Posted by Bob on April 7, 2002, at 15:18:51
In reply to Re: Sleeping my life away - Bob, posted by Bekka H. on April 6, 2002, at 20:54:34
> > The only relief I've found from this drug-induced hypersomnia "syndrom" is from the newer antiseizure drugs, such as Lamictal, Topomax, etc. I've found them somewhat hard to tolerate for a number of reasons, though, and I don't think they are the final answer for me.
> > Bob
>
> ************************************************
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> Can you explain what you mean when you say that you've found Lamictal and Topamax difficult to tolerate?
>
> Thank you.
> BekkaBekka:
I took Topomax more than a year ago for 3 months. At first it gave me some smooth hypomania, and controlled my anxiety somewhat, but the effect would always dissipate, requiring me to up the dose. In the beginning the dose increases would result in significant cognitive dysfunction, tiredness, tingling and numbness in the extremeties, vision changes, cold hands, painful hands, loss of appetite, etc. I felt the need to keep pushing the dose up because it was the first time that a non-SSRI drug gave me "usable" energy and periods of euphoria with creating unmanageable anxiety. It was too good to be true though, as it started to turn more and more anxious, and caused hostility and anger. Eventually it ballooned into full emotional lability. The cold hands (and cold body) problem never went away, and the hypomania I had experienced in the beginning was gone. Then, I had a severe kidney stone attack that required a stay in the hospital, where they found four more stones in my kidneys. Not a mere coincidence, I should think, considering Topomax has the potential to cause kidney stones. My doctor ordered me to come off of the med as quickly as possible, resulting in what was probably one of the most emotionally/mentally destabilizing events of my life. Topomax offered promise and hope in the beginning, but eventually almost killed me.
I figured I'd try some Lamictal again a few weeks ago. I tried it about 1.5 years ago before the Topomax and developed a rash and had to stop. This time I am going VERY slowly. I take 2.5mg at night, and 2.5mg during the day. Again, in the beginning it relaxed me and made me more alert even at these ridiculously small levels. It doesn't feel so good anymore, though. It seems to be adding to my akathisia, anxiety, and agitation, causes insomnia off and on, and worst of all, gives me cold and sometimes painful hands. It's been almost three weeks holding at that tiny pediatric dose, and these problems don't seem to be remitting. I don't think I'll be able to continue on to a higher dose - I do NOT want to have another situation like Topomax. I am more sensitive to meds than anybody I've ever heard of. It's truly ridiculous. It's also ashame because the med gives me energy and seems to help with suicidal thoughts (at least when it seems to be working).
Previous to starting the Lamictal, I was "stabilized" at a dose of 20mg Celexa, and .5mg of Clonazepam/day. By stabilized I don't mean feeling ok, I just mean I was surviving for some time at those doses without a change.
poster:Bob
thread:102125
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020402/msgs/102270.html