[cab0ad]

My son (14) just started taking depakote for bipolar disorder. He has been taking 1000mg a day for a week now. before that he was taking 750 mg a week. We have noticed he wants to sleep a LOT. not because he's depressed. He just seems to fall asleep as if he cannot stay awake. He falls asleep in the middle of the day now all the time. Is that a temporary side effect? a sign that he is overdosed on the meds? Can anyone give me some of your experiences? When he's awake he seems much more at ease and less irritable on the depakote (with a few exceptions) but the constant sleeping is concerning to me. He is already pretty overweight (250) because of his issues and depakote supposedly makes you gain. I can imagine sleeping all the time would make it happen quickly! Is this only temporary?

I was on it for awhile until the side affects got to bad for me to handle. It didn't really make me tired. I was taking 250 mg 3 times a day. Some people can handle it better than others.

I would notify his proscribing doctor and voice your concerns. It may be interacting w/ other meds or certain foods in his diet.

As for the weight gain, I never did have that problem, but even in my worst depression, I have always been very active. It drives my pdoc nuts.

Good Luck, and I'm glad he has someone that cares.

Originally Posted by cab0ad

My son (14) just started taking depakote for bipolar disorder. He has been taking 1000mg a day for a week now. before that he was taking 750 mg a week. We have noticed he wants to sleep a LOT. not because he's depressed. He just seems to fall asleep as if he cannot stay awake. He falls asleep in the middle of the day now all the time. Is that a temporary side effect? a sign that he is overdosed on the meds? Can anyone give me some of your experiences? When he's awake he seems much more at ease and less irritable on the depakote (with a few exceptions) but the constant sleeping is concerning to me. He is already pretty overweight (250) because of his issues and depakote supposedly makes you gain. I can imagine sleeping all the time would make it happen quickly! Is this only temporary?

Hello, My name is Guy W. I am writing this to share that you have a very valid concern here. To be quiet Honest, The research of being put on Depakote is how I found this site. I to, like you wanted some answers about this Medication. My First concern here is, #1, You said your son is only 14yrs old. That in itself scares me. I have found, as you might allready know, out of all the meds out there, Depapkote is one that requires a constant monitoring,as it may build up in ones system, and become toxic. It as I was told can help balance ones life, and stabalize you. But, the big question is, at what cost? Do you, as a parent think that the rewards of this medication are worth robbing him of his life ? If it makes him sleep that much, I would deffinately think about shareing this with his doctor. There are so many meds out there now that do not offer the same side effects. I am so glad to hear that you, as a parent have a genuine concern for his welbeing. I know this might not offer you a lot of answers, but, hopefully, You can gain some comfort knowing you are right in careing. I would love to share more, but I find myself asking myself questions as I write. I am sorry for that. PLease feel free to contact me here at PC if you have any other idea's,or learn of any new possibilitys. I would love to hear more about this. I hope as you read this, you are finding out even more from others, and gaining some support. I look forward to hearing from you. As I allways say, Have a most wonderfull day. Sincerely, Mr. Guy W.

[sunshine45]

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

I would be concerned that maybe the dose is too high if he is just now sleeping too much on it. However, I had that side effect when I first started it at 500mg, it went away. And yes I have gained a little weight but I have managed to not have a seasonal manic/mixed/depressed episode this spring which is a very important thing to me. There are so many things you have to consider with this illness and the different meds used to treat it. A good talk with his dr is a good place to start. I wish you and your son the best.

[TheatreKid]

I had a similar side effect. They put me on it while I was in the hospital. I don't remember the dose, but I don't remember much of anything. I think I was only on it for less than a week, but I slept most of the time, and when I wasn't sleeping, I just sat staring in complete brain fog. I had trouble understanding things.

It was so much of a hinderance that we didn't even wait to see if it would go away. Apparently my pdoc came during this time to see how I was and I don't remember a thing.

[Marshellette]

He may get used to it in time but here is something to know. He should get his blood tested and his Depakote levels should be from 50 to 100, more than that and it's too much.Blood tests! That sounds like too much for a child. I was dehydrated and sick on sodium valproate (Depakote) at 1200 mg. I lowered it myself to 750 milligrams and felt better.