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Topamax: appetite down, thinking down

Posted by Patient Mom on February 10, 2004, at 15:33:16

In reply to Topamax=weight loss?, posted by sarahsundae on February 8, 2004, at 8:14:11

Topamax (nicknamed "dopamax" due to adverse cognitive effects) is joking refered to as the "perfect California drug: it makes you stupid and thin".

I've been on a tri-cyclic anti-depressent (sp)(noratryptaline) in combination with SSRI and anti-seizure meds for both depression and pain management (multiple diagnoses in place) but had to discontinue the tricyclic due to other complications. That phase out and replacement was complex and painful (as are most major med changes) but had a radical effect on appetite: on the tricyclic I could eat anything put in front of me. I was never full. On Topamax I have to remind myself to eat. Moreover, I find fruit, a little cheese and bread delightful, savory and satisfying. Weight loss is steady at around 2 pounds a week over the past 9 weeks. At some point it has to stable out, but since I was seriously overweight with adverse health consquence, this is currently making all health providers happy. I have been on a structured cardio-vascular and strength building workout program throughout the time I've been on both the tri-cyclic and now Topamax.

Net it out for me as a patient, with my specific multiple diagnosis and mix of medications:

Topamax has substantial adverse effects on thinking, specifically on speech (word finding), alertness and memory (but then so did my tricyclic)

Topamax reduces my appetite compared to the state while taking a tricyclic while I concurrently have a heightened appreciation for food and flavor--I'm fuller and satisfied with simplier foods and smaller portions.

As a pain management sidebar, removing the tricyclic seems to have substantially increased pain associated with reflex sympathetic dystrophy.


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