Posted by JESSsMom on March 6, 2006, at 10:33:18
In reply to Re: AD similar to Wellbutrin? Headaches/Topomax, posted by JESSsMom on March 2, 2006, at 11:23:38
> Hey all,
>
> I chose to discontinue the WB altogether since I had a many months long headache problem in addition to the many months long depression problem.
> I gathered up the nerve to try Topomax for my headaches. I had been thinking about it for some time, and when the Lyrica failed to make so much as a dent, I thought about the Topomax even more. I was scared of crazymed's "dumber than a box of rocks" remark, though, I admit it.
> The last thing I needed was to have head pain, be so depressed, and then cognitively dull on top of it all.
> So I started out at a mere 25mg Topamax at bedtime. Was looking forward to headache relief, some bedtime sleepiness, and a little weight loss would have been nice, too.
> Nothing happened.
>
> We doubled my dose to a still small dose of 50 mg and the results are in:
>
> Headaches are not entirely gone but are less frequent and have't turned into a migraine once since (might raise my dose a little more, don't see why anyone should have to live with headaches at all, even if they are less frequent),
>
> 50mg Topomax plus my 2mg Klonopin knocks me OUT for the entire night and I wake up feeling refreshed, goodbye insomnia (at least for now),
>
> I haven't noticed any word finding problems or other cognitive problems at all (and pdoc says I would have by now if I were going to),
>
> Unfortunately, no change whatsoever in appetite/taste of food---extra weight isn't going anywhere via Topomax
>
> My mood has changed for the better-------? not sure why? depression has lifted considerably--because of Topomax (which we all know is NOT an AD)? or because my head feels better?
>
> The obvious would be that my head pain has improved but I *know* there's something else going on here.........can't put my finger on it. I just feel a lot better. Like most of my depression is gone. Not sure why but I'll take it.
>
> Anyone have an idea why such a small dose of a mood stabilizer would make a non bipolar's depression lift?
>
> JESSsMom
> P.S.
> Side note: Lyrica *does* help with nerve pain in the back and legs.
I can hardly believe this (shouldn't be surprised, I guess) but I wrote the above last Thursday and am now on day three of a headache that started Saturday.So far the worst was Saturday when nausea was present. Anyone with headaches knows how tiresome and painful this is.......... <sigh>.
Don't have a psych or neuro appointment til tomorrow (Tues.) so I took it upon myself to double my Topamax to 100mg over at bedtime this past weekend to see if it would make a difference. It didn't. Have a headache as I type.
Also still not getting any side effects at 100mg though, and mood is still OK. Not sure what to ask docs for tomorrow?
Any ideas are appreciated. Really cannot bear these headaches anymore.
Thanks,
JESSsMom
poster:JESSsMom
thread:606234
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060304/msgs/616578.html