Posted by akc on August 19, 2001, at 17:18:53
In reply to Topamax?, posted by Greg on August 19, 2001, at 13:01:09
I have been on Topamax for a little over 2 months -- currently taking 75 mg, 2x per day. I had a really bad depressed episode a couple of weeks ago -- not triggered by the topamax, but it does prevent me from saying exactly how I am benefitting from the topamax at the moment. I did think I was doing pretty well, until the crash (fyi, my pdoc thinks I crashed because I went of the lithium, what I had hoped the topamax would replace -- now it may be that topamax will augment, I don't know).
I am glad you are reporting no side effects at this time. I write mainly to offer one piece of advice. Go up very, very slowly on this med. The drug company is still saying 50 mg per week, but everything I have read on this site and others, and based on my own experience, would suggest that you should go no faster than 25 mg a week. Even at that rate, I did have a little bit of cognitive dulling. You will know when it hits you. I couldn't hardly add 2 plus 2. It didn't last more than a couple of days after an increase -- and only happened a few times.
I also had some problems with the pins and needles sensation. It was never really that bad -- I rarely get it now (once or twice a week).
I'll say it again -- don't let your doctor raise it more than 25 mg a week. Even at that speed, some people have found it to be too quick.
Hope this helps.
akc
poster:akc
thread:75586
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75608.html