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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Bianca on April 5, 2003, at 18:52:05
In reply to new to topamax, question about dosage, posted by epcake on March 29, 2003, at 17:31:52
Hi, This is my first post here. I started Topomax a month ago at 25 mg. upping 25 mg per week per my pdoc inst. She said it has little to do to help regulate my mood but might help me with anxiety which i was struggling with at the time. I requested it for weight. i am on 1800 mg of Lithium and on and off of wellbutrin for bipolar. I was on a crazy cock tail over the winter and fall for rapid mixed cycling. I gained 25 pounds quickly and am hoping to take off the weight as quickly but I know that it never comes off as quick as it goes on (sigh) I am experiencing the tingling in the face and extremeties and am relieved to read others experiencing the same effects here from the Topomax. Its no fun to have to have the side effects but it is somewhat of a relief to be able to read others have them too. Something about comraderie makes uncomfortable things more endurable. Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by Podwoman on April 6, 2003, at 11:23:18
In reply to Re: new to topamax, question about dosage, posted by Bianca on April 5, 2003, at 18:52:05
Welcome, Bianca!
We're all just muddling through.... I just had my bi-monthly appt on Friday w/my doc to evaluate my Topamax script which he decided is at a "good" level (200mg a.m./200mg p.m.)and the really good news (he all but did a jig, folks)is I'm down 15 lbs! That's since Feb 7th... For ME that's a miracle...That's the first confirmed weight loss in 10 years! Holy smokes....No one else has yet to notice or said anything (I wonder how many pounds THAT will take)but my doc said my face is noticably tighter. YEA! I see that myself, but, you never know if others do, you know?Anyhoo, welcome Bianca...ask all yor questions, read the postings...there's lots of terrific stuff here.
--Podwoman
Posted by Lexxey on April 6, 2003, at 22:28:57
In reply to My Topomax update, posted by FloridaOT on April 3, 2003, at 16:47:16
If it helps any, I took 100mg a day for 6 months and lost 38 pounds that I have kept off. I really tried hard and mostly ate slimfast bars. I still have 20 more to go but I just lost too much hair and I wanted to get it out of my system and go back to it someday.
It seemed to have lost it's effect and I didn't want to increase it anymore because it made me clumsy, fearful and I lost my sense of direction and wasn't comfortable driving. It all came back when I stopped it and I'm ok now.
It helped me not crave the bad stuff and all the healthy stuff tasted great like meat and veggies and fruit. I wish I stull felt that way but if I keep biting the bullet I will keep it off.
Posted by Podwoman on April 7, 2003, at 6:55:07
In reply to Re: My Topomax update, posted by Lexxey on April 6, 2003, at 22:28:57
No offense, Friend, but is living on SlimFast bars while losing your hair any way to live?
You say you tried really hard....to do what, exactly? stay away from real food? Why were you put on Topamax in the first place? You mentioned preffered taste toward fresh fruit etc...The very thought of a SlimFast bar in my mouth turns me off...too sweet, too artificial, too oily...etc. While I congradulate you on your weightloss successes, I question your reasons for being on the Topamax. It is a serious and dangerous mediacation not to be tampered with. I have 2 conditions which are being treated as are the majority of the posters here. BE CAREFUL!
Sorry if I sound harsh to you but you're scaring me, honey!
Anyone out there who can maybe be supportive and a bit less blunt (or I-dont-know-what) should rush right in here!!! LOL I don't mean to be... I tend to speak my heart.
----Podwoman
Posted by Lexxey on April 7, 2003, at 11:59:57
In reply to Re: My Topomax update » Lexxey, posted by Podwoman on April 7, 2003, at 6:55:07
I don't mind you bluntness one bit. My post was brief and I can elaborate.
I had such problems losing weight...slow metabolism and I have tried all my life, at one time or another, responsibly. I'm not casual about making health decisions at all. I read compulsively on health matters and that's how I found this forum!!
I'm ADHD and pretty hyper and my doc thought the topamax might help along with weight loss and he warned me of the side effects and I took a whole month to decide before trying it while reading up on it....so that was a reasonable way to do it. I also had trouble with ocular migraines.
It did help me with losing weight but I was calmed too much. I am a potter and I could only do basic pots and not the more elaborate ones at much proficiency. Just felt too spacey. I got used to the effects ok and I only lost some hair...enuf to feel uncomfortable...actually it was like when I went off hormones for several months before deciding to go ahead and take them again.
I may try Topamax again to lose more. My doc is cooperative with that. He is a psychaiatrist who is ADHD himself and had had several patients and associates who had had success with it..
I am on strattera now and waiting for it to click in...takes a while.
I read about everything I could on topamax and was on a forum of users so I was not unenlightened.
I'm actually glad you questioned me cuz I am highly opinioned myself that folks should never take any med unaware, especially since we have so much info accessable on the net.
I wish I could go off all meds but life would be tougher. I just take lowest dose of Premarin and a drug for a minor heart rhythm thing. I do take lots of supplements and exercise and have for over 30 years and am in good shape for someone 59 even with the extra 20 pounds....it's the cursed heredity thing....
If you are interested you can see my stuff at
http://flummoxed.org/lexxey/index.htm
but this is in no way spam cuz I never sell over the net. Just an intro!
Posted by maaron71 on April 8, 2003, at 13:00:04
In reply to Re: topomax immunity, posted by Ajah on March 16, 2003, at 4:18:32
I appreciated your post. I have been taking Topomax for 4 months or so and finally gave up on it. It was for seizures, mood, and weight. I could not handle the side effect of my tingling feet, hands, and face. My tongue would even tingle and my eye twitched as if I were a monster. I also had a lot of pressure on my right retina from it and saw all kinds of lovely lights. I have a cyst in my brain in that location so I'm sure that's not typical for everyone. I never lost weight on my 100mg.
Has anyone else been tempted to give up on Topomax? I go back to my Pdoc soon, I hope he's not mad at me.
Posted by maaron71 on April 8, 2003, at 13:10:19
In reply to Re: new to topamax, question about dosage, posted by dawningmist on March 30, 2003, at 19:22:36
I have been taking Ortho Tri-cyclene (sp?) with it and had not obvious side effects from the combo. My Pdoc did warn me that there could be a decrease in it's effectiveness as far as preventing pregnancy, so to use other preventitive methods as well. My is mainly for horrible periods and it does such a good job I would change Topomax way before I would change the Ortho.
As far as the weight loss aspect I havn't loss with Topomax and I am currently not taking it till I go back to my Pdoc. I hated, yes hated the tingling effects. It annoyed me so bad it interrupted my activities.
Hope this helps!
Posted by Podwoman on May 27, 2003, at 16:47:23
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
Hi everyone, s'been a while....I've been on Topamax since Feb'03 and wanted to ask: I'm having an allergic reaction to it [a rash, namely] and wondered if anyone else is/has/does. I have a script for it if the lamisil doesn't do the trick (which it seems to be). My doc was surprised to see the rash, apparently it's rare.
---Podwoman
Posted by Bianca on May 28, 2003, at 7:30:38
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Podwoman on May 27, 2003, at 16:47:23
Hi all,
I just recieved an updated post to this thread and wanted to send an update. I stopped taking the topomax about a month ago. The tingling limbs were very irritating, but i forced myself to try and live with it. But up around 150 mg i started getting weepy, lethargic, fearful. I am very suseptible to depression and didnt want to go there again this year so I decided that a few pounds were not worth my sanity and stopped taking the med. It took about a week and i was feeling much better. I am trying to accept that the lithium is going to make me heavier than I would like but it also makes me sane. What's it worth to me? Take care, I hope all are well,
Bianca
Posted by buddha on May 31, 2003, at 12:43:59
In reply to should I try topomax with Paxil?, posted by Robs2222 on April 1, 2003, at 22:00:56
hi robbs, i'm new to this forum, but i've been reading this thread for a week or so now and i wanted to see how your topamax was going. i'm in a similar situation. went on a low dose of paxil (never above 15) then went off and switched to lexapro b/c of weight gain (no help) and now i'm trying topamax. i started very slowly--from 25 going up to about 150/175 now after over a month and so far nothing! my weight hasn't budged an inch.
Posted by Podwoman on May 31, 2003, at 18:19:40
In reply to Re: should I try topomax with Paxil?, posted by buddha on May 31, 2003, at 12:43:59
Takes time, Robbs...My phylosophy? It didn't go on over night....blah blah blah....
I have been on Topamax since 2/7/03 and have lost 26 lbs (ave. 1.5 lbs/week)so far. I'm on 200mg 3x daily for a few different things. It'll come off. It took a month or so before I saw anything move.
Podwoman
Posted by Lexxey on June 1, 2003, at 17:54:14
In reply to Re: should I try topomax with Paxil?, posted by Podwoman on May 31, 2003, at 18:19:40
Really...you are taking 600mg of topamax a day...3 doses of 200mg a day? I had no idea a person could tolerate that much. I can hardly function on 100mg and I have a high tolerance for most drugs I have taken. I can't drive very well and I drop things and have trouble remembering things. I admire your ability to even type that message.
I took 100mg a day for 8 months and lost 38 pounds and kept it off until a took a med that made me gain back a few and now I am back on it and I am back to my lowest point and losing again. Once I am on it for a month it seems to help but I have to use a lot of character along with it...it's no miracle drug...just a helper.
Posted by Paula hodges on June 4, 2003, at 9:02:15
In reply to Re: Topamax: Side effects/weight loss, posted by Lory on May 31, 2002, at 9:01:02
I am new to this thread so I hope I am not off in saying that I am encouraged by all the talk about losing wt on Topomax. I have only just started on it and am only on 25 mg each day so far. I am a severe bipolar experiencing insomnia, panic attacks, and nightmares, at times even hallucinations. I hope the topomax works for me and does not dull my mind as I am a psychology major. I have tried all the other mood stabilizers with very bad reactions to all. So far I am not having a reaction to the topomax, but of course it is only 25 mg!
I am off all the antidepressants, including paxil. My psychiatrist said it is dangerous for bipolars to take antidepressants. I read that somewhere on the net, also. Anyone have any views on this?
Posted by Camie on June 9, 2003, at 20:20:44
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss???, posted by mikey4584 on August 27, 2001, at 16:42:57
I am taking Topamax 25mg 2x's a day and I have been taking it since mid January. I have lost over 35 pounds. I started out on a diet and then I stopped counting calories and continued to loose the wieght. I am extremly happy with the results of the weight loss, this is an extra perk for me. The med has done wonders for me along with Prozac and Trileptal and thearpy. My life has never been better. I suffer from Bipolar. Hope this gives some of you something to look forward to. Believe me, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I no longer live with handcuffs on, I am free and happy......
Posted by Ponder on June 11, 2003, at 11:46:51
In reply to Re:topamax weight loss???, posted by Camie on June 9, 2003, at 20:20:44
> I am taking Topamax 25mg 2x's a day and I have been taking it since mid January. I have lost over 35 pounds. I started out on a diet and then I stopped counting calories and continued to loose the wieght. I am extremly happy with the results of the weight loss, this is an extra perk for me. The med has done wonders for me along with Prozac and Trileptal and thearpy. My life has never been better. I suffer from Bipolar. Hope this gives some of you something to look forward to. Believe me, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I no longer live with handcuffs on, I am free and happy......
Camie,
This is wonderful! Great that you are getting weight loss from such a low dose of Topa. I am wondering if you're getting synergy from the combination of meds that is helping with the weight loss. Most people would not have weight loss with just 50 mg of Topa per day. Maybe some of the people on the board who are sophisticated about pharmacology could comment on this.
Posted by Sprgrvr on June 23, 2003, at 17:02:37
In reply to Topomax Migraines Anyone?, posted by ljen on March 1, 2003, at 20:51:32
I’m new here – I'm glad I found all your comments. I was recently put on Topamax for migraine (my full history follows - I didn't want to bore everyone at the beginning) starting at 30mg per day (2 15mg pills instead of 1 25mg pill) and maxing out at 240mg within 8 weeks. I wondered if anyone thought the difference in mg would make a difference. I'm also a business student and hoping the side effect of "fuzzy brain" that everyone keeps mentioning won't be too much of a hindrance in my classes. Does anyone have any tactics that have helped them?
I've suffered from migraines (originally thought to be cluster due to short-two-week-absences) since I was a junior in high school (roughly 10 years) with all theories ending up in the garbage can and no relief. Recently, my younger sister was treated for a type of epilepsy that was very similar to bipolar, which included horrendous vomiting episodes, behavioral problems, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and other problems. Because of our genetics (alcoholism, anxiety disorders, etc), her pediatric neurologist allowed me as a patient. She first put me on Lamictal to which I broke out with an allergic reaction after a week and a half. While I was on Lamictal, my migraines were worse, my psycho dreams were more common and more psycho, and I was very dizzy. The Prednisone was not much better. She's now trying Topomax and I'm afraid of a reaction as well as the side effects. I think we’re going in the right direction due to the fact that the Lorazepam (Ativan) works wonderfully when a migraine does slip through while I’m getting my dosage up. I’m just hoping the side-effects don’t cause more distractions than the migraines themselves.
Posted by jasperwasper on June 23, 2003, at 18:52:56
In reply to Topmax for Migraines, posted by Sprgrvr on June 23, 2003, at 17:02:37
(I'm new here too) I am also on topomax for migraines. I take 75mg twice a day. It's seems to be working pretty well. I still get some headaches but not nearly as intense as I used to. I also take Axert when I actually feel a headache coming on. It works most of the time. I did not lose any weight (because I will eat for no good reason..one of my other problems!!) but I can say it does decrease you appetite. ( I just don't listen!!) The side effects I've had have been minor..the tingling in my feet occassionally and the funny taste when I drink diet sodas or tea. I lived on codeine before topomax and still take it sometimes when all else fails ( but my doctor doesn't know that). He despises codeine and says it causes rebound headaches...but when you just can't take the pain???? Good luck with topomax!
Posted by Snoozy on June 23, 2003, at 23:14:49
In reply to Topmax for Migraines, posted by Sprgrvr on June 23, 2003, at 17:02:37
Hello and welcome. I've had migraines for about 15 years and I've found it very interesting to compare notes here. Very briefly, I have tried many migraine prophylactic drugs with little success (beta blockers, calcium blockers, Depakote, lots of antidepressants). I do get quite a bit of relief (especially from the vomiting) with Imitrex. I have not tried Topamax yet, but I am considering it.
If you don't mind, could I ask you some questions? You were given Lamictal to prevent migraines? And you also were tried on prednisone for the migraines? Are there any other meds you've tried?
I'm curious about the cluster theory - when you have them, is the pain more like a cluster headache than a migraine? (My general understanding of cluster headaches is that the pain is worse than migraine but lasts 1 hour or less, and may recur over several days.) And are you now seeing an adult neurologist?
Good luck with the Topamax, and as I said, I'm happy to compare notes!
> I’m new here – I'm glad I found all your comments. I was recently put on Topamax for migraine (my full history follows - I didn't want to bore everyone at the beginning) starting at 30mg per day (2 15mg pills instead of 1 25mg pill) and maxing out at 240mg within 8 weeks. I wondered if anyone thought the difference in mg would make a difference. I'm also a business student and hoping the side effect of "fuzzy brain" that everyone keeps mentioning won't be too much of a hindrance in my classes. Does anyone have any tactics that have helped them?
>
> I've suffered from migraines (originally thought to be cluster due to short-two-week-absences) since I was a junior in high school (roughly 10 years) with all theories ending up in the garbage can and no relief. Recently, my younger sister was treated for a type of epilepsy that was very similar to bipolar, which included horrendous vomiting episodes, behavioral problems, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and other problems. Because of our genetics (alcoholism, anxiety disorders, etc), her pediatric neurologist allowed me as a patient. She first put me on Lamictal to which I broke out with an allergic reaction after a week and a half. While I was on Lamictal, my migraines were worse, my psycho dreams were more common and more psycho, and I was very dizzy. The Prednisone was not much better. She's now trying Topomax and I'm afraid of a reaction as well as the side effects. I think we’re going in the right direction due to the fact that the Lorazepam (Ativan) works wonderfully when a migraine does slip through while I’m getting my dosage up. I’m just hoping the side-effects don’t cause more distractions than the migraines themselves.
>
Posted by dave1 on June 24, 2003, at 9:37:06
In reply to Re: Topmax for Migraines » Sprgrvr, posted by Snoozy on June 23, 2003, at 23:14:49
Hi,
My mother takes 6 fiorinal a day for migranes. Do topomax or these other psycotropic drugs work better?
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by starlight on June 24, 2003, at 11:21:08
In reply to Topmax for Migraines, posted by Sprgrvr on June 23, 2003, at 17:02:37
I think there's definitely a correlation. I'm diagnosed bipolar, as are several other family members on my mother's side. My sister suffers from horrible migraines, with as many as perhaps 10+ a month. Her neurologist just put her on Topomax as well - in addition she takes Imitrex and a new one, Amerge. I need to find out how she's doing with those meds. I'm sure the fact that she's a school teacher doesn't help!
starlight
Posted by Maxime on June 24, 2003, at 12:13:51
In reply to Re: Topmax for Migraines, posted by starlight on June 24, 2003, at 11:21:08
Hi Starlight, do you post on the "Depression Forums"?
Max
Posted by Sprgrvr on June 24, 2003, at 12:35:50
In reply to Re: Topmax for Migraines » Sprgrvr, posted by Snoozy on June 23, 2003, at 23:14:49
Thanks for the questions. I know I'm not going to explain this very well because I'm not bilingual with the language of neurology - I've lost a lot of faith in it after each new doctor questioned why the previous one put me on a certain medication (mainly an otc painkiller). I learned to just deal with my migraines and became Advil's #1 customer. I’ve come a long way since I met my last doctor.
When my sister's (she's twelve) symptoms were questioned as a form of epilepsy instead of bipolar or ADHD, her pediatric neurologist questioned whether my migraines were a form of overfiring, just in a different lobe than hers, though that is the only obvious symptom we have discovered so far. She gave me Lamictal for the firing. When I reacted, I was given Prednisone as a form of Cortisone.
When the migraines first started, we had theories of sinus infections, eye strain to which I got glasses, allergies (milk, etc.), tension headaches to which I went to a chiropractor, and found no relief to the headaches. What was baffling, was that the headaches seemed to be pretty intense every day for six weeks with a two week suppression, in a constant cycle. They were not as intense as cluster headaches but had the cycle pattern.
My current doctor is a pediatric neurologist at the Primary Children’s Medical Center who is also researching the genetic link. My brother has also shown signs, though differently from my sister and I.
Posted by starlight on June 24, 2003, at 13:40:36
In reply to To Starlight, posted by Maxime on June 24, 2003, at 12:13:51
Nope - this is the only mental health forum I participate on.
Starlight
Posted by Snoozy on June 24, 2003, at 14:46:05
In reply to Re: Topmax for Migraines » Snoozy, posted by Sprgrvr on June 24, 2003, at 12:35:50
I don't speak the language either :) I don't know how many doctors I've seen, and all they can do is shrug their shoulders about what's going on with my migraines. I keep chugging along though. If it weren't for the Imitrex, I am certain I would not have been able to live with the migraines all these years.
I forgot to mention that I've had daily chronic tension headaches that started along with the migraines. I was on Darvocet for many years for those, and every so often my doctor would tell me about rebound headaches and analgesics. About 2 years ago, I tapered myself off of the Darvocet, and it really did make a difference in the tension headaches. But now I've been having to take Imitrex every day for several months.
Have you ever tried any of the triptan medications? I have read that migraine in children can manifest differently than in adults. I'm not familiar with pediatric neurology, but I wonder if a consultation with an adult neurologist (one that specializes in migraine) would be helpful. There are a few others in my family that have migraines, but nothing like what mine are (I'm so special ;)
Posted by Snoozy on June 24, 2003, at 15:04:52
In reply to Re: Topmax for Migraines, posted by dave1 on June 24, 2003, at 9:37:06
Hi Dave -
Is your mother taking the fiorinal every day, or just when she has a migraine (or does she have a migraine every day)?
I took Tylenol w/codeine and sometimes fiorinal for my migraines about 10 years ago, before the triptan medications came out. My experience was that they lessened the pain somewhat, but most of the benefit I got from them was that they helped me sleep through the migraine.
Topamax and other psychotropics are used to prevent or lessen the frequency of migraines, and they do work for a lot of people. I don't know if you're familiar with the triptans, so forgive me if this is old news to you. Triptans (Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Amerge, Frova, etc) are not painkillers like fiorinal (they are not analgesics at all). I can't tell you exactly how they work, but it's along the lines of affecting the chemistry of what happens during a migraine. They don't work for any other kind of pain, just migraine. Side effects are pretty minimal (for patients with a healthy heart). They are very expensive though.
If your mother has never tried a migraine prophylactic medication, I think it would be worth checking out.
> Hi,
>
> My mother takes 6 fiorinal a day for migranes. Do topomax or these other psycotropic drugs work better?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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