Depakote, even though it had the side effects of the weight gain, hair loss, and probably some other things that I can't remember, was a real lifesaver for me. Actually, I loved being on Depakote.

With Depakote you will have to go in and get your blood taken (checks your depakene levels) every so often to make sure you're not in danger of certain things, but it really has helped me. The only reason I got taken off it was because after checking my depakene levels they discovered that I was in danger of those certain things. So they took me off it. I tried to take the Depakote ER but for some reason after the Depakote I haven't been able to take anything, not even the Depakote ER, due to severe side effects that would never go away. I'd wait 2 months for the severe side affects to decrease but they never did. It was bad. But truthfully, I'd suggest Depakote to anyone. I liked it that much.

Good luck.