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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kristin on March 18, 2002, at 22:10:57
I have been on an array of medications(zoloft, serzone, prozac, depakote, wellbutrin sr, and topomax). Topomax is the most recent one I have trialed along with Wellbutrin SR, and I have been experiencing some very disturning side-effects. I am a college student, and have always been able to sit down and write a paper, but ever since I have been on Topamax I have been experiencing difficulty focusing and concentrating in class. All of a sudden I find myself becoming anxious when I am called on and I go blank during tests. Also I have been having horrible headaches accompanied by blurred vision. I can nolonger focus on the computer screen without squinting my eyes and I have 20/20 vision. I feel nauseous and I have no appetite(which is kinda nice I must say), but other than that I'm miserable. I have bipolarII, what else can I do? I'm scared I'll never be able to find the right mix!---Kristin
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 19, 2002, at 1:17:12
In reply to Topamax: help!! Almost ADD effect, posted by Kristin on March 18, 2002, at 22:10:57
Lamictal is an mood-stabilizer/anticonvulsant,non-manic inducing anti-depressant that is commonly prescribed for Bipolar II patients.
I am also a Bipolar II college student & had to get a medical withdrawl b/c I couldn't cope with schoolwork when I took Zoloft, then Remeron & then Effexor XR.
I have found that Lamictal is the only mood stabilizer/bipolar med that does not cause memory/studying problems. Studies have shown no difference is memory or cognitive ability in patients taking Lamictal. Lamictal is also one of the only mood-stablilizers than has an anti-depressant effect (although it is a much weaker effect than the SSRIs like Prozac). I haven't had any side effects as of yet on Lamictal (100 mg). The only thing is you have to start at a low dose (like 25 mg) & increase by 25 mg every 1-2 weeks until you find a response somewhere between 100-200 mg. It seems to take a month to make a noticeable difference.
Wellbutrin SR is one of the only anti-depressants that actually helps studying & remembering info for exams & is also used to treat ADD.
So perhaps the best combo for you would be Lamictal + Wellbutrin SR.
Topomax, Depakote, & Lithium are notorious for their "dumb drug" effects.
Also, I tried Neurontin- felt like a dumb, somnolent zombie- definitely can't study on that stuff. Avoid Remeron- makes you so sleepy, somnolent you can't study, all you want to do is sleep or eat.Benzodiazepines are good for anxiety & anti-depressant side effects (insomnia) but do cause some problems with short term memory. Some studies indicate they make you 10% dumber but the person taking them doesn't realize this. I take Klonopin (a 2nd line anti-manic agent & benzo) for anxiety/social phobia & it seems this effect goes away after awhile- Klonopin does not seem to affect ability to study for me, just recall & memory.
Posted by Elayne on March 19, 2002, at 8:36:27
In reply to Topamax: help!! Almost ADD effect, posted by Kristin on March 18, 2002, at 22:10:57
Hi Kristin,
If you're still having the vision problems you described yesterday, please call your doctor.While these may be transient side effects that will subside as your body gets accustomed to the drug, they may be signs of a serious problem that won't go away unless you stop the Topamax. There are several reports of glaucoma caused by Topamax -- fortunately no permanent damage.
So -- please talk to your doctor and get any eye exams he/she thinks appropriate.
Good luck.
Elayne
Posted by Kristin on March 19, 2002, at 19:07:33
In reply to Try Lamictal + Wellbutrin SR instead of Topomax, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 19, 2002, at 1:17:12
Thank you so much for the advice. I am also having to take a medical withraw from school this semester. The search for the right medication has left me with poor grades and a chaotic mess. I am returning home in a few weeks where I will start the whole process over again.
Thanks again!
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