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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1376 to 1400 of 1838. Go back in thread:
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
Posted by Paintmom on December 31, 2004, at 21:58:25
In reply to Re: topomax » Paintmom, posted by rainy on December 31, 2004, at 21:04:36
wow rainy
your post made me feel good ....like you totally understand...that's just how I felt...OMG I have a "real" mental illness...I always just thought I was dropped off from another planet...but nine out of ten randomly quieried people will tell you I'm a lot of fun at parties!! I think I am more up than down.....but thats just since I got separated....I was down from when I said I DO....for 13 years tills I said I'm DONE....Anyway...the NP is neat...all these shrinks...and no one ever really helped me....She knew right away...yes I believe she is going to raise my topamax...but I am very med sensative....and I don't want side effects that will prohibit me from driving or being effective in my life. Hopefully it will even out my sleep stuff....I just really want to ditch the elavil...cause every time I am off it for a week...I loose 2 pounds immediately....but am exhausted and end up getting sick (like now iwth bronchitis)
Anyway
Happy New Year
and thanks for posting
Paintmom
Posted by headachequeen on January 1, 2005, at 17:21:31
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » headachequeen, posted by rainy on December 26, 2004, at 14:15:35
> 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
>
>
Rainy, I didn't know that... but it could be why I am taking 600 mg when they say that I need 400???
makes sense to me when I know that...
don't dread the appointment...
any handouts I have had from neurologists about topomax tell the patient to increase only when he or she feels ready... not to increase sooner than two week increments but not to increase before the body has adjusted...
just tell the doctor that your body and you are not ready...
she should understand...this has been an awful few days and I have not been reading the boards at all... am now reading them and will try to catch up to some degree...
but have promised myself no stress whatever...
a series of aura situation, what you describe so well as saran wrap days and some incredible seizures as well as a couple of days, like today with the tingling sensation in hands and face...
the new med mix is not working at all...
so on Monday when all the offices magically re-open after the Christmas holiday I am going to try and get a sooner appointment and get something done...
as 'Stresser' has pointed out so accurately my body simply cannot manage many more of these episodes.
I cannot believe I am saying this, but I think I want to go back to Tegretol (with the Topomax of course) --
when I saw him a few days ago the Clobozam was increased (in slow increments of course <s>) by 1/2 tablet at a time over a week until I was taking 2 tablets each evening and then I am to start taking 1/2 a tablet in the morning working up to two each morning...
I am suspicious that the increase in clobozam is related to the aura days and the seizures that follow... seven seizures since Christmas Eve and that is when I had started two a night...
the link is two obvious...
when I went back to one and a half or one a night I had no problem the following day.So I figure that if I put two and two together....
I keep hearing such terrible things about Topomax...
and having such positive results with it...
so why not increase it and leave this other stuff out of the picture?
It seems so simple to me, but then I am not a neurologist, I simply have to try to live with the condition....
sigh
kat
Posted by stresser on January 1, 2005, at 19:57:35
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » rainy, posted by headachequeen on January 1, 2005, at 17:21:31
You keep hearing terrible things about the topamax? It seems that it was working much better before with the Tegretol (?), than with the new meds. Am I correct? I would like to know what you are hearing about the topamax. I really don't think Monday morning can come quickly enough for you. Stand your ground, I'm not a neurologist either,(that would come in handy!!) but it seems to me that you have been going through this long enough to know something about what may be good for you. Is it that common for a doctor to advise a patient to increase the dosage as they see fit? -L
Posted by rainy on January 2, 2005, at 6:08:57
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » rainy, posted by headachequeen on January 1, 2005, at 17:21:31
Kat, it's good to hear from you again. If you're having good results from Topamax, then most of the awful stuff you're hearing doesn't apply to you. I hope I'm not the source of the awful stuuf, whatever it might be. It sounds from your post like you've discovered something: your seizure level increases with the clobazine and decreases when you don't take it--is this clue? Are they fixing something that isn't quite broken? Do you feel like an experiment? How long does this go on before you give out? Personally, I don't like this.
rainy
Posted by Robert Blackburn on January 2, 2005, at 17:42:57
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
help me!
My wife startes taking 50mg of topomax a little over a month ago for migraines (used to take imitrex like skittles). And well....she got really mean and very irrational. She has admitted and her mom has noticed too. Does ANYONE have any experience with this what so ever!
Posted by Paintmom on January 2, 2005, at 18:22:25
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Robert Blackburn on January 2, 2005, at 17:42:57
> help me!
>
> My wife startes taking 50mg of topomax a little over a month ago for migraines (used to take imitrex like skittles). And well....she got really mean and very irrational. She has admitted and her mom has noticed too. Does ANYONE have any experience with this what so ever!
Well
I am new here....and probably the least knowledgable on the topic because I have only been taking topamax for three weeks....however..
since a secondary use for the medicine is for bipolar disorder...it makes sense that it effects brain chemistry...so maybe if you don't have BP...it can make you irritable...Just a thought...
If I take too high a dose of buspar I get like that...
Talk to her doctor...maybe at a lower dose there will be no side effects....
Good luck
Posted by stresser on January 2, 2005, at 19:45:11
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Robert Blackburn on January 2, 2005, at 17:42:57
Funny how you posted the question I was about to write in and ask!!! Isn't that strange? My daughter had been taking topamax for four months and also takes Wellbutrin. I have noticed that she has become a mean, intollerable, know-it-all, I'm gonna take you down, type of 16 year old. She was like that before that topamax (about 3months), and I'm wondering if it's the wellbutrin, but now I think the topamax may have a hand in the attitude. I don't like this attitude at all, and have been obsessed with figuring out what is going on. It's driving her me and her father crazy. We want out other daughter back. Let us know how things are for you. -L
Posted by rainy on January 2, 2005, at 20:14:05
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Robert Blackburn on January 2, 2005, at 17:42:57
To Robert Blackburn: When I first started topamax my husband commented in a wondering kind of voice that I was so "hostile" and that's exactly how I felt. Your wife started at 50 mgs rather than at the usual 25 which may be part of the problem. If she increases her dose at all, please caustion her to take it slow and easy. I've found by trial and error that if I go up by no more than 25 mg increments every three weeks I don't get as crabby, but even then I can feel the urge to snap hard to curb sometimes. It seems especially difficult to remain sane in the second week of a new dose. The first time I titrated up I didn't know what the hell was going on and nobody told me. You guys aren't alone in this and I guess it's the norm for Topamax users. Things do even out eventually.
rainy
Posted by bridgey1128 on January 2, 2005, at 21:11:57
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by rainy on January 2, 2005, at 20:14:05
Robert, your wife is probably having such a bad reaction to it because she started at such a high dosage like rainy said. You should ALWAYS start at the bottom and slowly work your way up. How long has she been at 50mg? If possible back down to the 25mg for a tad and then when she evens out then in a week or so THEN go up to the 50mg. Every 2 or 3 weeks then you can go up to the next dosage and no sooner. Otherwise you can have pretty bad side effects. I take it for bipolar and when I went up too soon I lost my eyesight until Kat told me to back down. ONce I did, just like she said, it went back to normal and ever since I haven't had many problems. The only time I have had problems was when I actually needed to go up and didn't. Topomax actually KEEPS me from being irritable and witchy so I don't know why it causes that in someone unless they went up on the dosage too quickly or another drug maybe caused it and it was to blame, who knows. It has worked for me quite well by itself although I know that a lot of people take other drugs along with it. Thankfully it DOES work by itself because I can't afford to take anything else!
Posted by rainy on January 3, 2005, at 9:44:39
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by bridgey1128 on January 2, 2005, at 21:11:57
Maybe you're just a kinder gentler person than I am, Bridgey. I think I was hostile before I started taking the Max and it just sort of brought it out in me, you know? But boy, did it ever. My pdoc told me it is supposed to calm me down--I'm still waiting. Different personalities respond to different drugs in different ways, like duh. And yes, it's really good that it works for you as a solo mood stabilizer--it's going to have to do that for me, too for awhile longer. All I was doing was quoting research that indicate it isn't always effective on its own, and you know how results change with different studies. I don't think it's doing very well for me, but I may be at too low a dose which is why I'm creeping up toward 400. Crabbily, I might add, two weeks into 350.
I also couldn't remember how to write 2005 on a form this morning--crossed out several tries which took us way back into the last century before it finally dawned on me. Little things.
But it will get better.rainy
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