![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Moe on July 4, 2000, at 20:14:33
Okay, here's the story. I am a 28 year old female, who suffered a major head injury when I was 16. At that point, I had a seizure. I was on Phenobarb for about 2 years, then slowly taken off it after an EEG showed no signs of seizure activity. The doctors all believed I would have no more seizures. However, now, 12 years later, out of the blue, I "passed out," for lack of a better word. This happened twice since February. After many trips to the ER and a caffeine cut-down, I was referred to a neurologist. Seizures were discussed and he gave me 2 EEGs, which showed "slight abnormalities." I am now going to take a third, next Monday, and if it shows the same, he will put me on Topomax. I am not looking forward to the "Cognitive Dullness," seeing as how I am very proud of my intellect. I do not want to go through the same memory loss that I experienced after my head injury, and am kind of scared about that.
If anyone could reassure me and tell me how MUCH of a "Dullness" one experiences, I would greatly appreciate it.
And what about the weight loss? Severe or what?
thanks
Moe
Posted by shellie on July 4, 2000, at 21:08:04
In reply to Dullness Topomax?, posted by Moe on July 4, 2000, at 20:14:33
> Okay, here's the story. I am a 28 year old female, who suffered a major head injury when I was 16. At that point, I had a seizure. I was on Phenobarb for about 2 years, then slowly taken off it after an EEG showed no signs of seizure activity. The doctors all believed I would have no more seizures. However, now, 12 years later, out of the blue, I "passed out," for lack of a better word. This happened twice since February. After many trips to the ER and a caffeine cut-down, I was referred to a neurologist. Seizures were discussed and he gave me 2 EEGs, which showed "slight abnormalities." I am now going to take a third, next Monday, and if it shows the same, he will put me on Topomax. I am not looking forward to the "Cognitive Dullness," seeing as how I am very proud of my intellect. I do not want to go through the same memory loss that I experienced after my head injury, and am kind of scared about that.
> If anyone could reassure me and tell me how MUCH of a "Dullness" one experiences, I would greatly appreciate it.
> And what about the weight loss? Severe or what?
> thanks
> Moe
Moe, do you know why your doctor will put you on topomax instead of lamictal? If you don't get a rash with lamictal (which means you have to come off), lamictal doesn't seem to have the cognitive side effects of topomax? Maybe topomax is more suited to what your symptoms are. There's a lot of information on both topamax and lamictal on the epilepsy board. That's where I ended up researching both topomax and lamictal even though I was considering them for depression. I can't remember the site name, but if you do a search on epilepsy, I'm sure it will come up. I thought it was an excellent board--lots of questions, lots of support. shellie
Posted by Janice on July 4, 2000, at 22:33:19
In reply to Dullness Topomax?, posted by Moe on July 4, 2000, at 20:14:33
Hello Moe, I've just started Topamax 3 weeks ago, increasing the dosage at 25 mg a week (to prevent cognitive dulling I believe). I am now at 75mg a day. ZERO side effects, not even drowiness.
Anyway, read some of the previous threads (especially what Cam W says - he is a pharmacist).
So far, so good for me. no cognitive dullilng, some weight gain for other reasons, and a lessening of the manic depression, especially depression.
As you probably know, we are all different and react differently, Janice
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.