Bipolar Support Group

Has anyone that is taking or has taken Depakote experienced shaking, body weakness, and/or ANXIETY as a side effect. Also, my dreams are much more bizarre (than they usually are!) and violent. I am very interested in a response.

I can't say that I had either of those effects. It made me really tired and fat and I also got PCOD on it.

Ive not had any of the mentioned side effects, have had a significant weight gain. I have been having bizarre dreams recently but never thought about connecting it to the depakote

My platlet count dropped too low. The doc was afraid my blood wouldn't clot when needed. So I had to go off of it...To bad cause it was working well for me.

I took it back in 1997 and got fat and acid reflux

You know, I had real bad problems with acid reflux around that time too but I never thought about it being from the Depekote...interesting.

I have every one of those effects you mention. The shaking is probably the worst for me. I cant write anymore. But when it happens I try to clean or do things around the house and it will usually subside. The anxious part...I havent learned how to deal with yet. I find myself pacing the house or going for walks. My dreams are much more "real" lately...my husband doesnt know how to handle when I have them.

I took depakote on and off for about 10 yrs. I never wanted to take it due to the sedation and weight gain.

My mom just started taking it for seizures - she asked me last night if I remember ever feeling weak or clumsey or had jerking motions. Guess I can tell her others have felt that way on it now - also will ask her about the dreams. Think probably true because when she stayed here she woke up very startled and thought someone was in her room.

Increasing the Depakote to a full dose (500mg -- I'm supposed to go up to 1000mg) seems to be giving me increased irritability, tiredness, extra appetite. Because I've also gone from 25mg Seroquel to 0 recently, it's possible going of the Seroquel may be the cause of that.

Whenever i was on depakote my hands would react horribly to it.

I remember swimming at the beach and if i stayed in the water for more than 30 minutes my hands would become itchy and they would look like someone took a knife and kept cutting at them.

I know it was the depakote because after i came off of it all of that went away and now i am able to stay in the water for quite some time (thank god)

Lexis