Posted by Bob on April 7, 2002, at 17:30:03
In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob, posted by Bekka H. on April 7, 2002, at 15:56:30
> Hi Bob,
>
> Thanks so much for your reply. Wow! You've really been through the wringer from these meds! I have, too, and I'm getting more and more discouraged.
Yes, I have. The Topomax story is really just the tip of the iceberg... but it's a nasty sharp tip. I have many stories with other meds too, but we don't need to get into that now. I don't doubt you have suffered at the hands of psychoactive meds also, as they are often problematic. I know your discouragement well, and I hope we both find respite from it. It's a tough lifestyle to live.
>
> I don't think I'd ever try Topamax due to its reputed "Dopamax" effects, but some do well on it. Those kidney problems sound horrible! Had you ever had kidney stones before? My mother had them, and she would literally scream from the pain. That was back in the days before lithotripsy and other treatments.
I had one small kidney stone years before, but I think I brought it on myself by taking insane amounts of fiber pills to counteract the AD-induced constipation (they have calcium in them). Having 5 kidney stones all at once was almost surely due to Topomax. The first one I passed was almost 5mm, so that's why it required a hospital stay on a Morphine drip. I got rid of 3 others with the lithotripsy treatment (that was all last summer). Last month the last one of those came rolling out in another attack, but was small enough that I passed it immediately. I sort of worry about meds like Lamictal and Neurontin producing more kidney stones in me. I don't think the likelyhood is high, but I guess I'm paranoid now. I sincerely hope you never get them. It's not the end of the world, but is certainly something one could do without.
>
> I have had some problems with Lamictal-induced insomnia. I will try it again soon at a dose similar to yours. I haven't given up on it. So many people seem to do well on it, so I want to give it another try, but the insomnia was terrible. I even stopped my other meds to see whether the Lamictal alone would cause the insomnia, and indeed it did cause it. A number of PB posters have experienced Lamictal-induced insomnia and have had some success with adding Neurontin and/or klonopin for sleep. I might try that, too.
I am taking Clonazepam .5 mg right now, and it does indeed counter the "overactivation" and insomnia somewhat. Problem is, those symptoms are not consistently present, and when they aren't I'm extremely and uncontrollably drowsy. The possible side effect profile for Neurontin includes tingling in the extremeties, athralgia, drowsiness, cognitive dysfunction, and even irritability and hositility. Considering those are all things I've experience on Topomax, it kind of scares me to try that med. I've had the cold (and sometimes painful hands) on Trileptal, Topomax, and Lamictal. It's almost guaranteed for me on Neurontin.
>
> Are you still on Celexa? Did you ever try Lamictal by itself without the other meds?
Yes, I am currently taking 20mg/day Celexa along with .5mg Clonazepam. I was actually taking Celexa when I tried the Topomax, and completely weaned myself from it, leaving me on monotherapy with Topomax. I think it might have added to my anxiety, but who the heck knows. I have debated lowering the Celexa, but I'm not sure what benefit that would have. I'm assuming, possibly incorrectly, that it is having some sort of antianxiety effect. I do hate SSRIs though, as they induce akathisia in the beginning, followed eventually by significant apathy and physical sluggishness. BTW, how much Lamictal did you get up to when you last took it?
>
> I hope you feel better SOON!
I hope the same for you also, as well as all the other people out there suffering like us.Bob
> Bekka
poster:Bob
thread:102125
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020402/msgs/102287.html