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Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
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depakote and numbness in limbs
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.

depakote and numbness in limbs

by jan, Sep 06, 1999 12:00AM
I have been prescribed depakote for bipolar disorder.  I have

been taking the drug for 7 weeks, and for the last week my dose

was increased to 1500mg.  Since I started taking the higher dose,

I have noticed a feeling of numbness in my left leg.  It feels

like my leg is asleep all the time.  Could this be due to the

depakote?  I am obese, I smoke about 5 or 6 cigarettes a day,

and I drink a couple of cola drinks a day.  I am also taking

Ortho-tricyclen daily.   I occasionally consume aspirin and naproxen sodium as needed for headache and menstrual pain, but I

have not consumed either since the increase in dosage.  

What could be the cause of the numbness?

by HFHS M.D.-SW, Sep 08, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Jan,



Depakote (valproic acid), maybe used to treat bipolar illness.  Different side effects may occur with different persons. Numbness in an extremity may be a possible side effect, but not one of the common side effects, such as sedation or stomach upset.

It is important to discuss your concerns with your doctor, inorder to rule out other possible causes.

The information provided in this forum is presented for general educational purposes only. Specific questions you have pertaining to your health should always be directed to your personal physician or you may call Henry Ford Behavioral Health at

(248) 689-7476.



Sincerely,



HFHS M.D.-SW



*Keywords: Depakote, Side effects
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