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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by stresser on January 8, 2005, at 22:42:10
I would like some information from any of you about the different types of bipolar disorder. I have done reading and have read about as much as I can, but would like personal input. My daughter is taking topamax for binge eating and recently went to the psychiatrist. He thinks she may be bipolar II or somewhere around there, (not I) and increased her to 400mg as quickly as possible. Her phychologist thinks that she may NOT be bipolar, because she doesn't act like the "typical" type I. She will take a MMPI test next week for a correct diagnosis. I'm not sure about it myself, want her to take this test to be sure. I would like to hear from those of you that are bipolar and what type you are. How were you diagnosed? How have you noticed the medications helping you? -L
Posted by D minor on January 9, 2005, at 18:27:55
In reply to Topamax and Bipolar, posted by stresser on January 8, 2005, at 22:42:10
Hi L,
take my message with a grain of salt as I am not a doctor. However, in my opinion (stress opinion) 400mg is A LOT of Topamax. This drug has mood stabilizing effects, but also affects mental sharpness. It's even been called "Dopymax." You can get more info on it as http://www.crazymeds.orgThis is my personal experience. When I was first diagnosed with Major Depression I was put, amongst other things, on 200 mgs of Topamax to prevent my migrain headaches. I ended up like a zombie. My mouth just hung open all the time and I stared into space. It also made me loose 25 lbs.
Just a few months ago I asked to be taken off of it to see how I would do. I ended up rapid cycling, so my diagnosis changed to Bipolar. I was put on Depakote. After gaining 20lbs my pdoc desided to go back with the Topamax. To avoid zombification he started me on a very low dose. So now I'm on 25 mgs, and the good thing is that we know that Topamax does work as a mood stabilizer for me.
Oh,and take the MMPI with a grain of salt too. I took it, and the results were debatable. Sorry.
Best wishes for you and your daughter,
dm
Posted by stresser on January 9, 2005, at 21:51:01
In reply to Re: Topamax and Bipolar, posted by D minor on January 9, 2005, at 18:27:55
Thanks for the information, she is already at 300mg of topamax, and has been titrating up since the first of Sept. No major side-effects so far, thank goodness. She really hasn't had any weight loss either, but the doc says teenagers metabolize the drug faster than adults and it takes higher dosages for them than it would an adult or older patient. We shall see. -L
Posted by CareBear04 on January 10, 2005, at 23:14:01
In reply to Re: Topamax and Bipolar » D minor, posted by stresser on January 9, 2005, at 21:51:01
hi! i'm interested in learning more about topomax. my dr suggested it a few months ago, but what i've heard about it didn't appeal to me. i've heard it be called "dopey-max" because it supposedly makes you dumb, and i've heard it called a barbie drug because it causes weight loss and stupidity. i don't know if these thigns are true or not. how big is your daughter? is weight loss inevitable on topomax? i have had problems with weight loss recently (too underweight), but i need a mood stabilzier that works. lamictal isn't working for me.
i'm 22, first saw a pdoc about two years ago. i've been hit with almost every diagnosis possible, but the one that comes up over and over is bipolar II. i don't think there's any test that can make a 100% correct dx. i think with BP II, the thought is that it fits (as well as possible) if it absorbs more symtpoms than any other diagnosis. then, they can also add things like anxiety disorders, etc.
how old is your daughter? how long has she been under psychiatric care?
good luck!
Posted by stresser on January 11, 2005, at 21:23:35
In reply to Re: Topamax and Bipolar » stresser, posted by CareBear04 on January 10, 2005, at 23:14:01
My daughter is 16, and has been taking topamax for about four months. She started out at 50mg per day, and titrated up every two weeks, and is now at 400mg per day. Maybe she has lost around five pounds? She says it has cut down on her urge to binge eat, and that is why she started taking it to begin with. She has a binge eating disorder. Recently she was told by her doc that he thinks she may be biplar II or III and he increased her dosage from 300mg to 400mg. We aren't positive about the diagnosis, she will take an MMPI test next week. Not all people lost weight on this, as we found out. It's not as bad as some people say it is, so far she has not had ANY serious side effects and it has stabilized her moods. We are still in the trial phase, and not discouraged at all...yet. you may want to go back to August and Sept. to read some of the post about topamax. They should be really helpful, some are mine, and I know I asked MANY questions and the people on this board were wonderful with writing in offering advice and infomation about what they have experienced on topamax. Just look through up to December of '04. -L
Posted by CareBear04 on January 12, 2005, at 1:58:06
In reply to Re: Topamax and Bipolar » CareBear04, posted by stresser on January 11, 2005, at 21:23:35
thanks stressor! i'll definitely look up the posts. i asked my dr about it today, though, and she said that maybe we can try topomax sometime in teh future, but for now, we need to work on one variable at a time (and there are a million to address before we'll get to topomax). but whatever works, topomax or not, is fine by me. thanks again!
This is the end of the thread.
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