Question:
Has anyone post op succesfully taken Depakote without

weight gain. I have tried other mood stabilizers in the past and either they have not worked I could not tolerate them. My pdoc wants me to begin Depakote tonight. I am very frightened since I have heard horror stories of weight gain. I am 3 years post op. However, my mental health is suffering greatly from my moods and depression. I take Prozac, as well as Lamictal, but she feels I need the Depakote to round out the "coctail". So I would love to hear good stories about post op people taking Depakote please. Thanks.    — Karen Renee (posted on August 24, 2004)

August 24, 2004
I gained so much weight taking depakote! My doctor got mad when I told her I wouldn't take it anymore. I am now on Lamictal and welbutrin, they work good for me. Getting the correct dosage was the hard part. I also started taking strattera, it has worked miracles!! Feel free to email me if you have any questions, I have taken so many different drugs that I feel well educated when it comes to them.
   — sunkissed kid

August 24, 2004
I currently take Wellbutrin XL. I have not gained any weight from it and I have been taking it since August of 2003. I really like how Wellbutrin works for me in comparison to Celexa,lexpro and effexor these are all anti-depressants I have taken in the past and had some sort of bothersom side effect. Good luck and if you arnt happy about the med your M.D. is prescribing you make sure you make it well known he/she should be able to find something that works for you without the weight gain. Take care Jen:)
   — imgabbie

August 24, 2004
Karen, Depakote is a form of lithium, I take Lamictal twice a day, another form of lithium. I was diagnosed with bi polar 4 yr. ago. I was taking 17 pills a day before WLS, I now only take the lamictal twice daily plus my vitamins. I haven't really seen any difference in my weightloss because of it. So what if it may slow you down a little, no big deal, you need the meds regularly. Patricia open rny 9-30-03 314/161 past goal.
   — pateblkbrn

August 25, 2004
bless you. I have no advice about Depakote and weight gain, but I do have a BI-Polar son. I only wish he would take his meds, and stabilize. It is an awful choice to have to consider, mental health vs. weight gain. I do truely believe that if you get the chemicals straightened out just maybe the rest will be easier. It is so important to discuss all of your concerns with your doctor, including how important weight maintainence is to you after all you have been thru to get here. good luck, I hope you feel better and find the right answer for you.
   — **willow**

August 25, 2004
Both my son and my sister are bi-polar and both are doing really well with Trileptal as a mood stabilizer. My sister takes 900mg and my son takes 1200mg. My sister was put on Depakote and ballooned up 70lbs in a matter of months. My best friend's daughter had to take it for years for a seizure disorder and gained easily 100lbs (which is horrible because she is just now 15 and about 350lbs now). She never was able to lose it after gaining it. My sister was able to lose hers with dieting and excercise. My son flat refused to be put on it because of the weightgain. If you have not tried Trileptal yet, ask about that. Personally, I'd try anything and everything to keep from taking the Depakote unless there was absolutely no other way around it. Best of luck to you!
   — Kellye C.