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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by FloridaOT on February 14, 2003, at 8:08:21
In reply to joining the topamax club, posted by babs on February 13, 2003, at 19:29:59
> Hi Ladies- What a great crew you are! My pdoc just prescribed Topamax to hopefully help me with the 60 pounds I've gained from my current meds. I am going to start at 25 mg and move up to 50. I haven't taken it yet and I'm a littl;e scared because I just had a horrible reaction to geodon. So, what do I need to know- irritability, insomnia, sedation, anxiety, its nickname as dopeamax because of cognitive dulling? Tell me everyhting! And what's this about coke suddenly tasting gross? I am positively addicted to diet Coke and drink too much so this might be a good thing! Thanks, babs
Hi Babs! Sorry I haven't responded sooner. I am currently at 100mg strictly for weightloss. Personally, I have not had the "soda tasting wierd" side effect(Thank goodness, because, I live on diet soda) or, the cognitive dulling(knock on wood). I am an Occupational Therapist in a fast paced rehab facility working 10 to 12 hour shifts. I've been on the Topamax for 1 month (started @ 25mg and increased dosage every week) and have lost 5 pounds without any effort on my behalf. The medication has decreased my appetite and cravings tremendously. I don't even feel like snacking between meals. I love this stuff!!! I know other people have had drowsiness but, as for me I've been given more energy and had to start taking my dosage in the a.m. because it was giving me insomnia taking it at night.
My response to this med is not the norm, I know. Just goes to show you how it can effect everyone differently. And how it can effect the person whom is taking it strictly for weight loss.
Oh, and one more thing to throw into the mix... Has anyone out there noticed increased libido? I am a newly wed and unfortunately for my new husband, the prozac and wellbutrin had greatly deminished my sexual desire, but since taking the Topamax it has gradually come back.
Everybody have a great day! FloridaOT
Posted by PodWoman on February 14, 2003, at 8:18:55
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club » babs, posted by FloridaOT on February 14, 2003, at 8:08:21
Hi--
I've only been on the Topamax one week (exactly). Lost 4.5 lbs and yes carbonated drinks taste a little tinny. Libido? What's that? LOL Just kidding. Mine came back, but that's because I'm 3 weeks off 4 meds that wiped mine off the face of the earth. Yea! Last night was an early Valentine's present.... :) As far as the "Dope-a-max" a name which I LOVE by the way, it's fodder for some amusement but I'm told it should go away. As for fatigue, yes, it makes me tired. But for me it's at odd times, and not all the time. It hits me mid day then late afternoon. I take my med at bedtime. My appetite is close to nil. I crave watery foods like celery, grapes...and salt for some reason. Weird. I also have forearm tingling and numbness, like they fell asleep. It's off and on about 12 hrs after I take the meds.
Good luck! Oh by the way---My shrink tells me 150-200g minimum are when you'll see (anyone will see) real results with this drug).
Posted by babs on February 14, 2003, at 9:59:54
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club, posted by PodWoman on February 14, 2003, at 8:18:55
So it seems like any weight loss won't happen until 150-200 mg. I think my pdoc is only planning on getting me up to 50 mg. I only need it for weight loss but it sounds like this won't be enough. What should I do?
Posted by PodWoman on February 14, 2003, at 13:07:17
In reply to Re: topamax dosage, posted by babs on February 14, 2003, at 9:59:54
<...it sounds like this won't be enough. What should I do?>
Find out why your doc is not planning to bring up the amt higher, is my suggestion. Maybe s/he doesn't have enough info about the drug to feel secure about doing so, or, maybe there are other medical reason why s/he is anable to do so (specifically related to you).
--Podwoman
Posted by babs on February 14, 2003, at 13:42:07
In reply to Re: topamax dosage, posted by PodWoman on February 14, 2003, at 13:07:17
Well- Day one on topamax and I can't focus at all (I'm trying to work on a PhD here!). I took 25 mg last night. Does this side effect diminish with time? I'm already on adderall to help with ADD and can't really afford anything that makes my concentration worse. I have a lot of work to get done! Woe is me.....
Posted by PodWoman on February 14, 2003, at 14:51:16
In reply to Re: started topamax and I can't focus!, posted by babs on February 14, 2003, at 13:42:07
Fear not....This is one of the Dope-a-max side effects that *Thankfully* diminishes with time. If it doesn't within a week or so, I think, you should probably speak to your doc.
good luck & hang in there,
---Podwoman
Posted by suji on February 14, 2003, at 15:41:00
In reply to Re: started topamax and I can't focus!, posted by babs on February 14, 2003, at 13:42:07
I have to say that this one of the major reasons I stopped taking Topamax--I am also a full-time student working on an M.Div and I also take meds for ADD (dexedrine)...I found it very difficult to think at the level I need to for scholarly work, and this side-effect did not go away over the 3+ months I took Topamax. Nor, unfortunately, did I lose any weight...(although the negative cognitive side-effects would certainly have trumped even losing a LOT of weight!) Clearly, we all react differently to all these meds, so this is just to let you know of my own experience. I am glad to hear that other people have had better results.
One reassuring note is that after stopping the Topamax, it wasn't more than a day or two before I was able to think again...
Best of luck to you--and everyone else!
suji
Posted by audrey on February 14, 2003, at 18:04:25
In reply to Re: started topamax and I can't focus!, posted by suji on February 14, 2003, at 15:41:00
I just picked up my prescription for Topamax, and there was a nice little note from the pharmacist informing me that I need to use a back up form of birth control to my bc pills. My doctor didn't mention anything about this!! But sure enough, after doing a little research it looks like this drug can reduce the efficacy of the pill. That sucks! My husband isn't so excited about it, either, but he said he'd rather I was happy, stable, etc. Has anyone NOT used another form of birth control and had "problems?" With my screwed up brain chemistry, I definitely should not be procreating!!
Posted by exys on February 15, 2003, at 22:46:33
In reply to starting topamax -- bc pills??, posted by audrey on February 14, 2003, at 18:04:25
I was on topomax for over a year, and I had no problems with my bc pills... but i'm not saying i'm everyone. There's a warning obviously for a reason... so if you choose to take the route I did you'll be thanking your lucky stars at the end of each month when you do finally get your period.
Topomax helped me lose about 30+ lbs in just a few months and I managed to keep it off until a few months ago when suddenly it seemed to stop working. My mood when down the drain and all the weight I lost just came back like it was nothing. It was very very depressing.
I just started zoloft because my mood was so down in the dumps... know anything about those side effects?
Posted by maaron71 on February 16, 2003, at 0:26:48
In reply to joining the topamax club, posted by babs on February 13, 2003, at 19:29:59
Yep, The cokes will taste absolutely so nasty for awhile. The taste comes back though. Dark colas are worse than lighter ones. I'm a Diet Dew junkie and just had to live through the nasty taste because I couldn't live with the headhaches caused by the caffiene withdrawal. Good Luck!
Posted by maaron71 on February 16, 2003, at 0:30:07
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club » babs, posted by FloridaOT on February 14, 2003, at 8:08:21
I have not experienced the Dopemax syndrome. Good thing for me. I already get my words mixed up on my own. As for my libido, lucky you, mine has dropped, poor boyfriend!
Posted by maaron71 on February 16, 2003, at 0:32:57
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club, posted by JennieInnex on February 13, 2003, at 19:48:23
That seems like a high dosage. The highest I have heard of is 200. Of course your's is for a different cause than most of us. Mine is for double duty. I'm on it for mood stabilization, weight loss, and night seizures due to a cyst in my brain. I take 100 right now and they may increase it, but I am having a lot of anoying side effects that my doc doesn't want to add to.
Posted by JennieInnex on February 16, 2003, at 12:07:07
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club, posted by maaron71 on February 16, 2003, at 0:32:57
Maaron71
Thanks for your input. I appreciate everybody's comments so much! It helps so much to know there are other people out there going thru similiar situations as myself. My Topamax has just been raised to level it off at 400mg per day. This is where the doc wants it to stay until I have completely withdrawn from all Depakote. That should be by the end of March. I had been on 2750mg of Depakote per day. If I remain seizure free then he will keep the dosage at that amount, if not then he will add additional amounts of Topamax. I have Generalized Tonic Clonic seizures which were acquired from a head injury 30 years ago. What side effects do you experience from the Topamax?
Posted by exys on February 16, 2003, at 12:17:41
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club, posted by JennieInnex on February 16, 2003, at 12:07:07
My side effects were major loss of appitite, icky tingling in my hands and feet that eventually went away, bad taste when I drank anything carbonated but that's cool because soda isn't that good for you anyway! (ever since my topomax regimin thingy i've stayed clear from soda) and I would mix up words and be pretty forgetful. It's pretty weird when you're talking to your friends about what kind of food to bring to a party and you say "So... I should bring diapers?" They never let me live it down. It was too funny.
Well... that was all for me.
Posted by maaron71 on February 16, 2003, at 15:08:50
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club, posted by JennieInnex on February 16, 2003, at 12:07:07
Gosh, I guess the most annoying for me are numbness in my hands and fingers, feet and toes, and also in my mouth and tongue. This is to the point that food taste funny. My sleep patterns have been affected and my tummy is not always very steady. One of the most annoying is the twitchy eye syndrome to the point where people notice it. The next is light headedness. None of these things are worth giving up the positive effects of the medicine though. I used to have horrible night seizures and now I can get through the night without them.
Posted by PodWoman on February 16, 2003, at 18:13:06
In reply to topomax=no prob w. bc pills for me/zoloft? , posted by exys on February 15, 2003, at 22:46:33
Loved Zoloft, hated losing my mojo.
Posted by exys on February 16, 2003, at 19:05:39
In reply to Re: topomax=no prob w. bc pills for me/zoloft? , posted by PodWoman on February 16, 2003, at 18:13:06
*cries* and I never had much of a mojo to begin with...
Posted by Madge on February 17, 2003, at 11:12:47
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club, posted by PodWoman on February 14, 2003, at 8:18:55
I was perscribed Topamax to counteract the weight gain (12lbs) from Remeron. The key to mitigating the side effects of cognitive "dopyness" and tingling is to titrate really slowly ie 25mg at a time. I did really well on those fronts. When I got up to 100 mg. I started developing UTI's every other week. Finally at 150 mg I hadn't lost a single pound and got fed up with having bladder infections every other week. One of Topamax's biggest side effects is dehydration so it's a really good idea to keep hydrated, take lots of vitamin C which keeps your Urethra at a PH level so you don't get the ecoli infections, and also drink Cranberry juice. I even took meds prophylactically, but I still got UTI's. So, I gave up. Topamax also makes you constipated, so taking 1 gram of Omega 3 fish oil and 800 mg of vitamin e a day helps with that.
I'm now on Phentermine for the weight loss.
Good luck to those of you on Topamax. I hope it works for you...
Madge.
Posted by judyt on February 17, 2003, at 16:59:09
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club, posted by Madge on February 17, 2003, at 11:12:47
I've been taking Topomax for over 2 years now primarily for weight-loss. My psychiatrist gives it to me. I started at 200mg per day, but now take 400mg per day. I also take Effexor and Lithium for depression. When I first started taking it, it gave me such an amazing boost of energy! I felt the best I have ever felt in my life! I've been given the diagnosis of fibromyalgia for my general overall tired and achiness, but when I started Topomax, the first 6 months or so, the fibromyalgia melted away. I increased from 100 to 400 mg per day to maintain that effect, but eventually it faded away as I acclimated. :::sigh::: I have lost 50lbs. in 2 years. So that is a big success story. But, I don't think I've really changed my bad habits, I'm just eating less of the same old bad foods! :D If I have to stop the Topomax, I'm afraid, I'll gain it back. I think I am noticing more and more of the cognitive problems...perhaps because Lithium has a bad reputation for similar problems. I'm going in to see my Dr. soon and talk about what to do about lousy short term memory, inability to learn new things, not being able to pull up the word I need, other similar things that make me feel like an 85 IQ instead of my actual 135! When you start crying (yelling!) because you can't learn what button does what on the new remote control...the 5th time you're shown...it's time to make some changes! I'm sure it works differently in different doses for every single person!
Posted by JennieInnex on February 17, 2003, at 17:47:12
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club, posted by judyt on February 17, 2003, at 16:59:09
Hello judyt
I too take 400mg of Topamax but just recently started that amount. The thing that caught my eye in your post was the fact that you just can't find that last word to finish your sentences. I am finding more and more that I am having that same problem. It does seem like it affects everybody in many different ways but there are some similarities as well. I have seen many people describe this numbing, prickly feeling in their hands and feet... I have been feeling that in my feet. Like my feet are asleep. I am still eating like a pig so no change there..lol. Maybe after I get thru the withdrawal of my depakote it will also affect me differently.
Posted by Cheryl2815 on February 18, 2003, at 11:56:06
In reply to Re: joining the topamax club » babs, posted by FloridaOT on February 14, 2003, at 8:08:21
Is anyone taking the above combo? I gained over 55 pounds in 9 months on Effexor so Dr. tried decreasing Effexor and adding 100 mgs Topamax. Decreased Effexor isn't working (75mgs. feels like taking nothing...when I was taking full dose of Effexor..225mgs. was on top of world but miserable because I was 175 lbs, I am only 5'4" and have only weighed over 125 lbs when I was pregnant) I see the dr. on Friday but I am anxious to get feedback if others are on this combo and what doses. Any info you can share with me is greatly appreciated.
Posted by Lady on February 18, 2003, at 21:04:15
In reply to Re: Effexor Topamax weight issues, posted by Cheryl2815 on February 18, 2003, at 11:56:06
Hello,
I have been on topomax before for a mood stablizer, but it seem to quit working after about 8 months..but did lose weight on it. Since then I could have opened a pharmacy with all the meds that I have tried. Am back to the topomax again, and am wondering if anyone experienced stomach cramps and what can be done about them. I want to give it a chance again. Thanks
Posted by karmagirl on February 19, 2003, at 16:57:55
In reply to topomax immunity, posted by Lady on February 18, 2003, at 21:04:15
My experience with Topomax has been positive. I was diagnosed with Pseudotumor cerebri and papilledema. I started at 25 MG back in June and increased up to 100 MG over the course of 4 weeks and am still currently taking 100 MG. My symptoms were soda tasting flat in the very beginning, I had some mild cognitive dullness but I work full time for a large computer company and my work is very demanding..I never missed a beat. The worst side effect I had was the tingling sensation or numbness in my appendages. The usual feet falling asleep would be akin to a gnat but on Topomax it was a much BIGGER tingling akin to a bird (or to the 10th power) LOL!! It was a scratchier tingling if that makes sense to anyone but all of the side effects passed away. I have had great weight loss success but it's not been solely due to the Topomax. I don't think a pill exists that's going to make fat melt away. The success is the making up of your mind that you want to do better, feel better, live better. It DID help me make up MY min
d because now I don't binge and THAT alone is a miracle. No I'm not some Skinny Minnie from the Slim Fast choir singing, when I started the medication I weighed 365 lbs. and now I weigh 295. But again I say, I exercise, eat right and I made up my mind that I would not be defeated by the traps and snares that the enemy had set for my life. I decided that I would accept God's invitation to live a fuller healthier life and that's what has made the difference. Topomax has really helped me, but God has helped me more. Someone said it in a previous post that all medications don't work for everyone but I've had good success with the Topomax. All I can say is to give it a try and see how it works for you individually. Good luck with it and I wish for each of you nothing but the GREATEST of success!!!karmagirl
Posted by Lady on February 21, 2003, at 10:35:18
In reply to Re: topomax immunity, posted by karmagirl on February 19, 2003, at 16:57:55
Thanks karmagirl for letting me know about your experience. I was on this before but don't seem to remember having any side effects. I am now having the flat soda taste, stomach cramps and hot flushes in my face...they seem to be an almost steady thing and I am still only on 25 mg. I go to 50 mg this weekend and am hoping that the side effects subside...I had weight loss last time I took this and am hoping for the same effect this time too. Hope everything keeps working for you!!
Lady
Posted by Honey Bunny on February 28, 2003, at 23:56:09
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
I am thrilled to have found a group of people who have all experienced the funny soda taste. I am up to 300mgs a day. The only weight loss that I experienced was in the first week when I dropped twelve pounds. After that, we thought the dose was too high, we cut it in half, and then I went through withdraw. I quickly developed a tolerance and needed to be raised weekly untill the past month. Now we are at a steady 300mgs a day.
I have been gaining weight for the past month. The impulsivity is less than before Topomax, but is still present. The only time it worked was when the side-effects were strong. I still have slight tingling in my fingers in the morning. But that's really it. I worry that there is really no hope for a binge eater like me. At least on the medication I am not eating to the painful and debilitatin gextreme that I was before I started the medication.
I am just so happy that I found a site where there are others who talk about this. And who would have thought that others have that funny soda taste and can smell the morning breath from a mile away. Also, if I am away from water for more than five minutes I feel lost in the desert. Please respond soon.
~Allison B.
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