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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Silver Fox on June 4, 2003, at 5:24:47
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
I've been using Topamax for several months for Diabetes control in my feet and hands. It's to control pain in my feet and hands for my nerve endings. I use 400 mg per day total, but I'm experiencing some memory loss, some vision problems, taste problems, but it's not doing much for the pain, the pain is getting worse and I'm not sure what to do next. I'm now disbled from my work, age 61, was taking another medication with Topamax but had to get off it, it was taking over my brain power altogether, and I had to get off it, rather put up with the pain. . .
Posted by shoee on June 10, 2003, at 2:08:57
In reply to Topamax for 4-year-old???, posted by 80srockmom on February 25, 2003, at 21:28:17
My 11 year old son has just started Topamax (only 25 mgs a day to increase 25 mgs every week until up to 200 mgs a day) for Tourette's mainly and depression as secondary reason. He is very moody and I am now wondering if that will get worse with Topamax. Would like to hear from anyone who is further along on Topamax for depression and especially tourette's. So far Topamax doesn't seem to be helping either one, how long will it take for it to get in his system and start to help?
Posted by LoriCA on June 20, 2003, at 16:49:18
In reply to BAD Topamax Experiences? , posted by delna on March 12, 2003, at 1:23:27
Would anyone who's experienced vision loss due to Topamax please write here or email me downeylane@earthlink.net; I am getting no help on this from Dr.s.
Posted by Nycole on June 28, 2003, at 0:52:38
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by phillybob on January 21, 2001, at 21:19:58
I have just started to take Topamax about a week and a half ago (I am up to 100 mg.) and I have exerienced some of the negative side effects people talk about on here while on Topamax, but can some give some GOOD effects of it?? Reasons I should stick it out and stay on it?? Is it worth waiting it out 3 weeks to a month for the good side of it?? I need to hear some good stuff to get me through this or I better stop reading all these. Please Help!!
Posted by LBcats on June 28, 2003, at 9:21:03
In reply to Can Anyone Tell me of GOOD Topamax Experiences??, posted by Nycole on June 28, 2003, at 0:52:38
One of the good side effects of topomax for me was the weight loss. I lost 20 lbs. The other thing is the side effects do go away eventually and the medicatioon does its job. I feel energetic,not depressed or down. I used to take depakote which made me feel sluggish and I don't feel that way anymore. The only bad thing is that it took about 3 weeks before the major side effects went away (cognition problems)and about 2 months before the minor side effects went away. (stuff like tingling in the legs, loss of appetite, etc.)
Posted by whitman on June 28, 2003, at 9:28:23
In reply to Re: Can Anyone Tell me of GOOD Topamax Experiences??, posted by LBcats on June 28, 2003, at 9:21:03
Posted by LBcats on June 28, 2003, at 18:52:50
In reply to what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? (nm) » LBcats, posted by whitman on June 28, 2003, at 9:28:23
Well my doc started me at 25 mg pill one in the a.m. and one at night and gradually increased it to 200mg. 100mg in the a.m. and 100 at night. I felt nauseated most of the time, so I didn't eat or I just didn't feel hungry. I had a craving for very healthy foods like for fruits, yogurt and very thirsty. I couldn't drink sodas cause they tasted like metal so I drank lots of water. The weight loss started about a month into the start of topomax but my doctor was very slow at increasing so I was still on 50 mg a day. He said that if you take the increase slow you avoid the cognitive side effects a little bit. Those were the ones that bothered me the most because of my job. I have never really gotten my appetite back. I eat a lot less now and I don't plan on giving up topomax. I do want you to know I take it with effexor (I am bi-polar) and I am being weaned off (still)from depakote. I'm sure if I get off depokote I could probably lose more weight as depakote is a weight gainer. I hear not all people lose weight on topomax but some people do. I did and I was also one of the lucky ones that hadd iit woork well for me as well. Good luck
Posted by Zenclearer on June 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Nycole on June 28, 2003, at 23:18:06
What does Topamax so therapeutically for those without epilepsy, who take it?
I know that it's used more often for migraine control, yes? For what else?
Are the press reports true, those that say it makes you dumb and thin? Does it make one sluggish? Slow-thinking etc?
Is it ever used for ADD? Seems as though it would offer the exact opposite effect of an ADD med.
Posted by galkeepinon on June 29, 2003, at 13:45:16
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Nycole on June 28, 2003, at 23:17:46
hi Nycole,
I posted about being a new user of Topamax and I have had some good side effects from it. It has helped my moods wonderfully. I have been on Lamictal, Depakote and 9 days on Lithium. Right now I have been on Topamax for 2 months. I'm on it solo and I take 100mg at am and 100mg at pm. I feel calm, I don't get anxious, I am less worried, less hurried, I've lost 25 Lbs. and the cognitive/no motivation is slowly dissipating.
I am also on Effexor XR which I am hoping to increase when I see my doctor Wednesday. I have the option of starting the Lamictal in conjunction with my current med combo, but I will see what my doctor thinks. All these benefits I speak of took about 6 weeks to kick in, try to be patient, I honestly feel that Topamax is working for me, but everybody is different, and it may help you if you give it a chance, and I hope it does. Hang in there and if you need anything, I'm here for you.
Gal
> Thanks, LBCats, for your help with this! All I have read so far are terrible side effects and bad things about Topamax, but I didn't want to give up on it until I heard some good things. I also take Effexor XR...300 mg. and I am increasing the topamax slowly...currenty at 100 mg. I have severe clinical depression that comes in waves and right now it is very very bad so I am praying that the topamax will kick in and work soon. I have been on it for a week and a half so I know I still have some waiting time, but I needed to know if it was worth waiting for. Thanks again for your help! And if anyone else has good success stories about Topamax, please share...Thanks!!
Posted by jellybean on June 29, 2003, at 14:27:46
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Nycole, posted by galkeepinon on June 29, 2003, at 13:45:16
Posted by galkeepinon on June 29, 2003, at 18:54:28
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? (nm) » galkeepinon, posted by jellybean on June 29, 2003, at 14:27:46
The weight loss started slowly, the first week at 25mg 3x a day, I noticed right away my appetite decreased, but when I hit about the 4th week on 100mg, I noticed the weight loss faster, and as I went to 150mg-even faster and now at 200mg-even faster. All along, my appetite was decreasing quite rapidly in the process. There's a lot that comes into play though here also.
Hope this helped.
Let me know how you do.
Gal
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on June 30, 2003, at 20:50:28
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Zenclearer on June 29, 2003, at 10:42:21
> What does Topamax so therapeutically for those without epilepsy, who take it?
>
> I know that it's used more often for migraine control, yes? For what else?
>
> Are the press reports true, those that say it makes you dumb and thin? Does it make one sluggish? Slow-thinking etc?
>
> Is it ever used for ADD? Seems as though it would offer the exact opposite effect of an ADD med.Mine is used for ADD and so its more for a mood stabilizer and migrane's. If I don't take it at night I am pretty cranky though, because I do get very tired with it. I am pretty high strung. I am on 200 mg. and 300 mg Wellbutrin.
Thankx
Stacy
Posted by zenclearer on June 30, 2003, at 21:43:44
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on June 30, 2003, at 20:50:28
Does it make you feel dumb, like they say? What does it make you feel?
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on June 30, 2003, at 22:13:41
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Stacy Louisa Beus, posted by zenclearer on June 30, 2003, at 21:43:44
Yes actually when I am tired it is hard for me to get my words out. The nick name I have heard is dopamax because you feel so dopy. I truly feel less hungry which is what I really like about it. And that I sleep better at night.
Posted by galkeepinon on June 30, 2003, at 23:21:52
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on June 30, 2003, at 20:50:28
Stacy, can I ask you, do you feel that taking the antidepressant (Wellbutrin) and the mood stabilizer/anti-epileptic (Topamax) has benefited you? I ask because I posted earlier about feeling good one day on just the Topamax alone then taking it with my Effexor and feeling a little depressed-this has happened before when I take a mood stabilizer with an antidepresant. It is baffling me. I am bipolar and I am trying to figure out if all I need is a mood stabilizer-just wanting to learn about others' experiences. I have a friend who is only on Lamictal but she also takes Topamax and does well. No antidepressant. I, like you get cranky too, and so many people have complimented how calm I seem and how much I have seemed to just have slowed down overall which is good. (2 months now at 200mg) I am pretty high strung too. Can I ask what you think and how did you do in the beginning of treatment with Topamax? Did you have any side effects, I guess if you did, you stuck them out? I wanted to reply to your post, you sound like me I hope you don't mind.
Would love to have you reply.
Thanks so muchGal
> Mine is used for ADD and so its more for a mood stabilizer and migrane's. If I don't take it at night I am pretty cranky though, because I do get very tired with it. I am pretty high strung. I am on 200 mg. and 300 mg Wellbutrin.
> Thankx
> Stacy
Posted by dddiane on July 1, 2003, at 6:52:52
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Stacy Louisa Beus, posted by zenclearer on June 30, 2003, at 21:43:44
> Does it make you feel dumb, like they say? What does it make you feel?
Zen,
I have taken Topamax for bipolar I for 7 months now, and the first two were the most difficult in the cognitive department. I was VERY leery of Topamax after reading about "word-switching" "loss of words" "cognitive dulling" and hearing it called dopamax and stupamax.
I guess everyone is different in their response to these drugs. I have had no word switching, some forgetfulness in the first two months, some flaky spelling, but it just isn't bad, and it really gets better with time. Now by contrast, Tegretol made me really stupid and hyper at the same time, and I took it for years. It would be talking to someone and completely forget what I was saying. The word switching was so bad everyone would be exasperated with me. At work I could never remember anything and had to ask the same question over & over. And it iced my memory. At other times my mind would be very sharp. I was an intellegent, senile person on that drug.
But it was the best thing going for many years, and it beat being crazy. So the "dumb" aspect of Topamax is a walk in the park for me. I have my mind back.
Thin? I lost 28lbs on Topamax, but 25lbs was weight I gained on other psych drugs I was trying out after I became intolerant of Tegretol.
That's my story anyway. :)
Diane
Posted by ELENI4 on July 1, 2003, at 12:35:05
In reply to Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by LilyB on October 12, 2002, at 12:06:36
I have the same fear, only I haven't gone so far as to actually FILL the prescription. It's on file at Rite-Aid and I can't bring myself to pick it up. I'm terrified. I have only tried antidepressants in the past, and I thought I was scared of their side effects! The more I read, the more frightened I become. The consolation is you're not alone. However I don't know how to even help myself get enough courage to take something. I'm terrified of the death rash that can happen with some of the anti-convulsants. If you do decide to take the Topomax, let me know. Maybe I'll get enough courage to try Trileptal or Depakote.
Posted by dddiane on July 2, 2003, at 6:09:37
In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by ELENI4 on July 1, 2003, at 12:35:05
Elen,
I too was very leery of Topamax after my experience with Tegretol. But as bad as I make Tegretol sound, it was so much better than being an unmedicated bipolar I. I couldn't hold a job, I couldn't keep a relationship. If I had been born a hundred years ago they would have said I had demons, because I had serious demons. I fought them every day and lost.
The Tegretol rash was terrible, but it was not life threatening, and it cleared up as soon as I stopped Tegretol. The only AED associated with a "death rash" is Lamictal, and that can be avoided in most cases if the drug is initiated VERY slowly. If any rash begins, Lamictal is stopped.
I can say that for me the combination of Topamax and Lamictal has not only greatly improved my quality of life, but comes close to a "transparent" treatment. The Lamictal has almost no side effects, other than an upset stomach and some jitters at times, and it has allowed me to lower my Topamax so that I am feeling no side effects from that at all.
But I guess we all have our phobias about certain classes of drugs. I am extremely cautious about the AP's, I hated being on Respirdal, I resented it. It was like being in prison. But for others, it is freeing.
So I hope you find the medication that you need, and the courage to try it out.
Diane
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on July 3, 2003, at 7:17:39
In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by dddiane on July 2, 2003, at 6:09:37
Is anybody overly tired and feel mean and cranky while on topamax? I sleep well, but I still feel edgy. I am on 200 mg of topamax and 300 Welbutrin. Maybe its to much. I am Bipolar and ADD, with compulsive disorders. I am not as crazy feeling but I feel really mean. I dont know if I am making any sense to anyone, because I rarely do to myself anymore.
Posted by galkeepinon on July 3, 2003, at 14:07:55
In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on July 3, 2003, at 7:17:39
Stacy, I don't feel mean and cranky at all on Topamax. Overly tired-yes, but that's subsiding as my body gets used to it. I do know that Wellbutrin can tend to make some people edgy, but everyone is different-again. Have you talked to your doc about it?
Hang in there and keep postingGal
> Is anybody overly tired and feel mean and cranky while on topamax? I sleep well, but I still feel edgy. I am on 200 mg of topamax and 300 Welbutrin. Maybe its to much. I am Bipolar and ADD, with compulsive disorders. I am not as crazy feeling but I feel really mean. I dont know if I am making any sense to anyone, because I rarely do to myself anymore.
Posted by dddiane on July 4, 2003, at 5:18:59
In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on July 3, 2003, at 7:17:39
> Is anybody overly tired and feel mean and cranky while on topamax? I sleep well, but I still feel edgy. I am on 200 mg of topamax and 300 Welbutrin. Maybe its to much. I am Bipolar and ADD, with compulsive disorders. I am not as crazy feeling but I feel really mean. I dont know if I am making any sense to anyone, because I rarely do to myself anymore.
Stacy,
Topamax does make some people cranky and mean, but it tends to pass after a few weeks to a month. I was kind of unpleasent (I don't know if I am allowed to use the b**** word - but that's what I really was!) at first. Then I noticed I had a cool head while driving, what a change that was.
But it might be the Wellbrutin, like Gal said. That can crank some people up too.
Diane
Posted by Bubba32 on July 4, 2003, at 11:29:32
In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by ELENI4 on July 1, 2003, at 12:35:05
I have been on a variety of anti siezure meds since I was young, from Phenobarb to tegretol, trileptol and now topamax. I'm 31 and have been on topamax for 9 months now in addition to loosing 50 pounds in that time period I have also lost something else that is much more disturbing and embarassing and i was wondering if anyone else has run across this to the extreme that I have or if I may have some other problem.I have found it very difficult to get an erection on demand at the most critical times if you know what i mean. If i do they are not fully erect and i cannot sustain it. I know that this is a mild side effect of most siezure meds but Im desperate as is my love life any help would be appreciated. thank you.
Posted by Nycole on July 5, 2003, at 1:28:31
In reply to what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? (nm) » LBcats, posted by whitman on June 28, 2003, at 9:28:23
I have been on Topamax now for 2 weeks. I am on it with Effexor for depression. I just got up to 150 mg. per day. My doctor put me on it for depression and specifically because the last meds I was on made me gain 30 pounds which has made my depression terribly worse. I have read from so many people that they lost weight on it. I was wondering if you could all tell me how long it took for you to start losing weight and what strength you were on? Thanks for your help!
Posted by galkeepinon on July 5, 2003, at 1:48:29
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Nycole on July 5, 2003, at 1:28:31
Hi Nycole, I've been on Topamax for 2 months now. I take 200mg a day. May I ask what meds caused you to gain thed30 Lbs.? Of course that can make one's depression worse unfortunately-it did mine-I gained 60-70. Anyway, I started at 25mg of Topamax 3 times a day and gradually increased the dose to 100 then 150 then 200. I first lost my appetite at about the second week, and by the first month-I had lost about 10 Lbs. I have lost a total of 24 Lbs.
Let me know if you have anymore questions-be glad to help.gal
> I have been on Topamax now for 2 weeks. I am on it with Effexor for depression. I just got up to 150 mg. per day. My doctor put me on it for depression and specifically because the last meds I was on made me gain 30 pounds which has made my depression terribly worse. I have read from so many people that they lost weight on it. I was wondering if you could all tell me how long it took for you to start losing weight and what strength you were on? Thanks for your help!
Posted by galkeepinon on July 5, 2003, at 1:49:35
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Nycole on July 5, 2003, at 1:28:35
----also on Effexor too
> I have been on Topamax now for 2 weeks. I am on it with Effexor for depression. I just got up to 150 mg. per day. My doctor put me on it for depression and specifically because the last meds I was on made me gain 30 pounds which has made my depression terribly worse. I have read from so many people that they lost weight on it. I was wondering if you could all tell me how long it took for you to start losing weight and what strength you were on? Thanks for your help!
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