Posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 17:45:41
In reply to Re: bridgey » Karen_kay, posted by SLS on December 30, 2003, at 16:31:04
I am dx Bipolar I Disorder (which means I have manic episodes as well as depressive) but at the time I started Topamax, I had been having a depressive episode which lasted about 3 years in duration (Good Grief!!!)... Now, I tried Lithium, Lamictal, and Depakote. Lithium helped for a while, but then the depression returned so my pdoc added Lamictal. The depression returned again so he added Lexapro (an AD). I decided to quit all meds except Lexapro, so I went into a manic state for a while (what fun!)... I discontinued all meds, tried a different Pdoc, who put my back on lithium. It didn't work the second time around, which is common. I heard about Topamax, from here. I asked him about it and he said, Well, we'll try it, but chances are it won't help control manic episodes. But, it has worked for me! I feel WONDERFUL!!!!!!! I'd do a commercial if they'd let me!!!!
From what he tells me, Topamax is better for depressive episodes than manic episodes. He says there isn't much research to show that it helps control manic episodes, but it has stabilized my moods perfectly!!! I mean I was to the point that I couldn't shower or leave my house! Now, my grades are up (and I was failing my classes before!) and I shower sometimes 2 x a day :) Topamax is my wonderdrug!
So, in short, my main problem at the time was Bipolar depression. I wasn't concerned with a manic episode when I began Topamax. And I know the signs, as does my boyfriend, and therapist and pdoc. So, I'll worry about that when I get there. It has worked wonders for me. I'm no longer depressed. I'm onlly sleeping between 6-8 hours a night (before I'd sleep 10-18 hours), I wouldn't leave my house. Now, I can't wait to do things. Topamax has changed my life completely! Therapy has helped as well, but Topamax is the main reason I'm back to my regular self. And even with the side effects, I didn't once think for a second of stopping Topamax, because I'd already begun to see results. And my stable mood is more important than having to work harder to remember things for a few months. My doctor reassured me that it would go away in time. And it did. It was frustrating, but I made it through. And I'm so very happy :)
poster:Karen_kay
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/294806.html