Posted by Kingfish on August 11, 2001, at 10:26:51
In reply to Re: Topamax: starting tonight, posted by chloe on August 10, 2001, at 17:04:49
I am very happy to contribute. It may help to know I am a female, 30. I am currently taking Prozac, 40 mg, and Neurontin @2400 mg. Topamax is at 250 mg, now. I think I'd like it to be a little higher. I just added Lamictal to the mix.
I am diagnosed as BPII, though I also have psychotic features during manic episodes, so it should be BPI in MHO.
The Neurontin acts as an adjunct to the Topamax for me. I am adding the Lamictal to hopefully counteract the sedation I experience from the Topamax, although, again, I don't think most people have this problem with Top. I seem to be a little odd, because Neurontin isn't sedating for me, and it is for most people. Go figure.
Unfortunately, I have only been taking it for about 9 months. I did have the following side effects for the first two months or so:
Tingling in hands and feet (that actually lasted longer)
Any carbonated beverage tasted strange
Had cognitive trouble - slurred a little (was as if I were drunk occasionally when I tried to talk or move. I thought it was funny...)
Had trouble spelling - of course I have worse trouble now that I'm on Prozac.
I did not have any skin problems on it, nor have I heard of that being a side effect.
But, no real physical side effects such as a headache or stomach trouble. I wasn't working in an office when I started it - I don't know how difficult that would be. People might not notice. I don't know.All side effects except sedation went away for me. And one day, after I got the dose up to 250 mg for a few weeks, and after I added Neurontin, everything clicked into place. (One note, Neurontin did nothing for me on its own).
I don't know. It seems like a lot of folks on this board didn't like it, but it's been good to me.
I think you have to titrate up really slowly - I don't think my pdoc did it slowly enough. I can't quite remember, but I think it was 50 mg a week (?). Another poster, who is unfortunately taking a break, AKC, is also in the midst of starting it, and having good results thus far. Hopefully she'll be back soon.
Good luck.
- K.
(sorry, that was LONG..)
poster:Kingfish
thread:74325
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74605.html