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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 774 to 798 of 1085. Go back in thread:
Posted by Karen_kay on December 22, 2003, at 22:19:05
In reply to Re: topamax and cognitive effects » Karen_kay, posted by jtevers on December 22, 2003, at 20:49:39
Hiya! I just typed out a detailed account and my computer froze up and I lost it all :( Crap! I will try to be as concise this time around!!!
> am i correct in assuming, since you stated you started topamax in the late summer that you had cognitive problems despite having titrated slowly?<<<OK, I tirated at a normal rate of speed I believe. But, I got the the 200 mg mark and that is where I began losing weight. But, it was only a little bit. And I had slight side effects when I first began taking Topamax. Such as tingeling and numbing in the neck and feet. And I still find my feet falling asleep to this day quite often. And I had heartburn on a daily basis (which I still get on a weekly/biweekly basis). But, I found that after a month at the 200 level mark I still didn't see an improvement in my moods (I'm dx with Bipolar I Disorder), so my Pdoc upped my dose to 300 mgs. At the 200 mark, I had some cognition problems. I would drive past the street to my house on a fairly regular basis and not realize it until I was about a block away. And new concepts I learned in class just weren't sticking. Previously, I could learn at a rapid pace. I could take a test with little to no studying and walk away with at least a B. At the 200 mg mark, even while studying 3 hours for a test, I was lucky to earn a C. Talk about frustration. And this is a 200 level college course. Anyhoo...... (Just trying to show you how it affected me)
I went up to the 300 mg level and I noticed that while taking notes in class I frequently confused the letter "e" with the letter "i". To the point that I had to sit and think for a good 30 seconds which letter was correct. And I couldn't spell anything correct. And it would frustrate me, so I would try to figure out the correct spelling. Also, I was taking a foreign language. IMAGINE! So, my problems were with the alphabet :) But, they were severe for quite a while.
> i mean to say,did you run into these harrowing side effects regularly even though you stepped-up the topamax slowly and over many months?
<<<I didn't tirate up over several months. It's jsut that my original dose of 200 mgs didn't work out well enough, so I had to have it raised to 300 mgs. Sorry if my previous post/s were misleading. And the cognitive side effects lasted for about 2 months. They were rough at the 200 mark, but became almost intolerable at the 300 level. But, I stuck it out. And it is SO worth it now. My mental comprehension is back.
> can i also assume you will maintain your present dose of 300 mg. and that it is bearable? any interest in increasing the dose to lose any more weight?<<<It is more than bearable! I will maintain my dose of 300 unless my moods become unstable and my Pdoc sees the need to raise my dosage once again. The heartburn still returns, as does the numbing, but I can deal with that. The cognitive effects do go away! I promise, you just have to stick with it!
As for going up to lose weight.... I'm pretty happy with my weight where it is. I'm not all that sure that Topamax is the reason I've lost the weight, but I'm not sure it isn't either. I think that being off of Lithium has something to do with losing some of the weight. I would be happy losing 5 or 10 pounds, but my main goal with Topamax is to keep my mood stable. The fact that it doesn't cause you to gain weight is a main reason I suggested it to my doctor. I was tired of him suggesting all sorts of drugs that kept packing on the pounds. I was depressed enough, I didn't need my weight to be an added factor.I read some of your previous posts. I'm sorry that you too are experiencing some of the cognitive problems with Topamax. But, if you stick it out, they will go away. It just takes some time.
Posted by headachequeen on December 22, 2003, at 22:28:08
In reply to Re: topamax weight loss » headachequeen, posted by jtevers on December 22, 2003, at 20:22:31
> > at 400 mg I seem to have stopped the weight loss; have stayed at the same weight for about a month and seem to see no more loss in sight...
>
> headachequeen,
>
> i wondered, because it seems to be different for all, at what dose your weight loss began?
>
> and whether you are (and forgive me if i am being redundant) still taking the offending med., i believe it's zyprexa you are on?
>
> i wondered whether you consider increasing the dose of topamax to see whether your weight loss would increase, or are you content? is it bearable (the side effects of the topamax)?
>
> how much weight have you lost by the time you reached 400 mg.?
>
> thank you for your help.
>
> jtevers
>Since I started on Topomax I have lost between 63 and 65 pounds...
I began to lose weight in the first week... that was at the 25 mg dosage...
and that was an incredible boost to the morale I must add.. and I needed it believe me...
I am not on zyprexa and I am trying me darnedest to stay off the wretched stuff, that and effexor, although my psychologist has suggested it might be a good idea to talk to my doctor about going back on both (low doses of course) to try and achieve some sort of balance or control over this rampage of emotions that is according to the psychiatrist not depression...
he also suggested that if I cannot sleep then I should see about going back on the immovane...I certainly would consider an increase in the Topomax... and am hoping to be able to have the neuro and my own doctor to agree to an increase in replacement for some of the Tegretol.. the side effects of the Tegretol, to my mind anyway, are much harder to live with and deal with, so I would like to take less of it and replace it with the Topomax...
maybe it is that old redhead thing, but I am not having that hard a time with the Topomax at all...
I am drinking gallons of water... and taking the vitamins and the biotin... and enjoying being migraine-free...
so, that is definitely a plus...I have also noticed of late that the size ten slacks and jeans and skirts are too loose in the waist... so maybe there is something still happening...
and I am still happily resistant to sweets and chocolate... used to believe that was a separate food group... don't even have any in the house for Christmas... guests will not be offered any this year...
Come to think of it, there is no candy... not even a candy cane on the tree...
If I don't want it, no one else gets it LOLI have learned so much here about dealing with side effects and potential side effects that an increase in the Topomax does not intimidate me...
and I have learned so much elsewhere about Tegretol that the dosage I am on now terrifies me...
so an increase in Topomax does not bother me...
I still have a much decreased appetite from before but just don't seem to be losing the weight as I did earlier... and I want it all and I want it now ....
greedy little brat, aren't I?kat
Posted by Karen_kay on December 23, 2003, at 1:44:59
In reply to Re: topamax and cognitive effects » jtevers, posted by Karen_kay on December 22, 2003, at 22:19:05
I guess I have noticed a decrease in my appetite since starting Topamax. But again, I'm not sure if it is because I am not on Lithium or solely from Topamax alone. It is hard to tell. But, typically I eat one meal a day, and it isn't until between 6-8 pm. Usually I can't tolerate food before noon anyway (even when I was on Lithium), but I don't snack or overeat anymore. I did notice that when I started (esp. 300) I couldn't finish restaraunt portions. Not even half of them. And, I'm almost never hungry. The only way I know to eat is when my stomach begins growling. That's not always pleasant, but I'll take that any day compared to being overweight!
I'm not purposely trying to be vague :) I just don't have a very good memory! But, feel free to ask any questions and I'll try my hardest to answer with the best of my ability. Oh, and my poor memory has NOTHING to do with Topamax. It has everything to do with other factors... PROMISE :)
Posted by Beck on December 23, 2003, at 17:03:15
In reply to One more thing..., posted by Karen_kay on December 23, 2003, at 1:44:59
Alright, I experienced a side effect yesterday, can anyone PLEASE tell me it wont get worse:
I set up a meeting with one professor but when it came time for it I went tto a different professors office, he ofcourse wasnt there so his secretary called him at home and he came to meet me. So I felt embaressed that I mixed up the two professors,stressed that I was late for my real appointment, and mad because the Topamax made me do it. How do I know it was because of Topamax? Well, In the 19 years I've been in school, this is the first time I ever missed an appointment by lack of remembeering.
I read about people having cognitive problems, but didnt think it'd haoppen to me because I take a low dose, but it did, what I wanna know is will it just get more and more as I take larger doseage?
Posted by Karen_kay on December 24, 2003, at 9:08:21
In reply to Re: One more thing..., posted by Beck on December 23, 2003, at 17:03:15
What dose are you on? In my experience I would say that it may get worse as your dose goes up. I'm sorry :( But, IT DOES go away! I had similar experiences. I'd miss the road I live on- on a daily basis and drive right past it. My problems started at 200 and got worse at 300 mgs. But, they went away after about a month. It helps to keep a planner. And, I mean I had to write EVERYTHING down. But, it helps! Hang in there! Karen
Posted by headachequeen on December 26, 2003, at 21:51:10
In reply to Re: One more thing... » Beck, posted by Karen_kay on December 24, 2003, at 9:08:21
Bridgey... I cannot find the post with the aim info on it... can you resend it to me..
my aim id is Tegreinekat... and thanks....many times
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 27, 2003, at 23:42:46
In reply to Re: effects of topamax, posted by Nycole on July 16, 2003, at 16:22:05
i started losing my appetite at 25-50mg can't remember, but i just started to forget to eat- not good. i noticed the stupidness at 50mg and i started feel really empty headed at 75mg- so i am back to 50....but after reading the posts i think i am going off the drug!
> Hi everyone! In a lot of the past posts, people talk about the cognitive side effects, such as the "stupids", memory loss, blurry vision, etc, etc. Well, I have been on the Topamax for a month now and luckily I haven't had any of those side effects yet. BUT, I have not had any of the weight loss effects either, which, besdies my terrible depression is a huge reason I am on Topamax in the first place. I really want to increase my dosage to 200 mg. so that I can have the weight loss, but I don't want the cognitive effects. So, can anyone tell me what dose they were on when they started having the cognitive side effects and what dosage they were on when they had the weight loss effects? Thanks!!
> Nycole
Posted by headachequeen on December 28, 2003, at 9:36:52
In reply to Re: effects of topamax, posted by dragonfly25 on December 27, 2003, at 23:42:46
> i started losing my appetite at 25-50mg can't remember, but i just started to forget to eat- not good. i noticed the stupidness at 50mg and i started feel really empty headed at 75mg- so i am back to 50....but after reading the posts i think i am going off the drug!
I think you are reading only the negative and fearful posts...
I too had some of the negative side effects, but learned to counter them and have had a good experience with topomax...the side effects of the topomax can either be overcome... drink lots of water, take vitamins and supplements, and so on...
or they will pass...often the side effects occur because you are increasing the doses too quickly... and your body has not had time to adjust... the schedule I was given was a suggestion, I was told to follow it loosely, but that if I was not ready to move to the next dose to wait a week or two... to listen to my body... and that is important
interesting sidebar to all this...
I have been toying with the idea of increasing the dosage of the topomax and decreasing the dosage of tegretol whose side effects I am unable to counteraffect... and whose side effects do not go away after time... I have been on Tegretol for over two years now and still have the side effects that accompany it and they are most dis-comforting (arrgghhh never thought I would use a non-word like that)
This Christmas, a time that is always an extreme positive in our home, was NOT, and we know will not be a positive experience next year, either, no matter how hard we try to overcome it. We downplayed the extreme changes and the stress as much as we could; at one point I had decided to cancel the celebrations entirely. Christmas night, despite the anti-seizure meds, I had a seizure around three o'clock, serious enough that I had to go to emergency.
Here we have a team of doctors supplied to the emerg by a service although a few of the local doctors, my own included spend a day of their own time in the e r - but not during the holidays it would seem...
the er doctor who saw me asked what anti-seizure medication I was on and when I said tegretol rolled his eyes before I could say topomax and asked who my neuro was and if he had come into the twentieth century let alone the twenty-first... I said he had put me on topomax as well and explained why...
he said that was a step forward...
and explained that he had started work toward specialising in neurology until he discovered the sheer addiction of emergency work... and that in his experience topomax had far more to offer..
he agreed that there were side effects and we discussed them and the way to deal with them...sounded like discussions here <g>
but then we discussed the side effects of tegretol and his opinion of it is that it is not effective enough ...
and he suggested that I increase the topomax...
he wrote me a prescription for increased topomax...
increasing it by 25 mg a day for two weeks (sound familiar? <S>) then upping it to 50 until I reach 200 on top of the 200 I already take in the evening... decreasing the tegretol each week by that amount...
by that time I shall still be taking tegretol but only 200 mg... and if that is working then I am to discuss dropping it entirely with my own doctor... or he says to come back and see him...
I have greater confidence in this programme than in the tegritol believe me...
kat
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 28, 2003, at 16:22:34
In reply to bridgey, posted by headachequeen on December 28, 2003, at 9:36:52
hi kat
i am sorry to hear about your christmas, glad u are ok
i always forget to take vitamins and i am not great about drinking water either, but i was not told about any of this by my doctor. i don't think he knows much about the drug. is this really important? do you know if it has an effect on the cognitive problems?
i take a low dose so i thought it was weird to have side effects.
and you are right about the negative posts, i hadn't read one positive one yet. but i do have a friend who takes it and she has no complaints.
thx dragonfly
Posted by headachequeen on December 28, 2003, at 17:41:52
In reply to Re: bridgey » headachequeen, posted by dragonfly25 on December 28, 2003, at 16:22:34
> hi kat
> i am sorry to hear about your christmas, glad u are ok
> i always forget to take vitamins and i am not great about drinking water either, but i was not told about any of this by my doctor. i don't think he knows much about the drug. is this really important? do you know if it has an effect on the cognitive problems?
> i take a low dose so i thought it was weird to have side effects.
> and you are right about the negative posts, i hadn't read one positive one yet. but i do have a friend who takes it and she has no complaints.
> thx dragonflyThanks... much appreciated and I plan to get on with my life no matter how long it takes and how much pushing and prodding it takes... and bridgey is there to help I know <s> as is the help from others here and elsewhere...
The only side effect I was told about when I was first prescribed the Topomax for seizures was that a side effect was its ability to deal with migraines... and that was not really mentioned as a side effect... just that instead of increasing my Tegretol as he tore up the scrip (HALLELUJAH!!!) he asked why I had not mentioned the migraines and wrote out the prescription for Topomax... as he handed it to me he warned me that I might not want it as it was known to cause weight loss... well I did think about that for a second or three maybe five...
no longer, I swear....
the pharmacist who is always so quick to sit one down and go over each new med with great and careful instructions and warnings, simply handed me the first container with a photocopy of their schedule (I had mine thank you very much) and the comment that they had never been called upon to issue this drug before... well would that not cause one to do some checking??????????
I had no woarning from anyone....
come to think of it, no one warned me about Tegretol either until after the side effects began to happen...
they were so used to dishing out the stuff that they accept it... when my hands began to tingle and go numb, the neuro said that was normal with tegretol... when my feet started tingling up as far as my knees that was to be expected... when my hair began to fall out, so??? what did I expect? I was taking Tegretol and on it went...
this was normal. If this was normal then why did no one warn me... and why was I not told how to prepare my system to fight it????
In searching for help with it I found this site... and found help for Topomax side effects I had not yet encountered but I was prepared...
and some of the side effects that I had not encountered yet, I was able to use the means of defending against to defend against Tegretol ... oh a little late maybe.. I don't knowbut no one told me a thing in advance about the vitamin destruction.... until Murphia here told us about it... so onto vitamins and supplements I went...
and the water thing... well I was already drinking gallons of the stuff for some other med and I figure the same water works for Topomax????
as for dry eyes? I was born with dry eyes and blocked tear ducts, nothing that Topomax can do there...
with the introduction of Topomax I did notice a decrease in seizures, VASTLY changed from before Topomax and to me that makes it all worth while...YES there was a time of cognitive disarray... and it was upsetting ... but how much was Topomax and how much was Tegretol? I am able to say that with the increased dosage of Topomax... there is still no cognitive problem...
I have also come to associate the tingling with an oncoming seizure... when I am unable to sleep for a night or two as on Christmas Eve and the night before and there is a strong tingling in hands and feet then I know that there is a seizure coming on, just as before Topomax...
I hope that when I get entirely rid of Tegretol and that is my plan when I see my doctor early next month, to have the okay to work my way up to dump the tegretol entirely...It is vital to drink at least eight glasses of water a day... ten if you can do it... and to take the supplements.. biotin and vitamin e with a zinc chaser for your hair, toss in some evening primrose oil or borage oil, CLA is a good supplement too -- exceptionally good for the female side of the equation... the Vitamin B complex is a great one... and Vitamin C is one I cannot recommend enough.... never can I recommend it enough...
these are things that you can do for yourself to help you keep on top of your own life...
then follow the increases in slow increments.. don't go charging up the ladder every few days...
at least a couple of weeks should be the increment break between changes... give your system a chance to adjust... most doctors will give you a schedule and it will say something like two weeks or as you feel comfortable, in other words, you don't have to increase the dosage in two week intervals, but can wait for three if you feel better that way...
There is no hurry...
water, vitamins, and a little exercise, and time...
and try not to be swayed by the negativity...
thank heaven I found the site after I had reached the 400 mg a day... I might have chickened out too... LOL and I might be having seizures seven or eight times a month still... and that is not my aim in life, believe me...
on Tegretol alone I was having seizures, sometimes two a night, as often as that, and was so relieved to reach the the day when I could tell my neuro that I had not had a seizure in three months... the after Topomax time...
Christmas was such a let down, to have that seizure and now to know it could happen again...
when my hands are cold in the out of doors, I am unable to tell if it is Tegretol, cold, or a seizure warning....
and I can't say I like it very much...I do not know why you are on Topomax...
I can only suggest that you give it a chance, and try the alternatives to the side effects that can be found here...
don't panic and don't listen to the negativity...
it really can work...
and it really can be a great help
and the side effects can be beaten...
not like some drugs...
kat
Posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 15:34:49
In reply to Re: bridgey » headachequeen, posted by dragonfly25 on December 28, 2003, at 16:22:34
Hello!! I just have to respond to your post....
i hadn't read one positive one yet
**I beg to differ... I think that my posts have been quite positive. While I did have a problem with some cognition difficulties on Topamax, I consider Topamax to be my "Wonder Drug" of sorts... I have nothing bad to say about it. I take it for Bipolar Disorder and it ahs been the only medication that has been able to effectively stabilize my mood. And the side effects do eventually go away! That is the point I was trying to make in my posts. It took a few months for my cognition problems to work out but they did. And I couldn't be happier!!! Good luck with your decision, but I did want you to know, there were positive posts out there! :) Karen
Posted by headachequeen on December 30, 2003, at 16:10:58
In reply to Re: bridgey » dragonfly25, posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 15:34:49
> Hello!! I just have to respond to your post....
>
> i hadn't read one positive one yet
>
> **I beg to differ...
I have to agree... I think that I have been all but a cheerleader for Topomax - especially having had to live with the side effects of its competition so to speak.. the one that does not have the weight loss side effect for those of you who are using it to lose weight <g>right now, my hands are tingling and making it awkward to do anything that requires hands or fingers to connect with anything else as I am not really sure what it is I am touching or for which I am reaching...
I have a buzzing/tingling effect in my ears...
and for these lovely experiences I can thank Tegretol... don't you wish you were me???
think of the fun you are missing...
oh, and did I mention that the so-called tingling in my toes is such a complete numbness that if the weather were not so mild I would think that I had achieved frostbite while indoors and be panicking enough to head for emerge....add to this the pain in my eyes that is similar to the effect of someone driving a railway spike into the area between the bridge of my nose and my eye... and the pain in my right eye that is as if someone had another railway spike and were driving it through my skull into the middle of my eye...
not topomax and I am not sure if it is Tegretol or the eye thing...Topomax is really not as bad as everyone seems to assume...
hey.. I am seizure-free for four days now... Topomax is great... and if you don't believe me, just ask me LOL
kat
Posted by SLS on December 30, 2003, at 16:31:04
In reply to Re: bridgey » dragonfly25, posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 15:34:49
> I take it for Bipolar Disorder and it ahs been the only medication that has been able to effectively stabilize my mood.
Hi.Do you think Topamax would work for bipolar depression? In what ways does it improve your condition?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 17:45:41
In reply to Re: bridgey » Karen_kay, posted by SLS on December 30, 2003, at 16:31:04
I am dx Bipolar I Disorder (which means I have manic episodes as well as depressive) but at the time I started Topamax, I had been having a depressive episode which lasted about 3 years in duration (Good Grief!!!)... Now, I tried Lithium, Lamictal, and Depakote. Lithium helped for a while, but then the depression returned so my pdoc added Lamictal. The depression returned again so he added Lexapro (an AD). I decided to quit all meds except Lexapro, so I went into a manic state for a while (what fun!)... I discontinued all meds, tried a different Pdoc, who put my back on lithium. It didn't work the second time around, which is common. I heard about Topamax, from here. I asked him about it and he said, Well, we'll try it, but chances are it won't help control manic episodes. But, it has worked for me! I feel WONDERFUL!!!!!!! I'd do a commercial if they'd let me!!!!
From what he tells me, Topamax is better for depressive episodes than manic episodes. He says there isn't much research to show that it helps control manic episodes, but it has stabilized my moods perfectly!!! I mean I was to the point that I couldn't shower or leave my house! Now, my grades are up (and I was failing my classes before!) and I shower sometimes 2 x a day :) Topamax is my wonderdrug!
So, in short, my main problem at the time was Bipolar depression. I wasn't concerned with a manic episode when I began Topamax. And I know the signs, as does my boyfriend, and therapist and pdoc. So, I'll worry about that when I get there. It has worked wonders for me. I'm no longer depressed. I'm onlly sleeping between 6-8 hours a night (before I'd sleep 10-18 hours), I wouldn't leave my house. Now, I can't wait to do things. Topamax has changed my life completely! Therapy has helped as well, but Topamax is the main reason I'm back to my regular self. And even with the side effects, I didn't once think for a second of stopping Topamax, because I'd already begun to see results. And my stable mood is more important than having to work harder to remember things for a few months. My doctor reassured me that it would go away in time. And it did. It was frustrating, but I made it through. And I'm so very happy :)
Posted by headachequeen on December 30, 2003, at 18:02:52
In reply to Re: bridgey » SLS, posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 17:45:41
But, it has worked for me! I feel WONDERFUL!!!!!!! I'd do a commercial if they'd let me!!!!
>
Oh but I know the feeling LOL
I was put on Topomax, instead of an increased dosage of Tegretol (THANK HEAVEN) when I asked about migraine control... now that was an inspired move on my part... as I am epileptic...I am also diagnosed as being not depressed, but hypomanic, then why, she asks, do I go through these bouts of depression, but that is another board I guess...
I have had some side effects with the Topomax... weight loss and migraine control being two of them and I can certainly live with those...
60 plus pounds and no migraines for almost a year... now that is something -- migraine-free... oh what a thought... no trips to emergency on that count anyway... it is like being suddenly freed from a prison...there are other side effects that had to be dealt with and with the advice I found here, there were no warnings from doctors or pharmacist which really give me cause for annoyance to put it mildly, I have been able to handle them... vitamins and supplements, water, and so on...
the cognitive effect problems are gone and done with...
the blurred vision well that was a minor thing in comparison to the vision problems my own eyelids cause... and I was born with that but no one caught it until I complained about the Topomax side effects... and they discovered that I have myosthenia gravis and also an eyelid condition similar to one my dogs sometimes have which can be corrected with surgery... hmmm another redhead thing maybe ?? LOL
the blurred vision thing went its way in a short time...
and again, as long as one takes the increases in a slow order it is easy to adjust I found...
some people seem to be on a fast track... and that is going to increase the side effects...
I talked to one woman at the pharmacy the other day, we were picking up our Topomax refills and she was having an awful time... I suggested this site to her but she does not think she is staying on the drug...already kicked tegretol so I don't know what is left for her...
and the seizures she gets are really awful so I fear for her...
but she started at 100 mg and is increasing at three day intervals by 50 mg because she didn't see any sense in following that chart the doctor gave her...
guess he spent all that time in med school for nothing...
As I said earlier sometimes I feel like a cheerleader on the Topomax squad and I think cheerleaders are such , well let us not go there...<G> but I tried so hard to make her see that starting at 100 and heading to 400 a day in a few days was not the way to do it...
and if she is not taking anything she is headed for disaster...
and she has my neuro.. he is arrogant and with reason... he is good but he will simply dump her for non-compliance and then where is she???
She sees no reason for joining psychobabble because none of us knows anything...
it's all right, friends, I thanked her for all of you and told her that she needed to re-think her attitude toward herself and her safety and toward other people...
<evil grin>but Topomax is not as bad as people seem to think... they just have to take it slowly and give it a chance...
it really helps...
oh I was rather down on things after a seizure the other day when i had been without any for so long... but things happen... it could have been so much worse without Topomax....
now if it would kick this depression that comes and lives with me too.......
kat
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 30, 2003, at 18:08:09
In reply to Re: bridgey » dragonfly25, posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 15:34:49
hi karen
i am glad you are having such a great experience with topamax. it has helped my mood as well, but after coming on this site i read alot of scary things. and what someone may mean to express as positive may be interpreted totally differently by the reader. b/c i was more turned off it than on.
just thought id point something out- i said i hadn't seen a positive comment YET. i might not have read yours. or any of the other positive comments...i was drawn to the negative subjects.
dragonfly> Hello!! I just have to respond to your post....
>
> i hadn't read one positive one yet
>
> **I beg to differ... I think that my posts have been quite positive. While I did have a problem with some cognition difficulties on Topamax, I consider Topamax to be my "Wonder Drug" of sorts... I have nothing bad to say about it. I take it for Bipolar Disorder and it ahs been the only medication that has been able to effectively stabilize my mood. And the side effects do eventually go away! That is the point I was trying to make in my posts. It took a few months for my cognition problems to work out but they did. And I couldn't be happier!!! Good luck with your decision, but I did want you to know, there were positive posts out there! :) Karen
Posted by headachequeen on December 30, 2003, at 18:43:52
In reply to Re: bridgey » Karen_kay, posted by dragonfly25 on December 30, 2003, at 18:08:09
b/c i was more turned off it than on.
> just thought id point something out- i said i hadn't seen a positive comment YET. i might not have read yours. or any of the other positive comments...i was drawn to the negative subjects.
Dragonfly, could it be that you prefer to be drawn to the negative and turned off the drug rather than be drawn to the positive and given a positive opinion of it?
kat
Posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 20:48:07
In reply to Topomax is really not such a bad thing » dragonfly25, posted by headachequeen on December 30, 2003, at 18:43:52
Hmmm.. interesting theory! :) I originally wanted to try Topamax because I read it may help dump some extra weight and Lithium as well as depression caused me to gain a few pounds so I figured I would try Topamax and see if it worked. And I lost some weight in the meantime. And it stabilized my mood! It's like two drugs in one! PERFECTO!!!!
Posted by SLS on December 30, 2003, at 20:49:39
In reply to Re: bridgey » SLS, posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 17:45:41
Hi Karen_kay!
In re: Topamax
> > > I take it for Bipolar Disorder and it ahs been the only medication that has been able to effectively stabilize my mood.
> > Do you think Topamax would work for bipolar depression? In what ways does it improve your condition?
> I am dx Bipolar I Disorder (which means I have manic episodes as well as depressive) but at the time I started Topamax, I had been having a depressive episode which lasted about 3 years in duration
> From what he tells me, Topamax is better for depressive episodes than manic episodes.
> So, in short, my main problem at the time was Bipolar depression. I wasn't concerned with a manic episode when I began Topamax.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!Thanks for taking the time to respond. I have been stuck in an unremitting state of severe depression for 25 years. I am only minimally responsive to Lamictal + tricyclic. I'm going to put Topamax on my list of things to try.
Thanks again.
- Scott
Posted by headachequeen on December 30, 2003, at 21:04:15
In reply to Re: Topamax is really not such a bad thing » headachequeen, posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 20:48:07
> Hmmm.. interesting theory! :) I originally wanted to try Topamax because I read it may help dump some extra weight and Lithium as well as depression caused me to gain a few pounds so I figured I would try Topamax and see if it worked. And I lost some weight in the meantime. And it stabilized my mood! It's like two drugs in one! PERFECTO!!!!
I had never heard of it. I hadn't even heard of it when it was prescribed for me... the neuro simply said that he was prescribing an alternate anti-seizure med that was known to deal with migraines and as an aside said it had one serious side effect.. it hadn't occurred to me that the migraine bit was a side effect (dumb or what?)... it caused weight loss...when he handed me the schedule I saw the name...
now to see if it stabilizes MY mood
kat
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 30, 2003, at 21:34:22
In reply to Topomax is really not such a bad thing » dragonfly25, posted by headachequeen on December 30, 2003, at 18:43:52
>
> Dragonfly, could it be that you prefer to be drawn to the negative and turned off the drug rather than be drawn to the positive and given a positive opinion of it?
> kathi kat
i think that is a very good possibility ... i found this site searching for the side effects i was having from the drug, so obviously i would be drawn to those topics (which i don't find esp pleasant). but no, generally i am not drawn to negative things, and i really wanted to find someone to say my side effects were from something else. but what i discovered is that they are from the drug and people just get used to them.
anyway i notice a difference since lowering my dose, not in my hair loss but in thinking. hopefully my mood doesn't change.
dragonfly
Posted by Emme on December 30, 2003, at 21:41:36
In reply to Re: Topomax is really not such a bad thing » headachequeen, posted by dragonfly25 on December 30, 2003, at 21:34:22
Lamictal plus topomax? Whaddaya think? Problem: refractory bipolar depression. And what about the hair loss thing? I missed that somewhere. Is it common to have hair loss with topomax?
Thanks.
Emme
Posted by SLS on December 30, 2003, at 21:45:57
In reply to Re: Topomax is really not such a bad thing, posted by Emme on December 30, 2003, at 21:41:36
> Lamictal plus topomax? Whaddaya think? Problem: refractory bipolar depression. And what about the hair loss thing? I missed that somewhere. Is it common to have hair loss with topomax?
Sounds intriguing. How much Lamictal are you taking? I'm in the same boat you are.
- Scott
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 30, 2003, at 21:54:12
In reply to Re: Topomax is really not such a bad thing, posted by Emme on December 30, 2003, at 21:41:36
topamax can cause hairloss
Posted by headachequeen on December 30, 2003, at 23:00:49
In reply to Re: Topomax is really not such a bad thing » headachequeen, posted by dragonfly25 on December 30, 2003, at 21:34:22
not in my hair loss but in thinking. hopefully my mood doesn't change.
> dragonflyDragonfly....
I am a redhead, and if you are acquainted with any redheada, then you will know how frightfully arrogantly vain we are about our hair... I see a lot of nodding heads out there, especially among the redheads who are among us <g>
My hair is one of my two major vanities, and I find no shame in so admitting. However, I am also dependent upon two medications (why is that the word 'drug' is so abhorrent in this society?) that are hard on the hair, both of them can lead to hair loss, dry hair.
Tegretol is really the worst thing I can think of for the hair, short of using Nair instead of shampoo. (Do they still make that stuff?) Apparently Topomax does much the same to the hair. Murphia when she was present on the list told us that we could fight the damage by taking Biotin (2400 mg a day was the suggested dosage)
As I have mentioned, all too frequently for the old-stagers, I am sure, I breed, show and train dogs, a breed with coat and skin problems. Because of these problems, we include biotin and vitamin c in megadoses, along with vitamin E and zinc so the E is metabolized properly, Evening Primrose Oil or Borage Oil, fish oil, CLA, and I am trying to remember the routine... it is natural to do when I am preparing the meals for the dogs, but hard to remember... I hear the murmurs about cognitive problems... no, it is just that I am in the office and the prep area for the dog food is in another part of the house... for that matter as I left the dogs at the training centre rather than fly them back and forth at huge expense in order to complete the training courses I want to finish, I am out of practice... kelp, and a couple of other supplements and vitamins...
It never occurred to me until Murphia mentioned the damage to hair (familiar to Tegretol users) and that Topomax leeches the vitamins from Topomax users, that it might be a healthy thing to use vitamins and supplements myself...
even without Topomax, given the diet of today's society it might be a wise idea... oh vitamin D comes to mind...but the C, E, zinc and Evening Primrose Oil and the other oil whose name eludes me with the biotin will help with dry hair or hair loss...
and if it works for my hair it will work for anyone... trust me...
there is no hair in the little strainer thing-y in the drain after a shower and shampoo and I am really paranoid about that...
I have very thick hair ... when it was long it took me an hour to dry it using a dryer... if I left it to dry itself it could take as long as six hours; now that it is excessively short it air dries in three hours...
and I do not want it thinning let alone falling out...
as I said, I am extremely vain about my hair and my voice
oh, and I am not really excited about wrinkles either...
Topomax would truly be the wonder drug if it prevented wrinkles...
kat
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