Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 50878

Shown: posts 296 to 320 of 1085. Go back in thread:

 

Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » PuraVida

Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on March 13, 2003, at 7:18:32

In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? , posted by PuraVida on March 13, 2003, at 0:23:39

> I'v been on Topa for about 6 months, I think, orignally at 25, up to 50, with Serzone, 400. I was having a problem of waking up after four hours of sleep - my brain more alive than ever, my body, slower. Couldn't get back to sleep. Didn't have much of a problem with cognitive slowing, but have had what I might call a Topa "build up" where I get numbness in the tips of my toes, and face, esp. my lips. And sinus type stuff. That has bugged me. And having to pee in the middle of the night. But it comes and goes. And... (lots of stuff!) lately I have been waking up early, as if I had been drunk the night before. Seems like I'm hungry, things are sharp and focused, but I'm not (?) then I go back to sleep, and when I wake its like a hangover - I'm all tired, blurry eyed - feeling poor and wishing I could get moving. Don't know. I begged my doc to go on it last spring - but now I want to go off because I haven't had these side efects before - now I'm off the Serzone and on Effexor Xr 75 and Topa 25 and have too many side effects and still depression. Serzone was good - I was just on it so long...
>
> PV

What time of the day do you take topamax? I felt horrible until I took it at night right before bed. For me it puts me out. I get the numbness too. And the blurry eyes. I take 100 mg.

 

Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » Stacy Louisa Beus

Posted by PuraVida on March 13, 2003, at 14:50:31

In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » PuraVida, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on March 13, 2003, at 7:18:32

I take it right before bed, then wake up four hours later. I was up to 50, same thing. I tried to go up to 75 after months of being at 50, and that really kicked in all of the other symptoms. Back to 50, now 25, and they still bother me.

PV

 

Considering asking for Topomax

Posted by MimiJean on May 23, 2003, at 19:31:15

In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by LilyB on October 15, 2002, at 15:06:11

Hello. This is a *very* educational bulletin board. I'm glad I ran across it. Thank you all.

I am a 55 y/o female health care worker and a recovering drug addict/alcoholic. I've been bulimic since I was 18. The bulimia is worse when I'm not using drugs/alcohol. I'm currently on Wellbutrin 150SR b.i.d.

No one seems to know much about treating bulimia, so my pdoc has given me whatever I ask for. Been on Klonopin, Xanax, Zyprexa, Seroquel. Took Wellbutrin and Zoloft for a few years. Took Prozac in 1990 and it pooped out on me. Have tried almost every other AD out there except Celexa.

After reading your postings I have decided to ask my pdoc for Topamax. Will probably take it with the Wellbutrin or switch to Celexa depending upon his recommendations. He's quite knowledgeable in psychopharmacology, but, as I said, few are helpful when it comes to bulimia.

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

MimiJean

 

Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » Stacy Louisa Beus

Posted by PuraVida on May 23, 2003, at 21:27:20

In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » PuraVida, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on March 13, 2003, at 7:18:32

Sorry - haven't been on the board in awhile. I took it before bed, as well. Things haven't been a whole lot different w/o it - actually better cuz of no side effects - same for me w/Nuerontin, where I got headaches. However, no side effects to speak of from any of the AD's I've tried.

WC

> What time of the day do you take topamax? I felt horrible until I took it at night right before bed. For me it puts me out. I get the numbness too. And the blurry eyes. I take 100 mg.

 

Topamax

Posted by whittba on May 28, 2003, at 22:46:47

In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » Stacy Louisa Beus, posted by PuraVida on May 23, 2003, at 21:27:20

Nothing dramatic to say, guess just a followup. Been on Topamax since Dec 2002 I believe. Have been on Effexor since 1994, tried other AD's off and on w/o success. I'm up to 300 mg of Effexor, 200 mg. of Topamax, 3 mg of Xanax (other drugs for other reasons Neurontin 3 X day, 300 mg, premarin .625 X 2 a day, smz/tmp 1/2 tab, ) For the past three months I have been extremely sleepy so I took a sleep study, been falling asleep during the day with my eyes open, you know jerking, standing up to. Personally I think I'm withdrawing from reality OR I'm dying of something they (the docs haven't or aren't looking for). Sugar was high so they did diabeties test, thyroid test for sleep study, cbc, I've also have chronic UTI for past month, been on Cipro, amoxicylin, Cipro, Keflex and seeing a Urologist tomorrow (I've been keeping these at bay by taking the 1/2 tab of smz but that appears not to be working anymore).

Anyway, I don't believe the topamax is the cause of any of my sleep or urinary problems it has helped my mood swings somewhat, I would like to try a higher dose but until I find out what is causing my other problems I can't increase any meds. I have lowered the xanax, topamax, effexor at different intervals to see if they were the culprit and they are not. I can't seem to get a Doctor to believe or is it understand how MAJORLY important that I can't sleep and work at the same time, lol.....if I'm not asleep, I'm not in a full state of consciousness or alert, lack of memory, etc.. I'm afraid I'm going to loose my job. I'm seeing my regular doc tomorrow after the Urologist and tell him just that and I guess demand certain tests, some ideas I have are chronic fatigure syndrome, mono <-- although I don't believe, Hepititis A, B, C.....anybody have any ideas?

 

Re: Topamax Experiences?

Posted by Silver Fox on June 4, 2003, at 5:24:47

In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48

I've been using Topamax for several months for Diabetes control in my feet and hands. It's to control pain in my feet and hands for my nerve endings. I use 400 mg per day total, but I'm experiencing some memory loss, some vision problems, taste problems, but it's not doing much for the pain, the pain is getting worse and I'm not sure what to do next. I'm now disbled from my work, age 61, was taking another medication with Topamax but had to get off it, it was taking over my brain power altogether, and I had to get off it, rather put up with the pain. . .

 

Re: Topamax for 11-year-old w/ Tourette's

Posted by shoee on June 10, 2003, at 2:08:57

In reply to Topamax for 4-year-old???, posted by 80srockmom on February 25, 2003, at 21:28:17

My 11 year old son has just started Topamax (only 25 mgs a day to increase 25 mgs every week until up to 200 mgs a day) for Tourette's mainly and depression as secondary reason. He is very moody and I am now wondering if that will get worse with Topamax. Would like to hear from anyone who is further along on Topamax for depression and especially tourette's. So far Topamax doesn't seem to be helping either one, how long will it take for it to get in his system and start to help?

 

Topamax - VISION LOSS!

Posted by LoriCA on June 20, 2003, at 16:49:18

In reply to BAD Topamax Experiences? , posted by delna on March 12, 2003, at 1:23:27

Would anyone who's experienced vision loss due to Topamax please write here or email me downeylane@earthlink.net; I am getting no help on this from Dr.s.

 

Can Anyone Tell me of GOOD Topamax Experiences??

Posted by Nycole on June 28, 2003, at 0:52:38

In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by phillybob on January 21, 2001, at 21:19:58

I have just started to take Topamax about a week and a half ago (I am up to 100 mg.) and I have exerienced some of the negative side effects people talk about on here while on Topamax, but can some give some GOOD effects of it?? Reasons I should stick it out and stay on it?? Is it worth waiting it out 3 weeks to a month for the good side of it?? I need to hear some good stuff to get me through this or I better stop reading all these. Please Help!!

 

Re: Can Anyone Tell me of GOOD Topamax Experiences??

Posted by LBcats on June 28, 2003, at 9:21:03

In reply to Can Anyone Tell me of GOOD Topamax Experiences??, posted by Nycole on June 28, 2003, at 0:52:38

One of the good side effects of topomax for me was the weight loss. I lost 20 lbs. The other thing is the side effects do go away eventually and the medicatioon does its job. I feel energetic,not depressed or down. I used to take depakote which made me feel sluggish and I don't feel that way anymore. The only bad thing is that it took about 3 weeks before the major side effects went away (cognition problems)and about 2 months before the minor side effects went away. (stuff like tingling in the legs, loss of appetite, etc.)

 

what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? (nm) » LBcats

Posted by whitman on June 28, 2003, at 9:28:23

In reply to Re: Can Anyone Tell me of GOOD Topamax Experiences??, posted by LBcats on June 28, 2003, at 9:21:03

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?

Posted by LBcats on June 28, 2003, at 18:52:50

In reply to what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? (nm) » LBcats, posted by whitman on June 28, 2003, at 9:28:23

Well my doc started me at 25 mg pill one in the a.m. and one at night and gradually increased it to 200mg. 100mg in the a.m. and 100 at night. I felt nauseated most of the time, so I didn't eat or I just didn't feel hungry. I had a craving for very healthy foods like for fruits, yogurt and very thirsty. I couldn't drink sodas cause they tasted like metal so I drank lots of water. The weight loss started about a month into the start of topomax but my doctor was very slow at increasing so I was still on 50 mg a day. He said that if you take the increase slow you avoid the cognitive side effects a little bit. Those were the ones that bothered me the most because of my job. I have never really gotten my appetite back. I eat a lot less now and I don't plan on giving up topomax. I do want you to know I take it with effexor (I am bi-polar) and I am being weaned off (still)from depakote. I'm sure if I get off depokote I could probably lose more weight as depakote is a weight gainer. I hear not all people lose weight on topomax but some people do. I did and I was also one of the lucky ones that hadd iit woork well for me as well. Good luck

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?

Posted by Zenclearer on June 29, 2003, at 10:42:21

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Nycole on June 28, 2003, at 23:18:06

What does Topamax so therapeutically for those without epilepsy, who take it?

I know that it's used more often for migraine control, yes? For what else?

Are the press reports true, those that say it makes you dumb and thin? Does it make one sluggish? Slow-thinking etc?

Is it ever used for ADD? Seems as though it would offer the exact opposite effect of an ADD med.

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Nycole

Posted by galkeepinon on June 29, 2003, at 13:45:16

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Nycole on June 28, 2003, at 23:17:46

hi Nycole,
I posted about being a new user of Topamax and I have had some good side effects from it. It has helped my moods wonderfully. I have been on Lamictal, Depakote and 9 days on Lithium. Right now I have been on Topamax for 2 months. I'm on it solo and I take 100mg at am and 100mg at pm. I feel calm, I don't get anxious, I am less worried, less hurried, I've lost 25 Lbs. and the cognitive/no motivation is slowly dissipating.
I am also on Effexor XR which I am hoping to increase when I see my doctor Wednesday. I have the option of starting the Lamictal in conjunction with my current med combo, but I will see what my doctor thinks. All these benefits I speak of took about 6 weeks to kick in, try to be patient, I honestly feel that Topamax is working for me, but everybody is different, and it may help you if you give it a chance, and I hope it does. Hang in there and if you need anything, I'm here for you.
Gal


> Thanks, LBCats, for your help with this! All I have read so far are terrible side effects and bad things about Topamax, but I didn't want to give up on it until I heard some good things. I also take Effexor XR...300 mg. and I am increasing the topamax slowly...currenty at 100 mg. I have severe clinical depression that comes in waves and right now it is very very bad so I am praying that the topamax will kick in and work soon. I have been on it for a week and a half so I know I still have some waiting time, but I needed to know if it was worth waiting for. Thanks again for your help! And if anyone else has good success stories about Topamax, please share...Thanks!!

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? (nm) » galkeepinon

Posted by jellybean on June 29, 2003, at 14:27:46

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Nycole, posted by galkeepinon on June 29, 2003, at 13:45:16

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » jellybean

Posted by galkeepinon on June 29, 2003, at 18:54:28

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? (nm) » galkeepinon, posted by jellybean on June 29, 2003, at 14:27:46

The weight loss started slowly, the first week at 25mg 3x a day, I noticed right away my appetite decreased, but when I hit about the 4th week on 100mg, I noticed the weight loss faster, and as I went to 150mg-even faster and now at 200mg-even faster. All along, my appetite was decreasing quite rapidly in the process. There's a lot that comes into play though here also.
Hope this helped.
Let me know how you do.
Gal

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?

Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on June 30, 2003, at 20:50:28

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Zenclearer on June 29, 2003, at 10:42:21

> What does Topamax so therapeutically for those without epilepsy, who take it?
>
> I know that it's used more often for migraine control, yes? For what else?
>
> Are the press reports true, those that say it makes you dumb and thin? Does it make one sluggish? Slow-thinking etc?
>
> Is it ever used for ADD? Seems as though it would offer the exact opposite effect of an ADD med.

Mine is used for ADD and so its more for a mood stabilizer and migrane's. If I don't take it at night I am pretty cranky though, because I do get very tired with it. I am pretty high strung. I am on 200 mg. and 300 mg Wellbutrin.
Thankx
Stacy

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Stacy Louisa Beus

Posted by zenclearer on June 30, 2003, at 21:43:44

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on June 30, 2003, at 20:50:28

Does it make you feel dumb, like they say? What does it make you feel?

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?

Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on June 30, 2003, at 22:13:41

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Stacy Louisa Beus, posted by zenclearer on June 30, 2003, at 21:43:44

Yes actually when I am tired it is hard for me to get my words out. The nick name I have heard is dopamax because you feel so dopy. I truly feel less hungry which is what I really like about it. And that I sleep better at night.

 

Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Stacy Louisa Beus

Posted by galkeepinon on June 30, 2003, at 23:21:52

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on June 30, 2003, at 20:50:28

Stacy, can I ask you, do you feel that taking the antidepressant (Wellbutrin) and the mood stabilizer/anti-epileptic (Topamax) has benefited you? I ask because I posted earlier about feeling good one day on just the Topamax alone then taking it with my Effexor and feeling a little depressed-this has happened before when I take a mood stabilizer with an antidepresant. It is baffling me. I am bipolar and I am trying to figure out if all I need is a mood stabilizer-just wanting to learn about others' experiences. I have a friend who is only on Lamictal but she also takes Topamax and does well. No antidepressant. I, like you get cranky too, and so many people have complimented how calm I seem and how much I have seemed to just have slowed down overall which is good. (2 months now at 200mg) I am pretty high strung too. Can I ask what you think and how did you do in the beginning of treatment with Topamax? Did you have any side effects, I guess if you did, you stuck them out? I wanted to reply to your post, you sound like me I hope you don't mind.
Would love to have you reply.
Thanks so much

Gal

> Mine is used for ADD and so its more for a mood stabilizer and migrane's. If I don't take it at night I am pretty cranky though, because I do get very tired with it. I am pretty high strung. I am on 200 mg. and 300 mg Wellbutrin.
> Thankx
> Stacy

 

Not as dumb as Tegretol

Posted by dddiane on July 1, 2003, at 6:52:52

In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Stacy Louisa Beus, posted by zenclearer on June 30, 2003, at 21:43:44

> Does it make you feel dumb, like they say? What does it make you feel?

Zen,

I have taken Topamax for bipolar I for 7 months now, and the first two were the most difficult in the cognitive department. I was VERY leery of Topamax after reading about "word-switching" "loss of words" "cognitive dulling" and hearing it called dopamax and stupamax.

I guess everyone is different in their response to these drugs. I have had no word switching, some forgetfulness in the first two months, some flaky spelling, but it just isn't bad, and it really gets better with time. Now by contrast, Tegretol made me really stupid and hyper at the same time, and I took it for years. It would be talking to someone and completely forget what I was saying. The word switching was so bad everyone would be exasperated with me. At work I could never remember anything and had to ask the same question over & over. And it iced my memory. At other times my mind would be very sharp. I was an intellegent, senile person on that drug.

But it was the best thing going for many years, and it beat being crazy. So the "dumb" aspect of Topamax is a walk in the park for me. I have my mind back.

Thin? I lost 28lbs on Topamax, but 25lbs was weight I gained on other psych drugs I was trying out after I became intolerant of Tegretol.

That's my story anyway. :)

Diane

 

Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????

Posted by ELENI4 on July 1, 2003, at 12:35:05

In reply to Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by LilyB on October 12, 2002, at 12:06:36

I have the same fear, only I haven't gone so far as to actually FILL the prescription. It's on file at Rite-Aid and I can't bring myself to pick it up. I'm terrified. I have only tried antidepressants in the past, and I thought I was scared of their side effects! The more I read, the more frightened I become. The consolation is you're not alone. However I don't know how to even help myself get enough courage to take something. I'm terrified of the death rash that can happen with some of the anti-convulsants. If you do decide to take the Topomax, let me know. Maybe I'll get enough courage to try Trileptal or Depakote.

 

Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????

Posted by dddiane on July 2, 2003, at 6:09:37

In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by ELENI4 on July 1, 2003, at 12:35:05

Elen,

I too was very leery of Topamax after my experience with Tegretol. But as bad as I make Tegretol sound, it was so much better than being an unmedicated bipolar I. I couldn't hold a job, I couldn't keep a relationship. If I had been born a hundred years ago they would have said I had demons, because I had serious demons. I fought them every day and lost.

The Tegretol rash was terrible, but it was not life threatening, and it cleared up as soon as I stopped Tegretol. The only AED associated with a "death rash" is Lamictal, and that can be avoided in most cases if the drug is initiated VERY slowly. If any rash begins, Lamictal is stopped.

I can say that for me the combination of Topamax and Lamictal has not only greatly improved my quality of life, but comes close to a "transparent" treatment. The Lamictal has almost no side effects, other than an upset stomach and some jitters at times, and it has allowed me to lower my Topamax so that I am feeling no side effects from that at all.

But I guess we all have our phobias about certain classes of drugs. I am extremely cautious about the AP's, I hated being on Respirdal, I resented it. It was like being in prison. But for others, it is freeing.

So I hope you find the medication that you need, and the courage to try it out.

Diane

 

Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????

Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on July 3, 2003, at 7:17:39

In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by dddiane on July 2, 2003, at 6:09:37

Is anybody overly tired and feel mean and cranky while on topamax? I sleep well, but I still feel edgy. I am on 200 mg of topamax and 300 Welbutrin. Maybe its to much. I am Bipolar and ADD, with compulsive disorders. I am not as crazy feeling but I feel really mean. I dont know if I am making any sense to anyone, because I rarely do to myself anymore.

 

Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I???? » Stacy Louisa Beus

Posted by galkeepinon on July 3, 2003, at 14:07:55

In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on July 3, 2003, at 7:17:39

Stacy, I don't feel mean and cranky at all on Topamax. Overly tired-yes, but that's subsiding as my body gets used to it. I do know that Wellbutrin can tend to make some people edgy, but everyone is different-again. Have you talked to your doc about it?
Hang in there and keep posting

Gal


> Is anybody overly tired and feel mean and cranky while on topamax? I sleep well, but I still feel edgy. I am on 200 mg of topamax and 300 Welbutrin. Maybe its to much. I am Bipolar and ADD, with compulsive disorders. I am not as crazy feeling but I feel really mean. I dont know if I am making any sense to anyone, because I rarely do to myself anymore.


Go forward in thread:


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.