Depakote - Can't Sleep?

Ok, so I started back on my Depakote ER a week and a half ago (1000mg/dayx1). Been great for leveling out my moods, I'm more "me" than I have been in a long time but here it is Monday morning and I haven't slept since Friday night and I have had a constant low grade headache (I figure due to lack of sleep).

I have noticed that over the last week or so, the length of sleep has been slowly diminishing.

Gonna call Pdoc today about this.

I know it is one of the "uncommon" side effects. Any ideas?

Melatonin and/or Benedryl?

Hi Topher,

I do not have personal experience with Depakote.

I wonder if PsychCentral members have review this here?

Psych Central Reviews - Medications

Benadryl has never really has a sedative effect on me.

There is a "family joke" that I am allergic to marriage. I have been twice and suffered crazy panic attacks both times. Hives, tongue would swell, etc.. it was always attributed to "allergic reactions". One of the things my doc told me to do in the beginning was to take 4 benadryl, wait 20 mins. if no good, take 2 more, 20 mins, if still not settling down take 2 more and get a ride to the hospital. So through all of that the sedative effect kind of became non existent. BUT... I am imagining the Depakote may change that. So off to see the wizard, er.. a trip to the drug store is in order.

Hi topher-when in doubt check with your pdoc or pharmacist-I've been on Depakote for a couple of months now & was taking 250mg in am & 500mg at bedtime-last pdoc visit while discussing my ongoing struggle with insomnia & wanting to cut back to twice a week on ambien my pdoc suggested I try taking all my Depakote dose at bedtime which I have been doing now for about a week-sleeping really well now, ambien down to twice a week & other nights I take 1 melatonin & 2 Benadryl-btw if you take too much Benadryl it tends to make most people hyper & unable to sleep so be careful of that. Take care.

Thanks for the help. Picked up some benadryl last night, took 2 when I got home (about 5), fell asleep about 30 min later. Woke up at 7:30, ate dinner, took my Depakote and another benadryl, and slept till 4 this morning.

At least this will work until I get back to my Pdoc.

I have ambien from my Gdoc when complaining about sleep before, but it always makes me feel hungover and groggy so I avoid it unless I absolutely HAVE to have it.

Glad to hear that you found a little bit of solace Topher.

Hopefully your pdoc can help fix the rest for you.

Thanks for keeping us up to date.

I wonder if I'm having trouble sleeping because of Depakote. just started it. even with ambien & klonopin & Benadryl I still couldn't sleep. maybe just stress & life circumstances for me. I hope you can get some good sleep, it makes me so mad when I can't sleep.

It is an aggravation when one can't sleep. I get soooo irritable. I have days I won't even get in the truck and drive because I haven't slept and am already just pissed off at nothing!

For me I just cannot seem to relax. My whole body is tense. I know one thing that will help but I fear the asking for a particular type of meds.

I do not like ambien at all. If it does help... I despise the hangover feeling. Might as well earn the hangover! LoL.