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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by The Lorax on September 22, 2003, at 14:14:24
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by HaleyR on September 20, 2003, at 18:37:14
I hear ya! I have had the same concerns. I have been on Topamax for even longer with no results... I just talked to my Dr. and he raised my dosage to 100 mgs, this is part the reason... my Dr. said that he didn't want to "shock" my system by giving me too much at once and on lower dosages you don't really lose weight.
By the way... I have found that a lot of the side effects that you read about are temporary. Which made me very happy! I hope this helps.
> I have been on different anti-depressants since 9/11/01 and am currently on lexapro. I have put on 15 pounds which makes me more depressed. My eating habits have become horrible. Eating in the middle of the night (cookies and milk,) etc. My doctor has put me on topomax before things get out of control. I have been on it three weeks - am up to 75 mg. and have a very dry mouth and kinda sick to my stomach. - But no weight loss - I am still making sure I eat. I just dont know what do to - I am frightened of some of the side effects Ive been reading about and is it all worth it for 15 pounds and when will they come off - and will they come off because I feel too sick to eat? I would appreciate some advice - and I do exercise on the threadmill for my mental and physical well being, yet I just cant drop the weight. Thanks for any help.
Posted by lesliekay on September 23, 2003, at 6:57:05
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by HaleyR on September 20, 2003, at 18:37:14
> I have been on different anti-depressants since 9/11/01 and am currently on lexapro. I have put on 15 pounds which makes me more depressed. My eating habits have become horrible. Eating in the middle of the night (cookies and milk,) etc. My doctor has put me on topomax before things get out of control. I have been on it three weeks - am up to 75 mg. and have a very dry mouth and kinda sick to my stomach. - But no weight loss - I am still making sure I eat. I just dont know what do to - I am frightened of some of the side effects Ive been reading about and is it all worth it for 15 pounds and when will they come off - and will they come off because I feel too sick to eat? I would appreciate some advice - and I do exercise on the threadmill for my mental and physical well being, yet I just cant drop the weight. Thanks for any help.
What I have found is that topamax causes the weight loss because you just lose interest in food. I lost 28 pounds on it without blinking an eye. It was lexapro that made me sick to my stomach. The only side effect I got from Topamax(and it is a big one) is becoming stupid on it. I handled that with a dosage reduction....good luck...Leslie kay
Posted by HaleyR on September 23, 2003, at 9:46:49
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice » HaleyR, posted by lesliekay on September 23, 2003, at 6:57:05
> > I have been on different anti-depressants since 9/11/01 and am currently on lexapro. I have put on 15 pounds which makes me more depressed. My eating habits have become horrible. Eating in the middle of the night (cookies and milk,) etc. My doctor has put me on topomax before things get out of control. I have been on it three weeks - am up to 75 mg. and have a very dry mouth and kinda sick to my stomach. - But no weight loss - I am still making sure I eat. I just dont know what do to - I am frightened of some of the side effects Ive been reading about and is it all worth it for 15 pounds and when will they come off - and will they come off because I feel too sick to eat? I would appreciate some advice - and I do exercise on the threadmill for my mental and physical well being, yet I just cant drop the weight. Thanks for any help.
>
> What I have found is that topamax causes the weight loss because you just lose interest in food. I lost 28 pounds on it without blinking an eye. It was lexapro that made me sick to my stomach. The only side effect I got from Topamax(and it is a big one) is becoming stupid on it. I handled that with a dosage reduction....good luck...Leslie kay
>
>Leslie kay - Would you mind telling me the dosage you were on when you lost interest in food and when the side effect kicked in? I am just curious if it was a higher dosage than I am taking. I have just started 100 mg. Thanks Haley R.
Posted by Nitro on September 23, 2003, at 11:16:10
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by HaleyR on September 23, 2003, at 9:46:49
> > > I have been on different anti-depressants since 9/11/01 and am currently on lexapro. I have put on 15 pounds which makes me more depressed. My eating habits have become horrible. Eating in the middle of the night (cookies and milk,) etc. My doctor has put me on topomax before things get out of control. I have been on it three weeks - am up to 75 mg. and have a very dry mouth and kinda sick to my stomach. - But no weight loss - I am still making sure I eat. I just dont know what do to - I am frightened of some of the side effects Ive been reading about and is it all worth it for 15 pounds and when will they come off - and will they come off because I feel too sick to eat? I would appreciate some advice - and I do exercise on the threadmill for my mental and physical well being, yet I just cant drop the weight. Thanks for any help.
> >
> > What I have found is that topamax causes the weight loss because you just lose interest in food. I lost 28 pounds on it without blinking an eye. It was lexapro that made me sick to my stomach. The only side effect I got from Topamax(and it is a big one) is becoming stupid on it. I handled that with a dosage reduction....good luck...Leslie kay
> >
> >Leslie kay - Would you mind telling me the dosage you were on when you lost interest in food and when the side effect kicked in? I am just curious if it was a higher dosage than I am taking. I have just started 100 mg. Thanks Haley R.
>
> I am on my second week of Topamax now, but at a really low dosage, 25 mg morning and night and have had no side effects except some tingling in my hands after exercise (running up the sand dunes yesterday). I am on the Topamax for migranes and my doc is keeping me at the 50 mg per day level right now because my migraines have totally stopped. I cannot remember the last time I went 2 weeks in a row without a migrains so if I can do it with such a low level of topamax I will just stay there, we are kind of experimenting, want to stay with the lowest dose possible. I feel like my appetite is a little bit decreased but not much. Darn!! I am glad I haven't gotten any of the confusion some of the people here have noted - of course maybe I just haven't noticed it...Have any others noticed migraines stopping or decreasing?
Thanks! Nitro
Posted by lesliekay on September 24, 2003, at 3:28:07
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by HaleyR on September 23, 2003, at 9:46:49
I lost interest in food at about 50 or so...I became stupid at 150...really stupid at200
Posted by rainy on September 24, 2003, at 9:56:14
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice » HaleyR, posted by lesliekay on September 24, 2003, at 3:28:07
By stupid do you mean unable to keep train of thought in conversation, loss of names, dates, events, losing things, that kind of stuff? That began for me at 300 mgs--also disorientation while driving and a completely skewed sense of linear time. One good thing, even at 150 mgs I've lost interest in alcohol which has been an issue for me. I've gone from vodka to wine, but in the last two months even wine tastes awful, Since going below 200 mgs I've gained two pounds but from 110 to 112 isn't too bad. I do notice a tendency to binge at night which hasn't been around for years.
Posted by rainy on September 24, 2003, at 10:24:42
In reply to Yes, hairloss on Wellbutrin (nm) » rainy, posted by JaneB on September 18, 2003, at 7:10:26
This is Raney again. By "stupid" do you mean unable to hold train of thought in conversation, remember names, events, dates, become disoriented while dirivng, that sort of stuff? Also have any of you on Top noticed obsessive thinking? I've gone from 300 mgs to 150 but even at 200 I began to hold conversations with people in my head that I couldn't turn off and repeat road directions over and over and over. Is this the drug or Bipolar II? I'm also taking Lamictal 100 mgs and Wellbutrin 300. Just started Serzone 100 mgs and still depressed. Began gaining weight below 200 mgs Top. Good thing about it is that it has stopped any craving for alcohol which has been an issue for me for the last six or seven years. (I'm 61.) For this reason I don't want to stop completely, even if Top rather than the Lamictal is causing my terrifying hair loss. Sorry Haley. I need advice too. Remember, you can always stop or cut down if you think you're getting weird.
Posted by Nitro on September 24, 2003, at 10:38:36
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by rainy on September 24, 2003, at 9:56:14
> By stupid do you mean unable to keep train of thought in conversation, loss of names, dates, events, losing things, that kind of stuff? That began for me at 300 mgs--also disorientation while driving and a completely skewed sense of linear time. One good thing, even at 150 mgs I've lost interest in alcohol which has been an issue for me. I've gone from vodka to wine, but in the last two months even wine tastes awful, Since going below 200 mgs I've gained two pounds but from 110 to 112 isn't too bad. I do notice a tendency to binge at night which hasn't been around for years.
>
>
Another Topamax question - even on low levels, the literature says to drink lots of water, nowhere does it define lots of water. Is the usual 8 glasses a day, 64 oz of plain water enough? also, anyone notice sleep pattern difference at low doses? Thanks, Nitro
Posted by Haifa on September 24, 2003, at 13:38:41
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by loopie on August 27, 2003, at 1:06:26
Has anyone gotten migraine / headache relief with Topomax?;
Rule No. 1 when dealing with physicians: be an aware consumer, just like at any other transaction. it is MY body, I better know, not just trust what Dr says.
It is hard to find a physician who has the tenacity to stay with you for the duration through the frustrations of any chronic problem that cannot be "fixed".
I am once again on the trial-and-error track with my neurologist, who needs to be ‎reminded occasionally of Rule #1. After I described to him the symptoms I have with ‎what we called so far;migraines, he flinched and told me to NOT use any vassal ‎constrictors (Imitrex, Maxalt, etc): I get weakness on my left side, to the point of ‎paralysis. Imitrex and the likes does have the rebound effect, and I am trying to get off ‎the merry-go-round.
So now it is:
Excedrin (with Zantacs to coat my stomach), Darvacet for severe attacks, and the new ‎one started last night) - Topomax. (Norpramine did NOTHING).
I did not know about Topomax and weight loss - I have very little to spare. I read it can ‎increase kidney stones!
I need support right now. I am pretty much in charge of my life otherwise (single, home ‎business, my timetable, etc), but I still have 3-5 migraines/month, lasting from 12-72 ‎hours. I have on average 5 days in a week to do what others do in 7, and I am ‎constantly in time deficit, not to mention the constant cancellations of events whether ‎fun or obligations.
Posted by Nitro on September 24, 2003, at 14:26:17
In reply to Re: Migaines, and muscul weakness + topomax?, posted by Haifa on September 24, 2003, at 13:38:41
> Has anyone gotten migraine / headache relief with Topomax?;
> Rule No. 1 when dealing with physicians: be an aware consumer, just like at any other transaction. it is MY body, I better know, not just trust what Dr says.
> It is hard to find a physician who has the tenacity to stay with you for the duration through the frustrations of any chronic problem that cannot be "fixed".
> I am once again on the trial-and-error track with my neurologist, who needs to be ‎reminded occasionally of Rule #1. After I described to him the symptoms I have with ‎what we called so far;migraines, he flinched and told me to NOT use any vassal ‎constrictors (Imitrex, Maxalt, etc): I get weakness on my left side, to the point of ‎paralysis. Imitrex and the likes does have the rebound effect, and I am trying to get off ‎the merry-go-round.
> So now it is:
> Excedrin (with Zantacs to coat my stomach), Darvacet for severe attacks, and the new ‎one started last night) - Topomax. (Norpramine did NOTHING).
> I did not know about Topomax and weight loss - I have very little to spare. I read it can ‎increase kidney stones!
> I need support right now. I am pretty much in charge of my life otherwise (single, home ‎business, my timetable, etc), but I still have 3-5 migraines/month, lasting from 12-72 ‎hours. I have on average 5 days in a week to do what others do in 7, and I am ‎constantly in time deficit, not to mention the constant cancellations of events whether ‎fun or obligations.
>
I have only been on Topamax 2 weeks - but have been migraine free and have been having 5 migraines a week so it is feeling like a miracle to me at the moment. Imitrex was relieving my migraines but I needed something to prevent them from coming on so constantly and top seems to do it. and at 50 mg per day. They say that the instance of kidney stones and other side effects is very minimal at such a low dose but to drink plenty of fluids (of course no definition of plenty, so I am drinking 100 oz per day). I drink a lot of water any way and tend to stay away from caffeine and carbonated drinks and sugar all together, and only drink alcohol for special occasions. I hear some people have good luck with Tryptophan for migraines - I didn't, nor any of the over the counter, the darvoset or percoset helped some with riding out the pain of migraine but didn't give the relieve the imitrex did. good luck to you. Nitro.
Posted by Been-There on September 24, 2003, at 17:39:32
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by katie on April 21, 1999, at 14:19:09
My doctor just put me on Topamax for partial seizures. I had no clue it was used for migraines. Anyhow, My doctor told me that they used to prescribe 200 too 400 mg to people with mild epilepsy but found out that lower doses worked just as well for the milder epileptic with far less side effects. The doctor said he prefers to give all his milder epileptics lower dosages because of the strong side effects of topamax. It is a powerful drug and has been working good so far. I have only had some twitching so far and no partial seizures. I have been on 75 mg for about a month. I started on 50 mg. No side effects so far but slight sleepiness and slight occasional upset stomach. I can live with that. Much better then what I went through with the dreadful Celexa. You can read about that on another thread. What a nightmare that was :-(!
Posted by platinumbride on September 26, 2003, at 13:35:18
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice » HaleyR, posted by lesliekay on September 23, 2003, at 6:57:05
I have been taking topamax for about 2 weeks now and keep titrating when the appetite supressing side effect for which I am taking it poops out. I have felt ravenous these past 2 days. I am wondering if anyone else has had an experience has had similar experiences to these. I am trying to push it up to 200 mgs, but I am not quite ready for that. I did it yesterday and being so dopey just made me feel hungry.
I notice that everyone who seems to be losing weight here does a lot of exercise. I do not. I am about 100 lbs overweight. A lot of exercise is not a real option at this point, I am afraid.
Any thoughts?
I feel so dumb right now....back to feeling sooooooo dopey from pushing it up to 150 yesterday.
Posted by Nitro on September 26, 2003, at 13:58:35
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by platinumbride on September 26, 2003, at 13:35:18
hmmm, not sure what titrating is, I am sticking with the 50 mg and have a slight decresae i appetite, no nausea or anything. I could stand to lose 20 lbs so that is fine to lose some ppetite. I exercise and if I do it strenuously notice a tingling in my fingertips for a few minutes when I am done. It is decreasing so I must be getting used to the topamax. Nitro.
Posted by Haleyr on September 26, 2003, at 19:31:11
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by platinumbride on September 26, 2003, at 13:35:18
I am now taking 100 mgs and am starting to feel heaviness in my eyes - almost like a pressure behind them - will this feeling go away? Has anyone else felt this? Most of my other symptoms I had in the beginning are gone, and I am beginning to lose a bit of my appetite which is good - but this eye thing is worrying me. Any advice or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
Posted by Nissy on September 26, 2003, at 20:50:57
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by Haleyr on September 26, 2003, at 19:31:11
> I am now taking 100 mgs and am starting to feel heaviness in my eyes - almost like a pressure behind them - will this feeling go away? Has anyone else felt this?
*************************************************
Not to scare you but my Doctor told me that this drug can cause pressure behind the eyes. Elevated pressure in the eye, if left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss. Please tell your Doctor at once that you are having this side effect.
Nissy
Posted by loopie on September 26, 2003, at 22:38:36
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by rainy on September 24, 2003, at 9:56:14
For those of you who are interested in weight loss, I thought you might be interested in knowing that there was a local news segment on tonight (in my neck of the woods) about the use of Topomax as a deterant for binge eating. We have a medical school and a university here in town. Lot's of studies going on around here! From what I hear, It works. Although, I am new to Topomax, I think my appitite is curbed. I am on it for a mood disorder. From what I have read, it seems to take away, most peoples appitite. I haven't experienced and stupidness yet. (that I can tell) But my dosage is only at 75mg. right now. I will go up to 100 in the next week or so.
Posted by rainy on September 27, 2003, at 6:29:35
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice » Haleyr, posted by Nissy on September 26, 2003, at 20:50:57
Please describe "stupid" for me. I think I've got it and my doctor wants me to go off Topamax, but it's keeping me on the wagon and minimizing the desire to binge. I have either major depressive disorder or bipolar II. I'm beginning to doubt the latter dx since my periods of hypomania are mostly just exaggerated irritability. No inflated self esteem or racing thoughts (unless you count obsessive thinking) or reckless spending or sex or, since starting Serzone three weeks ago, early morning waking. I'm also on 50 mgs Lamictal and 300 buproprion. I've kept myself at 200 Topmax and decreased Lamictal since I suspect the latter is responsible for hair loss. Neither have done much to regulate mood. When you guys mess with your meds, how do your doctors respond? How do you tell them I want to do this and don't want to do that? I've only known my doctor for two months.
Posted by platinumbride on September 27, 2003, at 9:47:24
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by rainy on September 27, 2003, at 6:29:35
> Please describe "stupid" for me. I think I've got it and my doctor wants me to go off Topamax, but it's keeping me on the wagon and minimizing the desire to binge. I have either major depressive disorder or bipolar II. I'm beginning to doubt the latter dx since my periods of hypomania are mostly just exaggerated irritability. No inflated self esteem or racing thoughts (unless you count obsessive thinking) or reckless spending or sex or, since starting Serzone three weeks ago, early morning waking. I'm also on 50 mgs Lamictal and 300 buproprion. I've kept myself at 200 Topmax and decreased Lamictal since I suspect the latter is responsible for hair loss. Neither have done much to regulate mood. When you guys mess with your meds, how do your doctors respond? How do you tell them I want to do this and don't want to do that? I've only known my doctor for two months.
Well, STUPID, at least for me, is when I can't remember what I said a minute ago, or can't remember the word for something in either English or my second language,which is Spanish...it is weird because I can read literature pretty well and also retain it, but the short term momory is for *(&^^!!!
The doctor thing is so tricky. I have known mine for years and he is also my therapist> He is also an easygoing guy who is more interested in natural medicine if he can get his patients to go that route...in other words, very open to most desires for change.
Do you really think it is the lamictal that is responsible for the hair loss? I keep seeing that topomax is a real culprit for that. On the other hand, that is what seems to be your drug of choice, so you may have to stand up for what you want with your doc. I hope it is easier than you fear....and it just may be!
I think the only way you can find out about how your doc is is to feel him or her out by trying. Mention any side effects or desires for change...I would steer clear of mentioning the internet...some docs get pissed about that from the get-go. I have even seen my own bristle a bit. Good luck
Posted by platinumbride on September 27, 2003, at 9:53:38
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by Nitro on September 26, 2003, at 13:58:35
sorry...
titrating is when you go from a small dose to a larger on very slowly....I felt the decrease in appetite immediately....then I wanted to eat like a pig again. I went up to 50 mgs, lost some appetite, started eating a lot again, etc...am now at 150/day. All of the other side effects are there again, and I am getting the appetite under control, but how many stupid milligrams am I going to have to take before I see results? I am really disenchanted and sad about this. Why go through the other side effects if I am not going to stop eating like a sow???
Posted by Jenni H on September 29, 2003, at 9:46:01
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice » Nitro, posted by platinumbride on September 27, 2003, at 9:53:38
Hey... Im new to topamax too, im quite obese and im only on 25mgs a day so when i hear that some of you guys are on 150 a day i really wanna increase my dose! I havent noticed any affect, but im being a bit eager cos ive only been on them 4 days hehe :) But id like to chat to others and find out stuff about it for sure!! message on here then maybe we can email...
> sorry...
> titrating is when you go from a small dose to a larger on very slowly....
>
> I felt the decrease in appetite immediately....then I wanted to eat like a pig again. I went up to 50 mgs, lost some appetite, started eating a lot again, etc...am now at 150/day. All of the other side effects are there again, and I am getting the appetite under control, but how many stupid milligrams am I going to have to take before I see results? I am really disenchanted and sad about this. Why go through the other side effects if I am not going to stop eating like a sow???
Posted by Nitro on September 29, 2003, at 9:51:44
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice » Nitro, posted by platinumbride on September 27, 2003, at 9:53:38
> sorry...
> titrating is when you go from a small dose to a larger on very slowly....
>
> I felt the decrease in appetite immediately....then I wanted to eat like a pig again. I went up to 50 mgs, lost some appetite, started eating a lot again, etc...am now at 150/day. All of the other side effects are there again, and I am getting the appetite under control, but how many stupid milligrams am I going to have to take before I see results? I am really disenchanted and sad about this. Why go through the other side effects if I am not going to stop eating like a sow???
Thanks for the explanation. I still, with the 50 mg, have got a little appetitite loss and tingling but no other side effects. Still no migraines either so am happy to stay at this level. That is interesting that it is being tried for binge eaters. What type of mood swings is it supposed to be helpful for? I will have to look to see if it is helping mood swings. I don't have a lot be have been known to be irritable at times. Thanks - Nitro.
Posted by Nitro on September 29, 2003, at 13:15:36
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice » platinumbride, posted by Jenni H on September 29, 2003, at 9:46:01
Just an FYI, my dr said that starting slowly on the topamax is the key to not having the bad side effects, so you may want to follow the slow start plan. my dr. was going to increase my dose every 4 days, but then we stopped it at such a low dose because the migraines stopped so I didn't get to see how the higher dosages worked. This may not be an appropriate forum but I thought I would share weight loss info on a program that worked well for me that I personally felt was healthy - I only had 30 lbs to lose and did it in 3 months and have kept it pretty well off for 2 years now, and have followed the program. It is the suzanne somers program. I know that with topamax you need to be careful not to do adkins or high protein diets, and with the SS diet you can have carb meals, you just combine carbs with carbs, you eat lots of veggies, you can eat fruits, and you drink lots of water which is important with topamax. I discussed the program with my dr. when I thought I would be taking a much higher dose of the topamax, and he thought it was fine with the topamax. I really like the program, have changed my way of eating permanently. My cholesterol dropped from high to the normal range and when I go off it and gain a few pounds I go back on and drop them. I personally know other people that have also been on it 2 years or more that have dropped over 100 lbs. I hope that isn't too much info, just wanted to share since the question about weight lsos came up. Nitro.
Posted by Nissy on September 29, 2003, at 16:58:25
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by Nitro on September 29, 2003, at 13:15:36
I know that with topamax you need to be careful not to do adkins or high protein diets.
Hey Nitro,
Why is this?
Thanks,
Nissy
Posted by Nitro on September 29, 2003, at 17:46:37
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice » Nitro, posted by Nissy on September 29, 2003, at 16:58:25
> I know that with topamax you need to be careful not to do adkins or high protein diets.
>
> Hey Nitro,
> Why is this?
> Thanks,
> NissyNissy, I am not sure of the technical reasons, just that my dr. advised against it, says that if you are taking the higher levels of topamax you should be sure to maintain the carb levels in your diet, that you should stay away from the high protein diets. I didn't get into the specifics since I don't do Adkins or anything. It seems liike I saw that information dupicated on one of the Topamax websites also. Sorry I don't have more specifics, you might check with your dr. next time you are in. Nitro.
Posted by rainy on September 30, 2003, at 4:26:06
In reply to Re: new to topamax, need some advice, posted by Nitro on September 29, 2003, at 17:46:37
Nissy and Nitro I'm going to barge in here about high protein diets and Topamax. I think it's not a good idea to combine the two because one of the adverse effects of Topamax is kidney stones. I guess those suckers hurt. Since high protein diets put a load on the kidneys, maybe the combination of medication and diet puts too much stress on that part of our system and makes us more suseptible to any renal malfunction that is waiting to happen. Just a thought. Rainy.
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