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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Fuzzy on March 22, 2001, at 18:08:05
My wife and I are starting to plan a family and she is on Topomax (300mg daily) and Dilantin (300mg daily) for a seizure disorder. We have been trying to research the effects of these meds on a fetus. We have been able to find information reguarding Dilantin but only very little on Topomax. The only research that we have been able to find on Birth Defects and Topomax are from a genetic counselor who only had lab rat research data. If anyone can forward information it would be greatly appreciated.
Topomax has controled her seizures immediatly since she started taking it. Her body started to grow immune to Dilantin and it seems that Topomax has slowed this immunization as well as surpress any seizure activity. (Blood tests showed that the Dilantin levels were more stable and the Dilantin stayed in her system longer.)
I must add that she has NOT had many of the side effects that alot of you have. She says that she did have a short bout with tingling extremities and a little dizzyness when she first started to take Topo over two years ago (100mg daily to start). She has only recently been having the "thirst" side effect that so many others have mentioned. I will say that she has been fighting some "cognitive disfunction" since she has been on Topo but she argues with me about that. One side effect that she has NOT had but, in fact has had the exact opposite is "appetite suppresion," she is always hungry!!! I can't eat as often as she does!!! (she has not gained any significant weight either?!?!) She also has not had any "peridontal" or "kidney" difficulties.I want to thank you all for providing the insight and information that you have on this web sight. My wife and I are pleased to read about other people's experiences (good and bad) with the use of this fairly new drug.
Posted by judy1 on March 22, 2001, at 20:26:40
In reply to Birth Defects Related to Topomax?, posted by Fuzzy on March 22, 2001, at 18:08:05
One of the difficulties in finding potential birth defect data with this drug is it is relatively new, but I believe it is in the C category- use when the medical benefits outweigh the negatives, some negative effects in rat pups, etc. I, too, had horrible cognitive difficulties with topomax aka stupidmax, but I'm well aware of the success stories in treatment resistant bipolar disorders. That having been said, there is a greater than 95% chance of your wife giving birth to a normal child, not all that different than the 97% quoted to those who take no meds in the first trimester. It will be a lot more detrimental to the fetus for her to have uncontrolled seizures versus being on meds. The best advice I can give you is to talk to a genetic counselor to give you peace of mind, and you have my sincere best wishes. Mother of a 10 year old- perfectly normal (while on AEDs) and several miscarriages off of meds- judy
Posted by phillybob on March 25, 2001, at 17:32:49
In reply to Re: Birth Defects Related to Topomax? » Fuzzy, posted by judy1 on March 22, 2001, at 20:26:40
I just want to point out that when I was on 225 mg/day of Topamax, I was not only NOT having any cognitive difficulties, I felt that I was as sharp as I'd ever been! It's all in the Topamax Experience thread.
I guess I'm gonna swear by the Stress B Complex tab I was taking, offered up in this post in that thread: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57126.html
Posted by Fuzzy on April 21, 2001, at 18:18:35
In reply to Re: Birth Defects Related to Topomax? » Fuzzy, posted by judy1 on March 22, 2001, at 20:26:40
First,Let me say sorry for the long delay in the response. Thank you also for you prompt resonse.. My wife Has spoken to a genetic counselor,and they have said that there have not been any studies on humans with drug topomax only on rats. She will be getting another opinion of her neorologist, about stopping the drug and taken phenobarb durning her pregnancy when she becomes pregnant if she can carry.
This is the end of the thread.
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