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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Nichol on July 19, 2001, at 19:01:25
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Autumn Despotis on June 27, 2001, at 18:23:26
> I would really appreciate any info on side effects from topomax. It seems to be hard to find research related to the use of topomax in treating bipolar disorder.< <
>
Tomorrow I am going to begin a clinical trial at UCLA for we bipolar types who have gained weight because of their meds. I will either be assigned Meridia or Topamax (I'm hoping for Topamax) and will take it in conjunction with my Depakote. I gained 45 pounds in about 3-4 months on Depakote after always being very petite - very depressing as you all well know. I lost about 25 pounds through diet and exercise by going off my meds for a while but now that I'm back on, I've hit a wall. I will keep you updated on what I learn as I go.
Cheers,
Nichol
Posted by Anns on July 21, 2001, at 8:37:27
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by Carolyn S. K. on May 29, 2001, at 22:31:35
I am a 42 yr.old female who has taken seveal different medicacations for grandmal seizures.I have been on tegratol, dilanton, nueronton, depacote, and several others.And if any of you have taken the depakote one of the side effects is weight gain.And of course if anyone is going to put the weight on it is going to be me! I did. I started taking the topamax on 3/15/01 and I have lost 37lbs and I feel great. The only side effect that I can tell that I am having from it is the tingling in the feet but I can live with that.I feel like a whole new person with this medicine.I think it is just great and I would recommend it to anyone who asked me about it.
Posted by 16# on July 21, 2001, at 11:30:53
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by Anns on July 21, 2001, at 8:37:27
> I am a 42 yr.old female who has taken seveal different medicacations for grandmal seizures.I have been on tegratol, dilanton, nueronton, depacote, and several others.And if any of you have taken the depakote one of the side effects is weight gain.And of course if anyone is going to put the weight on it is going to be me! I did. I started taking the topamax on 3/15/01 and I have lost 37lbs and I feel great. The only side effect that I can tell that I am having from it is the tingling in the feet but I can live with that.I feel like a whole new person with this medicine.I think it is just great and I would recommend it to anyone who asked me about it.
What dosage are you taking? Are you still taking the depakote or any other med?
Posted by Kimberley on August 15, 2001, at 17:28:26
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Autumn Despotis on June 27, 2001, at 18:23:26
This is a little late on, but any new effects, bad or good? i just caught your posting.I just started taking Topamax a little over a week ago at 25mg for mood swings/mild bi-polar. After 30 days at 25mg I increase to 50 mg. No effects, bad or good, yet that i have noticed, except that before I had nightly vivid dreams now-nothing (boring!). I hope this stuff works. I am so sick of my unexplainable rage, ups and downs, unpredictability, and everyone having to walk on eggshells around me. I previously was on depakote and effexor with a different doc but that made me both racey and lazy feeling. Plus up to now I was always of the mind set that I could go off the meds once i felt better, anytime. Don't do it! Consult your doc first!
Just last night, actually. I noticed a change in my dreams right away, they were much more vivid(I really don't mind that, anyway!). Have you experienced anything like this? How long have you had the itchy skin, and how long did it take for this side effect to begin?
> I would really appreciate any info on side effects from topomax. It seems to be hard to find research related to the use of topomax in treating bipolar disorder.
>
> Cheers!
> Autumn
Posted by mikey4584 on August 27, 2001, at 16:42:57
In reply to Re:topamax & dullness????, posted by v on April 28, 1999, at 5:40:23
>i just went to the dr about weight loss. i have tried many different methods and now am trying meds for it. my dr gave me 50mgs of topomax for this. he said even though it is for treatment of seizures and anxiety, it works well as an apetite suppressant. i do not have any problems with seizures or depression. has any of you heard about taking this for weight loss?
Posted by dfwHomer on September 1, 2001, at 14:47:31
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss???, posted by mikey4584 on August 27, 2001, at 16:42:57
I am in the same situation as you. I have been taking Depakote ER for over a year, and have been given 200 mg of Topomax daily to try and help with the weight gain. So far it has helped me with my appetite.
Posted by potter on January 9, 2002, at 17:23:20
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss???, posted by mikey4584 on August 27, 2001, at 16:42:57
I have been prescribed topomax for migraines, and I am taking 25 mg 2x per day. The last two weeks I have experienced extreme stomach pain, and nasuea. The stomach pain lasts pretty much the whole day, but is pretty severe in the mornings, and I have lost about 12 pounds in 2 weeks. At lunch and dinner my appetite is about 1/2-3/4 of what it normally is, and breakfast, I eat a couple of bites of something. I am wondering if this is linked to the topomax. Can anyone relate?
Posted by Carolyn S. K. on January 9, 2002, at 18:44:45
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by Carolyn S. K. on June 11, 2001, at 18:28:39
Well, I think the dulling started when the doctor sped up the increases in dosage. I don't think it had anything to do with the mg level. Instead I think it was the "faster" increases in dosage. I needed to get from approx. 100 mgs per day to 400 in a relatively short period of time. The doctor wanted/needed to get me up to a higher level faster as I was about to swing into a manic phase of bipolar disorder. The dulling cleared up in a month. The dulling lasted awhile because it took that long to get me up to the proper dosage without having symptoms such as headahes, etc. The dulling was the only side-effect I experienced other than an initial wt. loss of about 30lbs. Once my dosage stabilized and my body adjusted, the dulling cleared and did not return. I hope that helps you.
- > > > Hi, did you start noticing the dulling at 200 or above? I'm not clear. How long did it take to clear up?
> > >
> > I noticed the dulling when Doc sped up the increases. At 25 mgs every two weeks, no problems. However, when he started me increasing my dosage by 50 mg a week, I was a zombie for a good 3 to 4 months. I couldn't remember what I had said just a few moments ealier and forget about a whole "day" prior. I was barely able to complete sentances without getting confused. My friends and co-workers really noticed my slowness. Someone actually thought that I had taken up getting "stoned" and during work hours no less!
> >
> > The good thing is, at least for me, I'm completely back to normal now. I hope that answers your question. "400 mgs" every day and no problems. My moods are level and the dulling is gone!!!
>
> Corrections added post - posting.
Posted by Carolyn S. K. on January 9, 2002, at 18:50:53
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss/ Stomach pain???, posted by potter on January 9, 2002, at 17:23:20
Topamax did cause a general lack of appetite and nausea in me for the first few months. However, that cleared up after a bit. Topamax is also being used as a diet drug because it tends to cause a wt. loss in users. However, I can tell you that for me, the loss of appetite and nausea didn't last very long and the wt. loss stops!!!!
> I have been prescribed topomax for migraines, and I am taking 25 mg 2x per day. The last two weeks I have experienced extreme stomach pain, and nasuea. The stomach pain lasts pretty much the whole day, but is pretty severe in the mornings, and I have lost about 12 pounds in 2 weeks. At lunch and dinner my appetite is about 1/2-3/4 of what it normally is, and breakfast, I eat a couple of bites of something. I am wondering if this is linked to the topomax. Can anyone relate?
Posted by Jimmy B on January 24, 2002, at 9:23:42
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss/ Stomach pain???, posted by Carolyn S. K. on January 9, 2002, at 18:50:53
i recently started topomax 50 mg for bipolar disorder. while my mood is much better, stomach discomfort is very unpleasant. i feel like i have 24 hour acid reflux. i still get hungry but if i eat i feel sick for hours.
also, has anyone else felt a "pins and needles" feeling in their fingers and feet? how long do most of the side effects seem to last?
Posted by Carolyn S. K. on January 24, 2002, at 21:55:08
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss/ Stomach pain???, posted by Jimmy B on January 24, 2002, at 9:23:42
> i recently started topomax 50 mg for bipolar disorder. while my mood is much better, stomach discomfort is very unpleasant. i feel like i have 24 hour acid reflux. i still get hungry but if i eat i feel sick for hours.
> also, has anyone else felt a "pins and needles" feeling in their fingers and feet? how long do most of the side effects seem to last?
Regarding the pins and needles: I've heard that complaint is common amongst new users of Topamax although I must admit I did not experience that symptom. However, I did experience an increase in symptoms of a pre-existing acid reflux condition. Hang in there, it does get better. Your body is just adjusting to a new chemical environment. Hopefully, you will adjust very soon and things will work out great. Once I adjusted, I had no further problems.
Posted by anniebananie on January 25, 2002, at 13:49:37
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss/ Stomach pain???, posted by Jimmy B on January 24, 2002, at 9:23:42
> also, has anyone else felt a "pins and needles" feeling in their fingers and feet? how long do most of the side effects seem to last?Yes, I had "pins & needles", kind of a cold tingling, for 6-8 months after starting topamax, but it wasn't as bad after the first 6-8 weeks.
Annie
Posted by linda20 on January 28, 2002, at 14:32:04
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss/ Stomach pain???, posted by Carolyn S. K. on January 24, 2002, at 21:55:08
I was just put on Topomax by my family doctor, 25mg twice a day for 10 days then 50mg for ten days going up to 75 for another 10 days so far. I'm on the first week and my stomach pain specially in the morning is horrible, it lasts all day. Since I was 18 I have taken antidepresants (amytriptyline, tofranil, klonopin, prozac, wellbutrin, xanax, zoloft and finally paxil) my weight was not affected until after I was 30 and I had 2 more kids. I gained 130 Lbs, of course the added weight made depresion worse. I'm still on 60 mg of paxil a day for my cronic depresion while on topamax, but I'm concerned now after reading the postings because I have not been able to sleep. The first night I did not go to sleep at all I thought it was because of my homework that needed to be finished I was not aware of any side effects from this drug. I have other health problems related to a sleep disorder (I have severe obstructive sleep apnea)For all I know the cause of all of my problems (high blood pressure, acid reflux etc) come from the sleeping disorder. I was recently put on a c-pap machine to help me breathe at night, and now I find myself waking up every two hours again and taking the mask off in my sleep) and the stomach pain is horrible. I have not found any change in appetite yet, the stomach pain eases when I eat a little bit. I loved water, it tastes funny now, so I drink less. I get flushed at night. Any person out there relates or any doctor with sugestions? I also take other medications hyzaar 50/12.5 for high blood pressure, zocor 40 mg for high cholesterol, inderal 40mg for migraines (we went down from inderal LA 80 that I was using before topamax)and estrace 1 mg. I hope there is someone out there that has any sugestions, I really do want to loose the weight.
Posted by Mel1234 on February 26, 2002, at 11:15:12
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss/ Stomach pain???, posted by linda20 on January 28, 2002, at 14:32:04
Hi, someone asked a similar question earlier, but no one responded....
My doctor wants to put me on topamax (in addition to my wellbutrin) solely for weight loss. I'm not bipolar, and my depression is pretty mild. I didn't have any rapid mood changes before I went on meds. Moodiness is one of the major side-effects listed on rxlist.com, but many of you seem to be taking it for mood stabilization. For me, being moody is worse than being mildly depressed, and I have quit taking meds several times because of it.
Can anyone comment on topamax's effect on people who are only mildly depressed? Topamax and moodiness? Or the side effects of wellbutrin and topomax together?
Thanks.
Posted by Danni on February 28, 2002, at 19:06:25
In reply to Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by Mel1234 on February 26, 2002, at 11:15:12
I have been on Topamax for mild depression works great HOWEVER if you suffer from any kind of eating disorder such as myself its not for you!!!! I have literally lost my appetite, my moods are great but food is just not a need nor want of any means in my life anymore! The weight loss is a major problem
Posted by Lisapd on February 28, 2002, at 23:14:43
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss/ Stomach pain???, posted by linda20 on January 28, 2002, at 14:32:04
I have just learned of topamax and it's use for lowering blood sugar. Anyone have experience with this usage?
Posted by jen820 on March 6, 2002, at 13:45:48
In reply to Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by Mel1234 on February 26, 2002, at 11:15:12
Mel1234,
Yes, my doc today just put me on Topomax in addition to the Wellbutrin -- the Topomax is for weight loss purposes only. I am also interested in knowing of side effects of using the two together....any info would be helpful.My other question is if Topomax can be used for mild depression (my dx), then why do I need to be on both Wellbutrin and Topomax?? Any one in the same boat?
Posted by djmmm on March 7, 2002, at 9:52:31
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by jen820 on March 6, 2002, at 13:45:48
Hey Jen...sounds like a good combo if you are looking to lose some weight and have problems with depression.
Topamax doesn't really have any antidepressant properties. I'm thinking the only reason why Topamax would help with minor mood swings and/or minor depression is because of the effects it has on the GABA system...much like a Benzo may help with stress related depression and/or moodiness...just a thought.
Posted by normc on April 5, 2002, at 16:22:17
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by djmmm on March 7, 2002, at 9:52:31
> Hey Jen...sounds like a good combo if you are looking to lose some weight and have problems with depression.
>
> Topamax doesn't really have any antidepressant properties. I'm thinking the only reason why Topamax would help with minor mood swings and/or minor depression is because of the effects it has on the GABA system...much like a Benzo may help with stress related depression and/or moodiness...just a thought.I found this site using a search engine. There seems to be quite a little info about Topamax's anti-depressant effects. I'm curious to know why you say it doesn't have anti-depressant properties.
I'm not yet sure how do directly read the posts here, so I'd be grateful if you also email your response and tell me the reading procedure.
My internist (specialty nutrition including weight control) wants me to take it. I am waiting for my psychopharmacologist (neuropsychiatrist) to return my call about it.
TIA
Posted by mel1234 on April 6, 2002, at 14:42:11
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by RBowling on October 20, 2000, at 1:20:58
> (I can go into detail as to why we get the leg cramps if everyone wants to know why)....
>
> -- RobI guess no one ever responded to this...I'd really like to know why we get the leg cramps.
Also, do you know why it causes muscle fatigue? Do you know of a vitamin combo that
helps with that?Thanks.
Posted by Gracy on April 17, 2002, at 18:11:02
In reply to Re: topomax » RBowling, posted by mel1234 on April 6, 2002, at 14:42:11
How long does Topamax take to work? My doc. has just put me on it as an alternative to Zoloft. Zoloft worked really well for my eating disorder but put a downer on my libido. Any problems like that with this stuff?
Posted by Danni on April 17, 2002, at 18:52:15
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Gracy on April 17, 2002, at 18:11:02
> How long does Topamax take to work? My doc. has just put me on it as an alternative to Zoloft. Zoloft worked really well for my eating disorder but put a downer on my libido. Any problems like that with this stuff?
I was on it for approx. 3 months starting at 25mg and working my way up to 100 a day, it started to work for me after a week or so, HOWEVER, it quickly went down hill. My mood swings got worse than ever and I couldnt stand being in my own skin! I have talked to several people on Topamax and almost all agree. Its great if it stays consistant, but for me and from what I hear many others it quickly switches its progress to downhill mode! Just be careful and when people start telling you're being a B****, believe them!!!!!! HA HA, Hope this helps! Good Luck
Posted by BarbaraCat on April 22, 2002, at 0:19:24
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Danni on April 17, 2002, at 18:52:15
I had high hopes for Topamax because of the weight loss rumors. I hated it. Started to feel the same awful dread and blackness that heralds a bad depression coming on. Within 2 days of stopping it I felt alot better, calmer, clearer and less anxious.
Posted by littlebaldy29 on May 9, 2002, at 15:40:14
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
I too have struggled with weight gain on various mood stabilizers over the past year and a half. I have been taking Zyprexa for nine months and went from a size 7 to a 14. The sad thing is Zyprexa works for me, my depressions are better and I have had no mania or mixed episodes. My Dr. has just given me topamax strictly for weight loss so I can keep the benefits of Zyprexa without the weight issue. So far, I am not feeling any side effects from the topamax and am going up slowly. I think it might work. I will keep you posted!
Posted by sparkinark on May 10, 2002, at 21:44:46
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by littlebaldy29 on May 9, 2002, at 15:40:14
After 5+ years very bad years of anti-depressants and a couple of tri-cyclics, along with benzos, I've just recently been diagnosed as BP2 and am on 7.5mg Zyprexa and am now up to 200mg Topamax daily. I quite like both so far except that the Topamax seems to be making me cognitively dull and I want to sleep all day. I've also gained about 15lbs so far.
I'm also struggling with a lot of anxiety -- more than I've had even in the past -- and I'm not sure if that's just part of my condition or if it's coming from the Topamax (which I suspect). Is anyone else in the same boat or has had a similar experience? How does one know whether they are on enough Topamax or not? I feel I need more but I know it takes time for my body to adjust to this medication. I've been at 200mg/day for about 3 weeks. All seems "better" but not "well", if that makes sense.
Should I expect things to actually get "well" one day or is this the best I can hope for? Should I talk to my doctor about other medications in addition to the two I'm taking? He had discussed earlier that he'd like to just get me on Topomax long-term without the Zyprexa but I'm not sure that's going to do the trick. Thanks.
> I too have struggled with weight gain on various mood stabilizers over the past year and a half. I have been taking Zyprexa for nine months and went from a size 7 to a 14. The sad thing is Zyprexa works for me, my depressions are better and I have had no mania or mixed episodes. My Dr. has just given me topamax strictly for weight loss so I can keep the benefits of Zyprexa without the weight issue. So far, I am not feeling any side effects from the topamax and am going up slowly. I think it might work. I will keep you posted!
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