Divalproex sodium for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2012

Divalproex sodium "Taking Depakote for migraine prevention. My headaches finally went away after a year and a half of chronic migraines. Free for 7 months, but my headaches have returned now. I've also gained 10 pounds since I started the medication, had some hair loss at the beginning, and I do have a problem with constant anxiety."

• gre...
• July 14, 2008

Divalproex sodium "I have been on Depakote ER 1000 mg for 2 months, and it has almost solved my migraine problem. I still get a few slight nagging headaches, which are easy to treat with ibuprofen. The side effects of stomach upset and fatigue seem to be improving. I think I notice some weight gain, maybe too early to tell. So far, so good. I'm happy with this medication. My migraines were threatening my ability to earn a living, and many days were spent in bed. Things are looking up."

• Luc...
• October 21, 2011

Divalproex sodium "For prevention, I give Depakote a 10. I was having migraines 7 days a week. Mine began at the age of 4 (at least that's when I was old enough to put words to how it felt in my head. The doctor said I'd probably had them long before that). I have genetic and environmental migraines. Lucky me! I was in a test group that tried Depakote to see if it worked for the prevention of migraines. I went 14 days without a headache for the first time in 10 years. That was almost 30 years ago. Then the weight gain started. I already had a yo-yo weight problem. My weight (at 6' tall for a female) had never gone over 190. On Depakote, it skyrocketed to 262 lbs. Not nice! I told my neurologist who told me it was all in my head. Changed doctors, taking Topamax now!"

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2010

Divalproex sodium "For two months now, Depakote ER has cured my migraines, which were occurring approximately two to three times a week, lasting between one to three days each. I had some of the blurred vision and trembling side effects, but the worst has been the weight gain, 10 pounds in two months, when I normally never, ever gain weight. I suppose, given the choice, I'll choose the weight gain. Wish I didn't have to choose."

• VAD...
• February 22, 2017

Divalproex sodium "50-year-old male, 6'5", 210 lbs. I have had migraines for ten plus years. I am on 100 mg of Topamax twice a day, which gave me four to five migraines a month. The doctor put me on 250 mg of Depakote, and so far I am down to one migraine a month with no side effects from the Depakote - that I can tell. I call that a win!"

• csb...
• May 5, 2010

Divalproex sodium "Very good for helping with migraines, but if you're prone to weight gain, be careful or reconsider. I have gained about 30 pounds in 5 months. I struggle with depression, so gaining weight is not something that I'm dealing with in a good way. It came on very quickly, and I was already overweight... (Just a word of warning about the weight gain)."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2011

Divalproex sodium "I've been on Depakote for 2 weeks now. Not one single migraine. I was having them 2-3 times a week, and less severe tension headaches daily. I haven't even had the tension headaches twice now. I have not gained any weight as of yet either."

• Ove...
• January 1, 2020

Divalproex sodium "In 1994, I was in a semi-truck collision. A one-ton Ford hit my semi flatbed loaded with three forklifts. I received whiplash sideways, then the forklifts broke the tie-downs. The force started to throw me through the cab-over windshield, my seatbelt sat me down. I received whiplash front to back. I did not hit my head or get knocked out, as one doctor stated. I had sharp, severe headaches. For months, I was allowed to take 10 aspirin a day, 300 a month. A year later, I went to Portland, Oregon, I found Dr. Christina Peterson. She told me I was having rebound headaches. She put me on Depakote twice a day, maybe 250 mg, not positive. It was a miracle. I was able to work again."

• ste...
• June 10, 2008

Divalproex sodium "Responded well to this medicine, after failing everything, including Topamax. I had severe motion component with migraine. Could not stand, roll over, or lean over without increased pain/pressure. Depakote finally worked after trying many medicines for 2 1/2 months. Just don't like the weight gain."

• Mag...
• March 7, 2008

Divalproex sodium "After trying Topamax for months with no relief, I have been on Depakote ER for three months with GREAT relief! I was having migraine headaches 17 out of 31 days a month, now, maybe one a month (taking Axert when I have pain). The only problem I have had is I have gained 10 pounds in less than three months. This is horrible for me, as I could have afforded to have lost 10 pounds when starting Depakote! My Dr. is going to have me try to mix in 25 mg of Topamax to suppress the appetite."

• pin...
• May 11, 2010

Divalproex sodium "I have been taking this medication for 3 weeks now. I have not had a headache since I started it. I was getting a migraine 3 times a week previously. Topamax did not help me. I am hoping for no serious side effects! This has improved my quality of life tremendously."

• Jim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2018

Divalproex sodium "I have been suffering from migraines for about 15 years. On average, I would have a migraine at least weekly, sometimes more. About 8 years ago, I started on Depakote. I went from having migraines at least monthly to 1 or 2 a year. The last count was I hadn't had any for over 2 years. Now, just recently, I started having migraines more frequently. I have experienced some weight gain, but not sure if it's the aging process or the meds."

• Hap...
• December 10, 2015

Divalproex sodium "I was on Topimax 1000 mg a day for approximately 10 years. Yes, I experienced the side effects of tingling in my fingers and toes sporadically. Had a migraine maybe 1 time a year (prior I had 2 migraines a week). Finally, the Topimax became ineffective (body probably was immune) and switched to Depakote 250 mg a day (125 mg in the morning and 125 mg at bedtime). No headache! I did gain 15-20 pounds in the first 3 months - I was well aware of the possible weight gain. Weight gain is well worth it - when the alternative is migraines. Have to weigh pros and cons. Also, I take OTC 5-HTP to combat the fuzziness and such. Can't complain...."

• Joa...
• September 7, 2011

Divalproex sodium "I have been on Depakote ER for three weeks. I've had 4 migraines during this time, which is less than before the Depakote ER. My GP had me on three different medicines for prevention, but the neurologist switched me to Depakote ER. I've had a little weight gain. The problem is I'm on Weight Watchers and should be losing weight. There have been times when my hands have felt shaky (similar to too much caffeine intake). I think it's also affecting my vision. I'm going to call the doctor and ask to switch to something else. Basically, it's helped reduce my migraine frequency but not enough to live with the side effects."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2009

Divalproex sodium "I have been on Depakote ER 1000 mg/day for over 7 years now, and my once 4 migraines/month have pretty much subsided to less than 4/year. That's a great improvement for me, as I've had them for over 45 years. Nothing worked before, just many pain medicines tried or shots to put me out for a couple of days, and the aftereffects weren't so fun. I would recommend this to anyone with migraines. Ask your doctor."

• Che...
• May 11, 2009

Divalproex sodium "I have tried Depakote for migraines, as well as childhood epilepsy. My son has tried it for bipolar disorder. It can and does make me and my son lethargic, can cause an increase in salivation, causes massive weight gain (from 105 to 155 lbs). In my opinion, the possible benefits are not worth the side effects."

• Mea...
• September 4, 2016

Divalproex sodium "I had debilitating migraines for 15 years and went on a small dose of Depakote (125 mg) twenty years ago. It was amazing. Maybe five headaches over all those years. However, I have now gone off hormones and have steady weight gain, increased dizziness, and some depression. I am uncertain what to do. Our chemistry changes as we age, and the science is not keeping up."

• Ljt...
• March 1, 2017

Divalproex sodium "Depakote was started three months ago when we exhausted all efforts with every other preventive med for migraines and headaches. I have been experiencing these my entire life. Since 6 years old. Now 35. Imitrex was used to try to knock off the migraine, but insurance only provides nine pills a month, so I found myself breaking them just to get through a day. And if overused, they will no longer work. So I'm adding in aspirin and all that junk, ending up in the ER. Just to go back the next two days because the stubborn migraine would come back, or laying in bed holding my head with ice. Needless to say, on a small dose, 250 a day. Wow, a few headaches a week I can deal with. Weight gain, well now I can work out, no real excuse there."

• Suz...
• July 27, 2009

Divalproex sodium "2-1/2 months of low-grade migraine (from old whiplash accident and cervical spine damage). Saw my neurologist (specializes in migraine), and she put me on a steroid pack. Migraine stopped within a day, but then started blotching on face and chest, having an allergic reaction. After stopping, got a HUGE rebound headache. Went in for my 1st time of Depacon via IV, which made me loopy, nauseous, and uncomfortable. This happened for 4-5 hours 2 days in a row. Migraine was pretty much gone. Then put on Depakote at night by pill. Made me feel a little loopy, but OK. So first night, I was restless, had nutty dreams, but slept. 2nd night, woke up at 2 a.m., awake and cleaned house, folded clothes, etc. Not tired yet at 5 p.m."

• d27...
• June 18, 2015

Divalproex sodium "I been taking 1,000 mg a day. I split up 500 in the morning and 500 at night for 3 months. I gained 35 pounds in the first month. It's a great mood stabilizer, but it only works part of the time. I have the shakes, acne, vision problems from it. I took Topamax before, it was great, but I got kidney stones from it. I need to get another med that actually works!"

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2010

Divalproex sodium "After having migraines for about a year and trying Effexor, which made me vomit, this medicine worked miracles for preventing my migraines. However, it made me extremely depressed and even suicidal. I had to get off and switch to Topamax."

• Adr...
• May 19, 2015

"I took Depakote for six weeks exactly a year ago. I immediately began experiencing hallucinations, visual disturbances, and constant shakiness. I have been off of Depakote for nearly a year, but these side effects haven't ever gone away. The visual disturbances are constant. In light, it's just a thin, clear layer of static over everything, which is annoying, but tolerable. I still haven't gotten used to the hallucinations I experience in the dark. My eyes never adjust to the changes in light, and everything becomes a huge, swirling mass of shadows. It sometimes pulses so quickly that it looks like a strobe light. My doctors say that these side effects have never been reported, and there's nothing they can do. For me, it is not worth it."

• Ada...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2017

"I've been getting migraines since I hit 30, and they just kept getting worse each year. My neurologist had me on several drugs that seemed to work for a time before they stopped working. Finally, I was put on Depakote 2 months ago, and it's been fantastic! In just over 8 weeks, I've only had a single migraine when normally I'd have 3-5 a week, and so far, I don't seem to be suffering from any side effects. I can finally work and have an actual social life again!"

• Bea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 21, 2018

Divalproex sodium "Was on Depakote ER for years at a very high dose (2400 mg), and while it completely prevented my migraines with aura (numb face, tingling arm, bad visual changes, dizziness, etc.), the side effects were not worth it. Severe weight gain (I went from about 115 to 170 lb in a couple of years). Menstruation stopped completely. Pre-diabetes. Although it can be used to stabilize mood, it created mood swings in me. Horrible, horrible medicine with very serious side effects. Depakote ER should not be used on women of childbearing age due to the effects it has on your hormones. I've been off it for almost 8 years, and my health has returned to normal. I started a daily calcium channel blocker, and it's prevented most of my migraines."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2012

"Have had migraines for over 20 years. Frequency had increased to more than 15-20 migraines a month. Some would go away with Imitrex or Amerge, some would not. Finally, went to see a neurologist (who was a migraine specialist), and we tried several medicines which did not work. She recently prescribed Divalproex Sodium 500 mg, and I have only had one migraine in 4 weeks. Gained 5 lbs, but a life without almost daily terrible pain is so worth the possible related weight gain. It is life-changing."