Posted by jazzdog on December 11, 2001, at 17:07:26
In reply to Re: starting Topomax » JohnX2, posted by JohnX2 on December 11, 2001, at 12:32:19
Hi John -
Thanks for that comprehensive reply. I was thinking of Topamax mainly to counterbalance the bruxism that Zoloft worsens and the weight gain that I'm experiencing with both lamictal and zoloft. Also, some people with depersonalization have success with an ssri/lamictal/klonapin combo, but as a recovering benzo addict, I'm wary of the klonipin (yes, I know, the long half-life renders it less addictive, but still). So I wondered if topamax could substitute. However, it's still early days on the lamictal - only up to 62.5 mg - so I'll wait to see how much success I have with 250 mgs.
Thanks again - Jane
> Hi Jane,
>
> I forgot to answer your weight loss question.
>
> It doesn't seem to make me feel "full" or
> "nauseaus" like stimulants or Wellbutrin.
>
> I just don't ever feel hungry. So I don't think
> it is speeding up my metabalism. Why I don't
> ever feel hungy is a mystery that the doctor's
> can't explain. I still can enjoy food. And if
> I eat too much, then my stomach does send me
> a "full" signal.
>
> What were you referring too WRT to zoloft?
>
> -John
>
>
>
> >
> > 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:jazzdog
thread:86328
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86596.html