"best med i&#039;ve been on for bipolar i. after 10 years on lamictal as monotherapy, with continued mania and depression.  i was hospitalized and switched to depakote. i&#039;m sad my doctors didn&#039;t try getting rid of the lamictal sooner. i take 500mg (delayed-release) twice a day and, along with 80mg of latuda, i haven&#039;t felt this stable or anxiety-free since i can remember. i&#039;m not dulled out, back to my normal, serene self. depakote is known to work wonders for mania, and i can attest to this effect being noticeable right away. i have gained a few pounds but i&#039;m too happy with how calm, collected, and lucid i feel to think about letting depakote go. no other side effects, and i don&#039;t find it highly sedating -- guess i&#039;m one of the lucky ones."