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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by nicki on February 7, 2005, at 11:49:41
Has anyone been on topamax for bipolar. What are the pros and cons?
Posted by stresser on February 7, 2005, at 12:20:27
In reply to topamax for bipolar, posted by nicki on February 7, 2005, at 11:49:41
Hello,
I am taking topamax, I'm not bipolar, but I have mood swings and it works well for me. My daughter is bipolar and took it, and it worked well for her also. You do have to titrate up slowely, starting at 25mg and increasing 25mg weekly as your doctor tells you to do so. There are some side-effects that will go away as you get used to the med, like tingling in hands and feet. Remember to drink plenty of water, and you may notice a decrease in appetite. I know I have. My daughter stopped taking it because she noticed her hair coming out in the shower, so her doc put her on Trileptal. After two weeks of trileptal, she has gained weight and her moods are not level like they were on topamax. Today...he put her back on topamax, and she will take that again. I do know that Biotin, Zinc, Folic Acid, and Vit B are suppose to help with the hair, and there is a shampoo that will also help with hair growth. I am looking into that. I'm going to put a post out about it, maybe we can get an answer to that. You will find this board VERY helpful, and the people absolutely give so much time and effort to help...it's really helped me. There are many posts on Topamax, and if you look back you will find them from me, and some of the others. They should be VERY helpful, and answer many of your questions. Just go to the top of the page where you find the dates and click on one, there are usually posts on topamax. -L
Posted by Ritch on February 7, 2005, at 12:32:50
In reply to topamax for bipolar, posted by nicki on February 7, 2005, at 11:49:41
> Has anyone been on topamax for bipolar. What are the pros and cons?
I was on 25mg twice daily for about a month or so a few years back (along with Neurontin). Pros: EXCELLENT sleep. Seemed like anxiety was reduced. Cons: Paresthesias (skin-crawling), and cognitive blunting. This varies a LOT by individual however. There are some that can handle 400mg/day and do math homework. Not me.
Posted by Shortelise on February 7, 2005, at 13:10:49
In reply to topamax for bipolar, posted by nicki on February 7, 2005, at 11:49:41
I was on this for migraine prevention. It made me nuts - I had anxiety, the sit on the couch and weep-type anxiety. But did I ever lose weight! And energy! I could sit on the couch and weep for hours on end, no problem! :-)
I stopped taking it after about two months, I think. It was bad. But others have had great success with it.
ShortE
Posted by Britney on March 12, 2005, at 20:49:23
In reply to topamax for bipolar, posted by nicki on February 7, 2005, at 11:49:41
I am 27 years old and on Topamax for Bipolar and it has been working great for me. It has kept the manic episodes in control and also kept my anxiety down. I lost alot of weight. I started out taking 25 mg 2x/day now I am at 100 mg 2x/day. I think I have found a perfect maintenance dose that works for me. I hope it is working out for you as well. I do get some tingling in my hands and feet here and there but it doesn't bother me that much.
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