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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 8:18:56
Hi.
Since starting Topamax, I have noticed that my muscles fatigue much more quickly and I become short of breath in response to the slightest physical exertion.
Has anyone else had this experience? Does it disappear with time? Is it dosage dependent?
- Scott
Posted by over 55 on August 17, 2006, at 10:09:04
In reply to Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 8:18:56
> Hi.
>
> Since starting Topamax, I have noticed that my muscles fatigue much more quickly and I become short of breath in response to the slightest physical exertion.
>
> Has anyone else had this experience? Does it disappear with time? Is it dosage dependent?
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott,
I know you are asking this question for yourself, but know you post on other subjects as well. Question for you ,if you don't mind?? I am off all AD's for 8 weeks now (225 mg Effexor XR for last 5 years in particular). Towards the last months of AD use I experienced extreme muscle fatigue and exhaustion upon any physical exertion, like climbing a flight of stairs. I would break out in a a sweat, legs would go weak, shakes and sometimes take 10 minutes to recover. I had to stop a lot of activities I really enjoyed. Chest pain accompanied these symptoms. Thorough medical testing followed when I went to Dr. Nothing showed up. I have never fully gotten strength or stamina back and now just don't allow myself to "go over my limit" to stay comfortable. Could these symptoms have been due to long term use of Effexor?? I am so confused anymore about what may have been caused by use of AD's and what may be "something else". I spend alot of time and money chasing phantom symptoms that may all be related to the use of Effexor and I used Paxil for 7 years before that and something else before that. What are your thoughts on this, if you care to share?? Thanks,
Posted by Sobriquet Style on August 17, 2006, at 11:17:11
In reply to Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 8:18:56
>I have noticed that my muscles fatigue much more quickly and I become short of breath in response to the slightest physical exertion.
I had this exact same side effect.
>Does it disappear with time?
Based on my own experience of patiently waiting for this side effect and others to disappear, unfortunately I can only say it remained throughout the duration of my Topamax trial. Over time I would attempt exercise but just simply doing a basic task such as moving a medium weight box across the room would result in sweating and exhaustion like I had just run a marathon!
At the start of treatment I was very fond of the drug and its effects on mood, over time I began to hate what the drug was doing to my body and mind. The cognitive effects got worse too, well really remained the same but because my mind wasn't as sharp as before, months upon months was wasted with thoughts and actions that were not what I would usually do. When I realized it was also hindering a professional career amongst other aspects of life, I finally recognised it was more problematic than manic depression itself posed to me.
I do feel the drug has some positive sides to it though. It was excellent at preventing headaches, and had a 'feel' even sexually that was positive. This ratio was clearly out numbered for me though with the negative 10:1
Look out for the cognitive side effects. At first you can/may feel possible improvement, but over time I found the drug to be very deceptive to my intellect.
~
Posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 14:49:40
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by over 55 on August 17, 2006, at 10:09:04
Hi.
> I am off all AD's for 8 weeks now (225 mg Effexor XR for last 5 years in particular). Towards the last months of AD use I experienced extreme muscle fatigue and exhaustion upon any physical exertion, like climbing a flight of stairs. I would break out in a a sweat, legs would go weak, shakes and sometimes take 10 minutes to recover.
I recall having this as a side effect with Effexor. I remember one time in particular swimming for about 5-10 minutes and being stricken afterwards for about 30-45 minutes. I experienced everything you described plus rapid heartbeat and palpitations.
> I had to stop a lot of activities I really enjoyed. Chest pain accompanied these symptoms.
Nothing to ignore.
> I have never fully gotten strength or stamina back and now just don't allow myself to "go over my limit" to stay comfortable. Could these symptoms have been due to long term use of Effexor??
Ouch. It is conceivable that the long term use of Effexor has produced changes in your autonomic nervous system - an imbalance of sorts (dysautonomia). These things you are experiencing might even be symptoms of depression, believe it or not. Superimposed upon drug-induced dysautonomia, they could be quite significant. Of course, the possibility exists that your body has experienced a significant amount of deconditioning during the last 5 years due to inactivity. Hopefully, time and the gradual reintroduction of exercise will clear things up.
- Scott
Posted by over 55 on August 17, 2006, at 15:13:25
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 14:49:40
Good thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to answer. Hope your journey smoothes out also.
Posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 15:27:02
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by Sobriquet Style on August 17, 2006, at 11:17:11
> > I have noticed that my muscles fatigue much more quickly and I become short of breath in response to the slightest physical exertion.
> I had this exact same side effect.> > Does it disappear with time?
> Based on my own experience of patiently waiting for this side effect and others to disappear, unfortunately I can only say it remained throughout the duration of my Topamax trial.
Darn.
Thanks for the feedback.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 17, 2006, at 18:24:21
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath » Sobriquet Style, posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 15:27:02
Scott I'm sorry. Love Phillipa
Posted by lymom3 on August 17, 2006, at 20:18:02
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath » SLS, posted by Phillipa on August 17, 2006, at 18:24:21
Darn...now you're telling me that if I ever actually got over being tired and got enough energy back to exercise that not only are my muscles going to ache (yes they are now on Topamax) but I'll be short of breath too!! Why it is always something! For those of you who have/had taken Topamax either alone or in conjunction with something else, what dosage seems to be a minimum effective dosage?
I am on Lamictal and 50mg is all I'm going to be able to take of that. IF I try to go to 100mg, I start bruising and have chest pains. I did feel initial benefit at the 50. I'm still pretty sleepy on the Topamax but I am getting better. I know without a doubt that I feel better than I ever have on any anti depressant that I've ever tried.
I've never really had a pdoc that really cared enough to try to help me and play with meds before but this one will work with me and fiddle with it until I actually feel good. I truly don't want to be a blubbering idiot and unable to speak. I haven't had a soda in 3 weeks. That in and of itself is nuts!! I've had at least a 12 pack a day of diet soda for the last 30 years.
So I'm on 50 of Lamictal, 50 of Topamax, 60 of Ritalin LA and 80 of Inderal LA...tryiing to figure out what to fiddle with next.
Posted by ashu on August 17, 2006, at 22:25:22
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by lymom3 on August 17, 2006, at 20:18:02
i've been on topamax 200 mg twice a day, for over 2 years now. my dr recently added zonegran to my regimen. the 2 are very similar with very similar side effects. i never experienced the muscle fatigue and sob effects with topamax like i am with zonegran. my life is HELL on zonegran! i can't walk to the mailbox without stopping to rest. i'm tired ALL the time. i'm nauseated all the time. depressed. i guess this means this will stay with me, until i stop taking it? i won't just get used to? i know sometimes, over time the meds take a while to get into your system and you get used to them. is this one, that you just have to stop taking it, and THEN the side effects go away? because i can't function like this. i need to know before my next doctor's visit. it's too far away. i can't even take care of my daughter on a day to day basis if i continue this medication.
Posted by Cairo on August 18, 2006, at 10:11:11
In reply to Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by SLS on August 17, 2006, at 8:18:56
SLS,
I definitely had muscle fatigue and shortness of breath with Topamax, along with every other SE listed. The overall fatigue and cognitive problems were so debilitating that I just ignored the muscle fatigue and SOB. However, everything got much worse above 50mg and I had to stop at 100mg. I think I had metabolic acidosis, but no one ever thought to check bicarb levels. I did check with urine test strips, but the pH level indicator does not go lower than 5.5. While decreasing the Topamax dose, my urine pH did increase.
Cairo
> Hi.
>
> Since starting Topamax, I have noticed that my muscles fatigue much more quickly and I become short of breath in response to the slightest physical exertion.
>
> Has anyone else had this experience? Does it disappear with time? Is it dosage dependent?
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on August 18, 2006, at 13:47:07
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by Cairo on August 18, 2006, at 10:11:11
Thanks for sharing your experience with Topamax. I'm sorry it didn't prove to be a more useful drug for you.
- Scott
Posted by ashu on August 18, 2006, at 14:23:47
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath » Cairo, posted by SLS on August 18, 2006, at 13:47:07
does this mean no one might know a possible answer to any of my questions? i called my doctor today. i'm desperate. zonegran has very similar side effects as topamax. will i get used to them? or will i just have to stop taking it for the effect to go away? the site of food makes me throw up. i have no energy. does anyone know?
Posted by SLS on August 18, 2006, at 15:10:24
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by ashu on August 18, 2006, at 14:23:47
Hi Ashu.
You are not being ignored. I don't think anyone knows the answers to your questions. I tried Zonegran for about a month. I don't remember having the side effects you describe.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2006, at 20:22:50
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by SLS on August 18, 2006, at 15:10:24
I tried lowering the dosage of Topamax to 50mg. It seemed to help with the fatigue and breathlessness, but I also lost the therapeutic effect (as meager as it was). I am raising it back up to 100mg.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 21, 2006, at 21:10:59
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by SLS on August 21, 2006, at 20:22:50
Scott are you sure the breathlessness was from the topamax? I have it too. New for me. Love Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on August 22, 2006, at 15:47:18
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath, posted by SLS on August 21, 2006, at 20:22:50
Hi Scott
What about 75mg? ........finding the minimum effective dose and all that.
Ed
Posted by SLS on August 22, 2006, at 15:52:23
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath » SLS, posted by ed_uk on August 22, 2006, at 15:47:18
> Hi Scott
>
> What about 75mg? ........finding the minimum effective dose and all that.
I guess I was just too lazy to cut the 50's.:-)
- Scott
Posted by over 55 on August 22, 2006, at 16:06:17
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath » ed_uk, posted by SLS on August 22, 2006, at 15:52:23
> > Hi Scott
> >
> > What about 75mg? ........finding the minimum effective dose and all that.
>
>
> I guess I was just too lazy to cut the 50's.
>
> :-)
>
>
> - ScottIt's about 4 pm here and my legs feel like lead and my eyes are heavy. I, like Scott, would find it easier to skip the pill than have to find the knife to cut it ( :
Ah, well is it lazy, system (my) failure or some problematic aftermath of drug use to "help" myself? Those are the questions...we all want answers to. Have a great evening!!
Posted by ed_uk on August 24, 2006, at 13:33:56
In reply to Re: Topamax - muscle fatigue and short of breath » ed_uk, posted by SLS on August 22, 2006, at 15:52:23
Hi Scott
>I guess I was just too lazy to cut the 50's.
Perhaps you should get the 25mg tablets next time!
Ed
This is the end of the thread.
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