increased appetite

I know that increased appetite is one of the side effects of depakote. So it is the increased appetite causing a person to eat more that causes weight gain and not the medicine itself, right?

If so, can a person just not eat more than usual and be ok? Like, set up a specific portion for each meal and not eat anymore than that? And by increased appetite, what does that entail? Your stomach growls and you feel hunger pangs?

I cannot stop thinking about this and I need an answer before I decide to take the medication.

dont know first-hand, but i think the real problem is somehow it kills ur metabolism. even exercise doesn't help some people. also a lot of people complain of sugar-cravings, where nothing else even tastes good...?

i may hav to take sometihn soon too - ill tell my doctor if i begin to gain weight then ill refuse to continue the medication. stubborn - but i wouldnt say no right away, cuz sometimes the weight gain isnt too bad (maybe just 10-20 lb?) or it may not even happen for you.

i recommend abilify instead cuz its not supposed to cause weight gain.

-matt