db2504 Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 Has anyone been prescribed depakote or the generic - Divalproex extended release for their migraines. It's a seizure medicine but also used as a prophylaxis for migraines. It sounds like it has a lot of side effects. What else is being taken for migraines if u don't mind being asked. I'm a little worried about what was prescribed and may not continue to take it. Thanks for any information that is supplied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelloz Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 I know it works well for some but I was unable to tolerate it. I am still searching for a prophylaxis that I can take. I have tried many. It may be just right for you so it might be worth a try. Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahA33 Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 Hi DB,As we know, we're not doctors, but when I took Depakote for my migraine about 5 years ago I stopped after 4 months. I gained 26 pounds in that time period, blurred vision, changes/delays in my periods, and a ton of unsteadiness. The weight gain was it for me {and it wasn't helping at all) ..I switched to Topamax, and there is also low dose propranolol that was approved for Migraine Preventative. Depending on the type of Migraine you have, Botox is approved for Chronic Migraine. On the other hand, I have friends with migraines who have much success with Depakote. It's been there "wonder drug" and its helped their intensity and frequency. Good Luck, Sorry that you are Suffering!Sarah**FYI-- when I was on Depakote, they drew Valproic Acid Labs every 8-12 weeks to make sure there wasn't any toxicity building up in my system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 I was helped by Depakote for a solid 3 years before it stopped being effective. I did have significant weight gain but no other side effects. There is a serious warning on this drug and Topamax that it can cause serious birth defects so women of child bearing age need to be conscious to not become pregnant while on these meds. I had serious side effects when I tried Topamax and had to stop taking it. I am now taking amitryptiline since the Depakote stopped working. It is helping some. My migraines are particularly difficult to treat. We're working on figuring out why to try to decide on more effective treatment. I have also tried calcium channel blockers, and neurontin/gabapentin. I feel like there were others but I'm a bit fuzzy just now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artluvr09 Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 I get so nervous about taking new meds. I am always afraid of side effects. When I went to my neurologist a while ago he prescribed me 400 milligrams of vitamin b2. That medication doesn't have any side effects except it turns urine a fluorescent yellow. I like it. It has helped a lot. I don't get them as much and it kind of decreases the symptoms. I only have had more last month because i was out of it for a week and with being out of the b2 i had 4 migraines in two weeks. So it helps a lot without the side effects I mean everybody is different so some people might not be as effective but some it could. I know for me it works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statesof Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 I was prescribed topamax before but didn't end up taking it because the long list of side effects, in my case the anti-siezure meds were the 3rd type of medication that my doctors tried on me, and I think they only go to those if other medications prove ineffective. In the past however I have tried verapamil (calcium channel blocker) which didn't stop my headaches but works for some people, nortriptyline (tricilic antidepressent) which gave me side effects, atenolol (beta blocker) again side effects though probably from my POTS which was undiagnosed at the time, and then finally amitriptyline (tricilic antidepressent) which is sort of like the older form of nortriptyline, and this has helped my headaches and I'm still on it. It can however make POTS worse, so I'm basically on the lowest effective dose. What I found also is I start with the lowest does of the meds possible, sometimes even taking half the lowest dose (this is approved by my doctor) and then instead of increasing the dose after the typical 2 week increments when titrating up in dosage, I would take a month, which greatly reduced the side effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kkb1216 Posted March 12, 2015 Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 Hi, Migraines. Blech. Depakote made me sleep a ton. I gained weight, was generally grumpy and didn't continue it for long. After 4 years of different cocktails, I've settled on pamelor as a Preventative and relpax as a rescue with a chaser of flexeril. When I have a multi-day migraine, and that doesn't happen often now, I take a steroid pack. I learned to watch my rescue meds. One neurologist had me on high doses of fioricet. This caused chained migraines. It was heck to come off of, but, for me, made a huge difference. I had a huge reaction imitrex, darn it. The biggest help to me was Preventative measures. I don't go anywhere without sunglasses. I carry those squishy ear plugs, and if we are at the movies or when I attended conferences, I used them to cut down on noise. I eat almost on a schedule. I don't let myself get hungry and start a normal headache that can spin up. I get in the dark as soon as I can. I meditate and use breathing techniques to release the stress I carry naturally in my shoulders and neck. I pay attention. I drop things, mess up numbers and letters and struggle to find words hours before a migraine. That let's me get in front of it. And honestly, getting in front of migraines has led to less medication use. Be patient with yourself. Everybody reacts differently. And it can take a while. Good luck! -K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Sorry you're struggling with migraines. They are one of the worst symptoms I had. I tried Gabapentin but stopped because of weight gain and increased cognitive problems. Then I moved to Topomax which worked better. Cut the number of headaches I had in about half and even those were much less severe. When I saw an immune specialist, he put me on antivirals. It took about 6 months but then I stopped having migraines altogether. Didn't put the two together until he had me stop the antivirals and within 5 days I was back to having nearly daily migraines. Started the meds back up again and am back to going months at a time without a headache. I was also able to stop the Topomax without having any increase in headaches once i was back on the antivirals. I have also found magnesium to be helpful in helping my migraines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.