![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 696 to 720 of 1085. Go back in thread:
Posted by kka on November 25, 2003, at 22:30:36
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss » headachequeen, posted by Murphia on November 25, 2003, at 15:32:40
Murph, Please realize that I feel you have helped EVERYONE understand so much more than we could have ever done with our own fumbling around the internet and asking our Doctors. I am very thankful to have you on this board, as a researcher you are so valueable beyond belief. Thanks for answering everyone's questions, I have had a much better understaning about Topamax reading all the posts!
> Thank you so much, you made me feel good. All I want is to tell the truth and hope that I can make you, and other people on this board, just know a little more. Bless you! Murph
>
> >
> > Thanks, Murph... this reminds me of a blind study done by a psychology student on a list to which I belonged several years ago; rather than study his topic, he joined a list and asked questions about the assigned topic and then exploited people's feelings and emotions..
> > wonderful way to do research...
> > utterly wonderful and abusive I might add...
> > some people just don't get it...
> > kat
> > > Weight loss on topamax is a RANDOM side effect. There are a large host of other side effects which occur at a much higher rate, and some can be devastating. Clinical science is working on the long term ramifications of topamax. Alterations in vision, kidney function and cognitive functions are possible, for the rest of your life. If the media touts this drug as a weight loss remedy, and we all know that people with low self esteem will jump on it regardless of the side effects, is irresposible journalism. Topamax failed FDA approval as a weight loss pharmaceutical, and I have personally reviewed many more cases than I would have liked where topamax has seriously injured people. It is an anticonvulsant, used off label as a migraine remedy, sometimes as an anti-manic, moves people towards depression, and should never be advertised as a weight loss drug. My educated two cents. Hope that helps. Murph
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hello there Dr. Bob Posters,
> > > >
> > > > I am a reporter for a national women's magazine writing an article on drugs that people use for weight loss, and on people's real experiences with those drugs.
> > > >
> > > > For those of you on Topamax for weight loss (and/or other reasons), I'd love to email with you directly regarding your experience with this drug--how it's made you feel, how it's affected your weight, etc.
> > > >
> > > > If you'd like to email with me about it, please do respond to this posting (If I understand correctly, I think you can email me directly through this post.)
> > > >
> > > > I would so appreciate your help, and would certainly protect your anonymity, if that's what you'd like.
> > > >
> > > > Thank you in advance & Happy Thanksgiving,
> > > > Eliza McCarthy
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 25, 2003, at 22:47:33
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss, posted by Magazine Reporter on November 25, 2003, at 8:46:38
> (If I understand correctly, I think you can email me directly through this post.)
Not quite. But you could post your email address. Or people could post theirs. Or you could just have a discussion right here. :-)
BTW, there are two ways to post your email address: (1) you can just type it into your post or (2) you can have it automatically included:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#email
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 25, 2003, at 23:10:15
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss » Murphia, posted by headachequeen on November 25, 2003, at 14:48:50
> there goes the neighbourhood
> exploited people's feelings and emotions..
> utterly ... abusive
> some people just don't get it...
>
> headachequeen> You seem, however, to be very deluded.
>
> MurphiaPlease don't post anything that could lead others to feel put down, thanks.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 25, 2003, at 23:12:27
In reply to headachequeen, posted by headachequeen on November 25, 2003, at 9:40:58
> "Let me publish your experiences and feelings about this drug... and can I use your name and photo?..."
When people share their experiences and feelings, it can be really helpful to others. We agree on that, at least, don't we? :-)
Not that they necessarily will, but I don't see anything wrong with being asked for permission to use your name and photo.
Also, remember that what you post is public, as public as if you put it up on an old-fashioned bulletin board in a supermarket:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#anonymous
Bob
Posted by Dinah on November 26, 2003, at 2:16:49
In reply to Re: Let me publish your experiences and feelings, posted by Dr. Bob on November 25, 2003, at 23:12:27
Dr. Bob, perhaps you should add a warning about being solicited to respond by email. After all, on the internet, no one really can tell who anyone is. And responding to a post that asks about your experiences and history to be emailed to someone who may or may not be who they claim to be, and where you may be tempted to be more open than you may be on the actual board, and give out more personal information, is risky under any circumstances.
Don't you think that would be a wise warning to give to everyone when anyone solicits emails on the board?
Posted by Murphia on November 26, 2003, at 8:46:41
In reply to Re: Tomamax for weight loss » Murphia, posted by kka on November 25, 2003, at 22:30:36
and have a great Thanksgiving!
> Murph, Please realize that I feel you have helped EVERYONE understand so much more than we could have ever done with our own fumbling around the internet and asking our Doctors. I am very thankful to have you on this board, as a researcher you are so valueable beyond belief. Thanks for answering everyone's questions, I have had a much better understaning about Topamax reading all the posts!
>
> > Thank you so much, you made me feel good. All I want is to tell the truth and hope that I can make you, and other people on this board, just know a little more. Bless you! Murph
> >
> > >
> > > Thanks, Murph... this reminds me of a blind study done by a psychology student on a list to which I belonged several years ago; rather than study his topic, he joined a list and asked questions about the assigned topic and then exploited people's feelings and emotions..
> > > wonderful way to do research...
> > > utterly wonderful and abusive I might add...
> > > some people just don't get it...
> > > kat
> > > > Weight loss on topamax is a RANDOM side effect. There are a large host of other side effects which occur at a much higher rate, and some can be devastating. Clinical science is working on the long term ramifications of topamax. Alterations in vision, kidney function and cognitive functions are possible, for the rest of your life. If the media touts this drug as a weight loss remedy, and we all know that people with low self esteem will jump on it regardless of the side effects, is irresposible journalism. Topamax failed FDA approval as a weight loss pharmaceutical, and I have personally reviewed many more cases than I would have liked where topamax has seriously injured people. It is an anticonvulsant, used off label as a migraine remedy, sometimes as an anti-manic, moves people towards depression, and should never be advertised as a weight loss drug. My educated two cents. Hope that helps. Murph
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Hello there Dr. Bob Posters,
> > > > >
> > > > > I am a reporter for a national women's magazine writing an article on drugs that people use for weight loss, and on people's real experiences with those drugs.
> > > > >
> > > > > For those of you on Topamax for weight loss (and/or other reasons), I'd love to email with you directly regarding your experience with this drug--how it's made you feel, how it's affected your weight, etc.
> > > > >
> > > > > If you'd like to email with me about it, please do respond to this posting (If I understand correctly, I think you can email me directly through this post.)
> > > > >
> > > > > I would so appreciate your help, and would certainly protect your anonymity, if that's what you'd like.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you in advance & Happy Thanksgiving,
> > > > > Eliza McCarthy
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 26, 2003, at 9:32:22
In reply to Re: Let me publish your experiences and feelings » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on November 26, 2003, at 2:16:49
> Dr. Bob, perhaps you should add a warning about being solicited to respond by email. After all, on the internet, no one really can tell who anyone is. And responding to a post that asks about your experiences and history to be emailed to someone who may or may not be who they claim to be, and where you may be tempted to be more open than you may be on the actual board, and give out more personal information, is risky under any circumstances.
>
> Don't you think that would be a wise warning to give to everyone when anyone solicits emails on the board?Those are good points. Maybe Eliza can provide some way for people to confirm that she really is a reporter?
Bob
Posted by TexasChic on November 26, 2003, at 15:28:40
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by leopard on November 26, 2003, at 12:39:51
I have to say, the Magazine Reporter thing kind of freaked me out. When you're sharing your feelings with others who understand where you're coming from, its kind of startling for someone to drop in out of nowhere with no proof or credentials saying, "Hi! I'd like to write all about you and all the side effects and pain you've gone through on this medication". But I guess its a good reminder that our posts are out there for all to see. Its easy to become very secure in our little cocoon here and forget the outside world has access to this site too.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 26, 2003, at 21:22:07
In reply to Re: please be civil » Murphia » headachequeen, posted by Dr. Bob on November 25, 2003, at 23:10:15
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration
Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031120/msgs/284298.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by headachequeen on November 26, 2003, at 21:50:54
In reply to Re: Re hair and MOOD Headachequeen, posted by TexasChic on November 24, 2003, at 16:33:52
> I feel for you and wish I could give you some advice, but all I can say is hang in there and try your best to persevere. You'll be back with your dogs soon, at least you have that to look forward to. In the meantime, cry when you need to, vent when you need to, and tell that doc what you think of him (he sounded pretty confusing to me too, sub-bipolar? underdepressed? what the heck?).
> I'll be sending good karma your way, so hang in there!
Thank you... hugely... I am just now catching up on back posts... reading sporadically I guess..
I came home early rather than spend American Thanksgiving with my treasures (don't have any deadlines to worry about until Monday) and could have come home on the weekend but had an appointment with my neurologist today... and thank heaven as I was leaving the dogs behind my psychologist booked an appointmet with me too.. he has come to know me, dear little man that he is... the neurologist simply wanted to kick me loose... to return me to the care of my GP... that he could have done by phone call... apparently the Tegritol and Topomax in tandem are doing their work and I do not need him...so call the GP and let him know and let that be an end to it... if I need him in an emergency he is still available... HA! that is rich... he sets up emergency tests then says to see him in three months LOL... at any rate I am really angry right now ... with myself mostly... one of my girls tried to follow me... she dug her way out of the garden in which she was staying and headed North... she was travelling in the right direction ... and was hit by a vehicle... a neighbour of the people looking after the dogs, and they are great caregivers, that is not at all in question, realised who she was, the neighbour happens to be a county sheriff and was on patrol and saw her but couldn't get to her before she was hit. He says the person could have avoided her; she was on the shoulder of the road; it was deliberate and he has charged the driver. He brought her home to the caregiver who is feeling totally distraught about it all.
They have buried her on the farm where we were training in a wonderful location and will put a rock cairn over her grave... these are wonderful and caring people... and I suppose if it didn't happen today she would have tried tomorrow... but I don't think all the topomax in the world would stabilise my mood right now...
still on the plus side of the day, the two meds in tandem have my epilepsy under control and the neuro sees no reason why I cannot continue to do the things I love to do, other than drive... I have to be at least a year seizure-free... other than that, I can go out and climb rocks and scramble around for photos, do tracking with my dogs, do agility, and tracking, all the things I "used" to do... oops, didn't know I wasn't supposed to do those things without getting permission...
but just at the moment I feel like throwing things and crying and the guilt is five miles high and rising...
kat
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
of giving your hearts to a dog to tear
Posted by jtevers on November 28, 2003, at 16:42:17
In reply to Re: Re hair and MOOD Headachequeen » TexasChic, posted by headachequeen on November 26, 2003, at 21:50:54
i have been on seroquel ( an antipsychotic ) and neurontin ( a mood stabilizer ) for several years after a diagnosis of bipolar...and have gained 60 lbs.
i would like to add topamax to my med. regimen to counter the propensity of both my current meds. to cause increases in weight.
i have heard from both satisfied and disgruntled posters who have or had tried this approach to weight management ... but, many who have found success and shed even a couple pounds have simultaneously quit the offending ( weight gain inducing ) med. ( ie. lithium, depakote or an antipsychotic ) ... have any remained on their medication while adding/taking topamax and also lost the weight? i have found stabilization with my current regimen, including my antipsychotic, and don't have the option of dropping either. please help.
may i also find success at losing weight while adding topamax to my current meds.?
Posted by PC Kes on December 4, 2003, at 18:28:29
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
Warning to girls taking any carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (this includes Topamax and Diamox), this class of drugs not only dries up saliva and tears, but it dries up vaginal secretions. You need to keep an eye on a gland in your vagina called the Bartholin gland, which lubricates your vaginal area. No one ever mentioned this gland before.
This gland, which we're generally unaware of, can plug up and abscess on these drugs. I was on both Topamax and Diamox for pseudotumor cerebri and got a big abscess in less than a couple months. It was not only painful, but required unpleasant surgery under general anesthesia because the abscess was big.
Plus Topamax managed to give me multiple kidney stones at a low dose of just 100 mg. per day in less than a month, despite downing nearly a gallon of water per day.
I've been off Diamox for about two weeks and am now weaning off Topamax slowly, and the only thing I'll miss is the weight loss.
Ladies keep an eye on any soreness in this area. See your doctor immediately if you feel a sense of pressure or pain around your anus or vagina. It took five or six days for my abscess to get close enough to the surface to be palpable from inside the vagina and by that time it was big.
Even the day before it was palpable my internist couldn't detect anything. But the next morning it was bigger than a golf ball and growing rapidly. However, I had a low-grade fever plus a sense of pressure at least six days prior and pain at least three to four days prior. So don't dismiss any discomfort even if you can't find a lump.
Posted by DanGirl on December 4, 2003, at 22:52:52
In reply to topomax and alcohol, posted by LBcats on November 20, 2003, at 20:56:20
I have been on topamax for 2 years now,for mood stabilization, and I have noticed while taking it that my speech tends to slur. I am a college student, and it just seems that it takes me longer to come up with answers to questions now; ie, I'm not thinking on my toes anymore. Is this just my imagination? My psychiatrist just keeps saying she is sure everything is fine...
Posted by headachequeen on December 6, 2003, at 16:12:25
In reply to Topamax warning for girls only, posted by PC Kes on December 4, 2003, at 18:28:29
> Warning to girls taking any carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (this includes Topamax and Diamox), this class of drugs not only dries up saliva and tears,
Oh, now this is rich.... truly rich....
on top of everything else it dries up tears as well as saliva??? and all the rest of the warning????
I happen to have been diagnosed a year or two ago with a severe dry eye problem as well as blocked tear ducts... they say that people grow to look like their dogs, not I. I take on their ailments... blocked tear ducts and dry eye being a common problem among the breed of dog I choose to work with... and to add to the bizarre links, I happen to have entropion as is common in the breed and am waiting for surgery on my upper eye lids to ease the pain and pressure on my eyes... it is funny to a great degree but it is not at all funny to another degree.
The eye surgeon and the other eye specialist are trying to understand why my eyes are not responding to treatment but remain severely dry... the decision is made to operate and try to open the tear ducts as well but the eyes will not stay lubricated... happy topomax results it would seem...
what next?????
well, what next is that the neurologist in renewing the prescription for tegritol made an error in the amount and prescribed double the dosage and I didn't catch it nor did he and the pharmacist thought he meant to increase it to 800 mg a day... oh such fun it is to live on a merry-go-round...
sometimes I think it might be easier to have the epilepsy....
meanwhile I am enjoying??? a return of some of the symptoms as I adjust to the lowered dosage of tegritol after almost two months on the higher dosage...
side effect or what????
I will not stop taking the topomax as it seems, side effects or not, to be the only constantly successful fighter of the seizures in this whole thing... there are no migraines and it does not seem to be causing any really drastic problems for me... none that I cannot handle yet anyway as I am the one who controls the dosage...
and I am not going to let that fall out of my control....
as long as I keep a link with the people here who are able to keep me informed...
I have yet to have a single warning from my pharmacist or my doctor or my neuro about topo other than the weight warning...
and I am still waiting and still fuming about the lack of input...
someone is remiss there... and they keep hearing about it...
wouldn't you think that someone somewhere would get the message??? and start explaining side effects and how to deal with them?????
Other than here, that is...
and thank you all again and again....
and back to the gallons of water and the biotin and and and and....oh yes, and since they put me on Cipro to battle the asthma ... tons of side effect warnings there that I was never given before.. I guess someone was listening after all sigh....
not to take within six hours of taking vitamin or mineral or iron supplements and not to take the supplements within two hours of taking the Cipro... as I take it twice a day it gets tricky to fit in the supplements... and as Topomax eats up the vitamins and minerals that makes it really awkward....
that merry-go-round is spinning faster!!!!!
kat
Posted by headachequeen on December 6, 2003, at 16:21:47
In reply to Does topamax cause cognitive deficits?, posted by DanGirl on December 4, 2003, at 22:52:52
> I have been on topamax for 2 years now,for mood stabilization, and I have noticed while taking it that my speech tends to slur. I am a college student, and it just seems that it takes me longer to come up with answers to questions now; ie, I'm not thinking on my toes anymore. Is this just my imagination? My psychiatrist just keeps saying she is sure everything is fine...
Funny but it has not occurred to me to discuss the side effects of all this with my psychologist... I always seem to comparmentalise... the topomax is a neuro thing as it is prescribed by the neurologist for the epolipsy so I leave it there (and here)... must see what the shrink man thinks and says...
but it does seem to make words slur...
and I wonder if that has anything to do with the dry mouth... lack of saliva????
or is it separate???
I have always been very articulate and the slurred words really upset me... the inability to find the right word upsets me even more...
is it topomax is it something else????
and I resent it when my neurologist gives me the everything is just fine, why worry... or the old, it's just stress and anxiety routine... if you didn't worry about these things you wouldn't have the stress from it and it wouldn't happen because you wouldn't have the stress that makes it happen attitude...
it IS happening and it DOES make me worry so everything is NOT fine... if it is a side effect, then tell me, and help me deal with it... help me overcome it... and I will get on with my life... but don't pat me on the head and send me away like a little kid which I am not...
and I can guess that you feel the same way...
let's unite and make them realise that we need answers and understanding and a little help...
not to be patronised...
oh I feel better....
thanks !!!!!
kat
Posted by LBcats on December 7, 2003, at 11:01:49
In reply to Re: Does topamax cause cognitive deficits? » DanGirl, posted by headachequeen on December 6, 2003, at 16:21:47
Kat,
I had to stop topomax after 8 months because I was also in college at the time and I could not get my words out. One time I had to give a presentation and I got so confused I had to sit down. I'm usually very articulate and I knew it had to be the medication but I gave it more time and it never went away. Finally, I just told my doctor I wanted my brain back. Now after 2 months of being off of it, I'm back to normal . Of course I've gaine some weight back, but at least I'm smart again.
LB
Posted by jhlsgirl on December 9, 2003, at 14:17:00
In reply to Re: Topamax-bipolar and weight loss? » msmelissa, posted by galkeepinon on November 8, 2003, at 2:35:40
> Hi, There is a binge-eating study in California USA currently to see if Topamax can possibly be approved for that disorder. I called to ask what medication was being used in this trial and low and behold, it was Topamax. I figured, but was curious. I lost 25 pounds while on Topamax, and the side effects were minimal for me. If you're interested in hearing about my experience, I would be happy to share it with you, if not, I still wish you all the best in getting relief for the bipolar issue as well as an added benefit of weight loss Topamax seems to have on a lot of people :-)
> Best wishes,
> Kristen
> ==============================================================================================
>
> > I am hoping for a great deal of relief with the bipolar issue but am desparate for help in the weight loss area as well. Since adulthood I have always been about 130 lbs. Even after having 3 children...with the depakote and other meds I've gained 30-40 lbs. since March of 2003. Just need to know if anyone else has had any luck with the medicine? I am willing to suffer some side effects to get somewhere with my disorder!
>
>
kristen..I was recently prescribed topamax for bi-polar. Im not sure he got that diagnosis correct. im trying to find symptoms to see if they fit me. any way he told me he chose this drug because i am so depressed about my weight. he told me as a side effect i probably would lose. please if you can tell me about how it is for you i would appreciate the insight.. not started the med yet..im kinda afraid.
Posted by DanGirl on December 9, 2003, at 14:56:07
In reply to Re: Topamax-bipolar and weight loss?, posted by jhlsgirl on December 9, 2003, at 14:17:00
I have been on topamax for 2years now, and always in conjuction with an antidepressant. Originally I was just taking antidepressants prior to 2years ago when I started seeing a different psychiatrist. While taking just antidepressants my weight ballooned. When I started taking both 100mg of topamax as well as my antidepressant, effexor, my weight stabilized at the ballooned weight, but I never seemed able to lose weight. Two years after seeing my current psychiatrist I was able to come off of the antidepressant, and my weight loss was quite dramatic. I lost 27 pounds, with exercise, in 2.5 months. I still don't know if it was because the antidepressant just made me feel sluggish, or if the topamax really reduces my appetite, but I do eat less.
Posted by headachequeen on December 9, 2003, at 15:53:26
In reply to Re: Does topamax cause cognitive deficits?, posted by LBcats on December 7, 2003, at 11:01:49
> Kat,
> I had to stop topomax after 8 months because I was also in college at the time and I could not get my words out. One time I had to give a presentation and I got so confused I had to sit down. I'm usually very articulate and I knew it had to be the medication but I gave it more time and it never went away. Finally, I just told my doctor I wanted my brain back. Now after 2 months of being off of it, I'm back to normal . Of course I've gaine some weight back, but at least I'm smart again.
> LBI have to remember that there were/are similar side effects from the Tegretol so which do I blame??? the Topomax or the Tegretol???
and I have yet to have an appointment with the shrink to discuss all this... and I have to admit to feeling rather dumb in that it never occurred to me to discuss the side effects with him... this compartmentalising business again...
the neurologist tends to fluff off side effects and has the habit of fluffing off new symptoms (the myasthenia) as side effects...
there are days when I want to simply stand on a street corner and scream for someone to take a moment and listen and care...
that was when I found this place actually, one of those days when I wanted to stand and scream...
those days have not totally disappeared from life and now I am trying to sort out side effects....but a new question has arisen...
why does everyone seem to accept the side effects from the older accepted meds???
why are the new meds like Topomax questioned and the older ones simply ignored????
I understand that if I want to be seizure free and symptom free then I have to sort of grind along with this stuff but at the same time some of the side effects are really stress causing...
others require other meds to stop them or overcome them...
and then there are the ones that I don't know the real source of...
so what do we do? stop taking all meds (which of course causes the seizures to start almost immediately) and then start all over again to see what starts when???
some days seem a little more stressful than others.... and then there are the days when I wonder if it is better to simply ignore the side effects... if they don't kill me what the heck????for anyone trying to make an informed decision this is really helpful I am sure but aside from this wishy washy chaotic non-thinking I have to say that this is the most helpful place I know for anyone trying to sort out concerns about side effects caused by Topomax and trying to decide about anti-seizure options....
and that says a lot!!!!
sorry for the long and rambling posts....
kat
Posted by cyndie on December 9, 2003, at 16:42:20
In reply to Re: Topamax-bipolar and weight loss?, posted by jhlsgirl on December 9, 2003, at 14:16:43
I am very interested in this issue. I was taking Lexapro 20 mg. for depression and had gained about 35 lbs. My pdoc suggested topamax, and after taking 50 mg. I have noticed a slight decrease in appetite. I think he hopes to ramp up the topamax to 100 - 125 and then be able to reduce the Lexapro to 10 mg. since the overweight depresses me as much as general depression does! Also, my mood is very steady on Topamax which is leading him to think that perhaps I may have some underlying bipolar tendencies as well that haven't seemed severe enough before I realized how good it felt to feel "even" all the time!
Posted by katia on December 10, 2003, at 0:14:34
In reply to Re: Topamax-bipolar and weight loss?, posted by cyndie on December 9, 2003, at 16:42:20
To anyone,
I've got two questions:
1. does the reason alone that Topamax cause weight loss is loss of appetite? You know in reverse, how some meds will make you gain weight with no increase in appetite or eating.2 - How good is Topamax with Lamictal as a mood stabilizer for bipolar II/Mixed rapid cycling depression?
anyone? anyone?
thanks.
katia
Posted by Beck on December 11, 2003, at 2:18:16
In reply to Re: Topamax-bipolar and weight loss?, posted by katia on December 10, 2003, at 0:14:34
> To anyone,
> I've got two questions:
> 1. does the reason alone that Topamax cause weight loss is loss of appetite? You know in reverse, how some meds will make you gain weight with no increase in appetite or eating.
>
> 2 - How good is Topamax with Lamictal as a mood stabilizer for bipolar II/Mixed rapid cycling depression?
>
> anyone? anyone?
> thanks.
> katiaGood question, I was wondering that also. Plus, has anyone had any experiences, good or bad, while drinking alcohol while on topamax? Any info would be much appriciated!
Thanks!
Beck
Posted by Cybele on December 11, 2003, at 8:57:55
In reply to Re: Topamax-bipolar and weight loss?, posted by Beck on December 11, 2003, at 2:18:16
> Good question, I was wondering that also. Plus, has anyone had any experiences, good or bad, while drinking alcohol while on topamax? Any info would be much appriciated!
Beck, I read the archived posts about Topamax before I tried the med, and there were quite a few posts from people who say, "Don't drink alcohol on this med!" The PDR says that alcohol increases the side effects of Topamax. Because Topamax tends to dehydrate you without the alcohol, you add alcohol to the mix and you will have a helluva hangover. Drinking lots of water with the alcohol usually does not help much because alcohol seems to inhibit your body's absorption of water (this is purely my observation, LOL).
That said, I took 25mg a day of Topamax for 3 weeks and had 3 drinks on Thanksgiving and did not have any untoward aftereffects. That was the only alcohol I had in those 3 weeks and I was on a baby-sized dose, so I would imagine if you were drinking 4-5 times a week at a higher dose you might feel pretty crapulent most of the time. I think the problems really kick in when you are at the more therapeutic doses.
BTW, I stopped taking Topamax after three weeks because I started losing fistfuls of my hair when I shampooed. Now I am just taking 150mg WB-SR in the morning and getting a weekly 4 hours of good cardio exercise (i.e., with heart rate 70-80% of max.). My dx was double depression/soft bipolar, although I am feeling a lot better now than I was in September/October. (The exercise did it with a little boost from the Wellbutrin, I think.)
Posted by katia on December 11, 2003, at 15:23:19
In reply to Re: Topamax-bipolar and weight loss? » Beck, posted by Cybele on December 11, 2003, at 8:57:55
Hi,
You say soft bipolar. What were your "symptoms"? You also say double depression. I take it you've been depressed all of your life and then on top of that had a severe and major depression?
that sounds like me.
I've been dxed as "double depression" last summer and after a year of trial and ERROR on ADs; i got the BPII dx.
katia
Posted by katia on December 11, 2003, at 15:24:16
In reply to Re: Topamax-bipolar and weight loss? » Beck, posted by Cybele on December 11, 2003, at 8:57:55
what does "LOL" mean?
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