Could Depakote cause this?

[reco50]

I've been on 1000 mgs of depakote for approx 6 weeks. Everything was going fine until now. One morning had the most painful case of diarreah in my life. Now I dont mean runny stools I'm talking fully formed bowel movements for almost 45 minutes straight. Along with some hard core straining. Finally stopped. Ok 3 days later the same thing maybe not as intense, but non the less. I started thinking "Depakote" no - I've been taking it for 6 weeks with no gastro problems. Why the hell would it start now! I' started to trim my dose and made pdoc appointment - This doc is going to come in and see me Saturday for petes sake, secratery has no weekday appt open.

Anyway this bowel problem happens a few more times and I think I'm convinced it is the depakote, then doc's secratery tells me cut dose in half only every other day. So I cut down for about a week and bingo - this morning same thing on the toilet. Now I'm starting to think its not the meds its something else! I cannot live with this situation because of my work and I do not have easy acces to a toilet whenever.

Should I ask for different med or what? I hate to give up on depakote if I dont have too.

[Uncreate]

I've been on 1000 mgs of depakote for approx 6 weeks. Everything was going fine until now. One morning had the most painful case of diarreah in my life. Now I dont mean runny stools I'm talking fully formed bowel movements for almost 45 minutes straight. Along with some hard core straining. Finally stopped. Ok 3 days later the same thing maybe not as intense, but non the less. I started thinking "Depakote" no - I've been taking it for 6 weeks with no gastro problems. Why the hell would it start now! I' started to trim my dose and made pdoc appointment - This doc is going to come in and see me Saturday for petes sake, secratery has no weekday appt open.

Anyway this bowel problem happens a few more times and I think I'm convinced it is the depakote, then doc's secratery tells me cut dose in half only every other day. So I cut down for about a week and bingo - this morning same thing on the toilet. Now I'm starting to think its not the meds its something else! I cannot live with this situation because of my work and I do not have easy acces to a toilet whenever.

Should I ask for different med or what? I hate to give up on depakote if I dont have too.

Well I know for a fact they put the "may cause diarrhea" label on a lot of medicines out there, but since you have said it's been 6 weeks... i'm thinking it might be something else. Sure any medicine can give it to you, depends on the person. But I've personally never heard of it happening like this... so far along. I'd go into great detail with your doctor about your stool color and texture... if he or she knows about gastrointestinal problems.

As far as switching meds - I don't think i'd go into doing that until you rule out it being or not being the cause. For some reason you just might have a stomach "bug". I've had one similar to yours before.