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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jamielynn on December 8, 2002, at 0:17:12
In reply to Re: Topomax woes, posted by whittba on December 2, 2002, at 17:24:29
Just a brief history on myself - in case anyone wanted to know. Although I was having depressive days-sometimes longer than others. I had went to the doc for the depression & downright lousy moods! I am sure you know what I mean. I was a non smoker exercised regular but had put on aprox 70 lbs in 4 years. I had always been at 150 forever. Then I started smoking sometime in the mix.(now I really feel bad.)Now everyone says its age (42) After trying prozac, then wellbutin - none really helped
but on the other hand when I started getting side effects,i.e. slowing down, tiredness more that usual, which meant I didn't care if I did anything all day! I got off of them both. Finally I noticed my vision would go away in my left eye only and just for about 15 seconds at a time. After seeing a optometrist, several mri's and a couple doppler tests they found I had a psudo tumor. Now with psudo meaning "fake" guess what-no real tumor (good news) but no one -including my nuro. can tell me why this happens. When the nuro told me since she couldn't find out what it was she was going to call it MIGRAINE headaches and give me topamax for weight loss I did't put much trust in her. (Since I hadn't had a headache in several years!)
I decided to do my own research on the Topo and all the rest and you all have really helped me decide to just keep watching and see what goes on for me since the side effects are at the present worse than the depression (most days if ya know what I mean) I hope you all find the right combo for yourselves! I know the struggle you are going thru. !!! Good luck !! jamielynn
Posted by Bill1888 on December 8, 2002, at 13:09:25
In reply to Re: How many of you posting are currently exercising? » Bill1888, posted by Ponder on December 7, 2002, at 14:55:19
I might be experiencing a little bit of a dry mouth. Hard to tell because exerise demands water but I try to drink lots of water any way. I have a very demanding technical job at a software company in the telco industry. I have not really noticed any degradation in my ability to concentrate or the other dumbing effects people have mentioned here but that kind of thing is subtle so it is hard to say for sure. I am taking 150 Mg of Wellbutrin in the evening along with 50 Mg of Topomax and 25 Mg of Topomax in the AM. I am doing a group therapy thing once a week as often as I am able (when I am in town and not traveling on company business) but this is more about the interactions of the group and not so much about our own individual histories directly. I find this more useful and interesting than retreading the the same old ground of the parental relationships from long ago.
Posted by IsoM on December 8, 2002, at 13:17:30
In reply to How many of you posting are currently exercising?, posted by jamielynn on December 6, 2002, at 13:06:37
Jamielynn, I can't run. Each thump of my foot coming down sends shock waves through my head & will bring on headaches. But I love walking & can walk almost as fast as some people jog.
I don't always walk - it depends on what each day is like. But every day that I'm not feeling too much pain, I fill with activity - dancing, working or moving quickly, running up & down staris in my place when I'm cleaning. I'm ADHD & I'm grateful for it. It's often said that the hyperactivity seems to fade with age & is less in women than men, but maybe that's cause some become lazy. I credit it with helping me stay active - I can't sit still for long. But it's benefitted me as my health & physical fitness is very good for my age.
But activity has never been enough to stave off depression for me. Like others, I consider a combination of meds & life style to be what I need to feel good - or even normal. I'm glad to see so many have responded positively to your question on exercise.
Posted by bluedog on December 9, 2002, at 4:01:55
In reply to Running vs other activities » jamielynn, posted by IsoM on December 8, 2002, at 13:17:30
For those of you who have a garden where you live, I find that gardening can be a really great workout!
All that chopping, weed pulling, digging, pushing the lawn mower and pruning and than dragging the prunings to the bin can really work up a good sweat and you get to use almost every muscle in your body.
I just had a HUGE load of mulch delivered to my house this weekend and I spent the entire weekend filling barrow load after barrow load and carting it to every corner of my garden and then raking it all level.
What's more the results give you a wonderful sense of achievement and with a nice hot shower at the end of the day I felt really relaxed and satisfied and slept like a baby at night!
regards
bluedog
Posted by sjb on December 9, 2002, at 9:29:57
In reply to How many of you posting are currently exercising?, posted by jamielynn on December 6, 2002, at 13:06:37
I run between 8 - 15 miles daily and lift weights 2-4 times a week. I was not able to do this on meds and have been off of them, totally, for almost a month. This may be folly if my depression returns. I would go back (and cut back on my excercising) if I found a pill that kept me relatively sane. All the good ones pooped out and I'm tired of psychiatry in general.
Posted by sjb on December 9, 2002, at 9:38:44
In reply to Re: How many of you posting are currently exercising? » Bill1888, posted by Ponder on December 7, 2002, at 14:55:19
I hear ya. I used to find myself explaining things to therapists, also. I read books before they did, was up meds and their side effects better than they were, and they for the most part, were against the amount of excercise I do.
Posted by highanxiety on December 9, 2002, at 14:38:37
In reply to How many of you posting are currently exercising?, posted by jamielynn on December 6, 2002, at 13:06:37
I have always excercised (im on 75 mgs remeron)...I still do despite the wonderful 45 lb weight gain (makes excercize rather pointless)...only now the high dosage has made me very heat sensitive (all my sensory stuff worse). Normally thin as a rail, and excercise makes me burn more, but not on remeron.
Posted by IsoM on December 9, 2002, at 14:48:42
In reply to Re: Gardening can be really physical!!, posted by bluedog on December 9, 2002, at 4:01:55
Gardening can be hard work alright! I'm pretty strong for my age (53) but I do have joint pain & I'm not that big a woman (only 120 lb) so when heavy work needs doing, I've got to call in some strong young guy to lift huge rocks, & dig in compacted soil. But there's nothing like working up a sweat with a cool breeze blowing. Because all SSRIs have made me much warmer, I need to work in the coolest part of the day in warm weather. Bluedog, have you found any of your meds have increased your body heat?
Posted by bluedog on December 9, 2002, at 23:06:21
In reply to Re: Gardening can be really physical!! » bluedog, posted by IsoM on December 9, 2002, at 14:48:42
> Gardening can be hard work alright! I'm pretty strong for my age (53) but I do have joint pain & I'm not that big a woman (only 120 lb) so when heavy work needs doing, I've got to call in some strong young guy to lift huge rocks, & dig in compacted soil. But there's nothing like working up a sweat with a cool breeze blowing. Because all SSRIs have made me much warmer, I need to work in the coolest part of the day in warm weather. Bluedog, have you found any of your meds have increased your body heat?
Hi Iso
Good to hear from you! I am still trying to get either a Yahoo or Hotmail email account up and running. I have tried and I've tried again everyday this week and no matter what I do I can't seem to get it to work for me!! Has anyone else had such difficulty setting up one of these accounts? Anyway, I'm going to get my brother to come over this weekend to give me a hand. He is an electronic technician and is a true computer "Wizz". Hopefully I'll have it up and running by next week :).
Regarding the ssri's. I have heard that the ssri's can affect the temperature regulatory systems in your body. I have a very close friend who also happens to be a qualified and registered psychiatric nurse. She herself went through a bout of depression and was on Zoloft for 4 years. She tells me that she had the opposite problem to you and she had difficulty keeping herself warm while she was on the Zoloft. However she was on the maximum therapeutic dose recommended for this medication!!!
Personally I have not had any problems on my current medications (20mg generic Prozac and 2.5mg Diazepam twice per day). However with my previous medication (Effexor XR) I definitely suffered from excessive sweating...usually at night. I used to suffer from horrible night sweats when on the Effexor and I would wake up with the bed literally soaked in a pool of sweat such as that I used to swap sides {and put my poor dog on the wet patch... LOL :) :) } You have probably guessed at this stage that I share my bed with a dog (or two..though the female seems to prefer her own space and will only join us on the really cold nights). Anyway because I used to get drenched in sweat I would go from overheating to suffering from chills from the wet sheets. Thank god the Prozac does not have this effect on me!!!!
NOW, having aired my above views I actually have another possible theory (or HYPOTHESIS as Larry prefers to say) about why you get so hot when gardening in the heat of the day and it does not have as much to do with the medications that you take but they may still contribute to your problem. My theory goes as follows:
I believe that the difference between you and me (disregarding any age and gender differences) actually relates to the CLIMATE in which you live. I have read articles that state that the metabolism between persons who live in hot climates actually differs to the metabolism of persons who live in cooler climates (I don't know how far north in Canada you live but you may live in an outright cold climate...The Yukon for instance????? or perhaps you live further inland away from the moderating effect of the sea on the climate????). The human body is an amazing adaptive organism and people living in colder climates literally have "thicker blood" and a more sluggish metabolism.(Don't ask me about the science on this matter)
I have personally experienced this difference from both sides of the coin. I currently have a very close friend who comes from a northern European country (where it snows and and the lakes freeze over in winter) staying in my beautiful city for a 6 month period. She arrived in the middle of our winter and while us locals were shivering and rugging up in thick wooly jumpers (sweaters) she was practically running around in summer dresses and wanting to go to the beach for a swim. However now that the weather is starting to warm up slightly she is suffering enormously from what she terms "stifling" heat and we all love to tease her about this. It's not even really that warm yet. Here's a sample of the current temperature in my city with a forecast for the coming days:
Current Temperature 30°C
Forecast Maximum 34°C
Hot. Windy.Relative Humidity is 18%
Barometer is at Q1018.7
Visibility is at 10+ kmForecast Min Max
Wed 19 37
Thu 18 29
Fri 14 26I have other friends who have migrated to Australia permanently and within a couple of years they also start feeling the cold during our winters and also enjoy the very pleasant summer temperatures that we get as their systems slowly adapt to the local climate, their metabolism changes and their blood "thins out"
From my own personal experience I lived 2 years in a Northern European country during my 20's and I was constantly suffering from cold (even the summers were more like our autumns in this country) What's more my SAD symptons were absolutely shocking and I hated the really short winter days where it didn't get light until 9.00am and it was already dark by 4.00pm and the sky was also so much lower in general.
So my thoughts on this matter is that the combination of the ssri you take PLUS actually living in a cooler climate creates the conditions in your body that make you overheat when you do your gardening in the hotter part of the day. I think that because in Canada you have shorter summers than in Australia that your body has less time to adapt to the higher summer temperature each season. I'd hazard a guess that you adapt more quickly to the winter cold...am I right???
Do you think that we should trouble Larry to perhaps give us a more scientific explanation for my hypothesis?
warm regards {no pun intented :)}
bluedog
Posted by IsoM on December 10, 2002, at 0:09:38
In reply to Re: Gardening can be really physical!! » IsoM, posted by bluedog on December 9, 2002, at 23:06:21
Hey, chill out, mate! (lousy pun intended)
While your theory might be sound, it doesn't apply to me. My climate isn't nearly as warm as yours, but where I live in Canada, it's nicknamed the 'Banana Belt'. We can grow bananas here & while they're not commercial varieties - they're mainly grown as exotic looking ornamentals - some varieties can bear fruit. Winter isn't that cold. It's mostly the rainy season. An occasional winter, we'll have no snow. Most times if it snows, it'll only last a day or couple hours on the ground.
I live close neough to the Pacific to benefit from its moderating effects. Winters are mild & summers don't get too hot. Many nights, the lows are still above freezing. But in summer, when humidity levels are high, the sun is strong, & there's no breeze that I suffer. I'm neither comfortable in heat or cold.
I lived on the Prairies (my sentence in Hell) for 14 years & froze in winter. But in summer, when the weather system didn't come from the south with high humidity, I could take the heat better. It was dry & windy. Perfect for gardening. Any sweat would evaporate quickly, doing what it's supposed to do - cool the body.
Despite the heat where you live, I would do better on a day like you had today, than on our muggy still summer heat. I still go out with sandals & just a sweater on.
Posted by IsoM on December 10, 2002, at 0:11:27
In reply to Re: Gardening can be really physical!!, posted by bluedog on December 9, 2002, at 4:01:55
Bluedog, if you wish, email me from your "good" email account to isomorphix at hotmail dot com & I'll answer from my good account in return.
Posted by bluedog on December 10, 2002, at 0:34:55
In reply to Re: Gardening can be really physical!! » bluedog, posted by IsoM on December 10, 2002, at 0:09:38
> Hey, chill out, mate! (lousy pun intended)
>Don't worry, I've got my airconditioning running at this very moment.
I've never been to Canada but from documentaries on TV and from photos in magazines I find the country very beautiful and attractive and would love to visit some day. I love what I've seen of the Canadian wilderness and I can just imagine that crisp clean wilderness air filling my lungs as I look at the photos!!!
I also believe that the culture and attitudes and lifestyle of Canadians are actually very similar to the Australians....and very different to the US culture! Although US cultural influences do seem to have permeated right through western society for better or worse.
Warm regards (Pun IS intended this time)
bluedog
Posted by bluedog on December 10, 2002, at 0:41:01
In reply to email » bluedog, posted by IsoM on December 10, 2002, at 0:11:27
> Bluedog, if you wish, email me from your "good" email account to isomorphix at hotmail dot com & I'll answer from my good account in return.
Will Do!!!
I'll send my just completed previous post as a test email and then wait for your return email to make sure everything goes OK!!
bluedog
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 10, 2002, at 1:32:51
In reply to Re: Gardening can be really physical!! » IsoM, posted by bluedog on December 10, 2002, at 0:34:55
Posted by bluedog on December 14, 2002, at 21:49:18
In reply to email » bluedog, posted by IsoM on December 10, 2002, at 0:11:27
Hi Iso
I see from your posts that you are really "under the pump" at your work at the moment but I just wanted to ask whether you received my last email to your "real" email address OK or did something go wrong with my new isp or perhaps something went wrong at your end?
If you don't have the time to respond properly because of your workload at the moment I fully understand as I am in exactly the same boat at the moment because of my imminent return to work on Monday (tomorrow). I just need to confirm that you actually received the email because of problems I've had with my email server in the past. If you got it I will the know that you will respond in due course when you get a bit of breathing space again!!!
warm regards
bluedog
Dr Bob... I apologise for continuing this thread for a non-med purpose so I've kept it really short and I promise to make all future posts on this topic on the social board. {:) :) :)}I hope you understand?????
Thank you for your patience
bluedog
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on December 15, 2002, at 10:57:46
In reply to Re: How many of you posting are currently exercising?, posted by sjb on December 9, 2002, at 9:29:57
Is there really a connection to bi-polar and insulin resistance? There is no reported cases of insulin problems or diabetes in my family, but a ton of bi-polar manic people. I have gained sooo much weight and they told me it was from the insulin resistance. Is there any hope of getting the weight off now after waiting 5 years for them to tell me what was going on? Any thoughts would help!
Thankx..
right now I am on topamax, wellbutrin, glugophoge?, avalide, and actose!
Posted by alijill on December 19, 2002, at 23:03:31
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
I just started taking the topomax and noticed immediately the tingling in my fingers and what seems to be my whole face. i am on a real small dose but wnat to continue because of what I hear about the weight loss. For some reason I am feeling racier now than I was before. Anyone else ever experience this.
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on December 19, 2002, at 23:23:19
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by alijill on December 19, 2002, at 23:03:31
> I just started taking the topomax and noticed immediately the tingling in my fingers and what seems to be my whole face. i am on a real small dose but wnat to continue because of what I hear about the weight loss. For some reason I am feeling racier now than I was before. Anyone else ever experience this.
I have had the same exact experience!When I get warm the tingling in my fingers goes away. My face had that the other day~ wow that was weird! I am taken it for the same reasons also, and my doctor thinks it will calm my mind too. how much are you taking?
Posted by alijill on December 19, 2002, at 23:26:16
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on December 19, 2002, at 23:23:19
I just started so I am only on 25 mg. I noticed the feelings right away, but because of what I am going through right now i am on amixture of medications and wonder if that is what could be making me more sensitive to the side effects of topomax. I am starting effexor in the morning for the depression. I hope that helps. How much are you on?
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on December 19, 2002, at 23:30:10
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by alijill on December 19, 2002, at 23:26:16
I am supose to take 100 mg but havent yet. this was only with 25 mg once a day! I am on welbutrin also. But everything else sounds the same.
Posted by AnitaMarie on December 26, 2002, at 13:06:35
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on December 19, 2002, at 23:30:10
I have been on 400 mgs of Wellbutrin and 300 mgs of Effexor for about 6 months now. (After a bout of major depression)
Since I still seem to be having many ups and dows (as I have had all my life it seems) my doctor has prescribed 100 mgs of Topamax/day. I took it for two days but seemed to be in a complete fog all morning (I took it at midnight the previous nights) I can't handle not being able to think fast and the need to search for words in my mind. Is this a side effect that will eventually wear off or am I doomed to suffer with living in a foggy state? I want to become stable in my moods but I don't want to be "grey". I ahve too many activities and a full time job to keep up with.
Posted by beachblond on December 27, 2002, at 15:09:27
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by AnitaMarie on December 26, 2002, at 13:06:35
> I have been on 400 mgs of Wellbutrin and 300 mgs of Effexor for about 6 months now. (After a bout of major depression)
>
> Since I still seem to be having many ups and dows (as I have had all my life it seems) my doctor has prescribed 100 mgs of Topamax/day. I took it for two days but seemed to be in a complete fog all morning (I took it at midnight the previous nights) I can't handle not being able to think fast and the need to search for words in my mind. Is this a side effect that will eventually wear off or am I doomed to suffer with living in a foggy state? I want to become stable in my moods but I don't want to be "grey". I ahve too many activities and a full time job to keep up with.I had too much trouble with Topomax in terms of my thought process and had to come off of it. The effects started at about 100 mgs. I couldn't find the right word, my thoughts were jumbled and short-term memory was noticably reduced. It continued the whole time I was on it--about 4 months. I finally gave up and have now switched meds. Good Luck!!
Posted by Ponder on December 27, 2002, at 16:57:34
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by beachblond on December 27, 2002, at 15:09:27
I added a small dose of Topa to my regimen of 150 mg Lamictal and 400 mg Wellbutrin hoping for some synergy with Lamictal. It actually improved my cognitive functioning up to 75 mg. At 100 mg I have some brain fogging. I think if I could stay at 100 mg/day for awhile that might clear, but things come up that I need to be functional for and I cut back to 75, so I still don't know.
I also have not had sedation or heaviness with Topa. A little agitation and some "creepy-crawlies" from it. Sorry, don't know how else to describe that feeling. But, that has subsided and I am doing pretty well on it. At 75 mg no effect on appetite. At 100 my appetite decreases. 100 must be the side-effect threshold for me.
I have to give that little bit of Topa credit for boosting my Lamictal and pulling me out of a downward slide. It's been worth it for me and I am feeling pretty darned well these days.
Posted by up on December 29, 2002, at 17:41:03
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Ponder on December 27, 2002, at 16:57:34
just diagnosed bipolar. mainly manic, just started topomax. i'm hypersensative to most things it seems. so far all is well, just a little tired and incredibly thirsty. researching a lot. enjoy reading the messages. thanks! up
Posted by up on December 29, 2002, at 17:41:34
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Ponder on December 27, 2002, at 16:57:34
just diagnosed bipolar. mainly manic, just started topomax. i'm hypersensative to most things it seems. so far all is well, just a little tired and incredibly thirsty. researching a lot. enjoy reading the messages. thanks! up
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