Posted by Kingfish on August 13, 2001, at 10:48:20
In reply to Re: Topamax: Activating???, posted by chloe on August 13, 2001, at 10:00:06
Chloe:
Topamax was never activating for me, but, as I'm sure you know and have heard a million times, everyone is different. I think it's good that you notice these things so well. I just "put up" with side effects for too long and am just now learning to call my pdoc sooner rather than later.
Again, taking Neurontin every four hours or so throughout the day helped me with Topamax but, and this is really weird, it helped curb the sedation a little, not activation. I would think for most people it would do the opposite, though.
I also slept better on the Topamax and no skin trouble.
Here's what I'm thinking for myself.
I'm thinking of sticking with the Topamax (I had thought of quitting because of the sedation). My pdoc has wanted me to stay with it because, as you're describing, it helped control ruminating thoughts, and just helped thought patterns in general as I think I mentioned. Also, for the first months, no mania.
Prozac has made me anxious and manic, I think, so I may give in and take a sleeping aid at night (I really didn't want to do that). OR, I might switch to Provigil, a anti-narcoleptic that my pdoc wanted me to try which has promising AD properties.
The Lamictal made me really ill last week at 50 mg (forgive me if I already posted this - the Prozac has dumbed me down). And I don't think I'm patient enough to up this drug as slowly as I have to.
I have resisted taking medication to counter-act side-effects from other medications but it seems that often happens.
So, if the Topamax seems to be helping in general, perhaps a Benzo or Neurontin might help.
Keep us up to date and I'll let you know what happens after I talk to my pdoc.
- K.
poster:Kingfish
thread:74325
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74897.html