My pdoc switched me from lamictal to depakote (divalproex) in Oct 13 for mania, it stppped it in a huge hurry. I ended up still getting depressed but with some other changes to meds I am doing better. Initially I was very sleepy and I dont know if it was part of my tummy being upset since I also had been on antibiotics. I got a bacterial infection in my tummy from antibiotics. Once all that cleared up my tummy has beeen fine and am having no trouble with the depakote.