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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Satinsong on February 13, 2003, at 9:52:42
I've been taking Tegretol along with Lamictal for a couple years and added Topamax last year for Rapid Cycling Bipolar II. For the last couple months my cycles got closer and closer together until the manic and depression just crashed. In this mixed state my psychiatrist upped the Topamax and then upped it again and I'm starting to feel better. I just found this messageboard and was reading about people using Topamax. I also have had a lifelong weight problem (bingeing) that escalated when I had to go on insulin--definite anger issues. When I lost my appetite I was worried that I was getting manic again, but she told me that this was probably due to the increase in Topamax. I can only hope that this continues, but I'm frankly worried that it will go away and once I go into depression I'll binge again. Does anyone know if your appetite comes back after awhile? Right now I am disciplined enough to eat what I should to keep my sugar steady but haven't wanted to binge or overeat and it is heaven not to be controlled by food. I've only lost 12 pounds so far, but I've only been on the increased dosage one month. I still have about 75 to 80 pounds to go, plus I have to maintain that, of course. I'd appreciate any help with this. I cannot bear to have food controlling me again, I'd almost rather be manic, but cannot afford to do that, of course. I would never fool with my medicine on my own. Because I'm a rapid-cycler I was mis-diagnosed for 20 years as being clinically depressed and put on Vivactil and then Prozac. Once I was finally correctly diagnosed they tried Lithium, it didn't work at all, Depakote only made my hair fall out. My hair grew back in and we tried the Tegretol and finally Lamictal seemed to work with Zoloft but depression gave me more trouble and we switched to the Topamax, we just evidently weren't using enough. Is anyone else using the combination of Tegretol-Lamictal-Topamax? Has anyone lost more than 25 pounds?
Posted by Ponder on February 14, 2003, at 21:45:59
In reply to Topamax with Lamictal and Tegretol, posted by Satinsong on February 13, 2003, at 9:52:42
S.,
I am not on Tegretol, but take Lamictal and Topamax together. I lost 45 pounds after getting off of Effexor and onto Lamictal. I added a small dose (75mg) of Topamax a few months ago to boost the efficacy of the Lamictal (150 mg). So, for me it was the Lamictal more than the Topa that allowed the weight loss just by providing the stabilization and freedom from the cycling, the carb cravings, the periods of deadly fatigue, etc. Sounds to me like you may be on a good combo. Best luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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