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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!
Posted by Nycole on July 5, 2003, at 8:00:02
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Nycole, posted by galkeepinon on July 5, 2003, at 1:48:29
Gal..
I was gaining weight on Effexor and Depakote, but the new doctor I see now was mad that my old doctor had me on the Depakote at all because first of all I gained so much weight and second I am not bipolar I am clinically depressed. So, when I came to this new doc, he had a big ol' mess to deal with...hehe! Anyway, I need to take off like 40 pounds now becasue the weght gain is bringing my clinical depression down to lows I never knew it had. I have been on the Effexor for about 2 years now, but I am increasing my dose now from 300 to 400. I am praying that increase and the Topamax will start to help here soon for the depression and weight loss. Did the weight loss just kind of start on its own or were you really tryng to diet and exersise also?? Sorry I am asking so many questions :)
THanks so much!! Nycole
Posted by galkeepinon on July 5, 2003, at 15:12:11
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Nycole on July 5, 2003, at 8:00:02
Nycole, I was on Depakote also and I gained a lot of weight and also had the infamous hair loss thing! I'm happy that you have a doc now that knows you're clinically depressed and not bipolar! sheesh yes-what a mess that must have been. When I started to see the weight loss with the Topamax I just started to want to eat healthier. I started to eat salads-tons of them. I also drink tons of water. I haven't exercised-but I will start again soon-I am somewhat lazy. Have you heard of Propel? It's fitness water, it has all different flavors, no caffeine, no fruit juice, vit C, vit E, Potassium, etc. they really are great! They have helped with the weight loss also.
Do you think that the Effexor has caused you any weight gain at all? What dose are you at of the Topa again?> Gal..
>
> I was gaining weight on Effexor and Depakote, but the new doctor I see now was mad that my old doctor had me on the Depakote at all because first of all I gained so much weight and second I am not bipolar I am clinically depressed. So, when I came to this new doc, he had a big ol' mess to deal with...hehe! Anyway, I need to take off like 40 pounds now becasue the weght gain is bringing my clinical depression down to lows I never knew it had. I have been on the Effexor for about 2 years now, but I am increasing my dose now from 300 to 400. I am praying that increase and the Topamax will start to help here soon for the depression and weight loss. Did the weight loss just kind of start on its own or were you really tryng to diet and exersise also?? Sorry I am asking so many questions :)
> THanks so much!! Nycole
Posted by Gabbix2 on July 5, 2003, at 17:18:56
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Nycole, posted by galkeepinon on July 5, 2003, at 15:12:11
Pardon my interrupting, but when it comes to weight gain/loss, I find its rarely considered rude.
I was on Effexor xr, and gained about 30 lbs really quickly, I was then put on Paxil, I didn't gain weight but didn't lose any either. My Pdoc
put me on topamax simply to counter the possible effect of the weight gain from the Paxil, because he knows how devasting it is (One of the few who takes it seriously)
I was at about 150 mgs, and the weight just dropped off. Which is incredible cause it made me so tired at first. I'm now at 200mg, and
Though I haven't weighed myself, I can wear clothes I couldn't wear 3 years ago. I've lost about 4 sizes in 3 months. I didn't even notice a significant appetite decrease, it must work on metabolic factors as well.
I just thought I'd let you know.Oh by the way I'm not prone to drastic weight loss. Even when I was put on dexedrine and thyroid meds I didn't drop weight like that.
Posted by galkeepinon on July 5, 2003, at 19:32:56
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Gabbix2 on July 5, 2003, at 17:18:56
Hi Gabbix, do you take 200mg all at night of the Topamax now or in the day??? Oh My Gosh!!!!!!!! I can't believe you mentioned something-it gets me excited because I gained a lot of weight on some of the other meds out there over the past years. You said this>>>>>>"I didn't even notice a significant appetite decrease, it must work on metabolic factors as well." I want to do some research on this. I think there is so much more going on with this Topamax than people know. I read somewhere that in 2004 the FDA is going to market it as an appetite suppressant (another pseudo-Phen-Phen, but better) You said that you didn't notice a significant appetite decrease but still lost weight. I'm at the point now on Topamax, that my appetite is slowly coming back, but I'm still losing and I'm thinking a lot about this same concept about the issue of Topamax being a metobolic working substance-the med has some astounding chemistry.
gal
I just thought I'd let you know.
> Pardon my interrupting, but when it comes to weight gain/loss, I find its rarely considered rude.
> I was on Effexor xr, and gained about 30 lbs really quickly, I was then put on Paxil, I didn't gain weight but didn't lose any either. My Pdoc
> put me on topamax simply to counter the possible effect of the weight gain from the Paxil, because he knows how devasting it is (One of the few who takes it seriously)
> I was at about 150 mgs, and the weight just dropped off. Which is incredible cause it made me so tired at first. I'm now at 200mg, and
> Though I haven't weighed myself, I can wear clothes I couldn't wear 3 years ago. I've lost about 4 sizes in 3 months. I didn't even notice a significant appetite decrease, it must work on metabolic factors as well.
> I just thought I'd let you know.
>
> Oh by the way I'm not prone to drastic weight loss. Even when I was put on dexedrine and thyroid meds I didn't drop weight like that.
>
>
Posted by Nycole on July 6, 2003, at 0:59:43
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Nycole, posted by galkeepinon on July 5, 2003, at 15:12:11
Gal...
When I am reading your message I feel like I am reading my own message! You and I sound like exact the same person! I have been on Effexor xr for a couple years now. I was told that Effexor does not cause weight gain, but who knows?? They tell us so many different things now! A combo of Depokote and about 3 months of really bad depression gained me 30 pounds and made my depression abut 30 times worse. I just moved from North Carolina to Ohio , so I got a new doctor 2 and a half weeks ago and he's the one that put me on Topamax and I've increased the effexor XR from 300 to 450. The past couple days have been the first days I have seen an inprovement with my depression in months. I have no clue if I have lost any weight or not yet because I am afraid to get on the scale ....hehe. But if what all these other people are saying is true....then I will!! If I do start to lose weight, it will probably change my life!
Posted by Nycole on July 6, 2003, at 13:40:49
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.? » Gabbix2, posted by galkeepinon on July 5, 2003, at 19:32:56
OK, help me out here cuz I am a little bummed out. I've been on the Topamax for almost 3 weeks now (in addition to effexor that I have been on for 2 years). My doc put me on it for 2 reasons. One, because my clinical deprssion has hit toal rock bottom in the past 2 months. Two, because my last meds made me gain 30 pounds which made my depression that much worse. SO, I have been reading all of these wonderful success stories on here about people losing all this weight and feeling great and it helping their depression. I haven't lost a single pound and now I am so worried it's not going to work for me. Any advice??
Posted by Gabbix2 on July 6, 2003, at 19:43:54
In reply to Re: what dose were you at that you lost 20 lbs.?, posted by Nycole on July 6, 2003, at 0:59:43
If you've started the Topamax at a relatively low dose, which is likely, don't panic,
It wasn't until I reached the 150 range that I started losing all the weight, and for most people its higher than that. Now that I've been at 200 for about a month I notice a weekly drop.
For instance some jeans I couldn't wear last week
to the day, I could wear yesterday..
So don't give up!Galkeepinon I take most of mine at night, cause it makes me so sleepy, I take, 50 mgs in the late afternoon and 150 right before bed.
The plans to market it as a weight loss drug
were stopped because their were too many side effects. Not really health side effects though,
the tingling of the feet, which I get sometimes,
and the "stupids" which I still get in waves, but definitely less than I did.Still the weight loss right now is more important than anything. The extra weight just devastated me after everything else you know, it was like
one more godd*** thing. I'm sure you understand
Posted by LBcats on July 6, 2003, at 19:49:59
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
I started on very small dose of Topomax because the doc still had me on depakote so I started on 25 mg a day and gradually upped me to 200mg a day. I started losing weight at about 50 to 100 mg a day, which was about a month or two into topomax. I just literally lost my appetite. But the best thing now is that topomax really works for me. I am happy and content with my life and I have not regained my weight although I have regained some of of appetite I have not regained any of my weight because I've learned new ways of eating. I love topamax.
I did deal with many of the side effects at first but now I feel fine.
Linda
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