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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on January 14, 2003, at 20:30:39
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by alijill on January 14, 2003, at 19:44:47
i am going to restart my topamax tonight. I have a feeling I will be with you on not losing any weight! How long have you been on it?
Posted by myfairlady on January 26, 2003, at 16:10:05
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
Hi. My husband found this thread for me last night. Wow! There sure a lot of stuff here.
I was started on Topamax on January 4th, 2003 at 25 mg per day. I was on this for about a week when I went up to 50 mg. (Let me add that I am also on 1200 mg/day of Lithium and 300 mg/day of Seroquel.) I started getting noticeable side effects a day or two after I went up to 50 mg/day of the Topamax. I got these two-second headaches (not too painful) on a very frequent basis. (They were on the left side of my head, around the temple area.) At one point, I was getting them every five or ten minutes. I was also having some of thoses "cognitive difficulties" and "word search" problems, too.
My eyes felt sensitive, so my pdoc had me go to my eye doctor to have my eye pressure checked (as a precaution). In the meantime, I was taken off the Topamax. The results of the eye pressure check were okay.
I'm back on 25 mg/day of Topamax. Side effects are pretty mild, but then again, this is a low dose. I feel as though I'm getting some mild - REGULAR - headaches. They may or may not be due to the medication. They're probably just tension headaches.
I also feel tired. My pdoc said not to do any highway driving this week. My pdoc also suggested fish oil capsules (several times per day), vitamin C (1000 mgs?) and 400 IU's of vitamin E.
By the way, those "flash" headaches seem to have stopped, for the most part.
Has anybody else gotten these weird type of headaches? I would appreciate any comments, feedback or whatever you'd like to give me.
By the way, it's GREAT to have found this thread. Topamax is such a new medication. It's hard to find people - even in a support group - who have first-hand knowledge of it.
Posted by Madge on January 26, 2003, at 21:55:05
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by myfairlady on January 26, 2003, at 16:10:05
I have had headaches taking Topamax. I started getting them at higher doses though and they usually lasted only a day and weren't quite as severe as the ones you described. They certainly felt like pressure building in my head though, and were bothersome enough that I worked from home and knew I shouldn't drive. I got one headache for a day when I titrated from 75 mg to 100mg, which was accompanied with pretty severe somnolence for a about a week and a UTI. (That is also another side effect of Topamax so stay very hydrated every day!!! I make sure I drink plenty of cranberry juice every day) This last week when I titrated up to 125mg I had a fairly severe pressure headache for one day preceeded by just one day of sedation, and now I feel like a million bucks. I don't know what dosage I will settle in on, because I am taking Topamax for weight loss to counteract the gain on remeron, and I haven't started losing any weight yet. The weight loss starts anywhere between a dosage of 100-200mg. The key to mitigating the side effects on Topamax is titrating very slowly. 25mg at a time, and having a VERY good, compassionate, accessible pdoc. I know for me, that I have had to adjust everytime I titrated ie there were some side effects, severe somnolence was the most prevelant, occasionally some cognitive dopyness, then I would adjust after a few days, and I felt fine. But I knew that everytime I titrated I would have to allow myself some potential down time in case I didn't feel well, and be ok if I couldn't follow through with plans I had made. All in all, the side effects for me have been pretty minimal on Topamax, and I wish you good luck as well.
I am also taking 1gram of fish oil, and 800 iu of vitamin e a day. The purpose of the Fish oil is two fold: There has been research indicating that at that level it acts as an antidepressant, and two, Topamax is constipating, so the fish oil helps that.
There is also a really good thread on Topamax that was started in Dec 2002,(One woman in particular who wrote in who was also on Lithium and Topamax), and others earlier in 2002 that were also helpful to me when I started taking this drug.
Why are you adding Topamax to your regimen?Hope this helps.
Posted by myfairlady on January 27, 2003, at 19:17:25
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Madge on January 26, 2003, at 21:55:05
Madge -
Thank you for your input.
The reason why I have added Topamax to my regimen is that my pdoc could not put me on a higher dose of Lithium - it was causing diarrhea. Or maybe it was some of the foods I eat. Anyway, she was concerned about potential toxicity of my liver. Also the Seroquel was not giving me any results and I was also having some side effects. My pdoc is going to phase out the Seroquel. Topamax was added for additional "mood stabilization". (I'm Type II Bipolar.)
Thank you very much for the suggestions. I will be sure to drink plenty of water and drink cranberry juice. Tonight I'm going up to 37.5 mg of Topamax (The dosages of my other medications are the same as in my first post from January 26th.) So far, I'm having no headaches tonight!
myfairlady
Posted by seahorse on January 30, 2003, at 1:33:00
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by myfairlady on January 26, 2003, at 16:10:05
If you have curly hair and want it permanently straightened...I strongly advise Topomax!! My doc thought I might be bipolar 2 (poor man was grasping at straws) and since seraquel did nothing and I gained weight on one of the others, I went on Topomax. I think I got up (slowly) to 300 mg. I lost a whole 5 pounds. I never felt right on it--no headaches, just a wierd out of body feeling. Oh, and the bloody noses. And, of course, my hair...it got very dry, and straight, and I blamed my stylist..then doc found a rarer side effect is change in the hair texture. I went off it and hair became healthy, but remained straight. I realize this may not be a big deal to someone truly bipolar (I am not--more likely my adhd and depression combined raised possiblility) who gets relief from topomax...but I really prized my natural curls...and...(sob)...I still have not come to terms with straight hair! My bald doc has no sympathy, even when I threatened a malpractice suit :-). (and no perms--I cannot since I also color) Oh, life goes on, I guess!
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on January 30, 2003, at 6:26:47
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by seahorse on January 30, 2003, at 1:33:00
So you hated Topamax? Did you lose weight or just lose your curls? I am a hair stylist, so I do sympathysize (spelled wrong). I have been taking Topamax for a month now and I have lost about 5 pounds. The good news is my Pepsi tastes like alka seltzer, which means I dont drink it after drinking pop since I was 3 and I am 30 now! I really need to lose weight!
Posted by Ponder on January 30, 2003, at 11:53:04
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on January 30, 2003, at 6:26:47
> So you hated Topamax? Did you lose weight or just lose your curls? I am a hair stylist, so I do sympathysize (spelled wrong). I have been taking Topamax for a month now and I have lost about 5 pounds. The good news is my Pepsi tastes like alka seltzer, which means I dont drink it after drinking pop since I was 3 and I am 30 now! I really need to lose weight!
Stacy,
So, you're a stylist and know about hair. Since hair loss and changes in hair texture are common reactions to psychiatric medications, maybe you can comment on some remedies. Or, if you don't know of anything that can prevent such things, what kinds of cuts/styles/products are best for thin, straight hair?
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on January 30, 2003, at 19:30:16
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences? » Stacy Louisa Beus, posted by Ponder on January 30, 2003, at 11:53:04
Thats really hard to say when I cant see your hair and dont know the condition of it. But shorter is better until it gets healthier without seeing it. How do you feel about the medications your on? Do you feel better being on them? Other than your hair do you notice any other changes?
Posted by Ponder on January 30, 2003, at 21:35:12
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on January 30, 2003, at 19:30:16
> Thats really hard to say when I cant see your hair and dont know the condition of it. But shorter is better until it gets healthier without seeing it. How do you feel about the medications your on? Do you feel better being on them? Other than your hair do you notice any other changes?
I would think there would be some generalizations that could be made about such things. Many of the anti-seizure medications cause hair to thin out. I know that many people have tried vitamin supplements and topical applications to prevent hair loss, but, I gather, without much success. So going to a cut that makes the best of things seems to make sense if discontinuing the meds are not an option.
I am on Lamictal and Topamax. The Lamictal seemed to start that process of shedding. Adding Topa didn't make it any worse. The benefits of Lamictal are so significant that I would not discontinue it out of vanity, but I do get a little discouraged with the situation.
Other than the hair thing, Lamictal has yielded only benefits for me, and major ones at that. It is the only drug that has really given me unmistakable, I mean striking, antidepressant effects. I'm on 175 mg/day of Lamictal. A few months ago I added low-dose Topamax, 75 mg/day, to get a little synergy with the Lamictal and boost its efficacy a bit. Seems to do that well. Ramp up on Topa was difficult with some cognitive problems, internal tension, and GI upset, but evened out after awhile.
Posted by jtc on January 31, 2003, at 16:08:31
In reply to Re: Recently Started on Topamax for Migraines, posted by Lainie on April 16, 2001, at 21:24:06
Hi, I recently saw a neurologist for migraines. She says I should try topamax. I already take Effexor XR, 75 mg and Klonopin, .5 mg for anxiety and panic disorder and depression. Just wondering if anyone has had success with migraines on topamax. I also take Imitrex and Fioricet for the migraines. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, jtc
Posted by whitman on February 1, 2003, at 18:45:07
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by alijill on January 14, 2003, at 19:44:47
Just a little note on my experience with Topomax. I only took it for a couple of months, and I had to stop taking it because it was making me stupid. Literaly. I would sit down and try to write something and couldn't spell. I couldn't hold an intelligent conversation. It went away about 2 days after I stopped taking it. The one really good thing about it was I felt nothing. I was in complete lala land. I hope this helps somebody who might go through the same thing.
Posted by jtc on February 1, 2003, at 19:12:35
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by whitman on February 1, 2003, at 18:45:07
> Just a little note on my experience with Topomax. I only took it for a couple of months, and I had to stop taking it because it was making me stupid. Literaly. I would sit down and try to write something and couldn't spell. I couldn't hold an intelligent conversation. It went away about 2 days after I stopped taking it. The one really good thing about it was I felt nothing. I was in complete lala land. I hope this helps somebody who might go through the same thing.
Thanks for the input. I don't know if I should try the topamax because I already feel in lala land. I think the Effexor is making me that way and I seem to have a hard time remembering what I did yesterday. I wonder if this could be the Effexor? I don't really think the migraines are bad enough to warrant taking topamax because I think the migraines are due to stress and tension in my life right now. Maybe I will put off starting the topamax.
jtc
Posted by LBcats on February 3, 2003, at 18:46:47
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by whitman on February 1, 2003, at 18:45:07
I have just been put on Topamax. I'm supposed to start 25mg tonight. I'd like to know if anyone has had serzone and topamax prescribed together?
If so what have the results been?
I have been taking Depakote but since I gained so much weight, the doc switched me to Topamax. It seems like the side effects of Topamax are similar to those of Depakote as I really felt stupid at first on Depakote. Any such experiences by anyone?
Posted by Madge on February 12, 2003, at 21:09:42
In reply to Topamax combinations, posted by LBcats on February 3, 2003, at 18:46:47
I have just decided to go off Topamax. I titrated up very slowly 25 mg at a time to 150 mg dosage. I tolerated the Topamax pretty well because I titrated so slowly, but the higher the dosage, the slower the speeed of my brain seemed to function. It was never bad enough that I wanted to quit because of the cognitive issues. I am quitting because I was using Topamax as a method to lose weight due to the wieght gain experienced from taking Remeron 12 lbs. But , instead of losing weight, after I reached 100mg of Topamax, I just kept getting UTI"s every other week, even when I took medication prophylactically. It didn't do the trick for me.
I'm now onto plan B - I'm taking Phentermine to lose the weight and titrating off the Topamax.
Good luck to all of you taking Topamax.
Posted by 80srockmom on February 25, 2003, at 21:28:17
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by whitman on February 1, 2003, at 18:45:07
I'm reading a few of these posts and I know that we're discussing the effects of Topamax being used for depression or similar, but what in the world is this going to do for my 4-year-old. I'm really concerned. She's being treated of course, for epilepsy seizures. But, the doctors are certain that the side effects will not be of danger to her. She's only 4 years old and reading some of the things here with you who are on Topamax as adults are very - not horrifying - but concerning. I feel as if I should demand that she be taken off Topamax and put on something else. My thinking actually is that maybe I should try Topamax for my mild depression as I've been diagnosed clinically depressed. Very interesting stories to say the least. So, what's your opinion? Being on it, do you think it's a drug to be used on small children like my daughter of 4-years-old? Certainly I do not like her having the possibility of having side effects like rash, eye pressure, blurred vision, concentration difficulties, etc. This is concerning to me. I think I might have them start her on something else. There are not a lot of message boards which talk about children on Topamax. I found this one though and ... well, here I am. All opinions welcome. :-)
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on February 26, 2003, at 10:50:23
In reply to Topamax for 4-year-old???, posted by 80srockmom on February 25, 2003, at 21:28:17
FWIW, the book I have listed Topamax as useful for petit mal seizures, in adults. In my (non-professional) opinion, while having your daughter on this drug probably poses little risk, you're right-- the side effects probably aren't worth it. From what I understand, phenobarbital is quite often a treatment of choice (and most efficacious) for all types of seizures in children. I would probably bring this up to the prescribing physician.
Posted by delna on March 12, 2003, at 1:23:27
In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? , posted by Bob on March 5, 2001, at 1:56:48
I'm one of the unlucky persons ( case 25 according to the FDA) who got closed angle glaucoma and eye pressure went soaring. dont want to scare anyone just to say that when u get this side effect YOU KNOW it. its not minor blurring it is very obvious -u just cant see very well and the blurring is extereme even in early stages. well just posting this as i have seen many posts in the past about people worrying whether or not they are developing symptoms of glucoma. also stopping the drug and eye drops solve the prob rapidly.
just wanted to share.
thanks
Posted by PuraVida on March 13, 2003, at 0:23:39
In reply to BAD Topamax Experiences? , posted by delna on March 12, 2003, at 1:23:27
I'v been on Topa for about 6 months, I think, orignally at 25, up to 50, with Serzone, 400. I was having a problem of waking up after four hours of sleep - my brain more alive than ever, my body, slower. Couldn't get back to sleep. Didn't have much of a problem with cognitive slowing, but have had what I might call a Topa "build up" where I get numbness in the tips of my toes, and face, esp. my lips. And sinus type stuff. That has bugged me. And having to pee in the middle of the night. But it comes and goes. And... (lots of stuff!) lately I have been waking up early, as if I had been drunk the night before. Seems like I'm hungry, things are sharp and focused, but I'm not (?) then I go back to sleep, and when I wake its like a hangover - I'm all tired, blurry eyed - feeling poor and wishing I could get moving. Don't know. I begged my doc to go on it last spring - but now I want to go off because I haven't had these side efects before - now I'm off the Serzone and on Effexor Xr 75 and Topa 25 and have too many side effects and still depression. Serzone was good - I was just on it so long...
PV
Posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on March 13, 2003, at 7:18:32
In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? , posted by PuraVida on March 13, 2003, at 0:23:39
> I'v been on Topa for about 6 months, I think, orignally at 25, up to 50, with Serzone, 400. I was having a problem of waking up after four hours of sleep - my brain more alive than ever, my body, slower. Couldn't get back to sleep. Didn't have much of a problem with cognitive slowing, but have had what I might call a Topa "build up" where I get numbness in the tips of my toes, and face, esp. my lips. And sinus type stuff. That has bugged me. And having to pee in the middle of the night. But it comes and goes. And... (lots of stuff!) lately I have been waking up early, as if I had been drunk the night before. Seems like I'm hungry, things are sharp and focused, but I'm not (?) then I go back to sleep, and when I wake its like a hangover - I'm all tired, blurry eyed - feeling poor and wishing I could get moving. Don't know. I begged my doc to go on it last spring - but now I want to go off because I haven't had these side efects before - now I'm off the Serzone and on Effexor Xr 75 and Topa 25 and have too many side effects and still depression. Serzone was good - I was just on it so long...
>
> PVWhat time of the day do you take topamax? I felt horrible until I took it at night right before bed. For me it puts me out. I get the numbness too. And the blurry eyes. I take 100 mg.
Posted by PuraVida on March 13, 2003, at 14:50:31
In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » PuraVida, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on March 13, 2003, at 7:18:32
I take it right before bed, then wake up four hours later. I was up to 50, same thing. I tried to go up to 75 after months of being at 50, and that really kicked in all of the other symptoms. Back to 50, now 25, and they still bother me.
PV
Posted by MimiJean on May 23, 2003, at 19:31:15
In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by LilyB on October 15, 2002, at 15:06:11
Hello. This is a *very* educational bulletin board. I'm glad I ran across it. Thank you all.
I am a 55 y/o female health care worker and a recovering drug addict/alcoholic. I've been bulimic since I was 18. The bulimia is worse when I'm not using drugs/alcohol. I'm currently on Wellbutrin 150SR b.i.d.
No one seems to know much about treating bulimia, so my pdoc has given me whatever I ask for. Been on Klonopin, Xanax, Zyprexa, Seroquel. Took Wellbutrin and Zoloft for a few years. Took Prozac in 1990 and it pooped out on me. Have tried almost every other AD out there except Celexa.
After reading your postings I have decided to ask my pdoc for Topamax. Will probably take it with the Wellbutrin or switch to Celexa depending upon his recommendations. He's quite knowledgeable in psychopharmacology, but, as I said, few are helpful when it comes to bulimia.
Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.
MimiJean
Posted by PuraVida on May 23, 2003, at 21:27:20
In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » PuraVida, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on March 13, 2003, at 7:18:32
Sorry - haven't been on the board in awhile. I took it before bed, as well. Things haven't been a whole lot different w/o it - actually better cuz of no side effects - same for me w/Nuerontin, where I got headaches. However, no side effects to speak of from any of the AD's I've tried.
WC
> What time of the day do you take topamax? I felt horrible until I took it at night right before bed. For me it puts me out. I get the numbness too. And the blurry eyes. I take 100 mg.
Posted by whittba on May 28, 2003, at 22:46:47
In reply to Re: BAD Topamax Experiences? » Stacy Louisa Beus, posted by PuraVida on May 23, 2003, at 21:27:20
Nothing dramatic to say, guess just a followup. Been on Topamax since Dec 2002 I believe. Have been on Effexor since 1994, tried other AD's off and on w/o success. I'm up to 300 mg of Effexor, 200 mg. of Topamax, 3 mg of Xanax (other drugs for other reasons Neurontin 3 X day, 300 mg, premarin .625 X 2 a day, smz/tmp 1/2 tab, ) For the past three months I have been extremely sleepy so I took a sleep study, been falling asleep during the day with my eyes open, you know jerking, standing up to. Personally I think I'm withdrawing from reality OR I'm dying of something they (the docs haven't or aren't looking for). Sugar was high so they did diabeties test, thyroid test for sleep study, cbc, I've also have chronic UTI for past month, been on Cipro, amoxicylin, Cipro, Keflex and seeing a Urologist tomorrow (I've been keeping these at bay by taking the 1/2 tab of smz but that appears not to be working anymore).
Anyway, I don't believe the topamax is the cause of any of my sleep or urinary problems it has helped my mood swings somewhat, I would like to try a higher dose but until I find out what is causing my other problems I can't increase any meds. I have lowered the xanax, topamax, effexor at different intervals to see if they were the culprit and they are not. I can't seem to get a Doctor to believe or is it understand how MAJORLY important that I can't sleep and work at the same time, lol.....if I'm not asleep, I'm not in a full state of consciousness or alert, lack of memory, etc.. I'm afraid I'm going to loose my job. I'm seeing my regular doc tomorrow after the Urologist and tell him just that and I guess demand certain tests, some ideas I have are chronic fatigure syndrome, mono <-- although I don't believe, Hepititis A, B, C.....anybody have any ideas?
Posted by Silver Fox on June 4, 2003, at 5:24:47
In reply to Topamax Experiences?, posted by Kingfish on January 4, 2001, at 7:29:48
I've been using Topamax for several months for Diabetes control in my feet and hands. It's to control pain in my feet and hands for my nerve endings. I use 400 mg per day total, but I'm experiencing some memory loss, some vision problems, taste problems, but it's not doing much for the pain, the pain is getting worse and I'm not sure what to do next. I'm now disbled from my work, age 61, was taking another medication with Topamax but had to get off it, it was taking over my brain power altogether, and I had to get off it, rather put up with the pain. . .
Posted by shoee on June 10, 2003, at 2:08:57
In reply to Topamax for 4-year-old???, posted by 80srockmom on February 25, 2003, at 21:28:17
My 11 year old son has just started Topamax (only 25 mgs a day to increase 25 mgs every week until up to 200 mgs a day) for Tourette's mainly and depression as secondary reason. He is very moody and I am now wondering if that will get worse with Topamax. Would like to hear from anyone who is further along on Topamax for depression and especially tourette's. So far Topamax doesn't seem to be helping either one, how long will it take for it to get in his system and start to help?
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