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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by bridgey1128 on November 10, 2004, at 16:03:12
In reply to Re: hair of straw, posted by merry on November 10, 2004, at 15:05:25
It's interesting..I wonder if it's the Topomax that has caused my hair to darken so much. It hasn't changed texture. IT's still really thick. I shed like a freaking sheepdog but I have always done that. You would think that I would be bald if you looked in the shower after I was done. Gobs of hair in the bottom of the drain but yet, no bald spots. Also interesting, I forgot I had dyed my hair but I did notice that the blonde high lights I had put in are growing out a little...so if I was going to have some roots they would be showing by now. Apparently my hair also forgot it had been dyed and has decided to stay this color because it has been more than 3 weeks and it has yet to show any dark roots as of yet. I guess I jogged it's memory. "Oh YEAH! I'm SUPPOSED to be this color! DUH!"
Posted by Sheley on November 10, 2004, at 21:00:11
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by RES on June 10, 2002, at 18:56:54
I was just put on Topamax solely for weight loss. I was on celexa for 1.5 years and gained 20 pounds. I weened off celexa over the last 9 weeks and my Dr. gave me Topamax to speed up my weight loss. What does anyone think if this??
Posted by stresser on November 11, 2004, at 7:17:29
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by Sheley on November 10, 2004, at 21:00:11
Hello,
Nice to have you on the board. I haven't been on here too long, and have asked the exact question you are asking. The others can probably answer with more knowledge than I can, but I will tell you that my daughter was put on topamax for binge eating disorder, and because she gained weight on Lexapro. She has been on it for seven weeks, and is just now up to 225 mg per day. We have no seen any weight loss yet. I don't if it's because she needs a higher dose, or if it's just not going to work. Keep us posted. Gotta go to work. -L
Posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 7:18:25
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by Sheley on November 10, 2004, at 21:00:11
Hi, Sheley. I don't know if Topamax is FDA approved for weight loss per se, but it seems to be prescribed off label for a number of maladies besides seizure control. It's possible for some people to lose SSRI weight without Topamax but it does take a long time, and changes in diet and exercise and all the painful stuff that eventually can become second nature. Topamax has helped me lose and keep off an aditional 10-15 pounds, maybe--but there are so many variables involved in the whole 45 pound weight loss that it's hard to say exactly how much is Topamax. No more than 15 pounds. (I think) Word here is that when you stop taking the stuff, all the weight comes right back, which I find very unfair.
That said, Let me ask you a couple of questions. Have you read the package insert that comes with Topamax? I mean the one for doctors, not consumers. This is a powerful drug that has a lot of unpleasant, to say the least, side effects. Cognitive impairment is one that I've had the most trouble with at doses over 250 mg which is where weight loss begins for most people. At 350-400, I was disoriented, couldn't remember names, nouns, lost my train of thought in the middle of a conversation at a party etc.
It has other neurological side effects including balance problems, tingling etc. Loss of eyesight is another biggy.
What dose are you on and how fast are you going up? Some members of this board will be very clear with you that slow is good, fast is bad as far as increasing your dose, in order to avoid side effects.
It tends to make me jittery, other people will tell you it's soothing to them.
I guess what I'm saying is, inform yourself about the drug, make sure you're drinking lots of water, fruit and vegtables blah blah blah,
exercise which will help with the depression--don't you hate that, the depression?--and then, armed with information, make up your mind.
This board is pretty supportive, so keep posting and keep asking. I'm only one voice, and it's still early.
rainy
Posted by bridgey1128 on November 11, 2004, at 12:16:44
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression » Sheley, posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 7:18:25
Personally, I think it's rather wreckless of a Dr to prescribe a medicine for weight loss that isn't used for weight loss that has so many other side effects when there are so many other drugs out there FOR weight loss. I just don't get it. Honestly, weight loss is a POSSIBLE side effect, so don't get your hopes up. I am on 200mg and still not losing weight because of the Topomax. I am only losing weight because I got back on the Atkins diet. I take it because I am bipolar II. It's true that Topomax is used for many different things but they are legitimate medical conditions. Not that weight loss isn't, I just mean that Topomax isn't prescribed FOR weight loss because it isn't a weight loss drug. THere are too many other side effects to the drug to worry about and I can't imagine it would be a first line drug for weight loss. There are SOOO many other weight loss drugs out there I would really question your Dr as to WHY he decided to go with Topomax and ask him about the numerous side effects. Also, how quickly is he having you go up on it? If it's any more than 25mg every 2-3 weeks, he really doesn't know much about this drug. As for the depression, I guess everyone can have different side effects. By going up too quickly, I lost my eyesight for a few days. NOT FUN!! If you go up slowly enough, you usually don't have too many side effects. I did have the tingling but it went away. I think the weight loss is around 150mg IF you are even going to have it. But then again, I think that depends on the person as well. I don't care if it doesn't make me lose weight, as long as it doesn't make me gain. At this point, that is all I care about. I know it has to be really frustrating to carry extra weight around from taking a medication. I thought mine was from having our second child, but now that I look back, I wonder if it was really from taking all those stupid antidepressants that I shouldn't have been taking to begin with! I am not an overeater. I mean, I can pack it away when I WANT to, but who can't. I can't sit down and eat a whole thing of ice cream or a whole box of crackers or whatnot. Frankly, that makes my stomach hurt to think about it. I guess that is one reason I never had a problem with eating disorders. I do like to eat, so the anorexia would have never been an issue with me. And I absolutely HATE throwing up, so bulemia would have never been an option with me, no matter how bad I felt about when I had actually pigged out. I think I have just come to the conclusion that carbohydrates are not for me. My body does not like them, nor tolerate them well. My tastebuds on the other hand.....that is another story! They say MMMM!!!!! The MORE THE MERRIER!! Of course, they don't have to look at my thighs and butt afterwards, so what do they know! Anyway, 20 morelbs to go for my first goal.....
Posted by redscarlet on November 11, 2004, at 12:47:20
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss and side effects, posted by bridgey1128 on November 11, 2004, at 12:16:44
I don't think there is any doctor out there prescribing Topamax as a weight loss drug to anyone. However if someone is on psychotropic medications and they are/have gained weight from them it is not that uncommon to be given the option to try Topamax or Zonegran. It is important to know with any drug the side effects or possible side effects before you decide to take it.
> Personally, I think it's rather wreckless of a Dr to prescribe a medicine for weight loss that isn't used for weight loss that has so many other side effects when there are so many other drugs out there FOR weight loss. I just don't get it. Honestly, weight loss is a POSSIBLE side effect, so don't get your hopes up. I am on 200mg and still not losing weight because of the Topomax. I am only losing weight because I got back on the Atkins diet. I take it because I am bipolar II. It's true that Topomax is used for many different things but they are legitimate medical conditions. Not that weight loss isn't, I just mean that Topomax isn't prescribed FOR weight loss because it isn't a weight loss drug. THere are too many other side effects to the drug to worry about and I can't imagine it would be a first line drug for weight loss. There are SOOO many other weight loss drugs out there I would really question your Dr as to WHY he decided to go with Topomax and ask him about the numerous side effects. Also, how quickly is he having you go up on it? If it's any more than 25mg every 2-3 weeks, he really doesn't know much about this drug. As for the depression, I guess everyone can have different side effects. By going up too quickly, I lost my eyesight for a few days. NOT FUN!! If you go up slowly enough, you usually don't have too many side effects. I did have the tingling but it went away. I think the weight loss is around 150mg IF you are even going to have it. But then again, I think that depends on the person as well. I don't care if it doesn't make me lose weight, as long as it doesn't make me gain. At this point, that is all I care about. I know it has to be really frustrating to carry extra weight around from taking a medication. I thought mine was from having our second child, but now that I look back, I wonder if it was really from taking all those stupid antidepressants that I shouldn't have been taking to begin with! I am not an overeater. I mean, I can pack it away when I WANT to, but who can't. I can't sit down and eat a whole thing of ice cream or a whole box of crackers or whatnot. Frankly, that makes my stomach hurt to think about it. I guess that is one reason I never had a problem with eating disorders. I do like to eat, so the anorexia would have never been an issue with me. And I absolutely HATE throwing up, so bulemia would have never been an option with me, no matter how bad I felt about when I had actually pigged out. I think I have just come to the conclusion that carbohydrates are not for me. My body does not like them, nor tolerate them well. My tastebuds on the other hand.....that is another story! They say MMMM!!!!! The MORE THE MERRIER!! Of course, they don't have to look at my thighs and butt afterwards, so what do they know! Anyway, 20 morelbs to go for my first goal.....
Posted by iris2 on November 11, 2004, at 12:59:55
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by Sheley on November 10, 2004, at 21:00:11
I have strong feelings about this type of thing. I think it is an abuse of medication use, taking a medication that has effects on your body like all mediactions they are poisons to our bodies and should be taken only if absolutely needed. If you only "need" to loose 20 pounds I think it is obserd to take any type of drug for this. I think a lot of people on this board and elsewere are taking medications too lightly and simply to modify their lives instead of taking them for "real" diseases. This whole country has a terrible mindset about taking drugs. They are routinely advertised on TV. It is not that we should not be well informed it is that these advertisements are not informing us at all. They are simply selling us a bill of goods. For instance remember not too long ago when there was a lot of advertisements about acid reflux disease and meds on TV. Did you know that almost all "acid reflux" is caused by having too little acid in your stomach.
Question, would you take a diet pill to loose the weight? A diet pill probably has less side effect profile than the Topamax .
It dos appear that you have mood roblems too as you were on Celexa and your post heading includes "mild depression". Do you think your doctor gave you the Topamax for your mood and knows that a commen side effect can be loosing weight? This would make a lot more sense.
If you are only taking it absolutely to loose weight I suggest to you that you should not be taking this drug and you should taper slowely off of I tunder doctors supervision.
I do not mean to sound depressing but you really hit a nerve and probably most of the people you hear from on this site will think it is fine to take it for this reason. I am thinking you must have doubts else you would not have posted the questionGood luck.
Keep us posted, I would be interested to know what your doctor says about it all if you ask him/her,
Irene
p.s. I am a terrible speller and my spell check is not working. Sorry!
Posted by iris2 on November 11, 2004, at 13:14:11
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by stresser on November 11, 2004, at 7:17:29
Remember that loosing weight on Topamax is only a side effect of this medication. it is not a diet pill. Do you think your daughter should be taking a diet pill?
Is it helping with her binge eating? Is her mood better?
This medication is an anti convulsant used off label for mood disorders and sometimes for eating disorders.
If she wants to take a diet pill no doubt there are a lot more effective pills out there on the market both OVC and by prescription. Do you think your daughter is so overweight that she is in need of such a strong intervention?
I have read a lot of your posts and it does not sound like it.
I hope the Topamax helps with the mood and binging and if not then she needs to change medications. I do not know how long she needs to take it for it to be considered an effective drug trial or at what dose.
I know it is hard being a teen (or any age for that matter) and being overweight.Would you take a medication for other slight faults you might have? Like for instance talking too much or having big hips or the wrong color hair? This is about as much sence it makes to take medication to loose weight not causing morbidity problems.
I hope all of you start feeling better. I feel like he** today.
irene
Posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 13:20:13
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression » Sheley, posted by iris2 on November 11, 2004, at 12:59:55
Sheley, Bridgey, Redscarlet and Iris have just said what I was reluctant or too muzzy to verbalize this morning since I'm adverse to giving outright advice, but I'm in agreement with the three of them. They are much less wishy washy about the issue than I was. Stresser's daughter's experience isn't very encouraging, either.
On the other hand, you have to make up your own mind with as much hard and cold information as you can gather, not just our opinions.
The prescribing information would be enough to keep me away from the pill, if I didn't need it for other reasons.
rainy
Posted by headachequeen on November 11, 2004, at 13:21:22
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by stresser on November 11, 2004, at 7:17:29
> Hello,
>
> Nice to have you on the board. I haven't been on here too long, and have asked the exact question you are asking. The others can probably answer with more knowledge than I can, but I will tell you that my daughter was put on topamax for binge eating disorder, and because she gained weight on Lexapro. She has been on it for seven weeks, and is just now up to 225 mg per day. We have no seen any weight loss yet. I don't if it's because she needs a higher dose, or if it's just not going to work. Keep us posted. Gotta go to work. -L
You have 'seen' no weight loss yet...
does she tell you her weight?
has she needed a change of wardrobe?
has her self-esteem changed?there are subtle changes that indicate weight loss and not always read in pounds...
I know without getting on the scale that I have lost weight this past few days...
the blue suede slacks I was about to give up on fit me again... although I had not realised how short they are...
now I have to find a way to let them down sigh... without leaving the tell-tale marks...
and without my usual leave-it-for-another-day attitude of course...how does she feel about herself??? that is key...
and is she helping you work toward that exam for that course??? helping you overcome that chocolate urge???
remember, include her in your being a human and it will help her so very much....kat who wishes she had known these things when her kids were teens
Posted by headachequeen on November 11, 2004, at 13:27:02
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by Sheley on November 10, 2004, at 21:00:11
> I was just put on Topamax solely for weight loss. I was on celexa for 1.5 years and gained 20 pounds. I weened off celexa over the last 9 weeks and my Dr. gave me Topamax to speed up my weight loss. What does anyone think if this??
I was put on Topomax because it would deal with migraine at the same type it would back up my first-line anti-seizure med (it is actually an AED)... the neurologist warned me it was known to cause weight loss...
well, it did...
I have lost weight taking it...
at the moment I am again losing weight... because two of the other meds I am taking cause weight loss as side effects...
I can tell the doctors that I don't want to take them because they may cause weight loss... and suffer the risk of increased seizures... or I can lose the weight...
personally I will take the Topomax and the other stuff and eliminate the pain and the risk of seizures...
I have had few side effects from Topomax...but you have to increase dosages by 25 mg and no more often than every two weeks as long as your body has adjusted...
kat
Posted by headachequeen on November 11, 2004, at 13:38:34
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression » Sheley, posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 7:18:25
>> That said, Let me ask you a couple of questions. Have you read the package insert that comes with Topamax? I mean the one for doctors, not consumers. This is a powerful drug that has a lot of unpleasant, to say the least, side effects. Cognitive impairment is one that I've had the most trouble with at doses over 250 mg which is where weight loss begins for most people. At 350-400, I was disoriented, couldn't remember names, nouns, lost my train of thought in the middle of a conversation at a party etc.
> It has other neurological side effects including balance problems, tingling etc. Loss of eyesight is another biggy.These side effects are generally found when the dosage is increased too fast...
and I forgot to mention that it is best to start it at bedtime... achieve half dose then start the other half in the morning...As for cognitive damage... the cognitive risks are short term... a few days and it is back to normal...
and from my point of view a minor thing...
this morning I stood at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Day, something I never miss, no matter how cold and rainy and I could not remember the words to our national anthem, in EITHER LANGUAGE... I never sing it in English... the words in English are pathetic and change every other weekend it seems, but I have sung it in French since I was a child...
and it upsets the local yokels to have someone with a voice as powerful as mine drown out all of them en francais <evil grin>
this morning I got to O Canada and then nothing... not a word...
when I came to in hospital I could not remember a word of English...I knew there was something odd, but I was francophone to all intents and purposes...
at times I am not sure how to pronounce a word, or I don't know what a word is... I have a hard time with the 'r' in my own name at other times...
these cognitive problems out do any problems I had with topomax...
I am now going to a speech pathologist.. have my voice back but have to learn to speak properly, to learn the mechanics of speech ...
that is cognitive problems...
Topomax side effects are minimised and can be avoided if one is careful...
and it can be effective if one is careful....I suppose this is a continent of people who are obsessed with weight and appearance, but then again there is a serious self-esteem issue to be addressed and that is important...
not something to slough under the table...so many of the so-called diet pills are plain dangerous, amphetamines, and the like...
some of them are downright lethal... most of them are illegal up here in fact...
this is available through a doctor only and therefore controlled and guided...
to whatever degree it is safe, whether one approves or not, it is a measure of return of self-esteem for people who need it...
for those whose wiring is badly crossed putting them at risk of severe and constant migraine or worse, it is survival....
so we live with it...
kat
Posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 15:41:26
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression » rainy, posted by headachequeen on November 11, 2004, at 13:38:34
And we are all different. I'm so weight obsessed I would be sorely tempted to take Topamax for weight loss only and am delighted that weight loss was one of its serendipitous side effects for me, so I don't have to compromise my values and make the decision that Sheley is facing. I'm remaining on it (if the insurance company obliges, we seem to be having a bit of a problem there) because it's controlling the stupid eating disorder and my maybe still extant tendency to self medicate with alcohol.
Also, I don't want to gain back whatever weight Topamax helped me lose. So it seems like I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth. I think the drug is more poisonous than other stuff I'm taking--maybe, maybe not. I don't want to stop it. It's a trade off I've decided to make.
And you're right, at least according to the neurologist I saw recently who had such bad things to say about the drug--all the adverse effects (except loss of eyesight, I think) are dose related and reversible.
But if it's used only for weight loss and the the happy loser stops and the weight returns, what then? That's why I haven't given away my "fat clothes", even though they're miles too big--I don't trust this skinny me.
I'm not sure Topamax is doing it's mood stabilizing job here in rainyville. Both therapist and pdoc think I'm in manic mode--not hypo but the big M. Point being insurance may not pay and this drug is not cheap. If I have to go back to work, and it may come to that, I will have to stop the medicine. It may be to my benefit.
Your cognive impairment sounds wild and wild, Kat. What a rich experience you are having and I'm not saying that in jest. I hope you're writing it down.
good luck here, Sheley--we've each had different experiences and have different opinions. I would also be tempted to use OTC diet pills but they are murder on our bodies, too. I'm going to shut up for awhile now.
rainy
Posted by headachequeen on November 11, 2004, at 18:04:40
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 15:41:26
> I would also be tempted to use OTC diet pills but they are murder on our bodies, too. I'm going to shut up for awhile now.
> rainy
>Most of the OTC diet pills have been demonstrated as being highly dangerous... some with even lethal effects...
so not really a good option...
many cause strokes... one of the best reasons I can think of not to take them...this is indeed a wild ride...
side effects??? I seem to have them by the car load and not to medications, but to the need for medication...I am keeping that journal... I think that is rule 16...
my appointment with the neuro clinic has been moved up.. or maybe I have that wrong; maybe the appt with the clinic is the same and this is an appt with the neurologist himself...
this has been a fascinating journey but I wish it has been someone else taking it...
kat
Posted by stresser on November 11, 2004, at 18:49:26
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression » stresser, posted by iris2 on November 11, 2004, at 13:14:11
ok, I got this entire post ready to send, and there was a problem and it woudn't work. Now, I don't want to re-type it, because I'm afraid it wont' go again. Does that make sense? Why me!!!!! The topamax is helping her moods, to my suprise! We didn't expect that one, and that's not why she started taking it as you well know. She says she is happy, and says that it's starting to help her binge eating. The doc wants to keep her on it for now. The saga continues. -L
Posted by stresser on November 11, 2004, at 18:59:13
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by Sheley on November 10, 2004, at 21:00:11
Shelly,
Having just read all of the posts, I wanted to tell you that I find EVERYONE on here extremely supportive. We may not like what each other has to say, but hearing the truth is sometimes difficult. It help us make important discisions, and gives us a different view on our problems. I consider these people actaul friends, even though I have never met them. Keep posting, this is the best therapy.......and it absolutly FREE!!!! -L
Posted by merry on November 11, 2004, at 19:59:25
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by stresser on November 11, 2004, at 18:49:26
I'm taking topomax because I'm bipolar and I use it to keep my moods under control. I was using lithium and depakote but they turned me unto this big balloon woman. This made my depression worse. My pdoc switched me to topomax because of it's mood stabalizing effects without weight gain. I haven't gained weight. I lost weight. I am still losing weight. Slowly. It's a bonus to feeling better. I feel happier. I feel calmer.
merry
Posted by merry on November 11, 2004, at 20:24:51
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 15:41:26
>I'm not sure Topamax is doing it's mood stabilizing job here in rainyville. Both therapist and pdoc think I'm in manic mode--not hypo but the big M. Point being insurance may not pay and this drug is not cheap. If I have to go back to work, and it may come to that, I will have to stop the medicine. It may be to my benefit.
How is it that your docs don't think that it's not working rainy? How long have you been taking it? This worries me. Why would you think it would benefit you to stop treatment? Are you just going to just give up? Being manic makes you feel like you don't need help. That all is well. That you're just fine now and you don't need meds anymore. But remember after being on a high for a while you will come crashing down!!! And that will be the pits!!! That is when you will feel horrible and the depression is very harsh and painful. Will you be able to function at work then? While your in a deep depression? Maybe the dose needs to be adjusted or maybe topomax just isn't working anymore and you may need to try something else like Zonegran.
If you are on a manic phase right now please be careful. If you have anything at home, like xanax or risperdal, you may want to take some as prescibed to help the manic stage be milder.merry the worrywart
Posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 20:46:59
In reply to For rainy, posted by merry on November 11, 2004, at 20:24:51
Bless you, merry. They think I'm manic because I'm doing a lot of stuff. LikE organizing a small out of class study group for my spanish class. Facilitating a small group (clumsily I'm afraid) in my church. joining a committee in another church as well as one in my own. considering voluntering in planned parenthood, calling people in the group up and appropriately talking with them--things that are out of character for me.
At the same time, especially since starting provigil (and the Bush election didn't help), I've been flat out dark depressed, fleetingly suicidal, like black birds flying through my head, tearful, that bit. Obsessing about stuff and unable to shut up my chatterbox mind. Not racing thoughts, just chatter. Feeling like I'm on speed. I told my pdoc about all of this in detail yesterday.
I don't think the Topamax is working with mood stabilization. It's expensive even with insurance and we don't have a lot of money. If the insurance won't pay, I may be forced to stop it. I'm not going to stop antidepressants like wellbutrin and deseryl which I'm on now, but I'm not going on another mood stabilizer that will cause weight gain or, get this, hair loss. Does zonogram(?) do either? Our culture has done a good job.
Thanks for being a worrywort. I was thinking as I read your prior post how nice you sound.
rainy
Posted by redscarlet on November 11, 2004, at 21:14:43
In reply to Re: For rainy » merry, posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 20:46:59
rainy ~ I'm on Zonegran and have no hair loss from it. I lost TONS of hair on Topamax.
HTH
Posted by rainy on November 12, 2004, at 6:01:34
In reply to Re: For rainy, posted by redscarlet on November 11, 2004, at 21:14:43
Thanks, Redscarlet. Did you stop Topamax because of seeing your hair in places other than your head? I lost quite a bit of mine on Lamictal.
Very early this morning I looked up Zonegran on a site that I can't remember now, of course. All I could find was the consumer information--I was looking for the physician poop sheet. But what I read was pretty scary. It looks worse than Topamax in terms of cognitive impairment as well as other adverse effects. What kind of side effects have you experienced? How long have you been on it and at what dose? Has it had any effect on your weight or appetite? Was it prescribed as a mood stabilizer? Does it work?
Please write a paragraph on your experience with Zonegran. Points will be taken off for incorrect usage, spelling and run on sentences.I also read at that same site that desyrel (trazodone) and wellbutrin should not be taken at the same time. I don't mean by the clock. Anybody know why that is or have any other information? As I recall this was from the USP. I haven't read that in any other place, including the package insert.
Another heads up, something everybody probably already knows, is that Topamax can mess with oral contraceptives, (and maybe with patches and implants too?). It makes them less effective. Just for fun, so do a lot of antibiotics.
rainy
Posted by redscarlet on November 12, 2004, at 11:33:42
In reply to adverse effects, posted by rainy on November 12, 2004, at 6:01:34
rainy ~ I took Topamax for over two years and the only side effect I had from it was the hair loss. I even took mega dosages of vitamins to try to help with the hair loss but it never seem to make a difference. I still take the vitamins even now because Zonegran can have the same side effect, however I don't seem to have any hair loss from it.
I've been on the Zonegran since January 12 of this year. I went straight from 200mg of Topamax to 200mg of Zonegran (with no problems). With both the Topamax and the Zongran I don't notice any change in my appetite.
I did drop down my Zongran dose to 100mg a day for one month but just had to go back to the 200mg dose as of the 2nd of this month. I take Zonegran as my mood stabilizer for my bipolar disorder and it works very good for me.
As far as the cognitive impairment, I can't remember anything ! However I'm on other meds along with the Zongran.
I take 450mg of Wellbutrin and Geodon and just took myself off my 200mg's of Seroquel (over a period of time), which my pdoc does not know about ! But I was just to tired all the time and so far so good, I have much more energy. I have a pdoc appointment on the 30th and will decide if I'm going to spill the beans or not ! He's not going to be happy !!!
I also had memory problems on the Topamax too but I was on the other stuff when I was on that also.
With both the Topamax and Zongran I didn't have any of the tingling feelings or problems with my eyes. Soft drinks do taste funny but that's not a issue for me, I don't drink them any more, haven't for over three years, just water and de-caf coffee every once in a while for me.
So, I would have to say that Zongran is a very good med for me having tried all the other mood stabilizer out there, this one is a keeper.
Oh by the way, I'm a red head. Ok, it's bottled red, but red never the less ! My hair dresser say's I should have been born red !redscarlet... :-)
Posted by rainy on November 12, 2004, at 12:15:50
In reply to Re: adverse effects, posted by redscarlet on November 12, 2004, at 11:33:42
yeah, it's really hard to know which drug is causing which twitch unless you do a one at a time thing and that seems to be a rare phenomenon these days.
Thanks for your input. It's really helpful. I'm just wondering if there's such a thing as Topamax poop out like Prozac poop out.
It's good to hear that you manage your own meds
too. Sometimes it has unpleasant consequenses, though--I was kicked out of an internist's practice for increasing my diuretic without
telling him until I got to the office. I honestly didn't think it mattered. Good luck with your pdoc.Henna--that's what our daughter uses. I used to use Helene Curtis something or other Redhead Shampoo until it went off the market. Also sprays that stayed on the pillow and gels that ran down my neck. All for red hair without that all important gene.
I wondered what color your hair is. Your board name, which is so full of intrigue, seems to point toward red.
rainy
Posted by iris2 on November 12, 2004, at 13:20:17
In reply to Re: For rainy » merry, posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 20:46:59
I was reading your post and can not help but ponder if it is the provigil that is all or part of the manic problem you are having. Do you know if it started after you started taking the provigil? It really can cause hyper , nervous and perhaps manic type problems.
irene
Posted by iris2 on November 12, 2004, at 13:25:28
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression, posted by stresser on November 11, 2004, at 18:49:26
I messed up too it does not look like the post I sent went all the way to get posted.
I wanted to say how glad I am that the Topamax is helping your daughter. I had thought she was taking it for her mood and binge eating. Many of us on this board take medicaation trials at infinatum with no efective results.
I am glad for her and you. She is lucky that something worked so quickly. Be happy for this is a great success.
irene
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