"i have been on depakote ever since i was diagnosed (finally) with bi-polar disorder. i am currently on 1000 mg per day, but have taken as high as 2000 mg per day. on 1000 mg per day i am (or have been somewhat stabilized, which leaves me somewhat hypo manic which seems to be the best level for me. i say somewhat stabilized because i started to go hyper manic in the past 2 weeks, have no idea why. going to see doctor tomorrow).

for the 2 years or so when i was on 2000 per day i was also taking 40 mg per day of paxil. my moods were stabilized all right, but i turned into a zombie.

i have never taken another mood stabilizer so i can not make comparisons. depakote makes me gain weight big time!"