Hello,

I've been bipolar for a few years now, after some odd diagnoses. My new Dr. wants to try some different medications since my current ones aren't as effective as they could be.

I'd been taking wellbutrin and lamictal for about 2 years. My dr. is transitioning me from Lamictal to Depakote. I'm actually going from Lamictal to seroquel andd then to Depakote..every thing I read about depakote makes it sound like there's no way around it: I'm destined to be fat if Itake it. What I want to know, is there anyone who hasn't gained a boatload of weight while taking it, and if you do, can you remove it like you would any other weight gained?

My Dr. said that if I am in a structured weight loss program, like the one at the hospital or weight watchers where there is support, I should be okay...just the thought of gaining that much weight just freaks me the **** out. I know that we all react differently to medications, and I'm totally open to trying new things, but has anyone taken Depakote and NOT gained tons of weight?

I do trust my Dr., but it's different coming from "real" patients.

thank you,

Alteaon

Sorry honey, but I took Depakote and gained about eighty pounds. It slows down your metabolism and gives you these INSANE food cravings. I used to sit down to a pint of Ben and Jerry's, plus pizza and finish it all. I don't think there is any way around it. I didn't lose the weight until I came off of it. Dropped 20 lbs without changing a thing. Depakote is a horrible drug!

Yikes that doesn't sound promising but remember this, everyone reacts differently to drugs. Talk to your doctor and express your concerns, maybe there is another option or you could give it a try and see how it is. You could always go off of it....supervised of course.

Good luck