What's the effects from valproic acid?

Hey everyone. I'm fairly new to this forum. This is my 3rd post but I'll be on here much more I'm sure. Please bare with me on my questions, this is all new to me. Long story short, if you haven't read my other 2 posts, I'm a average 37 year old male, married, with 3 great kids. Normal full time job. I'm just your average Joe, lol. Anyways, I've been having issues for a few years with my mood swings and depression that it has put a burden on my family and also effected my job as well. I'm on short term disibility leave cause u had a breakdown at work. Well, since May, I have been on 300mg Xl wellbutrin and 1mg Ativan 4x daily. This has kept my "anger mood swing" in check but the last month has been rough. After what I thought was a manic episode, I asked my family doc to refer me to a PDoc. Now, I've been there and today he has diagnosised my bipolar. Well, I'm kinda scared, lol. He is putting my on valproic acid and keeping my on the wellbutrin and Ativan. Now, my question is, what is the effects of valproic acid and how is it getting started. Wellbutrin was hell for e first few days but then it was fine. What am I in for?

I was sort of in crisis mode when I was placed on it. First, I wanted the off and on sui thoughts to cease. Next I wanted the mood swings not to change so rapidly. And, I was hoping I could deal/get along with people better in order to go back to my last line of work.

I don't feel as though valpotic acid (Depacote) has really improved any of those issues. I'm still alive, but that's about it. However, I'm no doctor snd am only a year into this , this time around.

When I first started Depacote, for 6-7 days straight, I felt like what I heard old hippies describe as an lsd trip. I could not stand it. I hated it. So much, that I seriously contemplated checking into a hospital. My line of thinking was this. I was just diagnosed with bipolar, I was having major anxiety over, I was mad at the world, and I thought, they've got me f'up on lsd. I struggled to not stop. I struggled to live. My life was, and still is, bad enough already without adding a heavy intoxicate to the mix. Back during the winter, I would also get real drowsy after taking it, but I had quit all caffeine too.

The tripping ended after a week. I have been taking it regularly for a year. I am terrified to stop it because if stopping it makes me feel the way I did when starting it, I absolutely think they should have me in a facility while stopping it. I struggled with it bad!

Take my story like a grain of salt. All meds affect people differently. It may be a really good medication. It hasn't improved my life at all. I'm kind of stuck with it presently, as I'm trying to acquire ssdi and medi whichever insurance so that I can see a psycologist. I've been unemployed for a while, and I'm receiving treatment free at my local mental health facility. It's free for me since I'm unemployed, so I hate to complain.

Hi, I'm also a new member and I started to take valproic acid a few weeks ago. My p doc prescribes it to me to so stabilize my humour. I had to pass some blood work before starting and about a week later so that my doctor could know if I had the right dosage in my system. I started on a small dosage and increased according to instructions. So far, it seems to be helping because my mood is acceptable..not still great but better. I have had some side effects, like cramps..I find it's better if I eat before. Also, once I had the good dosage, it took about 10 days before I felt it helped me. on the first few days my brain was in a fog and I felt dizzy. the fog is gone...but I still get a bit dizzy. Also, I find I have more muscular pain.May sound weird, but I also had lots of questions about the medication amongst other things. My pharmacist helped by giving some advice. Best one was..well you won't know until you give it a try will ya..no one reacts the same way. Good luck

Welcome. I was on Depakote years ago and all I remember is I gained forty pounds really quickly, so I'm really no help. You have a right to be scared, this is a big change in your life. just know that there is a lot of support here, and people with knowledge and experiences. I don't know if you know this, and I'm not giving medical advice but Wellbutrin, because it is an anti-depressant can trigger mania sometimes for people with bipolar. If my pdoc has to give me any for a short period it's only a low dose. So just be aware of your moods. From my personal experience, I was diagnosed seven years ago and meds work for awhile and then they have to be tweaked or I have to change meds. Also, not to scare you but be prepared but there can be some really side effects that suck, but sometimes they go away it just takes time for the body and mind to adjust. And always do research on your meds, well at least I do, I want to know what's going on. My best advice is know that there will be highs and lows but Bipolar is cyclical, that high or that low will not last forever. That's what keeps me going when times get tough. I hope someone replies about the Depakote for you.

BP1/OCD/GAD

Lamictal 400mg
Xanax ER 1 mg am and pm
Propranolol 10mg am and pm
Topomax 50mg
Seroquel 300mg