I took depakote for 2.5 years, for most of that time was on 1000 mg. Had no hair loss or weight gain, actually had weight loss initially and it stayed off. It did cause a flat effect initially, but it went away as got adjusted to it fairly quickly. It stopped working for me those last few months and why I had to change to other meds. It was a lifesaver during the rest of the time however. I was disappointed when it stopped working.

*** Just remember, everyone's chemistry and reaction to a med is so different. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing until trying.

There was one med the doc wanted to put me on for years that I strongly was against b/c of everything I had read in the PDR itself, from the literature and hearing patients' reactions. It became a last resort in my mind, and finally I was out of options. It has since been a lifesaver without any of the reported side-effects. There's just no way to tell how you yourself will react. So even though other patients may have a reaction, does not necessarily mean you will; you may or may not.

So no matter what my reaction or anyone else's has been to depakote, please keep the above in mind as you decide what treatment might be right for you. Wishing you all the best in the meantime as you go forward.