![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 961 to 985 of 1085. Go back in thread:
Posted by platinumbride on March 16, 2004, at 13:50:05
In reply to Re: Tapering off Topa, posted by Sooshi on March 13, 2004, at 19:01:11
When I went off topamax, I did it in one fell swoop. I just couln't handle the headaches it gave me. I was on 200mgs, went down to 100 in a day, then 50 , 25 and I was done within like 3 or 4 days.
Maybe zonegran needs a body free of topamax to do it's job....I do wish you luck.
Diane
Posted by Patient on March 16, 2004, at 14:51:27
In reply to Re: topomax and voice changes » Patient, posted by headachequeen on March 15, 2004, at 14:02:51
Hi,
A very good question I should have addressed, as well as suggested transdermal progesterone cream.
Hopefully you have a doctor who listens, and not only goes by the newest way of diagnosing medical conditions-through test(s) that can be costly, if not time consuming-but also uses the old school of diagnosing-by ones symptoms. Some doctors will put a patient on a trial medicine to see if improvement is seen, even if tests say contrary.
Raw thyroid glandular, such as Armour, is only available through a physician, but over-the-counter preperations are available, such as Multi-Glandular from American Biologics, as well as Thyroid 130mg tablet, from the same company, also Multi-glandular from Miller Pharmacal Group, Inc. These can be found at VitaminShoppe.com
Since most mood stabilisers and antidepressants effect the endocrine system in one way or another, which can lead to hormonal imbalance, women may want to try a natural progesterone cream, such as Femgest from Home Health or Progestacare from Life-flo Health Care Products-available from the above source, as well as other internet sources, and at your local health food store. This is an excellent alternative to taking thyroid extract, and often when women come out "normal" on a thyroid test may be progesterone deficient and can often be adequately treated by restoring normal progesterone levels using transdermal progesterone creams. This thyroid-balancing effect does not occur with the synthetic progestins such as Provera or the oral progesterone pills. So, if you have low thryoid symptoms, you can try using some progesterone cream for a few months. If you still have the symptoms, then consider thyroid extract.
An excellent source of information on progesterone cream is found in the book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause"
Posted by headachequeen on March 16, 2004, at 16:05:46
In reply to Re: Ask your doctor, posted by Patient on March 16, 2004, at 14:51:27
> Hopefully you have a doctor who listens,
I forgot all about the thyroid possibilities....
had a meeting with my regular doctor today.. the neuro kicked me loose in November as he felt that things were doing well...
my doctor is not satisfied and wants me to see the neuro again...
He is not content with the idea of a couple of seizures now and then...
and thinks that the Tegretol should be replaced...
yes the TEGRETOL ... as I have to take Serc to calm the nausea and the abdominal pains and the seizures still occur he thinks the Tegretol is not working...
I will not give up Topomax under any circumstances... I do not want to have the migraines return and I do not want the seizures to start to return to the former intensity...
and I have come to terms with the side effects I can recognise as being attributable to Topomax...
so maybe they will just increase the Topomax and dump the Tegretol....
oh I hope so... and now I shall breathe LOL
and when I go back next week...we are seeing each other weekly to deal with this depression thing... he is ticked with the psychologist... I shall remember to ask about possible thyroid problems that might not show up in the testing that was done recently... had to be done to be sure that the eye problems were not thyroid-related...
nothing could be that simple LOL after all, I am a redhead...
oh to think that Tegretol may be eliminated from my life...
of course there is then the unknown factor... and it could be worse I know...
but I shall cross that bridge when I come to it...as for welbutrin and alcohol, the sister-in-law tells me that she was warned that it did not mix with alcohol and to be sure not to try to mix them....
I am wondering if someone is trying to scare her into slowing down the alcohol... this is not the way to do it...
she never seems to have any trouble with depression... of course that is not a way to diagnose a problem either; I should know. I hide it very well having been taught from an early age not to let the world see you air your dirty laundry, to mess up an old saying or two...kat who is about to celebrate the soon to happen demise of Tegretol in her life (and not with wine and song... but perhaps song and strong coffee)
Posted by Sooshi on March 16, 2004, at 20:38:45
In reply to Re: Tapering off Topa » Sooshi, posted by platinumbride on March 16, 2004, at 13:50:05
Thanks Diane - I'm already 6 days down to 100mg with no effects at all, so I'm going down to 50 tonight, for about 2-3 days...then I'll probably just stop. I call pdoc on Fri to see about starting Zonegran hopefully then.
Thanks again for you input!
Posted by rockette on March 17, 2004, at 3:46:59
In reply to Re: topomax and voice changes » Patient, posted by headachequeen on March 16, 2004, at 16:05:46
Just didn't want everyone to think that Wellbutrin is terrible. Everyone tolerates it differently. I've had virtually no reactions to it and have been taking it for over a year (150mg a.m. 100mg p.m.) Same doses no change since I first started it for migraines (strange that it gives headaches to others). I seldom drink but when I do have anything (usually wine), I have noticed no side-effects. Sometimes I have some sleeplessness (actually early, early morning risings--like 3 or 4 a.m. I have NO trouble falling asleep!) but since it's not everyday and I'm usually rehashing some nonsense from work, not willing to blame it on the Wellbutrin!! And no one has commented on my "personality" so don't think there have been any major mood changes, positive or negative. I'm still my normal, bitchy self!!!
What seems to affect me more is the Topamax--when dose is decreased the headaches come back. So guess I'm keeping the Topamax, too.
Posted by Cybele on March 17, 2004, at 8:20:29
In reply to Re: in defense of Wellbutrin, posted by rockette on March 17, 2004, at 3:46:59
> Just didn't want everyone to think that Wellbutrin is terrible. Everyone tolerates it differently. I've had virtually no reactions to it and have been taking it for over a year (150mg a.m. 100mg p.m.) <snip>
My body's reaction to Wellbutrin has changed drastically since the first time I took it, in late 1994. At the time, I had virtually no unpleasant side effects and went on to take WB-SR (2x150) for over a year and a half. I stopped taking it when I started trying to get pregnant, and noticed no changes in moods. Over the next 7 years, during which I had two children, I felt pretty good, except for occasional mild depressions. A few times I tried to take WB-SR again; however, now the insomnia and irritability was so bad I could not last on it more than 2 weeks. I'd go off it, and be so relieved to be able to sleep and not be a crank to my family that I would no longer be depressed.
Then, last October, I finally realized I was very depressed (have had depressions off and on since age 13) and my current doctor put me back on WB. (SSRIs don't work for me; took 6 weeks of Paxil and felt progressively worse.) *This* time my reaction to WB-SR 150x2 was completely different from the previous times. I did not have insomnia. I wanted to sleep all the time! One night I was home alone with the kids (4 and 6) and fell asleep without getting them to bed first. (Apprently they climbed in bed with me once they got bored playing, at some late, undetermined hour.) I was sleeping at least 12 hours a day and having dreaming vivid dreams, which started happening practically as soon as my head hit the pillow (drastically reduced sleep latency). I was also still depressed. After a month of this I simply stopped taking the afternoon dose, and felt better within a couple days. So I can tolerate a dose of WB-SR 2x100 first thing in the morning and that's it. I saw a PDOC who trie me on WB-XL 150, but again I had the same sleepiness, so today I am going back to WB-SR 2x100 in the morning.
Frankly, I really don't know that WB has ever actually helped me, other than that enormous pscyhological boost from the the early side-effects of not thinking about food all the time. Every time I've taken it I've also been exercising (except when I was sleepy), and this is the only thing that seems to help me. Even after being on WB since last October, if I take a few days off exercise, like if I am sick, my mood starts ratcheting back down.
So, just wanted to say that WB may not be a very good long-term solution for everybody...
HTH.
Posted by katia on March 17, 2004, at 13:08:38
In reply to Re: in defense of Wellbutrin, posted by rockette on March 17, 2004, at 3:46:59
That's great it works for you. I wish it'd worked for me b/c I'm feeling a bit down. None of the ADs work for me. I probably have to restart Lamictal to add to my Trileptal. Are you bipolar?
katia
Posted by headachequeen on March 17, 2004, at 13:42:08
In reply to Re: in defense of Wellbutrin » rockette, posted by Cybele on March 17, 2004, at 8:20:29
***So, just wanted to say that WB may not be a very good long-term solution for everybody...***
Maybe this is what we should remember about all medications???????
And maybe it is something we should remember when coming off drugs too... that each of us responds to leaving the med in a different way...
some of us can quit instantly others have to be weaned from the drug slowly, others have to have another drug replace it for a time until the body has a chance to adjust...
oh now that was a sentence that needed medical help... but I think it can be deciphered...
kat
Posted by kka on March 17, 2004, at 15:44:58
In reply to Re: topomax and voice changes, posted by headachequeen on March 17, 2004, at 13:42:08
> ***So, just wanted to say that WB may not be a very good long-term solution for everybody...***
>
>
> Maybe this is what we should remember about all medications???????
> And maybe it is something we should remember when coming off drugs too... that each of us responds to leaving the med in a different way...
> some of us can quit instantly others have to be weaned from the drug slowly, others have to have another drug replace it for a time until the body has a chance to adjust...
> oh now that was a sentence that needed medical help... but I think it can be deciphered...
> kat
>Did anyone else experience hair loss with WB??
Posted by cyndie on March 30, 2004, at 14:33:37
In reply to Re: topamax weight loss » headachequeen, posted by jtevers on December 22, 2003, at 20:22:31
Has anyone any experience with adding Phenteramine to Topamax????
Posted by headachequeen on March 30, 2004, at 16:51:42
In reply to Re: topamax weight loss » headachequeen, posted by jtevers on December 22, 2003, at 20:22:31
> > at 400 mg I seem to have stopped the weight loss; have stayed at the same weight for about a month and seem to see no more loss in sight...
>
> headachequeen,
>
> i wondered, because it seems to be different for all, at what dose your weight loss began?
> and whether you are (and forgive me if i am being redundant) still taking the offending med., i believe it's zyprexa you are on?
>
> i wondered whether you consider increasing the dose of topamax to see whether your weight loss would increase, or are you content? is it bearable (the side effects of the topamax)?
>
> how much weight have you lost by the time you reached 400 mg.?
>
> thank you for your help.
>
> jtevers
>
First question
>at what dose your weight loss began?
I started losing weight almost at once, at 25 mg each evening.. at the end of the first week I had lost 3 pounds and was ecstatic...Second question
>whether you are still taking the offending med., i believe it's zyprexa you are on?
No, I am no longer on zyprexa... as those who have been here for a while have heard I quit cold turkey.. just stopped taking the zyprexa and the effexor (and the relatively harmless I think immovane) one day...
I had no problems quitting.. although I have since learned that is not the usual situation and my doctor was quite startled to learn that I did not need help in quitting as apparently both of them usually cause severe reactions for people trying to quit that way, let alone quitting both at once...
and I have no intention of ever taking effexor again let alone zyprexa...Third question
>i wondered whether you consider increasing the dose of topamax to see whether your weight loss would increase, or are you content?
I have considered that... seriously considered it but more for the point of stopping the seizures and getting rid of the dread Tegretol...
at the moment I am 147 pounds (there is this 3 pounds that keeps coming and going) and 5'6" tall (I know Canada is officially metric but I speak Imperial and refuse to change languages so there!)
and while I know that the weight is a little over the limit for the height, I feel good about myself... much better than I did a year ago and I do not think I want to return to the days of 124 pounds let alone the days of 97 pounds...
There is a profound difference in my appearance and in my sense of self...
the weight loss is maintaining...
the lack of interenst in food is maintaining...
oh I do not have any sort of anorexia, I am simply not on the binge mode that went with the depression and was exacerbated by the meds...
Would I consider an increased dose to be thinner?
Let us be honest here... being 135 would be really nice... so I guess with all the blethering about contentment that just went before there is a part of me that wants to be slender and all that...
but a size 2 or 4? no... never again...Fourth Question
>is it bearable (the side effects of the topamax)?
the side effects are IN MY OPINION and IN MY EXPERIENCE bearable and manageable...
especially in comparison with Tegretol which requires other meds to make the side effects tolerable and livable...
I drink lots of water and have come to enjoy it...
and to benefit from it (I am full so don't snack)
I take vitamins that I never did before so I am healthier I think
The cognitive problems came and went in the early stages and were manageable as long as I took the increases slowly
it was a learning experience and a case of finding answers and then dealing with the problems that arose... help was at hand, a lot of it right here on this site...
nothing has been insurmountable...
Fifth Question
>how much weight have you lost by the time you reached 400 mg.?
If we count that three or four pounds that comes and goes and comes and goes probably a thousand...
put at this point and I am now on three hundred morning and night to balance the cut back in Tegretol until I see the neurologist and am I hope off it totally, I have lost 68 pounds
and I would like to take off another ten to twelve
kat
Posted by MoBe on April 18, 2004, at 13:08:04
In reply to Re: in defense of Wellbutrin » rockette, posted by Cybele on March 17, 2004, at 8:20:29
> > Just didn't want everyone to think that Wellbutrin is terrible. Everyone tolerates it differently. I've had virtually no reactions to it and have been taking it for over a year (150mg a.m. 100mg p.m.) <snip>
>
> My body's reaction to Wellbutrin has changed drastically since the first time I took it, in late 1994. At the time, I had virtually no unpleasant side effects and went on to take WB-SR (2x150) for over a year and a half. I stopped taking it when I started trying to get pregnant, and noticed no changes in moods. Over the next 7 years, during which I had two children, I felt pretty good, except for occasional mild depressions. A few times I tried to take WB-SR again; however, now the insomnia and irritability was so bad I could not last on it more than 2 weeks. I'd go off it, and be so relieved to be able to sleep and not be a crank to my family that I would no longer be depressed.
>
> Then, last October, I finally realized I was very depressed (have had depressions off and on since age 13) and my current doctor put me back on WB. (SSRIs don't work for me; took 6 weeks of Paxil and felt progressively worse.) *This* time my reaction to WB-SR 150x2 was completely different from the previous times. I did not have insomnia. I wanted to sleep all the time! One night I was home alone with the kids (4 and 6) and fell asleep without getting them to bed first. (Apprently they climbed in bed with me once they got bored playing, at some late, undetermined hour.) I was sleeping at least 12 hours a day and having dreaming vivid dreams, which started happening practically as soon as my head hit the pillow (drastically reduced sleep latency). I was also still depressed. After a month of this I simply stopped taking the afternoon dose, and felt better within a couple days. So I can tolerate a dose of WB-SR 2x100 first thing in the morning and that's it. I saw a PDOC who trie me on WB-XL 150, but again I had the same sleepiness, so today I am going back to WB-SR 2x100 in the morning.
>
> Frankly, I really don't know that WB has ever actually helped me, other than that enormous pscyhological boost from the the early side-effects of not thinking about food all the time. Every time I've taken it I've also been exercising (except when I was sleepy), and this is the only thing that seems to help me. Even after being on WB since last October, if I take a few days off exercise, like if I am sick, my mood starts ratcheting back down.
>
> So, just wanted to say that WB may not be a very good long-term solution for everybody...
>
> HTH.Hi All
I've been on and off Wellbutrin for a number of years now, sometimes with Remeron in the picture and sometimes not. Remeron gave me great sleep but the weight gain, bloating and constipation was intolerable. At first, when I was on the Wellbutrin SR 150 mg twice a day; I had problems sleeping. I either couldn't get to sleep or my sleep was fragmented. Lately, not only do I sleep well; sometimes, shortly after I take the pill I actually feel very sleepy. I'm almost afraid it won't last. Anyone else out there had this experience. And better yet - can anyone out there explain why at one point it could make me an insomniac and at another almost have a sedative effect. Thanks.MoBe
Posted by bruce_w6 on April 26, 2004, at 23:38:02
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
I am on 250 mg of Lamictal & 12.5 mg of Seroquel for sleep. I am one of the few that has put on weight from Lamictal (put it on before the seroquil for sleep). I also take 6 x 120 mg of Lithium Orotate. This is a good combo except it leaves me with mind racing when I wake up in the morning.
I am starting 25 mg of Topomax tonight (for weight problem) and will be working up. I am not going to take the Seoquil in hopes that the Topomax will help me sleep. I have been told that Topomax was better with Lamictal than an SSRI (less side effects).
Posted by moon mouse on April 28, 2004, at 14:02:20
In reply to Lamictal Topamax, posted by bruce_w6 on April 26, 2004, at 23:38:02
Hi! I am desperately trying to get "real" info on side effects of Lamictal. My dr. put me on Straterra for ADHD and it made me so so so sick. Who cares if it helped my mood?!? So now he decided to treat the bi-polar in me. He gave me Lamictal, but since I am still sick from the prev. meds I am a little hesitant to take it. If anyone has taken Lamictal, PLEASE let me know how it affected you.
Posted by katia on April 28, 2004, at 14:56:30
In reply to Re: Lamictal Topamax » bruce_w6, posted by moon mouse on April 28, 2004, at 14:02:20
> Hi! I am desperately trying to get "real" info on side effects of Lamictal. My dr. put me on Straterra for ADHD and it made me so so so sick. Who cares if it helped my mood?!? So now he decided to treat the bi-polar in me. He gave me Lamictal, but since I am still sick from the prev. meds I am a little hesitant to take it. If anyone has taken Lamictal, PLEASE let me know how it affected you.
Hi,
The first time I took Lamictal was w/ Depakote and I felt great on it. It made me euphorically high every time I increased it.However, I got a rash four months into it due to the addition and titrating up of Lithium and had to stop.
This second time is w/ trileptal and I just went off of it. I couldn't tolerate it this time due to the irritibiltaty and agitation. It made me zippy like before but dysphorically so.
A lot of people do really well on it. You MUST titrate up slowly - very slowly no matter what your pdoc says.
Katia
>
Posted by bruce_w6 on April 28, 2004, at 19:46:35
In reply to Re: Lamictal Topamax » bruce_w6, posted by moon mouse on April 28, 2004, at 14:02:20
I went up slow at 25 mg a week, and stoped at 250 mg. This is where it seemed to help me. I also take 6 x 120 mg a day of Lithium Orotate. I put on some weight so I started Topomax yesterday.
> Hi! I am desperately trying to get "real" info on side effects of Lamictal. My dr. put me on Straterra for ADHD and it made me so so so sick. Who cares if it helped my mood?!? So now he decided to treat the bi-polar in me. He gave me Lamictal, but since I am still sick from the prev. meds I am a little hesitant to take it. If anyone has taken Lamictal, PLEASE let me know how it affected you.
>
Posted by bruce_w6 on April 28, 2004, at 21:00:42
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
How does the Topomax kick in for the weight loss?
Does your appitite diminish or what happens?
I take 250 mg Lamictal, 3 x 120 mg Lithium Orotate & 12.5 mg of Seoquel for sleep and have gained some weight. The Pdoc started me on Topomax for the weight yesterday.
Posted by imlaurie on May 16, 2004, at 23:19:51
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
I lost almost 50 pounds taking Topamax. I lost it so fast it made my head spin. I guess it was in a three month period but it seemed much quicker. I only took 100 mgs a day for the first few months. Then I started taking only 50 mgs. I am on it for Bi-Polar II disorder. I started out at 160 and am now 116. All I hear is that I am too thin. Used to hear I was too fat. Is there ever a happy medium? I do look older thin but I feel better, healthier. I have lost my appetite to an extent and I just seemed to shed my weight, it's like a combination of the two things together working for you. In other words I was a huge eater before now I am a normal eater. I have no other side effects with this medication and I have been on it for a year. I believe you would probably lose weight even if you ate the same, I could be wrong but it's what I think. This drug is like a miracle and could probably help a lot of obese people.
Posted by rockette on May 17, 2004, at 3:47:11
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by imlaurie on May 16, 2004, at 23:19:51
I lost almost 50 lbs in less than 6 months about a year ago. Everyone thought I was "too thin" then. (168-120) I had no appetite for the longest time. I take Topamax for migraines and the maximum dosage I had taken was 175 mg. After 125 mg. my hair starts to get very dry and brittle and eventually I lose some. Over this winter I decreased my dosage,(down to 25mg at one point but the headaches came back--ouch!!) got my hair back in shape(lots of conditioning treatments, extra vitamins and Biotin but it helped tremendously--not the same as before but lots better) BUT...I've gained 10 pounds that will not come off and my skinny summer clothes of last year don't fit. I'm back up to 125 mg Topamax for about 6 weeks now. No weight or appetite change---maybe Topamax only works the first time???
Posted by sjb on May 17, 2004, at 13:28:27
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by rockette on May 17, 2004, at 3:47:11
It only worked for me the first time also.
Posted by headachequeen on May 17, 2004, at 14:12:29
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by sjb on May 17, 2004, at 13:28:27
> It only worked for me the first time also.
I find this very interesting as I know of people who took Topomax and then quit taking it because they did not like having to give up the occasional (or in one case the frequent)use of alcohol required to safely and comfortably use it... and none of these people has regained an interest in food... all of them are like me, living on the one-meal-a-day plan...
I know that I shall be using it for the rest of my life as I need it to moderate the seizures and moderate the migraines... still migraine-free and loving it <G>... and it does have some effect on the tegretol as with Topomax I have fewer 'break-through seizures' than on tegretol alone... know it because I tried going without the topomax for a month and it was sheer hell without the stuff but I had to know...
AND the pins and needles so-called in my hands and feet were much worse as was the abdominal pain and the nausea that comes with the tegretol... which my neurologist insists is a topomax side effect; he refuses to accept the idea that tegretol can have side effects... duh, where has he been hiding for the last heaven-knows-how-many years? There are all sorts of documented side effects for Tegretol, many of which are identical to those accredited to Topomax and in my experience were worse than any I suffered with Topomax... they seemed to be lessened when I started taking the topomax as well...
the tegretol had no effect on the migraines, that is for sure and did nothing about the weight gain that accompanied my depression... a vicious circle.. between eating because it was a comfort thing, and the medications causing weight gain and eating because I was depressed by the weight gain and then gaining weight because the meds were increased to combat the increased depression because of the increased weight gain.... you know the pattern I am sure...Today I saw my regular physician who is almost as ecstatic as I am about my weight and size... and who pointed out that when one likes one's self and feels good about that same self that there is a whole different approach to life and being.. and it is so true...
I feel like the person I used to be... and come to think of it, I am beginning to look like her too... and I like her again...
Come to think of it, I look younger, although I am going to have to change hair styles, sigh... this one does not work with the change in weight... and I like it so well too...
but not enough to gain weight for it LOLHowever, I digress... the writer coming back to me ... sorry!!!
There are people I know who were taking this med before I knew it existed and they are still finding the weight control effects working... even though they are not using it...Different attitudes? Different metabolisms??? Different personalities??? Different feelings coming to the fore???
wish there were someone with the answers because I really would like to know....
kat
Posted by headachequeen on May 17, 2004, at 18:41:52
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by imlaurie on May 16, 2004, at 23:19:51
> I lost almost 50 pounds taking Topamax. I lost it so fast it made my head spin. I guess it was in a three month period but it seemed much quicker.
You know, I have been thinking about this and I really have to envy you... it has taken me a year or more to take off the weight...
I was so happy the first week to lose the three pounds; to me, that meant the stuff really did have a weight loss side effect and I was excited at the prospect of losing a few pounds.
Then as time went on I lost a few more pounds with each increment, as my appetite decreased or my interest in food was suppressed or whatever happened until now I seldom want to really eat.
Once in a while though I have days when food really appeals. Does anyone else have days like that?
Friday we were shooting pool, a new interest -- I have always been interested only in things that I can do better than most people and pool does NOT fit that category!-- and suddenly I decided that I wanted to have something to eat. Usually physical activity replaces any interest in food. We ordered fish and chips -- the orders came with brocolli and cauliflower and baby carrots while the usual 'chips' were replaced with chunks of potato that were baked or roasted or something (I am not a cook, something that does not interest me <g>) and really good... and I ate a large lunch a meal which, like breakfast, I generally ignore...
then around six I wanted baked potatoes and sour cream with steak and in that order...
two meals in the same day is unusual in the extreme. Saturday for lunch, after a morning of garage sales, we stopped for scrambled eggs with bacon and maple syrup soaked ham and home-fried chunks of potato!!!! then I wan't hungry again until this evening...
strange patterns indeed...
and finally soda pop has become boring... doesn't taste right... ginger ale is all right but Pepsi doesn't taste right... it has taken a year but I have arrived at that point...
Some mornings coffee doesn't taste or smell right either...
arrgghhhh that is hitting below the belt!!!!!but the weight loss to date has occurred over sixteen months with the occasional hiatus when I thought it had stopped
kat
Posted by shadows721 on May 18, 2004, at 0:03:56
In reply to headachequeen » imlaurie, posted by headachequeen on May 17, 2004, at 18:41:52
I am so glad that all of you have posted on your experiences with topamax. I stayed on it, because I found out the side effects I have were normal. I am on only 15mg of topamax. I felt like I was poisoned for the 1st 2 weeks. I had a horrible taste in my mouth, severe thirst, constipation, and major heart burn. I had a sore throat too. 7-up tastes like alka selzer. YUCK!!! I had to take it every 2 days then every other day to every day. I know it's crazy. I read how some of you are on 100 or 175 and I am like, "WOW!"
Oh, I forgot to mention - I have the stupids too. I can't remember things. I am always saying now, "Go and get that thing." "You know what I am saying that thing a mah jig." My family is like, "What happened to her mind?" But having the stupids isn't so bad, because I don't worry like I use too. I don't worry, because I can't remember what I was worrying about now. LOL
Personally, I haven't dropped weight, but that's not my purpose for the med. I am on the med for tremors. But, I can see where I could drop the weight, because of that odd hint of a taste that feels its in the back of my throat. I tend to avoid foods and it's easy to pass things up, because of that odd taste thingy.
What I am amazed to say and afraid to say too quickly is that my libido and sexual abilities have increased. I have actually had an orgasms again. Talk about a shock of a life time! I thought all was a wash with the Lexapro. This is odd. Maybe it's just a coincidence. I don't know, but I am not arguing with it:-}
Oh, I also have a severe case of hypervigiliance to the point I see things moving. That's not happening as bad either. I think this is a great med. I just had to hang in there with the side effect just like lexapro.
Posted by imlaurie on May 18, 2004, at 7:49:37
In reply to Re: low dose topamax, posted by shadows721 on May 18, 2004, at 0:03:56
The "stupids" hmmmm. Yes I have them too. I had them before being on meds(part of getting older) but I do admit they are much worse with the Topamax. My kids, who are all grown, look at me as if I have Alzheimers. I am 51. It poses a problem at times and other times it can be funny.
Please explain to me about the things moving? I think I may have that but never mentioned it as I was afraid to.
Posted by stacylouisabeus on May 18, 2004, at 8:00:44
In reply to headachequeen » imlaurie, posted by headachequeen on May 17, 2004, at 18:41:52
please tell me if you lost more than 50? I thought by summer I would have~ but I haven't lost anything for awhile. I really need to, like another 100 lbs.
Thank you
Stacy
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