Posted by headachequeen on November 11, 2004, at 13:38:34
In reply to Re: Topamax: weight loss/mild depression » Sheley, posted by rainy on November 11, 2004, at 7:18:25
>> That said, Let me ask you a couple of questions. Have you read the package insert that comes with Topamax? I mean the one for doctors, not consumers. This is a powerful drug that has a lot of unpleasant, to say the least, side effects. Cognitive impairment is one that I've had the most trouble with at doses over 250 mg which is where weight loss begins for most people. At 350-400, I was disoriented, couldn't remember names, nouns, lost my train of thought in the middle of a conversation at a party etc.
> It has other neurological side effects including balance problems, tingling etc. Loss of eyesight is another biggy.These side effects are generally found when the dosage is increased too fast...
and I forgot to mention that it is best to start it at bedtime... achieve half dose then start the other half in the morning...As for cognitive damage... the cognitive risks are short term... a few days and it is back to normal...
and from my point of view a minor thing...
this morning I stood at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Day, something I never miss, no matter how cold and rainy and I could not remember the words to our national anthem, in EITHER LANGUAGE... I never sing it in English... the words in English are pathetic and change every other weekend it seems, but I have sung it in French since I was a child...
and it upsets the local yokels to have someone with a voice as powerful as mine drown out all of them en francais <evil grin>
this morning I got to O Canada and then nothing... not a word...
when I came to in hospital I could not remember a word of English...I knew there was something odd, but I was francophone to all intents and purposes...
at times I am not sure how to pronounce a word, or I don't know what a word is... I have a hard time with the 'r' in my own name at other times...
these cognitive problems out do any problems I had with topomax...
I am now going to a speech pathologist.. have my voice back but have to learn to speak properly, to learn the mechanics of speech ...
that is cognitive problems...
Topomax side effects are minimised and can be avoided if one is careful...
and it can be effective if one is careful....I suppose this is a continent of people who are obsessed with weight and appearance, but then again there is a serious self-esteem issue to be addressed and that is important...
not something to slough under the table...so many of the so-called diet pills are plain dangerous, amphetamines, and the like...
some of them are downright lethal... most of them are illegal up here in fact...
this is available through a doctor only and therefore controlled and guided...
to whatever degree it is safe, whether one approves or not, it is a measure of return of self-esteem for people who need it...
for those whose wiring is badly crossed putting them at risk of severe and constant migraine or worse, it is survival....
so we live with it...
kat
poster:headachequeen
thread:5053
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/414599.html