Hi,
I can only tell you what it has been like for me. I am a 45 year old female who has had Bipolar Disorder since I was 20 years old. I've been on two main medications over those 25 years ...the first was Tegretol for about 14 years and then 1500 mg Depakote for the last 11 years. I am so used to the medication, I joke that I have no side effects. The bottle lists a whole number of them but I have none....and I'm definitely not sleepy. Fat..yes,but I'm not sure if that is due to the medication. Please feel free to write me back if there is any way I can help you. Sunshine45