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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2005, at 7:29:54
Hi all,
My GP gave me some samples of Topamax to try in order to counter the Nardil weight gain. I see my pdoc on Friday, plus I am going out of town for a few days starting Saturday, so I don't want to make any med changes until I get back.But has anyone tried this combo? Does it help with weight gain? My biggest concern is the side effects I could get with Topamax: cognitive stuff, fatigue or dizziness (I'm already fatigued because thyroid is out of whack, but starting Armour today), and other stuff.
Plus, is alcohol off limits? I like a glass of wine with dinner.
Thanks in advance,
gg
Posted by rainbowbrite on March 1, 2005, at 7:56:23
In reply to Nardil and Topamax?, posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2005, at 7:29:54
Don't know the combo BUT topamax had serious cognitive effects on me. I felt slow. and could not rememebr words. I know not everyone had these affects but ask your husband to pay attention to how you are acting, it is soemtimes hard to tell on our own and alerting someone else to it is very useful. About the weight, well I in part stopped it becasue of the weight loss. I didn;t need to lose weight when I went on it and it made me drop too much weight, I had no desire for food anymore. I was only taking 25-50mg, so if that is what you are taking it for, it does affect appetite big time. And the effect was so strong that I am sure it would over power what ever nardil is doing.
good luck
Posted by Optimist on March 1, 2005, at 7:58:56
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax?, posted by rainbowbrite on March 1, 2005, at 7:56:23
With Topamax I've heard it's important to titrate slowly in order to avoid side effects, especially with the cognitive ones.
Good luck!
Brian
Posted by SLS on March 1, 2005, at 10:26:47
In reply to Nardil and Topamax?, posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2005, at 7:29:54
If you decide to take Topamax, start very low and titrate very gradually. This is your best bet in any effort to establish Topamax treatment without experiencing significant cognitive impairment.
This might not apply to Nardil, but many people have been successful using amantadine to prevent weight gain while taking Zyprexa. Both Nardil and Zyprexa interfere with glucose dynamics. I have no idea how amantadine might work. Your doctor might be reluctant to prescribe amantadine and Nardil concurrently without being made aware of medical precedents for doing so. You might want to search the Internet for more information. The other thing about amantadine is that some use it specifically to augment antidepressants.
- Scott
Posted by stresser on March 1, 2005, at 16:04:09
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax? » gardenergirl, posted by SLS on March 1, 2005, at 10:26:47
I take topamax along with Zoloft, and it probably does decrease the appetite, but I really have not noticed it too much. Some people do, but I really think I can eat through anything. It does help most people, and I don't know why not me or my daugher. (It's the why me song and dance) I don't need to lose any weight, so it's not an issue for me. I take it for mood stabilization, and I also don't want to GAIN any weight either. You really MUST, I repeat MUST titrate slowely, because there are serious side effects if you do not. If you do, things should be just fine. My daughter also takes it, and neither of us have had any problems because we went up slowely. Our pdoc. insturcted us to go a little faster than a couple of people on this board, but I listened to them and everything went fine. Congnative impairment does happen if you go fast......if you notice it, then slow down until it goes away. I didn't have any, hahah, I have had it my entire life!! My daughter noticed it, and she had a panic moment one night before a cheer at a basketball game. Don't get upset, because it will go away. Post back when you need anything, because I did, and that's what helped me through these past several months with the topamax. It still does!!! -L
Posted by Maxime on March 2, 2005, at 20:33:40
In reply to Nardil and Topamax?, posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2005, at 7:29:54
GG - I know someone who takes a low dose of Topomax with Parnate to help with weight gain (yup, some people gain on Parnate). It is helping her plus she finds it augments the Parnate as well.
Ummm, you aren't drinking red wine with the Nardil are you?
Maxime
> Hi all,
> My GP gave me some samples of Topamax to try in order to counter the Nardil weight gain. I see my pdoc on Friday, plus I am going out of town for a few days starting Saturday, so I don't want to make any med changes until I get back.
>
> But has anyone tried this combo? Does it help with weight gain? My biggest concern is the side effects I could get with Topamax: cognitive stuff, fatigue or dizziness (I'm already fatigued because thyroid is out of whack, but starting Armour today), and other stuff.
>
> Plus, is alcohol off limits? I like a glass of wine with dinner.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> gg
Posted by Maxime on March 2, 2005, at 20:37:43
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax?, posted by Maxime on March 2, 2005, at 20:33:40
One more thing. Why don't you wait and see what happen after you have been on the Armour for a while. Your hypothyroidism is probably causing the weight gain in addition to the Nardil.
What "other stuff" will you be taking?
Maxime
> GG - I know someone who takes a low dose of Topomax with Parnate to help with weight gain (yup, some people gain on Parnate). It is helping her plus she finds it augments the Parnate as well.
>
> Ummm, you aren't drinking red wine with the Nardil are you?
>
> Maxime
>
>
> > Hi all,
> > My GP gave me some samples of Topamax to try in order to counter the Nardil weight gain. I see my pdoc on Friday, plus I am going out of town for a few days starting Saturday, so I don't want to make any med changes until I get back.
> >
> > But has anyone tried this combo? Does it help with weight gain? My biggest concern is the side effects I could get with Topamax: cognitive stuff, fatigue or dizziness (I'm already fatigued because thyroid is out of whack, but starting Armour today), and other stuff.
> >
> > Plus, is alcohol off limits? I like a glass of wine with dinner.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> > gg
>
>
Posted by gardenergirl on March 3, 2005, at 1:22:18
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax?, posted by Maxime on March 2, 2005, at 20:37:43
I do drink red wine. I have not found it to be a problem. Although for about six months I only drank white. I think it was one of the articles someone posted with the actual tested tyramine content in some of the old "no-no's" that made me decide to try it again.
I do think the thyroid has contributed to the most recent weight gain, but even when thyroid has been stable I've been gaining. But yes, it makes sense to see what the Armour does, too.
I take thyroid meds, an allergy pill, and Nardil, basically. Plus a vitamin, calcium, magnesium milk thistle (just started this) and fish oil. So if I add the Topamax, it's still not all that much, although I do have to carry around a pill box and use an alarm system to keep it all organized.
I see pdoc Friday. If she wants to go with switching from Nardil to Parnate then I will hold off on the Topamax. But I will need something to help me through the switch, because everytime I try to decresase Nardil by even one pill (15mg), the excessive sleeping comes back.
Although, I should see how that goes, too, once my thyroid is back to "normal".
Thanks for your thoughts. I'll let you know what comes of Friday.
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on March 3, 2005, at 1:23:57
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax?, posted by rainbowbrite on March 1, 2005, at 7:56:23
Yikes, that's exactly what I am afraid of. And I wasn't planning to go above 50 mg if I could help it. Definitely would have an adverse effect on completing my dissertation if I get cognitive effects.
THanks for sharing your experience.
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on March 3, 2005, at 1:25:43
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax?, posted by Optimist on March 1, 2005, at 7:58:56
How slow is slow? My GP gave me a pack that has you start with one pill at night (25 mg) for a week. And then add another in the a.m. for a week for a total of 50. And essentially go up by 25mg per week.
They do seem like they could be cut easily. Perhaps better to go up by half a pill? Or is this regimen okay, in your opinion?
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on March 3, 2005, at 1:30:20
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax? » gardenergirl, posted by SLS on March 1, 2005, at 10:26:47
Same question as to Optimist. How slow is slow?
And huh, amantadine. Interesting idea. Thanks!
gg
Posted by SLS on March 3, 2005, at 10:00:19
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax? » SLS, posted by gardenergirl on March 3, 2005, at 1:30:20
> Same question as to Optimist. How slow is slow?
>
> And huh, amantadine. Interesting idea. Thanks!
> ggI know it sounds weird at first, but amantadine does have some pro-dopaminergic properties that are poorly understood. If you check out Medline, you will find very conflicting opinions as to how well it serves to control weight gain with Zyprexa. However, I know one person who had been on and off Zyprexa several times. On a more recent trial, she took amantadine precisely for the management of weight gain. She gained not a single pound. Anecdotal.
- Scott
Posted by Maxime on March 3, 2005, at 14:20:59
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax? » SLS, posted by gardenergirl on March 3, 2005, at 1:30:20
I suffered a lot from topo-stupidity. First I lost the ability to form sentences and then I became psychotic. I believe the later was from increasing the med too quickly. I was bumped up to 150 mg really quickly (to be used a mood stabiliser). I ended up in the hospital for several days. I decided not to try the medication again.
I also got HORRIBLE acne from it. Just horrid! On my back and face. UGH! I just remembered that side effect plus my extremities would tingle (hands and feet).
Maxime
Posted by gardenergirl on March 4, 2005, at 23:38:21
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax?, posted by Maxime on March 3, 2005, at 14:20:59
Well, I'm going to try it. I'm hoping that 50mg might make a difference. I'll start with 25. Pdoc agreed it was a good idea. If this doesn't help with the weight we'll consider switching to Parnate.
I've alerted my hubby to watch for the stupids. And I pray I don't get acne. It's entirely not fair to have acne AND wrinkles and gray hair at the same time!
gg
Posted by Maxime on March 5, 2005, at 2:00:03
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax? » Maxime, posted by gardenergirl on March 4, 2005, at 23:38:21
You have great attitude and that will make all the difference. Good luck! Keep us posted. 25 mg is a good place to start.
Maxime
> Well, I'm going to try it. I'm hoping that 50mg might make a difference. I'll start with 25. Pdoc agreed it was a good idea. If this doesn't help with the weight we'll consider switching to Parnate.
>
> I've alerted my hubby to watch for the stupids. And I pray I don't get acne. It's entirely not fair to have acne AND wrinkles and gray hair at the same time!
>
> gg
Posted by ed_uk on March 5, 2005, at 9:59:33
In reply to Re: Nardil and Topamax?, posted by Maxime on March 5, 2005, at 2:00:03
25mg could be enough!
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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