Posted by phillybob on January 9, 2001, at 12:46:41
In reply to The benefits of Topamax, posted by Kingfish on January 8, 2001, at 20:00:36
In the past 2 1/2 weeks, I've built up to 125 mg of topiramate at nite (starting at 12.5 mg 2X/day in the beginning). Taking no other meds. Some slight cognitive slowing, tingling in the fingers and the toes and somnolence barely remain after adjusting a few days at the dosage levels. Carbonated beverages are somewhat strange tasting. Mouth is dry. Drinking alot of beverage (H20) to prevent kidney stone side effect possibility. While I am titrating rather quickly, I think these side effects are common and the dissipation of such is also common once adjusting to such level. My aim is for at least 200 mg per nite, at least, for now.
I basically have treatment-resistant (tried all SSRIs, etc., did not try MAOI though suspect it might have worked) dysthymia (chronic depression?) with cycles of less severe and more severe times (some kind of bi-polar II or III thing ... haven't fully analyzed it). Occassional AD-induced hypomania.
Since starting the topiramate, I've already felt more stable, less depressed, though not undepressed. Nonetheless, better. Going to keep it solo for the time being, but thinking of adding something as an anti-depressant at some point (either lamictal, as Lexie seemed to have success with, or effexor).
Since, hypomania and mania are NOT really my problem, I am not sure from what I've read if this drug has efficacy alone for such as a stabilizer, but as an adjunct, perhaps so.
I am attempting its use as something to give me a baseline or "platform" of stability for an AD or (even lamictal AD add-on) to work on.
Any comments, suggestions, long term users, long term side effects, benefits?
poster:phillybob
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/51269.html