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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bgabes27 on January 25, 2009, at 5:18:02
Hi,
I started Topamax approx 2 mos ago, and while I am not experiencing any side effects, I am also not experiencing any wt loss!
When I first started at 50mg/day I lost 5 lbs over first 2 weeks (I was rather nauseus), however since then I have moved up to 100mg/day and have regained the weight plus some. Last week my PDOC moved me up to 200mg/day but I have not experienced any further appetite suppression.Has anyone experienced delayed appetite suppression at their therapeutic dose, ie did it take a few weeks to "kick in?"
Has anyone needed a dose higher than 200mg to experience ANY weight loss?
Does anyone have experience with Zonegran? Anyone try both topamax and zonegran? Anyone succeed on one but not the other?
Any advice in general??
A little about me: I had treatment-refractory depression until I started taking Abilify which has been a god-send for my depression (just not my weight). Since starting it a little over 6 mos ago I have gained 20+ lbs while exercising routinely.
Thanks in advance for all your replies, I greatly appreciate your time and support.
Brian
Posted by Garnet71 on January 25, 2009, at 7:38:28
In reply to Help- Not Your Typical Topomax User, posted by bgabes27 on January 25, 2009, at 5:18:02
I heard Topamax causes memory loss in a whole lot of people....sorry, but I would never take this drug unless my life depended upon it.
Let me find you a NY times article I read about personal experiences while on it...
Posted by desolationrower on January 25, 2009, at 12:14:59
In reply to Re: Help- Not Your Typical Topomax User, posted by Garnet71 on January 25, 2009, at 7:38:28
hm, i don't know of anything to make topomax work better...only suggestions woudl be general sort. 3g EPA/DHA, green tea extract 200mg EGCG 3xday, ephedrine (not 100% sure this is ok with epilepsy), nicotine lozenges. and of course harder exercise and fewer, less dense calories.
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2009, at 12:33:16
In reply to Help- Not Your Typical Topomax User, posted by bgabes27 on January 25, 2009, at 5:18:02
I remember a poster here that I think got kidney stones from topamax. I'm not sure though. Phillipa
Posted by Vincent_QC on January 27, 2009, at 7:09:58
In reply to Re: Help- Not Your Typical Topomax User » bgabes27, posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2009, at 12:33:16
> I remember a poster here that I think got kidney stones from topamax. I'm not sure though. Phillipa
I used high dose of Topamax and I had terrible loose of memory and I loose some weight on it as well...I don't remember the exact dosage I was on, but it was pretty high...I never felt anything on it, no improve of my energy or my social anxiety or on my depression either...it was just like an placebo , but a placebo who decrease your abilities to understand things and remember them...
For the Kidney stones, it's something commonly see with people using Topomax, I never experienced that in 3 months on it...
For me, all the drugs who enhances the gaba-b and activated chloride channels give me paresthesia (numbness & tingling), somnolence and memory problems at a certain levels...Lyrica was the worst, follow by the Gabapentin...Topomax was just the wors in the memory problems...I Was unable to find the words I Wanted to say, I was lost in the middle of a regular discussion, very slow on it...Really a strange experience...
Posted by rskontos on January 31, 2009, at 18:59:59
In reply to Re: Help- Not Your Typical Topomax User (topAmax). » Phillipa, posted by Vincent_QC on January 27, 2009, at 7:09:58
I have been on topamax for over 4 years and the weight loss is from loss of appetite. And for me, once I got over 50 mg. the loss was rapid. I lost 16 lbs fast and had to force feed myself because I had zero appetite. And sweet sugary foods tasted like crap and carbonated beverages were flat.
Do you have that flat taste of coke. If not, then that will tell you topamax is not working. When topamax is working coke or any carbonated beverage will taste like a**. Flat as a flat can be. I now drink diet drinks because if I am going to drink flat soda I don't want any extra calories from drinks that taste yuk.
I have been on dosages ranging from 200 to 100 mg and in between and always sugar tastes too sugary and colas taste flat. My appetite is still poor but not as bad as initially.So to tell you the truth if you are not experiencing those things especially flat colas then topamax at your current dosage may not be working.
I know from all topamax users that use it flat coke taste is the best sign it is working.
My neuro told me this as well.
Oh, the memory loss is part of it too but that gets better. I am not as stupid today as I was in the beginning. I am not as high on my dosage right now.
take care, and good luck
rsk
too off-set the possibility of kidney stones you (meaning all topamax users) are urged to drink lots of water.
This is the end of the thread.
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