Depakote Questions

My Internal Medicine doc has prescribed Depakote 500mg before bedtime as amigraine preventative. I am taking the first one tonight.

Can anyone tell me what to expect. Is this a good med or a bad one? Does everyone gain weight with this? Does it really make permanent changes in your brain? Also, after using it, is your body addicted to it for life?

Trinity

You've heard it all before I'm sure, BUT:
It's one of the heavy hitters - a first line migraine preventative. There are a lot of migraineurs who say "Depakote gave me my life back." It's almost unbelievable that you haven't tried it already. Obviously it doesn't work for everybody, so like any other treatment you have to try it and see.

Weight gain is a common side-effect, but not everyone gets it. Depakote can cause weight gain because it may increase your appetite -- so that's something to be aware of. I've heard the extended release version helps w/ weight gain.

There is nothing habit-forming about Depakote and it makes no permanent changes to any part of the body. Like many medicines, you titrate on and off, but there are no side effects associated w/ titration.

Let us know how it goes, fingers crossed!

-Platy

Hubby, who is also a migrainer, has tried Depakote. He didn't get anything, positive or negative from it, so after three months, he titrated off, with no long lasting effects. After having such trouble with Topamax, and because of some other med I take (I can't remember which, but there was a logic at the time), they didn't to try it on me.

Thanks for responding. Took the first one last night, didn't sleep well and have been in migraine all day today. Our weather is nuts here.

It was in the 30's then jumped to the 60's in less than 24 hours, my head feels like it is being crushed. We are supposed to be down to 12 degrees by tomorrow night, so another big swing...ugh!

I never tried depakote because I was afraid of it. I talked with a lady yesterday who has been on it a couple of years, same dose as mine and has had only 2 migraines in the last 3 months. I'll take another one before bed tonight, 500mg DR. If I seem to be okay I will continue, if I have horrible side effects I will stop it. I should know within a few days.

Thanks everyone

Trinity

Perhaps you need just a little bit more time for the medication to settle down.
Good luck with it, Trinity!!

Risa

Well, I have been on the Depakote 6 nights now. I have noticed that I am not as hungry or really ever hungry anymore. I have lost 2 pounds in 6 days, that's always a plus.

I think there was always an underlying anxiety, anyway; now I wake up feeling calm...very nice. Yesterday I was up all day and busy with the exception of a 1 hour nap in the afternoon. Did grocery shopping, baked a caked, made lunch and dinner, cleaned the kitchen and did my Dad's laundry for him.

May not sound like a lot, but for a migrainuer like me this is about 2 weeks worth of activity in one day Boy, I hope this continues. Now if this reduces or elimates the monster, wow it will be a win win situation

Wow, that's wonderful! as a fellow migraineur who also can't do a lot, I understand perfectly.
That's amazing, and may it continue indeed!



Risa

Sounds hopeful!

Cheryl

Good to hear!

15 days with no migraine, no crushing head pain, no narcotics for pain, no nausea or vomiting and no wishing I would die. Hope it continues
Trinity

OMG - a dream of mine!! I hope for you, too ~

Risa

Hugs,
Cindy

So happy! I hope it just keeps doing this for you!

Thanks everyone. This morning a feeling like a mild headache, but it just passes through my head in a matter of seconds and is gone. Just happened twice. We have a big low pressure front coming in and if this Depakote beats that...wow!!!

18 days and counting
Trinity

Happy for you !!



Risa

Super good!

I'm jealous! Very happy for you. Keep us updated please.

Got hit with a severe migraine today...but had 19 days in a row clear! Still hoping for a major decrease in these

Yes, 19 clean days is still something to be very happy about. We migraineurs will always have episodes now and then.
the things is - the less the better!

Hope yours is over by now.

Risa

Today is day 26 on Depakote. Had 2 really severe migraines in 26 days I am jumping for joy ! I painted my kitchen today...looks so nice!

I hope this continues and is not a honeymoon period. I believe that since the migraines I have were caused by a motorcycle accident, that my brain actually may have been seizing, triggering migraine. It seem's like this might be it.

Eating a lot of fresh veggies because one side effect has been constipation...ugh! So more fuits and veggies and way less starchy stuff. Feeling pretty good and it been raining all day

Trinity

7777,

That's great news. Wishing you the best!

Hey PF and everyone:

The Depakote really has been amazing for me regarding the migraine situation. 34 days and 2 migraines, i can live with that However, hoping as time goes on it will just get better.

I lost the 3 pounds I initally gained as of this morning, so that's good. I was already 30 pounds over so adding more weight was not on my agenda!

I have had a low back ache for about a week now, is that related to the Depakote??

Trinity

That's awesome!

Back pain is not a side effect associated w/ Depakote.

-Platy

Thanks Platy

After I asked that back pain question, I called the pharmacy and they told me the same thing yea!! So far no side effects at all, so happy