Posted by Brittany on July 24, 2003, at 19:59:25
In reply to Re: Topamax -- appetite loss or metabolism gain?, posted by Dinah on July 15, 2003, at 22:23:35
> Originally posted by kashley 7/15/03
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I'm a newbie to this board and saw the loads of threads about the weight loss experienced by those of you on Topamax. Here's my deal:
> >
> > I have clinical depression and occasionally lean into the bipolar arena. I've been LOVING life on Effexor XR for the past 15 months (at 300 mg. for about six months now), but like several people in the posts I read, I gained 38 pounds in a mighty short period of time. My doctor said it had nothing to do with Effexor XR and he left it at that.
> >
> > My doctor died about five weeks ago. (How many of you can say THAT?)
> >
> > Anyway, today I saw a new doctor and she was immediately concerned about the weight gain and said it WAS probably because of the Effexor XR! Knowing that I would NOT give up my Effexor XR for anything, she gave me a scrip for Topamax. She wants me to start at 25 mg per day and work my way up to 200 mgs gradually (she gave me a schedule to follow).
> >
> > As much as I would love to think Topamax will help me lose some of the weight I gained from Effexor, the fact of the matter is ... I don't eat a lot! At all! Ever! (Well, okay, maybe the occasional chocolate pig-out when I'm P.M.S.ing).
> >
> > Really, my daily caloric intake is rarely over 1000 per day -- simply because I'm never hungry and drinking water (which I love) fills me up. For exercise, I rollerblade a few hours each week and do some upper body work as well (not much, mind you).
> >
> > So, here I am, barely eating as it is, yet gained an obscene amount of weight in a ridiculously short period of time, probably because of my beloved Effexor XR. My daily food intake (generally healthy foods) is obviously not the reason for not being able to lose any of this weight or for having gained it in the first place.
> >
> > So ... is Topamax going to make me eat even less???? Or can any of you who have lost weight while taking Topamax truly say that your loss was not as a direct result of decreased appetite?
> >
> > Help!
> >
>
>I can completely understand your frustration/love of effexor. I have been on effexor for 5 years and on neurontin for 4 years. Neurontin and Topomax are similar and I have had thoughts of changing to Topomax. The fact that it has the potential for weight loss is a major factor for me. In the last 5 yeras I have gained 70 lbs. and I really think it is effexor. I have always been able to exercise and get the weight off if I gained a few lbs. but since the effexor....the scale keeps increasing and I am at the point where my physical appearance is a larger depression. I just increased my effexor from 150 ro 225mg to help with the depression that the effexor is partially causing (the weight gain). I would be interested to hear of any research or experiences that would help me make that decision. I am not excited about putting my body through a medication change - but I will if I need to. Also, will Topomax take care of the depression and the anxiety blips from which I suffer?
poster:Brittany
thread:242302
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030723/msgs/245000.html