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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by KLCH on December 8, 2003, at 15:10:11
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
Hi. I am posting my 1st message. First of all, I was diagnosed with epilepsy 7 years ago while pregnant with my twins. I was put on tegretol. To deal with breakthrough seizures, my doctor periodically increased my dosage until I was eventually taking 1200 mg per day! The side effects were debilitating! I was unable to function in everyday life, let alone care for 18 month old twins. So I decided to slowly decrease my dosage until I was completely off the medication. My doctor was against this, but he was also against trying any other medication.
For the last five years I lived medication free, but certainly not seizure free. I have an average of 3 seizures per month (usually just before my menstral cycle). Unfortunately, for the last 8 weeks the frequency and intensity of the seizures has increased. I think it is time to consider medication again. It is my understanding that topomax carries far fewer side effects than tegretol and could be very beneficial. Any thoughts?
Posted by headachequeen on December 8, 2003, at 19:11:02
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by KLCH on December 8, 2003, at 15:10:11
> Hi. I am posting my 1st message. First of all, I was diagnosed with epilepsy 7 years ago while pregnant with my twins. I was put on tegretol. To deal with breakthrough seizures, my doctor periodically increased my dosage until I was eventually taking 1200 mg per day! The side effects were debilitating! I was unable to function in everyday life, let alone care for 18 month old twins. So I decided to slowly decrease my dosage until I was completely off the medication. My doctor was against this, but he was also against trying any other medication.
>
> For the last five years I lived medication free, but certainly not seizure free. I have an average of 3 seizures per month (usually just before my menstral cycle). Unfortunately, for the last 8 weeks the frequency and intensity of the seizures has increased. I think it is time to consider medication again. It is my understanding that topomax carries far fewer side effects than tegretol and could be very beneficial. Any thoughts?Oh I know there are going to be those who argue with me... and some with good reason I am sure...
but I am taking both meds...
so I sort of stand in the middle of the debate...
I was first diagnosed with epilepsy when I was expecting my second child... however my doctor at the time did not like the stigma that accompanied the ailment (interestingly enough my younger daughter has just been diagnosed with epilepsy, the same type as I, about six months after the birth of her second child... same GP who still does not like the diagnosis because of the stigma and still reacts the same way to it... she was taken to emergency and my GP happened to be in the emerg at the time and made the diagnosis and ordered the necessary tests but her GP is ignoring the results... talk about ostrisch syndrome.. we are trying to get the change of doctors arranged sigh)
My doctor at the time refused to accept the diagnosis even though he was the first to suspect it so for years it was a case of ignoring the whole thing until, following a change of doctors, the situation was recognised and I was put on Tegretol following a confirming diagnosis...
the initial dosage did not meet the seizures, so the dosage was increased... and increased...
when I mentioned migraines, at a time when the neuro was about to increase it again, he tore up the prescription and put me on Topomax on a slowly increasing dosage that I controlled following a prescribed increment...
there have been side effects to both I acknowledge...
and no one warned me of side effects to either other than that I would probably gain weight taking tegretol and that there was a weight loss potential for topomax... and the migraine control side effect for topomax too ( and it has done both... I have lost a lot of weight and had no migraines since January of this year when I began to take it...)
there have been side effects... dry mouth, dry hair and some others... some times I find it hard to be the articulate person I like to be and flatter myself that I am... however that is not limited to Topomax -- Tegretol is another villain there too...
drink lots of water with Topomax and it is not going to cause kidney stones...
take biotin in mega doses (2400 -2500 mg a day and your hair will not dry out or fall out...
take vitamin supplements and it will replenish the vitamins that Topomax eats up on you...recently the neuro made a mistake in rewriting the tegritol for me and doubled my prescription. I am at fault; I did not notice... the results were amazing and I blamed the topomax because it was convenient... the tegritol had never been cited as having side effects and had been around longer so it had to be safer, right? then I found a site with information on tegritol and I was stunned... even before I discovered the over prescription...
Under normal conditions if epilepsy can be said to be normal conditions, I take 400 mg a day of tegretol and 400 a day of topomax... for six weeks or so I was taking 800 of tegretol and I was unable to function... and blaming the topomax as I said...
I have spent the last couple of weeks weaning myself back to my 400 mg a day and experiencing symptoms again... so far no seizures as far as I know.. sounds silly I suppose, but my seizures happen when I am asleep and unless my husband happens to be awake when they occur or I happen to waken totally exhausted with the post-episodic reactions, then I cannot be sure that they happen... although some times I relive the same day for days at a time until someone tells me what day it actually is, then I know that I have had a seizure... and feel soooo stupid as a result...
however I am again experiencing the tingling in hands and feet and face that should be totally controlled and were totally controlled when the meds were working and I am really annoyed to put it mildly...
when I was on tegretol alone these often occurred as a side effect... and now they are back in full swing...The side effects of Tegretol are wonderful and amazing and at times frightening and totally annoying...
the pharmacist warned me of the weight gain potential as I said.. great... I was already overweight... just what I needed... more weight...
she also told me that I had to avoid exposure to direct sunlight as well as artificial sunlight, as Tegretol would increase skin sensitivity to the rays of the sun... wonderful ! I am a redhead and my skin is already ultra sensitive but we do what we have to and I wear long sleeves in the summer time and hope for the best...
The Tegretol made me even more clumsy than I already am and somewhat unsteady on my feet and made me somewhat dizzy when it wasn't making me drowsy lightheaded. Then there was the nausea, so my doctor prescribed something to stop the nausea and stomach pain as well as something to stop the dizziness...
Occasionally it caused diarrhea;
We can't overlook the dry mouth that came with it, so there was always a bottle of water in my jacket pocket or in my back pack... and then along came Topomax with the same dryness... more water... and Tegretol causes loss of hair I learned recently, not just the Topomax which got the blame when it is sort of a shared villain...There was a constant dry cough and shortnees of breath that came with the Tegretol and I found it actually painful to breathe at times... great for a person who is already an asthmatic, let's add to the pain of breathing.. which is more important? breathing or controlling the seizures???
Enter swollen or painful glands and a wheezing in my chest... began to sound like an old traction engine... wonderful...My vision blurred at times and other times I had double vision to deal with... then there was the difficulty in speaking or slurred speech -- for a person who prides herself on her speech patterns and articulation this was not good...
I mentioned the numbness, and tingling in my hands and face,then sometimes there would be actual pain in my hands and feet; at others my hands would not be able to do the things I thought they should.. I could not make my right hand hold a book or I would try to write my name.. a simple thing I have done all my life but the pen would not follow my commands...
and the weight gain oh the weight gain...
and the uncontrolled body movements, again the right arm would develop these tics that were all its own doing... and the
ringing and buzzing in my ears
... many of these things still occur...
some of them have lessened with the split dose of Topomax and Tegretol...
some were out of control with the 800 mg of Tegretol and I hope will diminish now that we are back at 400 of Tegretol daily...
I suppose the alternative, a return to seizures and all that means, is not a great one and certainly not one that I choose to take at this point, but I have to confess that given the choice between the side effects I have experienced so far on Topomax, I am considering asking my doctor to switch me to it exclusively or perhaps a higher dosage of Topomax and lower of Tegretol...
or maybe there is something out there that can replace the Tegretol entirely??? and work with the Topomax...
amazing isn't it? a little information about side effects and I decide that I know it all and want to prescribe my own course of treatment..
but if I could get rid of these tics and quirks and the buzzing and the tingling...
oh and I forgot to mention that at one point they looked into MS as a possibility as a cause for some of the Tegretol side effects... couldn't be good ol' Tegretol... had to be the neuro muscular something or other...
kat
Posted by KLCH on December 9, 2003, at 16:16:34
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by KLCH on December 8, 2003, at 15:10:11
Thanks for the response Headachequeen. I want to absorb all the information my brain can hold before I even begin taking Topomax. P.S. I only wish I had done some research before my tubal - But I digress, that's a different board all together!
1)Does topomax interfere with heberal medications?
i.e. progesterone cream2)Is it possible and/or advisable to get topomax over the internet w/out seeing a neurologist?
3)Is it possible and/or advisable to continue my exercise regime? i.e. aerobic classes/resistance training 4 days/wk
Any thoughts?
Posted by headachequeen on December 9, 2003, at 16:22:28
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by KLCH on December 9, 2003, at 16:16:34
> Thanks for the response Headachequeen. I want to absorb all the information my brain can hold before I even begin taking Topomax. P.S. I only wish I had done some research before my tubal - But I digress, that's a different board all together!
>
> 1)Does topomax interfere with heberal medications?
> i.e. progesterone cream
>
> 2)Is it possible and/or advisable to get topomax over the internet w/out seeing a neurologist?
>
> 3)Is it possible and/or advisable to continue my exercise regime? i.e. aerobic classes/resistance training 4 days/wk
>
> Any thoughts?
>
I use herbal preaparations like evening primrose oil and vitamins and biotin....
and exercise regimens are not a problem... I feel more like exercising since I started the Topomax especially since I lost all the weight...I for one am not inclined to go with the idea of getting meds over the internet... I am a firm believer in taking nothing unless it is prescribed because after all we see the side effects and if we take stuff just at will heaven knows what results we have to deal with....
scary enough when the doctor knows what we are up against... but your gp might prescribe it...
kat
Posted by katia on December 10, 2003, at 0:05:04
In reply to Re: topa to counter psych. med. wt. gain, posted by jtevers on November 28, 2003, at 17:00:38
> i have been on seroquel ( antipsychotic ) and neurontin ( mood stabilizer ) several years since being diagnosed in 2000 with bipolar...and have gained 60 lbs. during the course of my treatment.
Hi,
I'm currently on Lamictal at 175mg. I also take 600-900mg of Neurontin and 7mg of Seroquel both for sleep. I seem to be gaining weight. I wonder if it's this Neuron. and Seroquel mix like you or the Lamictal. How much are you on?
thanks.
katia
Posted by jtevers on December 10, 2003, at 16:41:55
In reply to Lamictal weight gain? » jtevers, posted by katia on December 10, 2003, at 0:05:04
> I'm currently on Lamictal at 175mg. I also take 600-900mg of Neurontin and 7mg of Seroquel both for sleep. I seem to be gaining weight. I wonder if it's this Neuron. and Seroquel mix like you or the Lamictal. How much are you on?
> thanks.
> katiakatia, it's funny to see the parallels our treatment has taken... both having been prescribed seroquel and neurontin and currently struggling with weight gain.
i wonder if perhaps you are confused about one of your meds... i have never heard of anybody taking only 7 mgs. of seroquel ... i take 600 mgs in divided doses throughout the day, it makes me terribly sleepy so i take a majority at nite.
i take 1800 mgs of neurontin in three divided doses of 600 each throughout the day and while taking neurontin has become to feel really benign, i still question whether it , or the seroquel, is the root of my weight gain.
i seem to have gained an additional amount when my dose of neurontin was increased last winter. since many professionals have told me that weight gain by neurontin is dose-related... i continue to research alternatives to, not only my antipsychotic (seroquel), which is almost definitely a contributing factor to the weight gain, but also to my mood stabilizer (neurontin).
very soon i will attempt to exchange gabatril for neurontin and abilify for seroquel ... both of which have less propensity to cause weight gain and may additionally normalize my sleep ( i sleep nearly 10 hours on seroquel treatment ).i, too, am currently on a trial of topamax. i have just started, though, and am only on 25 mg. at nite this week... it is my understanding that the mechanism of weight loss induced by topamax is more complicated than simply appetite reduction and has been studied for some time as a counterbalance to the weight gain caused by antipsychotic treatment ... weight gain that often, otherwise, does not respond to diet or exercise?
i will start slowly, on the topamax, and am well versed in all the gnarly side effects i will probably encounter and hope to reach 200 mgs. in 2-3 months ... i hope, along with stupification, to see some weight loss.
katia, et. al.
sorry i can't tell you which of your meds is responsible for the weight gain... we seem to have the same questions and share similar odds in our treatment.ironically, i know that my future will also see some experimentation with lamictal as, currently, my neurontin seems to work well at quelling manic bouts, but has historically done very little for depressive bouts i experience nearly monthly ... my doctor says the lamictal has both mood-stabilizing and mood-enhancing (antidepressive) qualities ... i'd appreciate knowing your experience with it . the lamictal, by the way, is almost certainly not responsible for the weight gain you've seen ... very rarely is this a side effect to lamictal treatment.
Posted by shesupsidedown on December 11, 2003, at 12:21:05
In reply to Re: neuroleptic weight gain and response., posted by jtevers on December 10, 2003, at 16:41:55
I am most definately considering switching from Topamax to Lamactil....
I was concerned about the weight gain factor and the rash...?
As far as I know it is not supposed to make you gain large amounts of weight...any experiences?
What about this nasty rash?
Does it cause vitamin deficiencies like the Topamax?As for Topamax in my experience losing weight is a side effect of the medication...I dropped down to a unhealthy 95 lbs last summer and for someone with body image problems like previous issues with anorexia NOT GOOD! I warn against this med. if you have self image issues....even if you do need to lose weight...
First and foremost because the weight loss as I said is a side effect that will eventually (atleast in my case) taper off and you will return to your normal body weight...Sorry to rant...
M
Posted by jerseydevil on December 11, 2003, at 14:59:52
In reply to Lamictal weight gain? » jtevers, posted by katia on December 10, 2003, at 0:05:04
My understanding of Lamictal is that weight LOSS, not weight gain, is the typical side effect. Altough I've never been on it. I've used neurotin at 1200-2400 mg over the past year and gained weight, but the timing coincides with quiting smoking. 600-900 just doesn't seem like enough of a dose to cause any significant side effects. But, everyone is different.
Posted by katia on December 11, 2003, at 15:06:53
In reply to Re: neuroleptic weight gain and response., posted by jtevers on December 10, 2003, at 16:41:55
Hi Gals (and guys?)
Those dosages that I said are correct. i only take Seroquel for sleep and I find that a 1/4 or less of a 25mg pill does it for me; mostly in conjunction with 600-900mg of Neurontin. AND THEN I sleep unreasonable amounts - 10-12 hrs. a night. It's ridiculous, I'm sleeping the days away esp. with the winter days. I'm thinking about lower this and eliminating one. For me, it's falling asleep that's an issue - once I"m out I sleep. I used to the be the opposite and I used to not be able to fall asleep OR stay asleep. I'm definitely turning into one of those strange cases that sleeps best in the early morning hours 'til the early afternoon. I work nights so I can do this. It's odd. I'd prefer it the other way - not being able to keep my eyes open at 9-10 and wake up at 6-7ish. Even when I'm exhausted, I still can't sleep 'til 12ish.Just today, I started the Atkin's diet. It's pretty strict during the "induction" phase which is two weeks. The one thing I'm not willing to give up is my one cup of coffee per day - it ain't happening. But apart from that - I'm only allowed 20gs of carbs per day! That's hard - one piece of bread is like 30-40gs! Basically I can have about three veggies a day and then meat, cheese, oils - no nuts, no beans, no fruits, no starchy veggies. It's suppose to work - he goes into the mechanics of it in his book.
So i'll give my own weight loss regime a good go before I start the Topamax simply for the weight loss properties. I only need to lose 10-15lbs. anyway. But I've gained 20lbs in the past 8-9 months and it just keeps creeping upward. I'm as heavy as I've ever been. it doesn't feel good.I'm on 200mg of Lamictal as of yesterday. Apart from twinges of sadness and lower energy and minimal tolerance for social activity (being around people), I'm not that severely depressed anymore. However, I know I could feel better. I still have those dark hours that come out of nowhere and scare the *hit out of me. I might augment with lithium in a couple of weeks, if being at 200mg of Lam. (theuraptic dose) doesn't do me 100% right. Has anyone here tried Lithium Orotate in combo with another med to augment?
I'm apparently BPII/Mixed/rapid cycler.
So those are my experiences.
Katia
Posted by katia on December 11, 2003, at 15:26:11
In reply to Re: neuroleptic weight gain and response., posted by shesupsidedown on December 11, 2003, at 12:21:05
I'm one of the lucky ones who hasn't developed any type of rash so far. I'm up to 200mg though and it's been about three months.
Posted by katia on December 11, 2003, at 15:54:06
In reply to Re: Lamictal weight gain?, posted by jerseydevil on December 11, 2003, at 14:59:52
yes, I agree. I think the culprit is rather pecan pie!
Posted by calicomist on December 11, 2003, at 23:34:55
In reply to Re: Lamictal weight gain? » jerseydevil, posted by katia on December 11, 2003, at 15:54:06
Hi-
I'm so glad I found this board. I am so paranoid about taking any new medicines because of experiences I had in the early 1980's when psychiatrists prescribed drug cocktails...anyone remember those? I had Haldol, Cogentin, Sinequan, Tofranil, Valium, etc. all in one night.
Anyway, I took Dilantin for 20 years. About two years ago, my doc switched me to Depakote. I've had terrible night leg cramps with Depabloat, my hands (arms) start terribly - I can't carry a glass of water across the room without it sloshing completely out of the glass. I can't eat soup, and I'm too self-conscious to eat in public.
I take 1500 mg. of Depakote and my neurologist just started me on 25 mg. of Topamax, to wean me off Depakote and go to Topamax completely in about three months. I have psychomotor seizures and am bipolar, too. I have gained over 100 pounds with Depakote, and have pre-diabetes, so there is a weight concern.
Again, glad to find the page! The postings here have given me the courage to go ahead and take the Topamax dose for tonight.-from calicomist
> yes, I agree. I think the culprit is rather pecan pie!
Posted by jtevers on December 12, 2003, at 15:08:17
In reply to weight gain, Lamictal, Lithium Orotate? » jtevers, posted by katia on December 11, 2003, at 15:06:53
katia, et. al.,
i too have struggled with weight and sleep issues for a couple of years as i harden my determination to get my life back on track after a diagnosis of bipolar and consequencial medication treatment since 2000.
i have been on seroquel, indeed a very sedating antipsychotic, and neurontin, a "mood stabilizer", since my initial treatment and have gained 60 lbs and, like you katia, sleep nearly ll hours per night...both of these side effects to my treatment are unacceptable to a former marathon runner, professional, and student.
i have researched diligently both my condition and its treatment and , although not a doctor, have been , with my doctor, experimenting with different options and look forward to a future where both my weight and sleep time will be normalized ...
i am currently titrating topamax into my med. regimen very slowly. i have read about the harrowing side effects i may experience (the tingling, hair loss, and stupification), but also the weight loss?!? i have read to take a complex vitamin B for the tingling and biotin, selenium and zinc for your hair ... any experience?
i have been on the Atkins Diet for 6 months now and while an initial 30 lbs melted away, despite remaining on "induction" the last 60 lbs to my original weight don't respond at all to diet or exercise ... this neuroleptic-associated weight gain has spurred my topamax trial and research into variable, newer, antipsychotics with less propensity to cause weight gain ... perhaps abilify (i have already tried ziprasidone/geodon).
i know the abilify may cause agitation/akithisia and this can be combatted with amantadine or propanolol ... will i also experience insomnia? help?NOTE: i also understand and would like to bring it too katia's and everyone's attention that i have learned remaining on a high protein diet while taking topamax may exacerbate the formation of kidney stones and drinking a lot of water or, perhaps, postponing the diet are essential.
additionally, i may, in the future, attempt a switch from neurontin to gabatril, a mood stabilizer / anti-anxiety agent with less propensity to cause weight gain...i still suspect that neurontin may be to blame for some of my weight gain despite a lot of evidence to the contrary.
finally, i foresee adding lamictal to my cocktail to achieve the mood-enhancement that doctors once falsely believed would be provided by neurontin.
any advice or insight is GREATLY appreciated.
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 13, 2003, at 21:17:46
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by KLCH on December 8, 2003, at 15:10:11
I am curious. I have been diagnosed as bipolar recently. I SELF diagnosed myself as bipolar II and not just plain manic depressive because I don't fit that category of it. I am a redhead, and if any of you know anyone who is one..you know we have different rules for some odd reason. We feel pain more intensely, we bleed easier and we need more anesthesia. Every single antidepressant I have tried has failed which made me go back to my Dr and tell him.."Look, something ain't right" Then he said.."Hmm well then you might be bipolar" and 2 trips to the psych and here I am Bipolar II. I started on Zyprexa 3 days ago and I have gained 5lbs ALREADY!!!! My Dr said if I had any weight gain to immediately stop and we would try the Topomax. Are there any redheads out there who have experienced this kind of failure with meds? I am just at wits end and I have a husband and 2 kids to take care of. I hate being so angry and irritable all the time and then cry the rest. The only time I have some relief is when I go "manic" when I am around my friends. Then I am happy. Otherwise, it is all I can do to function! The Zyprexa has not worked at ALL. IT has made me MORE depressed and anxious..on top of me gaining a lot of weight rapidly. HELP! Anyone else having weight loss success with Topomax and bipolar II? REDHEADS PLEASE!!
Posted by blondegirl47 on December 14, 2003, at 13:06:08
In reply to neuroleptics... weight sleep and mood?, posted by jtevers on December 12, 2003, at 15:08:17
I too have had a slowing of weight loss on the atkins diet...I have found that I have to watch how much cream cheese and also how much low carb candy I eat. Although I can eat more calories and lose on Atkins, I still have to be watch the amount of calories I take in, especially if I am not exercising. Hope things get better for you. I don't have any experience with the medication you are taking, but I thought I would put my two cents in on the Atkins thing :) Hope it helps
Blondegirl
Posted by katia on December 14, 2003, at 15:29:19
In reply to neuroleptics... weight sleep and mood?, posted by jtevers on December 12, 2003, at 15:08:17
anyone out there on Lamictal get very dizzy and nauseous at 200mg?
I'm so dizzy like an inner ear thing is going on -also my stomach is not feeling well. Everything going right through me in the liquid form...
A queazy nervousness in my stomach...I'm also on 11ish g. of fish oil.
I also started the ATkins Diet four days ago - however I was feeling this before then. It's awful. I constantly feel as if I could throw up. AND NO I'M NOT PREGNANT. A sex life - what's that?
So it could be from one of the above or something else. But it's awful. And I don't think it's a cold or the flu b/c it's been going on for a week now, esp.in the last three days...Atkin's?
How would eliminating carbs do this to me?JTEVERS-- I know you've done the diet. What were the first few days like? Did you experience this sort of thing? For me it's gotten worse since I started the diet, but I was feeling a bit of this last Monday (I was hungover - pre Atkin's Diet - now no more alcohol). I've also found on Lamictal, that hangovers are NO FUN. It's awful. I don't think I'll over indulge again simply from that. It's like someone takes my brain and hides it from me and i develop disassociation feelings and anxiety. Anyone else have a tough time drinking on Lamicta? (I know I shouldn't be drinking at all, but I have to be honest about my experiences).
Anyone have insights, comments???
thanks.
Katia
Posted by headachequeen on December 14, 2003, at 19:20:20
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by bridgey1128 on December 13, 2003, at 21:17:46
> I am curious. I have been diagnosed as bipolar recently. I SELF diagnosed myself as bipolar II and not just plain manic depressive because I don't fit that category of it. I am a redhead, and if any of you know anyone who is one..you know we have different rules for some odd reason. We feel pain more intensely, we bleed easier and we need more anesthesia. Every single antidepressant I have tried has failed which made me go back to my Dr and tell him.."Look, something ain't right" Then he said.."Hmm well then you might be bipolar" and 2 trips to the psych and here I am Bipolar II. I started on Zyprexa 3 days ago and I have gained 5lbs ALREADY!!!! My Dr said if I had any weight gain to immediately stop and we would try the Topomax. Are there any redheads out there who have experienced this kind of failure with meds? I am just at wits end and I have a husband and 2 kids to take care of. I hate being so angry and irritable all the time and then cry the rest. The only time I have some relief is when I go "manic" when I am around my friends. Then I am happy. Otherwise, it is all I can do to function! The Zyprexa has not worked at ALL. IT has made me MORE depressed and anxious..on top of me gaining a lot of weight rapidly. HELP! Anyone else having weight loss success with Topomax and bipolar II? REDHEADS PLEASE!!
first, although I am a redhead, I have to confess that I am not sure what the difference is between bipolar and bipokar II... I was diagnosed as being depressed and the doctor who so diagnosed me began to think I was bipolar because being a creative type when things go really well with my work...either the writing or music, the training, or the photography or whatever, I achieve these incredible CREATED highs... and when things don't go well I reach these incredible CREATED lows... he thought that my seasonal affective disorder was actually bipolar...
as my depression thing grew out of proportion he referred me to a psychiatrist... he had been going to put me on lithium but I had just been diagnosed as being epileptic and apparently lithium and epilepsy do not go well together... thank heaven...
the admitting psychiatrist informed that lithium would have simply eliminated my personality as I was not at all bipolar. She told me I had another sort of disorder, a form of depression and that she suffered with it too, the sort of thing that creative types like myself have to deal with... the so-called artistic temperament.
Apparently I presented a really bizarre and interesting set of symptoms so the head of the service took me on his case load when she admitted me and then told me I was not depressed but was hypo bipolar or something of that sort.... and referred me to a psychologist because of the personality disorder that needed treatment while leaving me on antidepressants...question: if I am not depressed, then why do I need antidepressants??? (zyprexa, effexor, and immovane)
At the time I was on Tegretol about 150 mg a day... and the side effects to that stuff are wild and woolly....
a few months after I was released from hospital I was put on Topomax and worked up to 400 mg a day along with 200 mg of Tegretol....
that is the medication history... oh yeah, I decided one day to stop taking the antidepressants.. if I am not depressed, then why take them, so I threw them away...
I am a redhead... flaming red hair... freckles... fair fair skin with a great tendency to sunburn even in winter... oh yes I am a redhead.... pale blue eyes too (what they call sun-bleached blue...darker on the outside)
redheads have the wildest quirks as you have mentioned....
pain??? we experience with far greater intensity than others... I guess that is in payment for the hair colour????? sigh...
and the lack of a clotting agent in our blood is a real pain in the neck.... the simplest cuts and scratches take forever to stop bleeding....
there is a shortage of calcium too...which contributes to the bleeding factor... my son and I can donate blood in less than a quarter of the time other people can... in fact they have a hard time turning off the supply when the container is filled... we take liquid calcium supplements to try and thicken the blood ...
during teenage years nosebleeds were a way of life... it was nothing unusual to wake up in a lake of blood and have to go to the hospital to get it stopped... a diet of milk shakes for a day or two after that.... cold liquids were always recommended and I always forgot that I was allergic to milk... love chocolate malts LOL.another fringe benefit of being a redhead is the immunity problem... we are born with severely compromised immune systems... most surgeons will tell you that they are warned in residency never to turn their backs on redheads... I have taken as much as eleven months to heal from post-op infections that should never have occurred; mosquito bites turn to cellulitis... it is common to have IV pumps attached to me because I need IV antibiotics for a cut or mosquito bite.. no joke and no hyperbole...
in one case a puncture wound went to cellulitis in 24 hours and to gangrene in 72 hours... I was lucky to have a skilled surgeon available and he saved my hand, possibly my arm, not to mention my finger...
incredible physio therapist was determined that there would be three surgeries and no more and she managed to save the use of my fingers.. I have 85% use of my right hand thanks to her...
being a ref head has its advantages
anonymity is not one of them...
nor is an immune system... or clotting factor... or pain control... I keep ibuprofen in business!!!I can no longer take Tylenol because of the risk to the liver... oh yeah, celtic types with redhair, blue eyes and fair skin are prone to haemachromatosis an over abundance of iron in the blood... the nosebleeds and the inclination of the blood not to clot helps but I really could do without it...
but the topomax is a blessing as one of the side effects is that it helps control migraine... not a migraine since January....I gained weight on Zyprexa... I also gained weight on Tegretol...and had already gained weight because of the depression or whatever... when I am in a down curve I love to eat... it is the comfort food syndrome.. I may not be hungry or even taste what I am eating but I eat anyway...
I have lost sixty pounds or thereabouts...
and while I have had side effects from the topomax and learned here how to cope with them I have had fewer problems with it than with the tegretol... far fewer....
at this point I am not sure what it is but the depression thing is rearing its head... and when I say depression "thing" it is because I am still in the dark...
one psychiatrist says I am depressed with some form that I cannot remember... the other says no I am not depressed I have a personality disorder because of childhood trauma and need psychotherapy... then says I am hypo (I think that was the term it was a year and a half ago) bipolar...
so I guess I am not depressed... I am just feeling moody???? sigh...But topomax is one med that seems to be helping me and doesn't seem to have any of the usual oh you are a redhead results for me... if anything, given the fewer side effects, maybe the redhead thing is working but this time it is a reverse spin?>???
good luck anyway...
kat
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 14, 2003, at 22:17:23
In reply to Lamictal and dizziness? Atkins Diet?, posted by katia on December 14, 2003, at 15:29:19
When I did the Atkins after my son was born I lost 90lbs. My body is addicted to carbs so what happens when you try to break an addiction? You go through withdrawl. For the first 2 weeks when I was on it, I was a total bee-otch. Then it became easier and easier as my body wasn't addicted. I lost 90lbs and it has been the ONLY diet that has EVER worked for me. The normal amount of carbs for "normal" people(what's normal anyway!?) is too much for me. I gain weight. And being a redhead...well...the rules are just different. To Kat, I actually heal really well. I have had 2 c-sections and barely have a scar. But we DO bleed easier. My mom is a dental hygienist and she knows this for a fact. I bleed but I heal well. Maybe because I have hazel eyes instead of blue. ;) My daughter is 2 and has the red hair and blue eyes. She does bleed easier than me and it takes longer to clot.Maybe it's the difference in blue eyes and hazel. I quit taking the Zyprexa and lost a pound overnight. Sheesh!! They need to do a study on redheads and bipolar. Oh and I am not 100% sure, but hypo bipolar I think is the same thing as bipolar II. You get creative and hyper around friends? and depressed alone...too much time to think about negative things!! I am allergic to lots of things too, medically. Zyprexa is for bipolar. I don't think it's used for just depression but I could be wrong. Look up bipolar spectrum on yahoo and I am sure you will find lots of info on it. What we have isn't just "manic depression". There is a whole RANGE of ups and downs in the bipolar spectrum. Just a thought! Thanks for your input too! Give Atkins a chance too. It really works if you can stick with it!
Posted by katia on December 15, 2003, at 1:58:24
In reply to Re: Lamictal and dizziness? Atkins Diet?, posted by bridgey1128 on December 14, 2003, at 22:17:23
Maybe that's what I'm experiencing. w/drawals. Not that I ate that much carbs or sugar anyway.... My diet was almost in line with Atkins. But the diarrhea? (sorry)
I am totally lethargic and depressed too. Who knows what else I have to deal with....
One quick question - After two weeks on Atkins it will be xmas eve and xmas - I plan on splurging and eating whatever and drinking wine. Will this blow the whole thing? (not necessarily weight wise). I need to have a bit of fun too. :-( and wine right now is my best antidepressant.BTW Kat - It does sound like bipolar II.
katia
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 15, 2003, at 8:40:48
In reply to Re: Lamictal and dizziness? » bridgey1128, posted by katia on December 15, 2003, at 1:58:24
You shouldn't have diarrhea with the Atkins that I know of. Are you taking anything else? BTW Alcohol is a DEPRESSANT. You should avoid it, especially if you are on any kind of antidepressant or bipolar med.
Shell
Posted by katia on December 15, 2003, at 14:28:55
In reply to Re: Lamictal and dizziness?, posted by bridgey1128 on December 15, 2003, at 8:40:48
> You shouldn't have diarrhea with the Atkins that I know of. Are you taking anything else? BTW Alcohol is a DEPRESSANT. You should avoid it, especially if you are on any kind of antidepressant or bipolar med.
**OH. IS that sooo? Gee I didn't realize it was an depressant....Yeah I kinda know all this... It's a bit of a trickier web to unweave than just intellectual knowledge of these things. besides for all the years that I didn't know what was wrong with me and not on medication, in a way alcohol saved my life.
Posted by bridgey1128 on December 15, 2003, at 14:39:29
In reply to Re: Lamictal and dizziness? » bridgey1128, posted by katia on December 15, 2003, at 14:28:55
hmmm..I don't know how alcohol could save ones life unless used as an antibiotic for cuts.:P I guess it gave you something to do. But yes, it is a depressant. Alcoholism runs in my family so I don't normally touch the stuff. Rarely do I drink and not more than one or two mixed drinks. I am not on meds right now because I am waiting for my Dr to call my prescription in. I told him up front that I didn't think the Zyprexa would work for me. Sometimes I think Dr's need to listen to what a patient knows about themselves. He DID say he would put me on the Topamax if the Zyprexa made me gain weight or didn't work period. Hmm...guess I was right again!! Maybe I should have been a Dr! Anyhoo, if anyone has yahoo mail my screen name is bridgey1128 so feel free to msg if you would like to talk!
Posted by suji on December 15, 2003, at 15:02:36
In reply to Lamictal and dizziness? Atkins Diet?, posted by katia on December 14, 2003, at 15:29:19
This may seem off the point of the meds discussion--but I was struck by the fact that you mention having had diarrhea for a while...for the past couple of weeks I and the person I live with have been experiencing the "liquid" thing... We aren't taking any of the same meds (and we're not on the Atkin's diet) and we can't figure out WHAT's going...this isn't the sort of thing you generally discuss with people you meet on a daily basis (at work or whatever), so I'm wondering if there's something going around...do you live in the NYC area?? Are other people experiencing this?
suji
Posted by jerseydevil on December 15, 2003, at 15:08:18
In reply to Re: Lamictal and dizziness? Atkins Diet?, posted by suji on December 15, 2003, at 15:02:36
I just seem to have gotten over "the liquid thing" which lasted for a month or so. I mentioned it to my pdoc last vist (a week ago) thinking it was a side effect of my meds. He said try pepto.
Posted by katia on December 15, 2003, at 15:10:28
In reply to Re: Lamictal and dizziness?, posted by bridgey1128 on December 15, 2003, at 14:39:29
Alcohol was my medication. A lot of people have similar experiences. If you haven't had a substance abuse co-morbid disorder then of course you wouldn't understand. About 75% of bipolars have substance abuse disorders. People selfmedicate out of hell however they can. It's not a logical thing. But I'm not really here to make you understand just to offer my experiences.
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