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I was started on Valproic Acid July 1st. It was that or lithium, and I didn't want the "stoned" effects from lithium. So Valproic acid it was, knowing the possible weight gain.
To be clear, I am 6'1" and 335. I don't need to gain anymore weight and in fact I was over 400 last year. I started the acid and became ravenously hungry. I did gain weight and was worried about that.
So heres the rub. The acid helped me so much with anxiety and anger, that my self worth and self esteem has dramatically increased. With that happening, I haven't been binge eating and have actually been exercising and I WANT to feel healthier - for the first time in years.
It makes me wonder if I haven't given some of my past meds enough time to really take hold.
Any thoughts?
My anger is justified, but how I express it is what really counts.
Posts: 20 | Location: So CA Mountains | Registered: 08-27-2006
I can tell you that my son started on 1400mg depakote 8 months ago. Hes down to 1000 mg and doesnt feel those hunger pains anymore. He felt very spaced out at first but started working out at a boxing gym ( for the workouts) 6 months ago. He is 6ft tall and is now in incredible shape. Exercise was the key. Keep working out, the more you do, the more you will want to do. Stay positive and you will be amazed at how good you will feel.
Well, I've been on Depakote for about 7 months and I really have no problem with eating more. My real problem is with fatigue. It makes me very tired and I just never feel like doing anything. We've raised my antidepressant up a couple of times to help combat this and now I can function better but that fatigue is still always there. Just a little easier to deal with. Kind of makes me miss my hypomanic moments a little.
My 8 yr. old child started on depakote tonite..worried about the side effects. I'm having a difficult time dealing...want to get a 2nd opinion. Any thing I should be on the look out for now that she is taking this drug. She went off topamax (losing too much weight & couldn't sleep.) Any help will be greatly appreciated!
My sister had Petit Mal as a child but they have got even less severe now. I drive but may get the occasional aura and seizure in my sleep. She is on Valproic Acid (Depakene) and Carbazapine (Tegratol) split in 2 doses morning and night. She was familiar with a lot of the side affects but never realized how many there were after reading a lot about it. She also has ringing of the ears which seems to be getting louder every year. She knows that it is not because of Depakene because the side effects of Depakene are:
