I had taken both, neither worked, but the depakote did have less weight gain than the lithium in my expierence. Depakote can still cause it, but not as much as the lithium did. But then moose didn't have the weight gain. It is different for each person. My dad gained over 75lbs on the depakote while I only gained 10lbs. Has you pdoc thought of adding two anti psychotics? I take both Lamictal and Abilify. That does the trick for me now.