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Re: topamax and balance » rainy

Posted by Larry Hoover on November 2, 2004, at 8:33:03

In reply to topamax and balance, posted by rainy on November 1, 2004, at 20:08:28

> The neurologist told me that my increasing loss of balance was probably due to the Topamax. I have a smoldering bunch of neuro symptoms left over from a peripheral neuropathy that had me in clunky braces for about three years almost 20 years ago. These seemed to be getting worse, like staggering, lurching and dragging my foot, weaving around and generally appearing drunk, so I went to this nice doctor.
> He said that Topamax often makes any neorological problem that you already have worse and gives you problems that you didn't have before you took it. He agreed that of course the balance issue was pre Top but he thought it was worse because of the medication. He also said that if I stopped it, and he thought I should and take lithium or something else, "there are lots and lots of drugs out there," my balance, handwriting and "ditziness" would improve.
> But I would sure hate to say, yeah, your ankle is weak because of the Topamax. I'm not sure I believe him about this neurological stuff, because this neuropathy is a come and go kind of thing and I think this is just one of the times it's revving up. I really wish I didn't feel I had to tell doctors everything they want to know.
> rainy

Topamax doesn't only affect neurons in the brain. It affects neurons throughout your body. Peripheral neuropathies are often mediated in the spinal cord. One of the ways your body simplifies the traffic in and out of the brain is to delegate some of the processing to the spinal cord. Those things you habitually do, like walking, are mostly spinal. Avoiding an obstacle while walking is brain.

Topamax will have suppressed spinal processing ability, as well. You may have recovered sufficient spinal activity to no longer have to compensate with conscious brain activity (your recovery twenty years ago), but you fell back below that threshold again under the influence of topamax. It sounds like this isn't the right drug for you. Going off it will fairly quickly clear it from the body, and I don't expect it will take too long to get your more typical functioning back.

Lar

 

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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041029/msgs/410519.html