Posted by helenag on November 24, 2003, at 11:15:54
In reply to topomax and alcohol, posted by LBcats on November 20, 2003, at 20:56:20
> I am an alcoholic and I took topomax for my bi-polar disorder for 8 months. During that time, I never craved alcohol. However, the cognitive side effects of the topomax were too much for me. I was in school at the time and I also had a full time job in a very high position so I couldn't handle the topomax side effects. I lost 20 lbs and I loved that but I had to have my brain back, so I stopped the topomax and my doc started me on depakote. Since then, I started my binge drinking again and I just feel totally out of control (in terms of my drinking) However I feel totally normal otherwise. I mean I feel good (a little depressed when I drink too much) and I don't feel doped up like I did with topomax but I don't get the motivation to go to AA or to ask for help regarding my alcoholism. Anybody out there know of anything else (drug) that works like topomax but not as dopey.
> LB
I am on 250mg of topamax for mood swings and alcohol and have been for several months. I find that the mood swings are beginning to creep back, however. As far as the alcohol cravings go, I have never known topamax to keep me from a bar stool or a can of beer. It is difficult to say whether or not the drug has curbed drinking or not for me.. If I was a betting woman, I'd have to say, it probably has helped. Perhaps,anyone with a real yen to drink is not going to be deterred by topamax. When periods of intense irritability and anxiety come along, the pressure to self-medicate comes along with them, at least for me. I believe that a real desire to stop drinking must accompany any chemical help a person ingests.
As well, it is probably also just as important that anyone with a alcohol trouble have a proper psych. diagnosis and be on the right medication so he or she has at least a fighting change at recovery on both ends.At least that's how I see it today. helen.
poster:helenag
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031121/msgs/283197.html