Posted by PoohBear on February 25, 2004, at 12:20:41
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by sickofmyfatclothes on February 25, 2004, at 11:56:48
I think that Kat has spoken very well for herself, but if I can put in a word on her behalf, I will at this point...
I have been taking Topamax for the last two months as a mood stabilizer and as a sleep aid. Please note that both of these symptoms are not the primary purpose for which Topamax was formulated, as it is primarily an anti-seizure medication. Somewhere along the way people noticed that it helped with migrains, made people sleepy and decreased appetite. Along with these it has a number of very significant adverse side effects. I'm dealing with the cognitive side effects right now as I'm struggling to type this note...
My pDoc put me on this to offset the difficulty I have in getting a good night of sleep, itself a side effect of Effexor. She also thought it might help counteract the weight gain I've got from Remeron. It really has only helped with moods, so we're going off it and back to Seroquel.
You have my utmost sympathy. I have battled my weight for the last three years, finally losing successfully with Weight Watchers. I am very near my goal now, but am having problems with interference from antidepressents.
Many medications are used for purposes other than for what they were intended. If you decide to get a doctor to prescribe Topamax to help you lose weight, you must do it realizing several things:
1. It will decrease your appetite, but not your ability to eat, so if you eat "by the clock", you will still do so.
2. To get any weight loss benefits you will need to take rather large doses, in excess of 100mg per day, perhaps 200-300mg or more. Do you want the cognitive and other side effects that come with that much of this particular medication?
3. You say you can't afford surgery. Okay. Topamax is NOT available as a generic. Do you have REALLY GOOD INSURANCE? It's VERY expensive, especially at the doseages you'll be looking at and for the length of time you'll need to take it.
4. In the long run, and I mean the LONG run, surgery will be far, FAR less expensive, both monitarily and to your brain chemistry and for side effects. You can bypass your stomach, but Topamax could 'potentially' DESTROY your kidneys. You can live without your stomach, you CAN'T live without your kidneys.
Look at all the alternatives, go into it with your eyes wide open.
All the Best,
Tony
poster:PoohBear
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040223/msgs/317534.html