesn't really work any better than Lithium...I like Lithium, so why bother with it?

Oh well. That's my answer.

Keli

Avatar for suziq_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: keli003
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 12:12pm
it's absolutely NOT vain & petty.
i had an idiot dr. who was overdosing me on depakote & when i reduced it to a normal level i actually lost all the weight & more.i think its one of those drugs that increases your appetite.then again w/ zyprexa i gained 50 pounds when he handed me the prescription practically.
but i would never go near either of those drugs again...my point is that everything effects people differently.i actually had alot of trouble with lithium & some people don't.
don't worry bout vain & petty..your reasons are valid.
.........love ya.....sus
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: keli003
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 12:31pm

Okay...I forgot...Zyprexa is the OTHER one I will never take again. OMG! UGH!

Both caused rapid weight gain, caused me to be really "dulled" and Zyprexa actually had an opposite affect on me, and made me hallucinate! Hated it...

The thing with Depakote is true, you (most people) do lose the weight when you get off it. But its not worth it. I would be SOOOO much more depressed about weight gain that I would freak myself out.

I am actually losing weight on Lithium now. Finally. But its taken a drastic cut in caloric intake, and with my ED, that's not good. For now, though, its all good. I'm eating every day. At least once. The scale is going down slowly but surely, and I will get the last of the 30 pounds off eventually. I have to start exercising again, I know that is the key.

How are you, Sus??? Miss you!!!

Love you,

Keli