Posted by JohnX2 on December 11, 2001, at 12:26:31
In reply to Re: starting Topomax » JohnX2, posted by jazzdog on December 11, 2001, at 11:48:52
Jane,The only reason I can think that topomax is
curing my myofacial pain is that one of its mode
of anti-convulsant action is similiar to klonopin's
mode on anti-convulsant action. I read this in an
article which compared topamax to diazepam.
Basically there are 2 types of Gaba neurons, GabaA
and GabaB, an elelectrolyle chlorine is negatively
charged and is passed through the neuron to inhibit
the conductance of the receiver of the neuron.
Both Klonopin and Topomax increase CL- (chlorine)
conductance in the GabaA type neuron. Other meds
like Depakote works on the GabaB type neuron.
Other anti-convulsants try to prevent the break
down of gaba instead of trying to enhance the working
of gaba. I'd explain neurologically why I think
stimulating GabaA neurons is good (as well as blocking
serotonin 5ht-2a neurons or noradrenaline alpha-1
neurons) but it is rather involved. The net
result in my case is increased dopamine in
an are of my brain where dopamine inhibits
acetycholine stimulation of muscle contraction
of jaw/head muscle contraction.At least that's MY theory,
and my response to a wide variety
of meds is consistent to it.meds that relieve my pain:
anticholinergics: benadryl,chlorphenramine
dopaminergic:Adderall,
5ht-2 antagonist:Zyprexa,Serzone
GabaA:Klonopin,Topomax.Why I don't get the other side effect typical to
anti-convulsants is a bit of a mystery. Usually
the anti-convulsants make me stuporous,slurred speech, and give me
blurry vision, Topomax just givems me the same
side effects as Klonopin, which is a slight sedation.
Topamax also modulates gluatamate at the AMPA
receptors and Lamictal modulates gluatmate at
the NMDA receptors. ITS POSSIBLE (just a hypothesis),
that some sort of interaction with lamictal actually
stabilizes the Topmax (kinda like a mood stabilizer,
right...twilight zone...).Anyways, at the GabaA receptor I would only expect
sides effects like the benzos, but at the AMPA I
might expect side effects like the other
anti-convulsants. Just my 10 cents.-john
> Hi John -
>
> Topamax is pretty interesting to me, especially in conjunction with Lamictal and Zoloft. How does it manage to be both sedating and weight-loss promoting? I thought only activating drugs sped up the metabolism enough to cause weight loss. Also, are you experiencing any cognitive dulling? A lot of people seem to complain about it, and god knows my brain is already dulled enough. Good news about the facial pain - any theories why it's working?
>
> - Jane
poster:JohnX2
thread:86328
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86568.html