Posted by JohnX2 on November 1, 2001, at 4:02:50
In reply to To: SusanC, KrazyKat, CamW JohnX2.....Please, posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:29:55
Robin,I haven't had a chance to review the other
posts, but I'll give you some quick feedback
as best I can, sorry if I don't post
references.- A touch of BP is symptomatic of bipolar II.
Difficult to diagnose. Sometimes overlapping
symptoms with ADHD (the slightly manic symptoms
can mimic ADHD).- Typical for any bipolar patient, prescribing
a anti-depressant stand-alone can give irratic
results. The mood-stabiler is generally needed to
get a robust and consistent anti-depressant response.
The exception to this is the more recent trend
to prescribe an anti-psychotic like Zyprexa.
Some anti-convulsants like Lamictal are
anecdotally thought to have a robust anti-depressant
effect, thus hopefully eliminating the need for
more than one med.- Don't know much about Topomax. Most of the
mood stabilizers have side effects of:
cognitive dulling,slurred speach,staggering,
dermatitis. A lot of this has to do with changes
in electrical stimulation of GABA
(inhibitory chemical) and Glutamate (excitatory
chemical). Usually the side effects wear off once
a steady-state dose is reached. I have experienced
all these side effects. If they don't wear off
over time, inform your practitioner.- Not sure about the tingling. But the headache &
naseau could be caused probably by either med.
- I wouldn't expect the symptoms to worsen, exceptr
while increasing the dosage. At a steady state
dose, expect the symptoms to subside. I feel
that about 2 and possibly 3 weeks is the timeframe for most
side effects to subside once at a consistent
dose. I find that the anti-depressant side effects
take longer to subside. I find the anti-convulsant
side effects subside quickly. Again, this is
for me and may not be representative for
everyone. (I am bipolar II).Keep us posted on the progress. We are here
to support you.best wishes,
john> Hello you all,
>
> I have been coming here and reading your very informative replies for a number of weeks. I REALLY appreciate the knowledge that you all have regarding meds, etc :-) Therefore, I have a couple of questions I would like your opinions on, please.
>
> Last Friday (to be exact) I finally went back to a pdoc (it's been about 5 years since I've seen one). This is the first one I've seen who said "Maybe you have a TOUCH of BP (even though I don't fit ALL the criteria) but based on your history." Anyhoo (Long story short), he decided to try me on Zoloft with an adjunct of Topomax (mainly as a mood stabilizer but he also chose it because I have weight issues). I have always been on SSRI's alone in the past but they only helped me "get by" I guess?
>
> So here goes the questions. Naturally I have researched about both meds and realize I am going to have side effects, etc. and I am starting out on low dose and slowly increasing (as directed by my doc), but having never taken either one before, esp. with the Topomax (being in a TOTALLY diff class), I am not sure about a couple of things).
>
> I am experiencing: tingling and heat and hands lower arms (I would swear I am on fire at times!), I have a constant headache, naturally I am nauseus (I expect this one) and not real hungry (this is a plus, haha).
> I am frightfully mixing up words and forgetting thoughts in mid sentence as I'm trying to say it! I am starting to look like a blubbering idiot in front of my peers and superiors and this is embarrassing!!!
>
> A. Is this all normal and if it is, will these symptoms subside, remain the same or worsen?
>
> B. If these are not normal or yada-yada, should I call my doctor immediately to discuss with him? (Like I said with not ever having taken a med Topomax I am just not sure).
>
>
> Thanks in advance for any and all comments you all might have and thanks for all the endless replies you all post on this board constantly :-)
>
> Robin
poster:JohnX2
thread:82797
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011025/msgs/82846.html