What are your thoughts?

ive been on depakote for about 6 months now and i was TERRIFIED of the side effects. Honestly though, i didnt have a single one. The weight gain will come from having a much bigger appetite...if you are just moderate in what you eat and try to work out, youll be fine.
I dont know much about Lithium but i heard it makes you like a walking zombie.

Dedos ask why the lithium...Bi-polar by chance??

That makes me feel better... I have also read about that. Thanks

sure thing! depakote can be scary...i was terrifed. so i understand. good luck!

I gained 50 lbs on depakote in about 5 months, I would eat and an hour later become ravenously hungry, my stomach was always growling and I felt like I was wasting away if I didn't eat. it also slows your metabolism. It made me a walking zombie, gave me stomach problems, and gave mea bald spot (that has since grown back since getting off of it)

it also made me lose my period, but when I went off it, it came back with a vengence!

Also, lithium was great for me, no weight gain, I didn't even act medicated, I was just normal, it was fucking beautiful. BUT, it gave me horrific acne. and towards the end of my first year on it I got kidney damage and my thyroid began to slow. So I am now off of that too.

I'm currently only on abilify with no side effects and have been completely stable for 19 months.

Good luck!