Taking meds does suck. I would gladly get off them...except for the fact that it would pose an unsafe arena for my life.
Do they come w/ side effects that are annoying, hell yeah! But, do they keep me from destroying myself, well, hell yeah to that too.
Maybe depakote wasn't the best med for you. Maybe there is something else? If you feel like you can contain your BP w/o meds go for it!