Depakote question

So I have been placed on Depakote recently and had a question involving this medication

1. Is it normal to feel a bit foggy the first week or so?

2. Is there any solid way to keep my weight even or continue to lose weight while on Depakote?

Thanks for your answers

I'd prefer to not have a serious problem and am trying to avoid Lithium

I have never had any of the side effects you mention. The only side effect I really ever had from Depakene (XR version of Depakote) was stomach upset, which resolves by itself after a few weeks. That is literally all. I gained 22 kg on moclobemide, Depakote didn't affect my weight either way.

The mental clouding you're feeling right now you'll eventually get used to. It took me months to regain my mental acuity but, trust me when I say the clouding you currently feel is NOTHING compared to what lithicarb would cause. It took me 3 days to finish the Sunday crossword when on that.

And weight gain is a possibility with depakote. I've packed on 5 kg. But what's worse? Being a bit round OR going off at the drop of a hat?

Another possible option would be lamotrigine. I had no acuity issues but, it didn't help with anger issues whatsoever and caused rather bad photosensitivity.

Good luck on depakote. This is one of the few meds I haven't tried and I've read and seen both good and bad. I hope it works for you and would love if you'd provide an update once you've been taking it for awhile.

Ive been on depakote for about 9 years. Weight gain is evvident when I went off depakote I lost about 15 pounds. you get used to the foggyness as it gets better. Other than that it supposedly prevents my manias from occuring so its worth it. If it continues to stay foggy talk about ddecreasing the dosage.

I know that when I switch to a new medication I will usually do so on a weekend as the mental clouding that you speak of is really bothersome for me at first. For me, I find that it usually goes away after the first two weeks. If it doesn't, then I usually change medications. That is a side effect I personally refuse to accept.