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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by redscarlet on December 22, 2004, at 12:19:44
In reply to Re: Weight and meds--iris2 » iris2, posted by rainy on December 21, 2004, at 18:40:15
Update: Sense I was feeling so bad and thinking of upping my Zonegran on my own, I decided it would be best to call my doctors office even though I thought he was out of town already for the holidays and that I would have to talk to the fell in doc. Well it turns out I got the dates wrong for when my pdoc was leaving and he was still in the office yesterday...YEA ! So I got to talk to him and he did indeed increase my Zonegran. I hope to be feeling better by Christmas... :-)
Hope all of you are doing well, it's snowing here in Dallas !!!
Posted by stresser on December 22, 2004, at 12:33:05
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism, posted by stresser on December 21, 2004, at 18:51:52
I just went back and re-read the posts, so I can answer some of the questions you are asking. I don't think I am bi-polar, I have taken those self quizes and don't fit the type at all, but we will find out when I see my new pdoc in Jan. It will be interesting, I know there's something going on that's just not being diagnosed....I thing the rest of my family also suspects that. Is is possible to be bipolar and not have the usual symptoms? When I took the test on Physc. Central the Borderline Personality test fit me like a glove. It was FREAKY. Who knows.
Bridgey, you are correct, beging overwieght does make one depressed...I have been there twice in my life, and DO NOT, want to go there agian. It's a sad place where self-esteem has vanished, and digging yourself out of the hole seems much harder than staying there. Once you're out, you never want to go back, especially if you have worked to rise above it. Many things contribute to becoming depressed, some are medical and some come our own experiences. I feel that when I can help myself, I should do the most that I can, and went that's exhausted, then maybe a doctor can step and pick up the slack. We shall see.....the depression hasn't been as bad lately, although I don't know why? I'm trying to figure out that puzzle. For now, I will just keep doing what I am doing, and checking in with you wonderful people on this board for some great advice. -L
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 22, 2004, at 15:31:22
In reply to I just re-read the posts, posted by stresser on December 22, 2004, at 12:33:05
I GOT THE PART!!!!
Posted by redscarlet on December 22, 2004, at 15:43:21
In reply to stuff..., posted by bridgey1128 on December 22, 2004, at 15:31:22
Posted by rainy on December 22, 2004, at 16:35:53
In reply to stuff..., posted by bridgey1128 on December 22, 2004, at 15:31:22
Yaaaaaayyyy!!!! Bridgey !!
rainy
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 22, 2004, at 16:43:36
In reply to Congratulations (nm) » bridgey1128, posted by redscarlet on December 22, 2004, at 15:43:21
Shhhh quick! Lets talk about medication!
Posted by headachequeen on December 23, 2004, at 0:13:17
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism, posted by stresser on December 21, 2004, at 18:51:52
> I remember Montgomery Wards! I think they went out of business when I was a teenager, I worked there when I was in high school during the summer.
>
> Rainy- the topamax is making you lose weight ever without trying? I found a site called the Topamax Trip, and someome on there said it does not speed up the metabolism, so maybe you aren't eating enough? Do you think they could be wrong about the metabolism part?
>Topomax seems to be an appetite suppressant or something... it does help one lose weight without dieting or struggling with drastic exercise programmes...
I did not do anything other than my normal routine and lost weight... but I also changed my interest in food...
for instance today, one meal only...
and that was hard to finish... a small steak and that was it... a little of the potato that accompanied and no more...
and if the person with me had not nagged I would not have finished that...
It does not change the metabolism but it does change the interest and obsession with food...
and it really helps
kat
Posted by rainy on December 23, 2004, at 6:39:50
In reply to Re: Congratulations, posted by bridgey1128 on December 22, 2004, at 16:43:36
no pun intended. Geeze. When I typed my name on the form I typed "ranty" which is how I sometimes feel on this board. Anyway, I've been doing a lot of reading about bipolar and meds these past couple of weeks. I've learned that for a fair number of people the appetite changing effect of Topamax (if it occurs) poops out after awhile and that some studies are finding that it is most effective for dealing with the craving for alcohol in alcoholism. Almost nobody in the medical community thinks it's a winner as a solitary mood stabilizer.
I'm actually hungrier as I gradually titrate up toward the dread 400 mgs--I hate to think what I'm going to be like when I get there--325 is bad enough--cognitively that is. The holidays are no time to be tweaking meds, especially when public performances are required. I'm having to withdraw from stuff, both because of foot in mouth syndrome which is worse going up on Top and anxiety (which magnesium citrate, 400 mgs, expensive, seems to help). Withdrawing means cutting short a trip to the grocery store as well as turning over my small group at church to my co facilitator. I'm waiting to go to 350 Top until after the Candlelight Service tomorrow, which my husband and I are doing, because there's social stuff before and after.
Well, crumbs. This turned into a rant after all. My bias, for all to see is that Topamax is not a drug for weight loss per se. It's apparently good for other stuff that's just now emerging and may be a decent adjunct mood stabilizer. I'm going to ask my pdoc about trileptal when I see her next week.
rainy
Posted by iris2 on December 23, 2004, at 14:00:09
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » stresser, posted by headachequeen on December 23, 2004, at 0:13:17
This might seem dumb but I cannot remember what "foot in the mouth" means?
Topomax never changed my appetite either. I suppose if it might have helped with the binging and purging, as I cannot recall that I was doing any of that at the time I took it. Medicines work so different on different people.
Kat, I don't think eating one meal a day is the healthiest thing. Nor is it a good way to loose or maintain weight. If you eat several meals a day your metabolism will be steady and your body will burn calories more efficiently. I used to take a medicatoin that made me not hungry ever and I always tried to eat some small meal at least three times a day. I really had to force it sometimes but I wanted to be healthy and have energy and I still lost weight.
Stressor, I read you are into personal fitness and nutrition. I have always understood one should eat several small meals a day. What have you learned is the best way to eat? My eating habits are so messed up right now I could use some advice. I was going to ask the trainer I am having at the gym but I do not know if he has that trianing or not.
irene
Posted by stresser on December 23, 2004, at 14:57:12
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » headachequeen, posted by iris2 on December 23, 2004, at 14:00:09
If the topamax doesn't make you hungry you should probably still try to eat something. You can make it low calorie, of course. You should be eating six meals per day, dinner in the pm being your last. I always need a snack later in the evening, so I save some calories for that. Iris, you are correct, you need to eat to keep you metabolism going.....and eating six times per day does just that. That way you body doesn't hang onto every calorie waiting for another! Ask your trainer at the gym, he probably does know what you should be doing, or can ask someone who does. Lifting weights will increase your muscles mass, and that also speeds up your metablolism....do you do any weight resistance? High repititions with low weight will not make you big, just toned and burn fat faster 24/7. If you have any more questions you can always babble me, ok. Thanks for asking, it seems it's always me asking so many questions and driving everyone crazy!!!-L
Posted by iris2 on December 23, 2004, at 15:26:59
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » iris2, posted by stresser on December 23, 2004, at 14:57:12
Thanks for the help, I do not know what I am doing at the gym as I have not gone for years and am in terrible shape. I don't take Topomax. It was Parnate that decreased my hunger so much but I do not take that anymore. I just need to eat better.
irene
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 23, 2004, at 16:46:39
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism, posted by iris2 on December 23, 2004, at 15:26:59
Kat to answer your question, I got the part!! Yay! As for Topomax as the sole mood stabilizer, it's going to have to do because I found out that I have a $2000 cap on my drugs for my insurance. I broke down and cried. Luckily it was at the END of this year and not in the middle of I would have had to just stop taking it. If I had KNOWN that the 25mg pills were so much more FREAKING expensive I would have just stuck with the 200mg tablets!! That one prescription is $500!!!!! I only found out because they were trying to make me pay $200 something dollars and I was like..what? SO I called and found out I was over my cap. I had no idea I HAD one! If I stay with the 200mg tablets I think I will be ok. That prescription is only $135. OMG!! Can you believe the difference?? They really do pay by the pill. I REALLY wish they had told me that. I usually only have to pay a copay. That is just what the insurance company is billed. Boy I sure am glad that my mom in law is a nurse and can get me my Zyrtec D for free or I would be up a creek without a paddle. *sigh* The joys of the American system...
Posted by headachequeen on December 24, 2004, at 16:42:33
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism, posted by bridgey1128 on December 23, 2004, at 16:46:39
> Kat to answer your question, I got the part!! Yay! As for Topomax as the sole mood stabilizer, it's going to have to do because I found out that I have a $2000 cap on my drugs for my insurance. I broke down and cried. Luckily it was at the END of this year and not in the middle of I would have had to just stop taking it. If I had KNOWN that the 25mg pills were so much more FREAKING expensive I would have just stuck with the 200mg tablets!! That one prescription is $500!!!!! I only found out because they were trying to make me pay $200 something dollars and I was like..what? SO I called and found out I was over my cap. I had no idea I HAD one! If I stay with the 200mg tablets I think I will be ok. That prescription is only $135. OMG!! Can you believe the difference?? They really do pay by the pill. I REALLY wish they had told me that. I usually only have to pay a copay. That is just what the insurance company is billed. Boy I sure am glad that my mom in law is a nurse and can get me my Zyrtec D for free or I would be up a creek without a paddle. *sigh* The joys of the American system...
Well done, Bridgey,,,
as for the extra cost... I cannot get the 25 mg tablets as my doctor prescribed 200 mg twice a day at this point and that means 200 mg... so the pharmacist will not give me 25 mg regardless...
had he prescribed 200 mg in 25 mg tablets it would be all right.. .go figure...
sometimes I wonder....
I have been cut back on the topomax as well as on the tegretol to see how the increase on clobozam works... I can tell them how it works, it knocks me out and I still have seizures; my husband came to bed last night after the football game and I was under the blanket and bedspread and he knew there was a problem as I do NOT ever put my head under the blanket... convinced I will run out of oxygen... so he had to waken me to be sure I was all right and in the same universe as he...
and that took some doing...
maybe old tegretol wasn't so bad after all???
right now I am starting that wonderful saran wrap routine, having to fight my way out of it...
a fugue, the neurologist calls it...
and here I used to think of fugues as beautiful music... HA! so much for that idea...
kat
Posted by rainy on December 26, 2004, at 14:15:35
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » bridgey1128, posted by headachequeen on December 24, 2004, at 16:42:33
Kat, I just read this morning in Newsweek of all places (prescribing info for Topamax, big ad for migraine relief) that Tegretol reduces blood plasma levels of Topamax by 40%. I'm sure your medicine man is aware of this, but you aren't getting as much Top by almost half as you may have thought you were. Unless you already knew this. Hence the continuing seizures??
The friendly supermarket pharmacist confirmed this fact and stated this is true with trileptal as well--something I want to ask my pdoc about as a mood stabilizer. Hoo boy.
As for titrating up on Topamax, I'm on day three of 350 mgs and noticing that I'm beginning to have repetitive thinking--the same sentence keeps running through my head, or I rehearse conversations over and over, always taking the same part. Sort of like learning lines. Bleahg.
At least so far I'm not as mean and nasty as I was last time I went up, but this is as far as I got, too. Pdoc expects me to be at 400 by now, I think--she didn't instruct me. I saw her three weeks ago and have an appointment on Wednesday. I'm really dreading the appointment.rainy
Posted by stresser on December 26, 2004, at 20:16:08
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » headachequeen, posted by rainy on December 26, 2004, at 14:15:35
Why is it your pdoc wants you to be at 400mg by now? I know you held off because of your duties at church on Christmas Eve, so does your doc. know that you are going up slower than expected? Are you using this as a mood stabilizer? My memory is failing me tonight, sorry. -L
Posted by rainy on December 26, 2004, at 20:28:58
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » rainy, posted by stresser on December 26, 2004, at 20:16:08
yes as mood stabilzer (ha). I don't know if she knows if I'm going up more slowly than she thinks because she forgot she told me to go up to 400 by the end of our interview and had to change the script as another person was coming in the door and didn't have time to tell me how she wanted me to do it. I called the office next day to ask and got the answering machine and left a message. She didn't call back, so I've been doing it slowly to avoid trouble. (She had also changed my diagnosis on the insurance submission form and I was curious about that, but that's not for this board, lest we get redirected.) I think she wants me at 400 because she wants to put me on an anti psychotic that will make me gain weight.
rainy
Posted by BootJockey on December 27, 2004, at 22:21:34
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » iris2, posted by stresser on December 23, 2004, at 14:57:12
Hi Stresser,
I've just taken my very first dose of Topomax, tonight. 25mg, BID. I am a physically active male, 290 pounds, who is on a diet program, having lost 120+ pounds so far, with about 50 more to go.
The reason I wanted to talk to you, was to ask you about Topomax, and how it has affected you (and/or others) with regard to physical activity level, and any side effects you may have had, if any. I'm an active weightlifter, mountain hiker, and do cardio 3x or more a week.
If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you some questions.Is that okay?
BootJockey
> If the topamax doesn't make you hungry you should probably still try to eat something. You can make it low calorie, of course. You should be eating six meals per day, dinner in the pm being your last. I always need a snack later in the evening, so I save some calories for that. Iris, you are correct, you need to eat to keep you metabolism going.....and eating six times per day does just that. That way you body doesn't hang onto every calorie waiting for another! Ask your trainer at the gym, he probably does know what you should be doing, or can ask someone who does. Lifting weights will increase your muscles mass, and that also speeds up your metablolism....do you do any weight resistance? High repititions with low weight will not make you big, just toned and burn fat faster 24/7. If you have any more questions you can always babble me, ok. Thanks for asking, it seems it's always me asking so many questions and driving everyone crazy!!!-L
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 27, 2004, at 23:52:55
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » stresser, posted by rainy on December 26, 2004, at 20:28:58
Bootjockey, if you have just started and are planning to go up, make sure you go up VERY VERY SLOW! No more than 25mg every 2 to 3 weeks. Otherwise you can have really bad side effects.
Posted by BootJockey on December 28, 2004, at 6:25:02
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism, posted by bridgey1128 on December 27, 2004, at 23:52:55
Hi there...
I wasn't given any instructions by my doctor to increase or adjust my dosage. I was given a prescription for 25mg BID only, and was given no further instructions.
BootJockey
Posted by stresser on December 28, 2004, at 19:47:56
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism, posted by BootJockey on December 28, 2004, at 6:25:02
You have certainly come to the right place for advice for topamax. Several of the people who frequent this board are taking it, and have very good advice that I have taken, and used it for my daughter who is taking it. Did you say why you are taking it? What type of doctor is giving this to you? He is keeping you on a fairly low dosage, therefor; maybe is planning on taking you up in the future. Listen to the others when they say do it slowely, because I did, when the doc. said otherwise, and it was the right thing to do. Side effects are almost non-existent at lower dosages if you go slower. My daughter went VERY slowely, and it went very well. I don't think she has a decrease in energy, because she continues to work out at the gym and do her other activities. I will tell you that at first she did notice that she was very light headed and almost passed out doing some tumbling during cheerleading. That did pass, but I made sure she had plenty of water.....she girls on here will tell you that is really important. Congrat's on your weight loss!!! That's really great, I realize how hard it is to lose weight and continue to excercise without burnout...keep it up. You have won your battle already and just don't know it. Getting your mindset to lose the weight and stick to a healthy diet and excercise program is the WINNING LOTTERY TICKET, so take it and run!! You are there! What you have to do now is continue what you are already doing....that's nothing new or hard, is it? Feel free to ask anything you like, and babble me if you wish. I love these inspiring posts!! -L
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 28, 2004, at 20:12:02
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism, posted by BootJockey on December 28, 2004, at 6:25:02
What is BID? What are you taking it for also? People on here take it for a myriad of things. I take it for bipolar. I am surprised that your Dr wouldn't tell you to go up after 2 weeks or so and just keep you on a 25mg dosage. That is a really really low dose. Hmm interesting.
Posted by Paintmom on December 29, 2004, at 21:40:46
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
> I have recently been diagnosed with manic depression. I refused to be put on lithium or depakote. Because of the weight gain side effects I believe that would increase my depression. I also struggle with an eating diisorder. My doctor has me on topomax and klonopin. Has anyone had any luck with these drugs. The klonopin seems to give me an instant calm from the depression, but this is such an evil disease. Topomax is suppose to do the opposite from depakote in terms of instead of weight gain it has weight loss side effects. Has anyone had any experience with these? Ellen
Hi Ellen
recently diagnosed myself as bipolar...just started the topamax and I have to say I feel a little more even...but I don't feel as happy crazy as much and I feel teary sad more...now that stinks! I've only been on it less than two weeks but I am very sensative to meds...stopped taking elavil..(weight gain...but it really helped me to sleep) and still take lexapro and buspar...It's like a puzzle figuring what works. I know I do better when I stick to a schedule, work out...surround myself with positive people..(that's a trick in itself) and eat right etc...Happy New Year All
PaintMom
Posted by rainy on December 30, 2004, at 9:46:33
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Paintmom on December 29, 2004, at 21:40:46
Hi, Paintmom. We haven't heard from Ellen for a long time--I often think about her and wonder how she's doing. It will be cool if she responds to your post.
You say you diagnosed yourself as being manic depressive. Your doctor must have agreed with with you or she wouldn't have prescribed Topamax, right? Are you hoping it will stabilize your moods, and/or counteract the weight you might have gained from Lexapro and Buspar? You sound a bit down right now. That teary stuff is a pain in the butt, isn't it?
It could be too early in the game for this tricky medication to have any effect on either your moods or your weight and maybe it won't help the latter, if that's a problem for you. What dose are you on?Be sure you increase your dose very very slowly, like going up in 25 mg increments two or even three weeks at a time. Otherwise, you might forget a lot of stuff you know (like your mother's name) and I become extremely crabby. Also, and this is my personal soapbox, be sure you read the prescibing information about the drug, not just the patient handout. It isn't, as I'm sure you know, innocuous. I just discovered it predisposes us to osteoporosis for example.
And finally, please ask us questions. We've all had different experiences with Topamax and all of us are willing to share--sometimes more than people want to know.
A Happy, or Better New Year to you, too.
rainy
Posted by Paintmom on December 30, 2004, at 10:41:46
In reply to Re: topomax » Paintmom, posted by rainy on December 30, 2004, at 9:46:33
OOPs
I meant to write...I was recently diagnosed myself....no...I didnt' diagnos myself...I was actually STUNNED!! This is not something I would perceive myself to have...( I have every other thing though...so why should it surprise me...LOL)I take very little buspar...so little that no doctor believes that it does anything...but they do it to humor me...I swear it makes me feel better (3.75 mil) I take 10mg lexapro...which I think just works amazing on me...and then they added elavil for sleep...which also works great...but I've gained 26 pounds since going on them both....and I walk and eat right..etc...I have TERRIBLE sleep problems...like last nite was a duzy...for years.....like 15....So I started to see this new psych Nurse Pract (Phd) and she figured it out right away....that I was bipolar. How could all these different docs have misseed it???? Just around the same time my therapist figured it out...It's mild...and I guess I try to hide it:) I am 25 mg of the topamax and I do feel more even....my ex husband and my brother both were terrible to me over xmas...and I didn't feel that insane feeling I usually feel that prevents me from getting my point across. The sleep still stinks....don't know what to do about that...I try the Melatonin..its marginally effective..but I think it makes my depression worse. Boy this is complicated...its' like untangling a ball of yarn.
Thanks for your nice response
Paintmom
Posted by rainy on December 31, 2004, at 21:04:36
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Paintmom on December 30, 2004, at 10:41:46
> OOPs
> I meant to write...I was recently diagnosed myself....no...I didnt' diagnos myself...I was actually STUNNED!! This is not something I would perceive myself to have...( I have every other thing though...so why should it surprise me...LOL)
>
The bipolar diagnosis sounds like a big deal--a "real" mental illness. I was diagnosed a week after we'd made a major move and about 11 years after dealing with what everybody thought was major depressive disorder. It wasn't until the last three weeks that I really began to learn a lot about bipolar II while I was researching some medication. PsychEducation.org has been very helpful to me in terms of medication, treatment protocols, what to expect from the beast, all sorts of stuff. Other people on the board have different resources they like. CrazyMeds is another good one--I especially like that site's approach to dealing with side effects. I think bipolar is really fascinating to learn about--not so much to experience, although I guess it adds a richness to our lives we might not otherwise have.Buspar, Elavil and Lexapro are all known for weight gain--I packed on 15 from Buspar in three weeks, but I was taking a lot more than you are. They just sat there too, until I broke my rib, it got very hot, we moved and I started living on ice water. Topamax probably helped, by that time I was at 225 mgs, but it's really hard to say given the chaos of my life at the time.
> I take very little buspar...so little that no doctor believes that it does anything...but they do it to humor me...I swear it makes me feel better (3.75 mil) I take 10mg lexapro...which I think just works amazing on me...and then they added elavil for sleep...which also works great...but I've gained 26 pounds since going on them both....and I walk and eat right..etc...I have TERRIBLE sleep problems...like last nite was a duzy...for years.....like 15....So I started to see this new psych Nurse Pract (Phd) and she figured it out right away....that I was bipolar. How could all these different docs have misseed it???? Just around the same time my therapist figured it out...It's mild...and I guess I try to hide it:) I am 25 mg of the topamax and I do feel more even....my ex husband and my brother both were terrible to me over xmas...and I didn't feel that insane feeling I usually feel that prevents me from getting my point across. The sleep still stinks....don't know what to do about that...I try the Melatonin..its marginally effective..but I think it makes my depression worse. Boy this is complicated...its' like untangling a ball of yarn.
That is so cool that you have a nurse practitioner--I sure wish I did! Theoretically, Topamax is supposed to make us "calmer" and even drowsy--at least that's what it says on my bottle. I haven't noticed that effect. You might want to check out the alternative board here on psychobabble (if you haven't already) and ask for suggestions for sleep if the elavil doesn't always work. Time awake can be very useful but it can also play havoc with our bipolar mood swings, or so they say and so I've found. Crabby? Crabby.
Does your NP plan to increase your Topamax? It's not going to do squat (in my opinion) to stabilize your moods at 25 mgs.
Keep posting,
rainy
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