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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by headachequeen on August 9, 2005, at 22:31:29
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by klyates79 on August 9, 2005, at 22:10:58
> today is my first day taking topamax strictly for weight loss....is there anyone else taking topamax for that purpose and if so how long have you been taking it and how much weight have you lost
Heavens above!! Weeks and weeks of no activity and suddenly there is someone out there <g>
I have no experience with Topamax for weight loss alone, so stricctly speaking I should not be speaking, but since I started using Topomax have lost something in the region of seventy pounds...Over the years of trying to deal with this epilepsy nonsense I had gained a lot of weight I really didn't want or need, some of the meds I was given were surefire weight add-ons ...
when I was married I weighed less than one hundred pounds, so that my husband used to joke that he married me because someone had to take me home and feed me...
and I would counter that he did too good a job of it.
with the help of the topomax and whatever it does I am now in control of the seizures and migraines and have left the weight for someone else to deal with... let some other anorexic put it to good use is my theory...I have been using topomax for almost three years now..
the trick is to start topomax slowly...
and to wait between two and three weeks before increasing the dosage...
I found that it was best to start with evening dosages.. as in follow the neurologist's directions (duh) and then when I had reached half of the target dose over a period of weeks, start the next half in the morning, again starting slowly...Instead of following the directions on the brochure he gave me, I started with 25 mg in the mornings and was really ill for a while... so much for basic intelligence... sigh...
when I read the destructions life became much simpler <s>
and drink lots of water with it...
that helps your kidneys to deal with any build up of toxins that might hang around...
good luck
kat
Posted by rainy on August 10, 2005, at 7:22:48
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by klyates79 on August 9, 2005, at 22:10:58
Hi, Klyates. Taking Topamax strictly for weight loss may be disappointing for you. It isn't a weight loss drug and not everyone who takes it loses weight. I lost about ten pounds but there were other variables like: summer and I was living on ice water--I hate summer. We had just moved to a place I did not want to go and I was grieving loss of job, friends and the beginnings of a fraying marriage; my rib had broken during the packing process and I was in serious pain. I couldn't eat worth a damn. Plus I was depressed, living on the deep down side of bipolar II.
So yes, I lost weight, but was it the drug or the circumstances? Please pay close attention to Kat's suggestions about starting slowly even if you become impatient--most people who do lose weight don't see any change until around 200 mgs.
Resist the temptation to just zip on up there as fast as possible no matter what your doctor says.
And sad to say, stupid calories and carbs do count, so focus on the veggies and all that blah blah blah.
Have a just wonderful day with this wonderful message. Really, though, best of luck.
rainy
Posted by compguy on August 13, 2005, at 22:59:45
In reply to Re:topamax, posted by Anne Marie on August 9, 2005, at 21:09:15
I am getting ready to take my first dose of topomax 25mg for mode, headaches does anyone have any advise also is there terriable side effects when you first start?
Posted by compguy on August 13, 2005, at 23:05:50
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by jelly on July 18, 2005, at 11:59:21
> Nick,
>
> Thanks for your kind response. I do think your approach may be wisest. There is certainly no reason for me to hurry right up to 100 mg.
>
> I'm glad you're doing so well with Topamax. I had no idea it was useful for such a wide range of conditions. I had realized it was originally intended for epilepsy, but I've been taking it for migraines. It has worked beautifully. I'm down from one nearly every day to maybe one or two a week. My doctor's goal is one or two a month (almost unimaginable to me!), which is why he increased the dosage.
>
> I had no idea it worked as a mood stabilizer as well. I'm so glad it is working for you and you've hit on a combination that "works." It seems so seldom that one hears of that kind of success in putting together a course of treatment.
I was wondering with your migranes did they cause dizzyness and if so did the topomax help?
Posted by compguy on August 14, 2005, at 6:59:06
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by compguy on August 13, 2005, at 23:05:50
ok i took the topomax last night and woke up this mourning real shaky is this normal? If so is it just a side effect that wares off or does it get worse?
Posted by headachequeen on August 14, 2005, at 11:40:19
In reply to Re:topamax, posted by compguy on August 13, 2005, at 22:59:45
> I am getting ready to take my first dose of topomax 25mg for mode, headaches does anyone have any advise also is there terriable side effects when you first start?
The only side effect I noticed when I first started taling topamax was because I miscued on the destructions...
I was told to take it in the evenings until I reached half the total dosage, then to start taking it in the mornings... somehow I confused the issue and started with mornings and it made me nauseous...other than that it was not a problem
Some people find that topomax causes problems, but usually because they increase the dosage too quickly or start with too high a dosage...
you are starting low which is good...
stay at that dosage for at least two weeks to give your body a chance to get used to it... if need be wait a third week before moving up to 50 mg....
strength for the day
kat
Posted by headachequeen on August 14, 2005, at 11:42:17
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by compguy on August 14, 2005, at 6:59:06
> ok i took the topomax last night and woke up this mourning real shaky is this normal? If so is it just a side effect that wares off or does it get worse?
This will not last... it is not something that I remember at all...
let your body adjust....
drink lots of water by the way... vital with any med that can build up in the kidneyskat
Posted by compguy on August 14, 2005, at 13:53:57
In reply to Re: topomax » compguy, posted by headachequeen on August 14, 2005, at 11:42:17
> > ok i took the topomax last night and woke up this mourning real shaky is this normal? If so is it just a side effect that wares off or does it get worse?
>
> This will not last... it is not something that I remember at all...
> let your body adjust....
> drink lots of water by the way... vital with any med that can build up in the kidneys
>
> katThank you for your responces, I went fishing this mourning and had some dizyness but and maybee its just in my head but i already feal a little better
Posted by sunsplashinwaves on August 20, 2005, at 17:43:31
In reply to Re:topamax, posted by Anne Marie on August 9, 2005, at 21:09:15
> Hello All!
>
> I was diagnosed about six months ago with Bipolar Disorder. Have had it for many years but really didn't have any truly challenging problems until after the birth of my second child...I completely went bonkers! Have been on every medication I can think of trying to get it under control but have really not had much success to note but have managed to add 55 lbs...which as we all know can do really bad things for the psychie! I recently went off of Zoloft...my most recent poison...because it did nothing but make me irritable and weepy...my doctor has agreed to let me try Topamax in conjuntion with Adderall ( did I mention I also have ADHD?) thinking the Adderall might help ward off the "brainfog" that is sometimes associated with Topomax. Has anyone tried this combination? First, did it help with the fogginess and second, were you able to lose any weight?***** OMG!!! My Dr just added Topamax to my daily meds. I have been on it before but was taken off of it b/c it made me so very mean. So, now I have been on Adderall & Adderall XR for about a year and Xanax (for emergencies he says **smiles**) and Percocet (for disc pain in my back) and newly added back Topamax... I was just thinking the same thing... He said that I am the only patient he had prescribed these together for. He says I just have to loose this weight. I lost 2 lbs between my last 2 visits and he was rather happy with it considering the time before I had gained weight. I was on Zoloft during my last pregnancy b/c it was safe to take and I don't really feel like it did anything. The Xanax really "saves" me when I feel overwhelmed and know I need to keep it under control or keep my mouth shut. So, as for side effects... I have been on all of these for about the past week... Starting slow on the Topamax at 25mg at bedtime and I feel like a truck has hit me... How about you?
Posted by rainy on August 20, 2005, at 18:57:14
In reply to Re:topamax » Anne Marie, posted by sunsplashinwaves on August 20, 2005, at 17:43:31
Hi, oh-my-gosh, I've forgotten your name, but you were worried because Topamax has "made you mean"when you've taken it before. Me too. I think the key to not being so mean is to increase the dosage very slowly and to be aware of what's going on; I bit my tongue and counted to ten more times than I can tell until it got awfully boring and still I had to continue with that kind of self control because truth to tell, I am sort of mean.
Myy husband commented on my hostility and he was right. Just go up at a snail's pace; I found it wasn't as bad the second time around.
Sorry about forgetting your name.
Mine's rainy, and I wish you the best.
Posted by headachequeen on August 20, 2005, at 21:09:13
In reply to Re:topamax » Anne Marie, posted by sunsplashinwaves on August 20, 2005, at 17:43:31
> > Hello All!
> >
> > I was diagnosed about six months ago with Bipolar Disorder. Have had it for many years but really didn't have any truly challenging problems until after the birth of my second child...I completely went bonkers! Have been on every medication I can think of trying to get it under control but have really not had much success to note but have managed to add 55 lbs...which as we all know can do really bad things for the psychie! I recently went off of Zoloft...my most recent poison...because it did nothing but make me irritable and weepy...my doctor has agreed to let me try Topamax in conjuntion with Adderall ( did I mention I also have ADHD?) thinking the Adderall might help ward off the "brainfog" that is sometimes associated with Topomax. Has anyone tried this combination? First, did it help with the fogginess and second, were you able to lose any weight?
>
> ***** OMG!!! My Dr just added Topamax to my daily meds. I have been on it before but was taken off of it b/c it made me so very mean. So, now I have been on Adderall & Adderall XR for about a year and Xanax (for emergencies he says **smiles**) and Percocet (for disc pain in my back) and newly added back Topamax... I was just thinking the same thing... He said that I am the only patient he had prescribed these together for. He says I just have to loose this weight. I lost 2 lbs between my last 2 visits and he was rather happy with it considering the time before I had gained weight. I was on Zoloft during my last pregnancy b/c it was safe to take and I don't really feel like it did anything. The Xanax really "saves" me when I feel overwhelmed and know I need to keep it under control or keep my mouth shut. So, as for side effects... I have been on all of these for about the past week... Starting slow on the Topamax at 25mg at bedtime and I feel like a truck has hit me... How about you?I don't know about this combination of meds...
I do know about ADD and ADHD... oh yes indeed I do sighone of the first things I am going to suggest is that you stop panicking and worrying about past reactions and anyone else's reactions...
our thoughts create our realities... that is not quite the way I want to phrase it, but it is the gist of what I want to say...
oh but I hope that makes sense...
it is one of those days when I am so exhausted that I have not enough energy to sleep...
but I feel this is important and I am going to try and write it...
so try to read what I mean please :)too often we read other people's reactions and worries and allow them to frame our responses and realities... and it gets us nowhere...
you are starting now at a low dose and starting in the evening. That is good. That is a great way to start. The people who have done serious studies on this med recommend this... and they have good reasons for it...
as for feeling as if a truck has hit you, of course you do. Your body and system have been through so much -- you have disc problems, you have gained weight which does not help those discs nor does it help the rest of your body adjust to the problems or the pain, need I catalogue the rest?
Your body feels the need to have a rest and is saying that it needs a break, it feels as if it were hit by a truck...
when I started topomax I started taking it in the morning.. somehow got the schedule mixed up and I felt as if I had swallowed a cement mixer... my fault... always read the destructions!!!
My body was trying to tell me something that I needed to know...The neurologist told me to take at least two weeks before moving on to the next dosage... because I messed up the time table, I waited an extra week... at least I got that part right...
and it worked...
and I began to lose weight almost at once.. in the first week or so I lost three pounds...
no great landmark, but a beginning and it was encouraging, although the main reason was to control epileptic activity and migraine...at this point I have lost track of the weight loss but topomax is controlling the epilepsy all by itself...
at first it was a support med for tegretol and later I was given a third med as well...
I quit taking tegretol and with the information I now have about tegretol I think the neurologists need to take some refresher courses on pharmaceuticals. That is a truly DANGEROUS medication... I knew it had side effects but I had no idea how deadly it was...
I have also quit using the holy batman stuff and am doing wonderfully with just topomax...
no migraine and no seizures, despite a recent hurricane level of stress in my life...The early information I received about topomax had me wondering if I should simply abandon it and stick to tegretol alone, put up with the migraines and hope that increased doses of tegretol would eventually deal with my seizure activity...
well I know now that it would not have worked; the tegretol was exacerbating the problem and would have caused irreversible liver damage and heaven alone knows what else...
Topomax has given me a great deal of freedom...
it does not affect my mood, it has not caused my hair to fall out, and it has not affected my memory...
as long as I follow the directions, drink lots of water and don't forget to take the meds at the proper intervals... forgetting to take the pills at the right times means a seizure is likely to occur...
I am going to be fine...you have to give it a chance to work for you...
positive energy and positive thoughts about your future will shape your reality...
don't look for the negative things that happened to someone else or that happened in the past...
see what happens this timeStay on the low dose for two or three weeks or longer if your system requires it, before you move up to the next level...
give your body a chance...
and lots of good luck and energy
kat
Posted by DonnieW on August 30, 2005, at 3:02:49
In reply to Re:topamax » Anne Marie, posted by sunsplashinwaves on August 20, 2005, at 17:43:31
I am a 37 yo male that was diagnosed bi-polar in Feb 05 . After being put on prozac, then lexapro and having no luck My doc put me on Depakote er in April. I currently take 2000 mg of Depakote ER ,200 mg Trazadone for sleep, 1 mg risperdal for paranoia and 22.5 mg tranxene for anxiety. Since going on Depakote I have went from 215 lbs. in April to 250 now . My Dr. just put me on Topamax today 50 mg a day for week 1 then 100 mg a day week 2. Can I expect any weight loss ? I am already cloudy at times from the drug cocktail He has me on and worry about more side effects from Topamax
Posted by headachequeen on August 30, 2005, at 8:35:57
In reply to Re:topamax, posted by DonnieW on August 30, 2005, at 3:02:49
> I am a 37 yo male that was diagnosed bi-polar in Feb 05 . After being put on prozac, then lexapro and having no luck My doc put me on Depakote er in April. I currently take 2000 mg of Depakote ER ,200 mg Trazadone for sleep, 1 mg risperdal for paranoia and 22.5 mg tranxene for anxiety. Since going on Depakote I have went from 215 lbs. in April to 250 now . My Dr. just put me on Topamax today 50 mg a day for week 1 then 100 mg a day week 2. Can I expect any weight loss ? I am already cloudy at times from the drug cocktail He has me on and worry about more side effects from Topamax
Donnie W, good morning, at least it is morning here,
you can certainly expect side effects in the beginning if you start at such a high dose and move up so quickly.it is fat better and safer to start at 25 mg and stay on it for two weeks then move up to 50 and stay there for at least two weeks and so on...
and take it in the evening if you are prescribed only one dose a day...
many doctors who are conversant with the med prescribe it in half doses, part in the evening and part in the morning...
good luck
kat
Posted by DonnieW on August 30, 2005, at 15:15:34
In reply to Re:topamax » DonnieW, posted by headachequeen on August 30, 2005, at 8:35:57
Thanks Kat, My Dr. did say to take 25 mg. twice a day but I will start at 25 mg a day Thanks again , Donnie
Posted by headachequeen on August 30, 2005, at 16:02:43
In reply to Re:topamax, posted by DonnieW on August 30, 2005, at 15:15:34
> Thanks Kat, My Dr. did say to take 25 mg. twice a day but I will start at 25 mg a day Thanks again , Donnie
That is a good idea...
the side effects start when people take too much too soon...and be sure not to titer up too fast...
stay on the 25 for at least two weeks
you can give your system longer at that dosage too if it seems the right thing to do...let your body be the guide... it knows best some times....
another good idea is to take it in the evening...
for some reason starting in the morning is really not the best idea...
trust me, I've been there, done that, and did not want the t-shirt
kat
Posted by headache pain on October 14, 2005, at 10:28:41
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by jelly on July 18, 2005, at 11:59:21
Hi Jelly, I am so glad to hear that topomax is working for your migraines. I am just starting today on 25 mg. I am worried about side effects but am at the point with my migraines im desperate to get them at the very least minimized. I have them for about 12 days a month, its no way to live, it affects not only my life but my families too. I had been on ametriptiline for about 2 years and it worked great for preventing migraines I quit having them altogether but I gained 30 pounds, and with a family histroy of weight related diabetis I was scared so I quit taking it about 10 months ago and am now having frequent and severe migraines again. I have a little bussy feeling since taking the Topomax this moring, would it be better to take it at bedtime for the first week? Thanks, headache pain
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 23, 2005, at 12:58:18
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by headache pain on October 14, 2005, at 10:28:41
I just started back on it again. I gained all 30lbs back after I stopped taking it!!! AAAAAHHH!!! Very frustrating. I have started again hoping just to stay on 50mg for a while. I have learned to deal with my moods. I just need some help with the weight.
Posted by headachequeen on December 26, 2005, at 20:34:12
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by bridgey1128 on December 23, 2005, at 12:58:18
> I just started back on it again. I gained all 30lbs back after I stopped taking it!!! AAAAAHHH!!! Very frustrating. I have started again hoping just to stay on 50mg for a while. I have learned to deal with my moods. I just need some help with the weight.
Hi Bridgey! The first time I went for that intensive eeg telemetry etc ad infinitum test the tech doing the test was the one who had been involved in the work involving topomax and weight loss. The neurologist she worked with was the one who linked topomax and its side effect with weight loss and did the studies that followed up on the side effect...
she warned me that when one stopped taking topomax the weight would flood back in a hurry...
and it seems to be the case...I just noticed a post .. have not been getting the posts for a while... from someone wondering if it is better to start taking topomax in the evening...
when one starts on this stuff, it is always better to start on low doses and to start with evening doses until one attains half the planned total dosage... then add morning dosages working up to the other half over a slow period of time...Bridgey, I hope that you can work out the moods and the weight...
I am still working on a migraine-free life and using topomax to manage a seizure-free life without the dread topomax...
but discovered that the neurologist using me and the fact that the variation of epilepsy that I am blessed with as a source of information for his next publication...
so have been postponing appointments.. the tests he orders cause seizures so they can study them and their effects and that sets off a new series of seizures until the topomax gets them under control, including daytime ones...
so I hate to be a wet blanket but he can find another guinea pig...
have had several massive seizures since the last intensive etc and it is following the pattern that led up to that hospital stay after the statis episode... don't really feel like repeating historymy regular doctor has increased the topomax to control the seizures and will slowly reduce it when things are under control....
and so far no side effects other than to the tests... arrgghhh
kat
Posted by RA Girl on January 20, 2006, at 22:27:06
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by mj on May 10, 2000, at 15:09:33
I currently take 200 MG of Topamax daily for migraines. It works great, but I'm losing my hair. Anyone else experiencing that side effect? I have been on it for about 8 months. Food still tastes the same, haven't lost a pound. Felt a lot of confusion and fogginess at first...now just forgetful, and nearly bald!!!
Posted by sunsplashinwaves on January 20, 2006, at 22:37:48
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by RA Girl on January 20, 2006, at 22:27:06
I am on Topamax and I have been on it twice - this time for about 10 mnths this time. I lost my hair a little bit in the begining. As I started to loose weight my hair got healthier. I have been on Adderall also and have had sucess with the combo of the 2 meds together. I wish you luck. Let me know if you have any questions.
> I currently take 200 MG of Topamax daily for migraines. It works great, but I'm losing my hair. Anyone else experiencing that side effect? I have been on it for about 8 months. Food still tastes the same, haven't lost a pound. Felt a lot of confusion and fogginess at first...now just forgetful, and nearly bald!!!
Posted by RA Girl on January 20, 2006, at 22:51:34
In reply to Re: topamax » RA Girl, posted by sunsplashinwaves on January 20, 2006, at 22:37:48
Thanks for your response! I'm not just losing a little hair though. This is serious. I will be needing a wig soon! I lose a big clump every time I wash it, and dry it. It falls out all over my clothes during the day. I take a lot of other drugs, but this is the only new one. I think I want to get off of it.
Posted by sunsplashinwaves on January 20, 2006, at 22:56:35
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by RA Girl on January 20, 2006, at 22:51:34
I think I would get off of it too... that is pretty scary... I knew that was a side effect but I didn't think it actuaklt happened... I wish you the vert best - email me if you need me on AOL.
Posted by stresser on January 22, 2006, at 9:03:22
In reply to Re: topamax » RA Girl, posted by sunsplashinwaves on January 20, 2006, at 22:56:35
Have you tried lowering your dosage? My daughter had some troube with her hair falling out at 400mg, but by lowering it to 300mg she is doing much better. She is still losing some hair, but not as much. She also takes Adderall, and is having great luck with that combination.
L
Posted by rainy on January 22, 2006, at 10:49:09
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by stresser on January 22, 2006, at 9:03:22
I haven't had trouble with Topamax causing my heair to fall out, but Lamictal surely did. I found that 180 mcg of zinc in one doze and 1000 mcg of biotin three times a day slowed the process immediately. Then I stopped taking Lamictal and felt better all over right away, which sort of begs the question of Topamax, which I'm still on. (400 mgs.) But my hair isn't falling out with the biotin and zinc, which I sometimes forget to take.
I buy the supplements at Target, where they seem to be least expensive. There may be more suggestions on the alternative meds board where I'll bet this gets switched.
Best of luck to you.
Rainy.
Posted by headachequeen on January 23, 2006, at 18:14:05
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by RA Girl on January 20, 2006, at 22:51:34
> Thanks for your response! I'm not just losing a little hair though. This is serious. I will be needing a wig soon! I lose a big clump every time I wash it, and dry it. It falls out all over my clothes during the day. I take a lot of other drugs, but this is the only new one. I think I want to get off of it.
How long have you been taking Topomax and what dose did you start at? When people start at high doses and titre up too quickly the side effects are horrendous...
too often doctors prescribe it without full cognizance of the proper protocol.
I have been fortunate in that the doctors I am seeing are the ones who were involved in early testing of the medication...
the neurologist I see at the moment is the one who discovered its propensity to help with weight loss and did the tests regarding that particular side effect...
the one who actually prescribed it for me is a head ache specialist... knew precious little about epilepsy but I have not had a migraine since I started using the stuff... and as he started me on a low dose and insisted that I increase it at two week intervals, and then only if my body had adjusted to the first dose, I have had few problems with side effects...the protocol is to reach half the dose - in low increments at two week or longer intervals - in evening doses, then start at the same low dose in morning doses, again two week or longer intervals
until the full dose needed is attainedso a 200 mg dose would be taken half in the evening and half in the morning... 12 hours apart to achieve maximum effect
starting with 25 mg in the evening then increasing by 25 mg at two week intervals until the 100 is reached, then starting in the mornings at 25 and so on...the side effects do not have to be a problem...
I have been down to 400 as the head aches and seizures seemed to be under control, but then the neurologist wanted to try some further testing to get some more info and the pattern changed thanks to the tests... he has his information on this rarer form of epilepsy and I have to work things through until I achieve the former balance, so now we are working back to 600 mg a day to see if that balances things again...
such fun... club Med takes on new meaning when it means time in hospital to overcome the effects of these tests...
oh well, fool me once, shame on you.. fool me twice shame on me.. I shall not agree to any further of their intensive etc EEGs...
once the topomax has my wiring balanced I shall simply keep re-sheduling my appointments and let the topomax do its thing ...it does wonders with migraines and wonders with seizures...
as for weight... well, that is another matter...
not sure if it is topomax or what, but I have lost so much weight that is now an issue...
at first it was great to lose the weight the wrong meds caused me to gain, now it is becoming a concern.anyone with extra, I could use it...
kat
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