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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by JPS on April 6, 2004, at 8:38:45
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by JPS on April 5, 2004, at 4:46:36
Explained to my Dr. I wasn't getting any pain releif from the Topomax for my ruptured disc and pinched nerve, (I also have chronic pelvic pain)which I take Zoloft 150 mg. He refused to give me anything else for the pain.
If you remember he started me at 25.mg one week, went to 100mg. the next week (last week). I've been reading all of the warnings on here about going up to fast on dosage, I ask him for Lortab, I mean if a ruptured disk and pinched nerve isn't something that requires pain meds I don't know what is, oh no, he won't hear of it, he says, up the dose of Topomax to 150mg.
I see it this way, he's not here at my house, I had already told him of my concern of that much of a increase in dosage that fast, so I just nodded and I don't plan on taking the 150mg. like he ordered. I'll just continue the 100mg. What do you guys think?
I'm 45 min. away from another neurologist, with my back pain I can't drive that far right now. Why is it so hard to get pain meds for real pain? I understand Dr.'s concern for addiction, but we're talking about medically necessary here.
Signed,
Discouraged :(
Posted by headachequeen on April 6, 2004, at 16:00:23
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by JPS on April 6, 2004, at 8:38:45
> Explained to my Dr. I wasn't getting any pain releif from the Topomax for my ruptured disc and pinched nerve, (I also have chronic pelvic pain)which I take Zoloft 150 mg. He refused to give me anything else for the pain.
>
> If you remember he started me at 25.mg one week, went to 100mg. the next week (last week). I've been reading all of the warnings on here about going up to fast on dosage, I ask him for Lortab, I mean if a ruptured disk and pinched nerve isn't something that requires pain meds I don't know what is, oh no, he won't hear of it, he says, up the dose of Topomax to 150mg.
>
> I see it this way, he's not here at my house, I had already told him of my concern of that much of a increase in dosage that fast, so I just nodded and I don't plan on taking the 150mg. like he ordered. I'll just continue the 100mg. What do you guys think?
>
> I'm 45 min. away from another neurologist, with my back pain I can't drive that far right now. Why is it so hard to get pain meds for real pain? I understand Dr.'s concern for addiction, but we're talking about medically necessary here.
>
> Signed,
> Discouraged :(I don't wonder that you are discouraged...
has anyone else ever used topomax for pain?
I saw my surgeon this afternoon for a follow-up visit regarding the eye surgery... and the next date was set sigh... he has no ideas about its use as a pain med either...
as far as he is concerned if two regular strength Tylenol taken every four hours don't deal with the pain when he sends a patient home then the patient should come right back to see him...
now that is a new slant on the whole idea...
he was also annoyed because I hadn't called when I was concerned about the swelling over the left eye...
kept telling me that is why he has a phone and a pager...
what a novel approach...
wish he would bite some of the other doctors I know...
then maybe we would have some solid answers about this...so topomax and pain, what do we know about it?????
kat
Posted by bridgey1128 on April 6, 2004, at 16:17:14
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by JPS on April 6, 2004, at 8:38:45
I have no idea why Drs treat pain as something that is all in your head. It's hard to explain to a Dr just HOW much pain you are in. Some day someone will invent a device that will transfer your pain to the Dr so he knows EXACTLY how much pain are experiencing at any given moment. I bet after that occurs NO ONE will have to wait for pain medication. If that Dr wouldn't give you pain medication I would go to another one and get a second opinion if that is possible. There is no need for you to be in so much pain. Addiction is a factor in everything in this world but as long as you understand the risks and haven't had a problem with it in the past I don't understand why they aren't taking care of the problem. Tylenol does nothing for me and I have to take at least 4 Advil to do anything when it comes to cramps and the like. I take Bextra and that dulls my back pain but I have to take twice the amount my Dr prescribed. I think he prescribed 10mg and I take 20mg. That still doesn't kill the pain entirely but it definitely lessens the pain. He tells me that I have Bersitis in my hips, knees and back because nothing has ever shown up on the MRI or X-rays. I think I need to go to a chiropractor when I have the $. I DEFINITELY would not go up on the dosage of the Topomax so quickly, you would NOT like the side effects. I have gone up very very slowly and have had a headache. When the tingling(the kind like when you are getting ready to pass out) subsides and the headache subsides I know I can move up. otherwise I am afraid what else would happen should I move up too soon. I think it would be a VERY GOOD idea for you to stay at the dosage you are at for at least 2 weeks before moving up to the next dosage. Why do Dr's seem so careless with this medication? Who knows..anyway..I guess this makes my 4 cents worth now ;P
Posted by bruce_w6 on April 22, 2004, at 0:19:46
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
Has anyone noticed any sexual side effects from topomax? I am on 250 mg of Lamictal & 6x120 mg Lithium Orotate daily & 12.5 mg of seroquil for sleep.
I am having mind racing and WEIGHT GAIN.
Posted by chemist on April 22, 2004, at 1:59:42
In reply to Topomax Sex, posted by bruce_w6 on April 22, 2004, at 0:19:46
> Has anyone noticed any sexual side effects from topomax? I am on 250 mg of Lamictal & 6x120 mg Lithium Orotate daily & 12.5 mg of seroquil for sleep.
>
> I am having mind racing and WEIGHT GAIN.hey bruse, chemist here....i took topamax for quite some time, and let me tell you, it is ineffective for anything but weight loss as adjunct therapy with a primaary mood stabilizer. no sexual side effects (for me), although cognitive impairment was a mess and very real and very well documented. your lithium is causing weight gain, and seroquel - in your dose range - is acting as a hypnotic. if you go to 200 mg qd seroquel, the antipsychotic effects take over. i suspect you are oversedated. your doc is correct in prescribing topamax as secondary with lithium, purely for the weight loss and putative BPI/II effects - but finally, your lack of sex drive is most likely attributable to the seroquel/lithium combo. go for a cbc and specifically ask for thyroid function (TSH). in addition, make sure your lithium is in the therapeutic dose range....all the best, chemist
Posted by bridgey1128 on April 22, 2004, at 9:30:17
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by bridgey1128 on April 6, 2004, at 16:17:14
I have noticed less of a sex drive with the Topomax. This is kind of a problem since I normally have such a high libido. I have noticed coginive difficulties with the Topomax and this is frustrating. Sometimes I can't think of the most simple words! I feel downright stupid and lose track of what I was saying right in the middle of a...........
Posted by bridgey1128 on April 22, 2004, at 9:33:03
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by bridgey1128 on April 22, 2004, at 9:30:17
Thankfully I haven't lost my sense of humour :P My mind yes...my humour..no. What a trade!
Posted by bruce_w6 on April 22, 2004, at 19:17:06
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
anyone with the racing mind thing that comes with bi-polar 2? I think it's a form of mania.
Posted by bridgey1128 on April 22, 2004, at 19:46:19
In reply to Has topomax helped, posted by bruce_w6 on April 22, 2004, at 19:17:06
I have bipolar 2 and before I was on topomax I would lie there forever at night trying to go to sleep and my mind would just race from one thing to another. Usually they would be like worse case scenarios. It would keep me awake at night for a couple hours sometimes. I would have to stop myself from thinking about horrible things happening to our kids or family and friends. I would think up stupid arguments and just have these arguments in my head with people! I still have a hard time calming down at night but at least I can calm down faster. It's easier for me to put my mind to rest and not think about 15 million things at once. My "mania" is excessive talking and being hyper around my friends or lots of people. I am a real people person but I know that I could get on people's nerves from being so talkative. I am still talkative but I don't feel like it's edgy and impulsive. Before I felt like I HAD to talk. Now I can just be myself and enjoy being in the conversation. I don't feel like I have to be talking the whole time.
Posted by lorilu on April 23, 2004, at 12:14:30
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped, posted by bridgey1128 on April 22, 2004, at 19:46:19
> I have bipolar 2 and before I was on topomax I would lie there forever at night trying to go to sleep and my mind would just race from one thing to another. Usually they would be like worse case scenarios. It would keep me awake at night for a couple hours sometimes. I would have to stop myself from thinking about horrible things happening to our kids or family and friends. I would think up stupid arguments and just have these arguments in my head with people! I still have a hard time calming down at night but at least I can calm down faster. It's easier for me to put my mind to rest and not think about 15 million things at once. My "mania" is excessive talking and being hyper around my friends or lots of people. I am a real people person but I know that I could get on people's nerves from being so talkative. I am still talkative but I don't feel like it's edgy and impulsive. Before I felt like I HAD to talk. Now I can just be myself and enjoy being in the conversation. I don't feel like I have to be talking the whole time.
I also was exactly like you before Topamax! Plus I would be trying to think what they were thinking and interrupting and it was a big mess. I knew I was annoying and wanted to make and keep friends at the teacher's lounge so instead of being part of the conversation I ended up just repeateing in my head "Dont talk" over and over again. I was going crazy before Topamax but I didn't know this could be a Bipolar thing. I loved my Topamax but could never really explain why to my pdoc, probably because I can never remember anything on 400mg of Topamax. I better print this. (smile)
Posted by bridgey1128 on April 23, 2004, at 17:27:14
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped, posted by lorilu on April 23, 2004, at 12:14:30
That's why I figure I had better stop at 100mg. I still have a few symptoms and it's not totally under control but I can manage. What I CAN'T manage is not being able to concentrate and forget things half a second after I think of them. My husband gets frustrated because I will be telling him something and then something will get my attention and then BOOM...it's gone and he's like...What! What were you saying? And I say...Oh..um...I have no idea. So I would rather be talkative and enjoy my mania a tad than be totally forgetful. I just can't with 2 kids. That is a really bad side effect with this medication. The concentration thing. I keep telling my husband..I'm sorry...it's the medication..I think he thinks I am just making excuses.
Posted by headachequeen on April 30, 2004, at 18:55:32
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped, posted by bridgey1128 on April 22, 2004, at 19:46:19
> I have bipolar 2 and before I was on topomax I would lie there forever at night trying to go to sleep and my mind would just race from one thing to another. Usually they would be like worse case scenarios. It would keep me awake at night for a couple hours sometimes.
I do not have the bipolar problem but I do sympathise...
one of my problems is not being able to turn off my mind and as a result not being able to get to sleep at night. Therefore, I do my best sleeping in the morning sometime between 0600 and noon... when the rest of the world seems to think that people should be up and at it...
employers have the up and at it idea too <sigh>
My best ideas come to me at night when the rest of the world, husbands included, is asleep...
or wants to be asleep...
and for this the topomax DOES NOT HELP at all...
I take much higher doses of it than you do, Bridgie and I still find my brain spinning the way it always has...
the only way I can get it to stop is to take the effexor and the zyprexa and head into zombie-land and that is not in the equation for me. I will not agree to it at all..
therefore, having made my decision, I have to live with it
So, I know, I know, I ought not to complain when I feel sleep-deprived and wonder how to get through the day...and speaking of sleep-deprived, I met with mr. neurologist who doesn't seem to listen to anyone or anything.
He had a letter from my physician who explained that he did not think that my taking other meds to help me cope with the side effects (nausea, abdominal pain, and severe 'tingling' in hands and feet among others) was really a great idea, especially when the tegretol was obviously not working, was there another anti-seizure med that could be prescribed? He also pointed out that the seizures had lessened, as had the side-effects since I had been on topomax and that we were ecstatic about the reduction in migraines (and in weight) but that the extra medication to cope with tegretol did not seem wise.. and we would like to see an end to break-through seizures...
so the neurologist asked questions which I answered... and he prescribed a new med...
which turns out to be a medication to prevent the side effects to tegretol....
one that causes the same side effects in most people!!!
Here I am trying to eliminate the nausea and abdominal pain and it causes it...
I want to eliminate the extra medication and he leaves me on Tegretol and prescribes another med to help me stay on the stupid stuff with never a word as to why
Instead he arranged for me to go for another eeg, this time sleep-deprived and without benefit of caffeine either... oh joy...
I am fit to be tied at this point...
and now down to a size eight... seems this new med also has a weight loss side effect...
when next I write I shall be vanished from the face of the earth...
kat
Posted by bruce_w6 on April 30, 2004, at 19:18:47
In reply to headachequeen » bridgey1128, posted by headachequeen on April 30, 2004, at 18:55:32
I had the EXACT same problem with the mind racing and sleep. "THE CURE IS" 12.5 mg of Seroquel (1/2 of a 25 mg tablet). This will stop the mind racing and you will sleep 6-9 good hours. It is not enough to effect anything else. When you wake up you may still have it but tou will sleep peacefully.
> > I have bipolar 2 and before I was on topomax I would lie there forever at night trying to go to sleep and my mind would just race from one thing to another. Usually they would be like worse case scenarios. It would keep me awake at night for a couple hours sometimes.
>
>
> I do not have the bipolar problem but I do sympathise...
> one of my problems is not being able to turn off my mind and as a result not being able to get to sleep at night. Therefore, I do my best sleeping in the morning sometime between 0600 and noon... when the rest of the world seems to think that people should be up and at it...
> employers have the up and at it idea too <sigh>
> My best ideas come to me at night when the rest of the world, husbands included, is asleep...
> or wants to be asleep...
> and for this the topomax DOES NOT HELP at all...
> I take much higher doses of it than you do, Bridgie and I still find my brain spinning the way it always has...
> the only way I can get it to stop is to take the effexor and the zyprexa and head into zombie-land and that is not in the equation for me. I will not agree to it at all..
> therefore, having made my decision, I have to live with it
> So, I know, I know, I ought not to complain when I feel sleep-deprived and wonder how to get through the day...
>
> and speaking of sleep-deprived, I met with mr. neurologist who doesn't seem to listen to anyone or anything.
> He had a letter from my physician who explained that he did not think that my taking other meds to help me cope with the side effects (nausea, abdominal pain, and severe 'tingling' in hands and feet among others) was really a great idea, especially when the tegretol was obviously not working, was there another anti-seizure med that could be prescribed? He also pointed out that the seizures had lessened, as had the side-effects since I had been on topomax and that we were ecstatic about the reduction in migraines (and in weight) but that the extra medication to cope with tegretol did not seem wise.. and we would like to see an end to break-through seizures...
> so the neurologist asked questions which I answered... and he prescribed a new med...
> which turns out to be a medication to prevent the side effects to tegretol....
> one that causes the same side effects in most people!!!
> Here I am trying to eliminate the nausea and abdominal pain and it causes it...
> I want to eliminate the extra medication and he leaves me on Tegretol and prescribes another med to help me stay on the stupid stuff with never a word as to why
> Instead he arranged for me to go for another eeg, this time sleep-deprived and without benefit of caffeine either... oh joy...
> I am fit to be tied at this point...
> and now down to a size eight... seems this new med also has a weight loss side effect...
> when next I write I shall be vanished from the face of the earth...
> kat
Posted by headachequeen on April 30, 2004, at 21:55:22
In reply to Re: headachequeen, posted by bruce_w6 on April 30, 2004, at 19:18:47
> I had the EXACT same problem with the mind racing and sleep. "THE CURE IS" 12.5 mg of Seroquel (1/2 of a 25 mg tablet).
well, here is a thought that I shall share with my doctor. I see him on Friday and shall see if we can arrange this...
he does not like my sleeping in the mornings and being awake in the nights as this contributes to the depression part of my life or is a part of it or something...
and he is determined that I shall be up and awake and doing things in the daytime...
he has this exercise idea... and I do not DO strenuous things... running is against my religion as is jogging and bouncing activities and since they operated on my eyes anything that is bounce-oriented or strain-oriented is off the agenda anyway (halleluia!) so exercise is not in it now LOL
but I do a lot of walking and am going to get back into biking when the weather improves a little...
but that doesn't help me sleep... it does not turn off my mind at night... I read until all hours to stop the whirling dervish thing I call a brain... and have a notepad and pen on the bedside table to write down the better ideas I have to admit...
so I don't help myself I suppose...
more surgery is scheduled for the middle of the month and another visit to the psychologist for 13 May... I think his life is too dull since he cut me loose so he decided to invite some chaos back into it <s>
but I shall suggest this to my regular doctor and see if we can shut down the brain and sleep for a few hours when other people are sleeping.. what a concept
kat
Posted by heathermom on May 10, 2004, at 13:35:24
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped, posted by bridgey1128 on April 22, 2004, at 19:46:19
Hi. I stumbled upon this board in my quest for topamax info. My doc just prescribed for bi polar 2. I also take 900mg lithium, and lamictal. I am still just taking 25 mg. I guess my main question is...what does it feel like to not obsess over food? Does it really happen? When? At what dose? I know I am over thinking it. So much so, that I over analyze my need to eat. You know, I think, is it working yet? Is it not? Can anyone fill me in??? Thankyou kind people:)
Posted by chemist on May 10, 2004, at 13:49:41
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped » bridgey1128, posted by heathermom on May 10, 2004, at 13:35:24
> Hi. I stumbled upon this board in my quest for topamax info. My doc just prescribed for bi polar 2. I also take 900mg lithium, and lamictal. I am still just taking 25 mg. I guess my main question is...what does it feel like to not obsess over food? Does it really happen? When? At what dose? I know I am over thinking it. So much so, that I over analyze my need to eat. You know, I think, is it working yet? Is it not? Can anyone fill me in??? Thankyou kind people:)
hi there, chemist here....i took topamax 100 mg bid (200 mg/day in divided doses) as monotherapy for (alleged) bipolar I/II and can report that it was ineffective in controlling my hypomania vs. trileptal (300 mg/day) as monotherapy, and that weight-loss was quite pronounced but not extreme.....all the best, chemist
Posted by headachequeen on May 10, 2004, at 15:34:58
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped » bridgey1128, posted by heathermom on May 10, 2004, at 13:35:24
> Hi. I stumbled upon this board in my quest for topamax info. ...
>>I am still just taking 25 mg.
good, keep increasing at slow increments and it will not be a problem... fast increases lead to problems with side effects as many of us learned the hard way... slow but steady and all those silly cliches actually mean something>>I guess my main question is...what does it feel like to not obsess over food? Does it really happen?
It REALLY HAPPENS and it is amazing...
Chocolate and potato chips lsoe their appeal... I can remember leaving the doctor's office after his reminders that chocolate was a migraine trigger and salt was bad for my blood pressure and heading for the nearest store that sold chocolate bars and potato chips on my way back to work. It was as if there were a direct drive in my system that drove me to buy and eat them...
food was something I had to have and often I would discover I was eating a sandwich or chips or candy or cake or whatever, or second helpings that I didn't really want, but finished anyway... even things I didn't particularly like or enjoy...
one such memory involves a goldfish bowl party at work, when all the staff had to be on display for advertisers and there was a vast array of food including what I thought was cherry cheesecake... it turned out to be an absolutely awful crab concoction that looked like a cheesecake with a seafood sauce drizzled over it that looked like cherries over the cheesecake. It tasted unbelievably awful but I ate it because it was there on my plate.
A buffet meal -- oh what a thought...
and now I have a hard time trying to finish a normal meal. Last evening we went out for dinner with friends, a steak with baked potato and cauliflower and baby carrots. I finished the steak because I do crave protein and I am convinced that is some connection of the topomax thing, and I ate some of the vegetables but only a mouthful of the baked potato...
unheard of in the pre-topomax days!
Didn't want roll or butter and didn't want dessert. (there was a chocolate mousse cake that looked good enough to die for as well as a variety of other incredibly wonderful and tempting desserts but they did not interest me at all.)
I should add that it was the only meal of the day for me. I did not even have any yoghurt...
something I usually have in the morning or at bedtime to provide the food to take with my meds...
I no longer want sweets at all and that is a huge change, no pun intended...
and no longer need three meals a day and three or four snacks to get me through the times between meals... not to overlook the bedtime snack and the chips or popcorn during the evening.
another thing I have abandoned is drinking pop and the juice-type beverages...>>When? At what dose?
I am presently back at 400 mg a day while I wait to find out if they are going to dump the wretched tegretol from my regime...
the neurologist instead of eliminating it and replacing it, prescribed something to eliminate the side effects (I was already on meds to eliminate the side effects and this med has similar side effects, so I am not sure what this is supposed to achieve...) and ordered another eeg,this time sleep-deprived...
in the meantime I have had three more seizures that I know of since my visit with him...
and have to wonder how many there would have been had the topomax not been modifying the effects of the tegretol... arrgghhh>>I know I am over thinking it. So much so, that I over analyze my need to eat. You know, I think, is it working yet? Is it not? Can anyone fill me in???
Relax and let things happen as they will...
I began to lose weight the first week I was on topomax... three pounds the first week but the change of attitude toward food came slowly -- perhaps around 200 mg a day??
and of late I notice it is really kicking in until I am able to stand in a Laura Secord shop, surrounded by the tantalising smell of chocolate and not want even one buttermallow bar...
that is incredible progress!!!Considering the fact that we were raised to eat everything that was put on our plates and remembering that chocolate and sweets were the reward factor in so many ways, it is an attitude that is hard to break, but seems to be disappearing...
so give it time. I would suspect that by the time you are on 100 mg evening and morning you will begin to feel a change...
kat
Posted by headachequeen on May 10, 2004, at 15:44:37
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped » heathermom, posted by chemist on May 10, 2004, at 13:49:41
>
> hi there, chemist here....i took topamax 100 mg bid (200 mg/day in divided doses) as monotherapy for (alleged) bipolar I/II and can report that it was ineffective in controlling my hypomania vs. trileptal (300 mg/day) as monotherapy, and that weight-loss was quite pronounced but not extreme.....all the best, chemist
>I don't know about controlling bipolar I/II and so on... although I am apparently hypomanic and the symptoms that caused the diagnosis seem to be under control and I am presently not receiving psychotherapy... and I might add that while I need topomax to help deal with migraine and epilepsy, I also need the hypomania to succeed in my chosen field sigh...
but I do know that it has succeeded in controlling the migraines (a little over a year now) and has moderated the effect of the tegretol that was apparently reducing the occurrence of the seizures but not enough...
and I do know that it has helped me lose weight that I gained thanks to depression and lack of self esteem as well as thanks to medications that had a tendency to cause weight gain...
Nothing is going to change overnight in the weight area... all the fancy and expensive diet sources tell us that...
so we should not expect Topomax to help us lose weight rapidly either.
As it is I keep hearing that I should stop taking 'that medicine' because I am becoming so thin...
I have gone from a little over 200 pounds to 145 pounds... exercise (I walk a lot and I do a lot of physically active stuff, but I did that same walking and physically active stuff before Topomax) have contributed I am sure... but so has the lack of interest in sugars and carbohydrate-high foods...
Topomax has a definite effect on food obsession and interest...
but the weight won't all fall off the first month...
it took time to gain it... and it takes time to lose it...
when I started to gain I weighed about 110...
it would never be possible to lose 100 pounds overnight no matter what I tried...
kat
Posted by heathermom on May 10, 2004, at 16:12:48
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped » heathermom, posted by headachequeen on May 10, 2004, at 15:34:58
> > Hi. I stumbled upon this board in my quest for topamax info. ...
> >>I am still just taking 25 mg.
> good, keep increasing at slow increments and it will not be a problem... fast increases lead to problems with side effects as many of us learned the hard way... slow but steady and all those silly cliches actually mean something
>
> >>I guess my main question is...what does it feel like to not obsess over food? Does it really happen?
>
> It REALLY HAPPENS and it is amazing...
> Chocolate and potato chips lsoe their appeal... I can remember leaving the doctor's office after his reminders that chocolate was a migraine trigger and salt was bad for my blood pressure and heading for the nearest store that sold chocolate bars and potato chips on my way back to work. It was as if there were a direct drive in my system that drove me to buy and eat them...
> food was something I had to have and often I would discover I was eating a sandwich or chips or candy or cake or whatever, or second helpings that I didn't really want, but finished anyway... even things I didn't particularly like or enjoy...
> one such memory involves a goldfish bowl party at work, when all the staff had to be on display for advertisers and there was a vast array of food including what I thought was cherry cheesecake... it turned out to be an absolutely awful crab concoction that looked like a cheesecake with a seafood sauce drizzled over it that looked like cherries over the cheesecake. It tasted unbelievably awful but I ate it because it was there on my plate.
> A buffet meal -- oh what a thought...
> and now I have a hard time trying to finish a normal meal. Last evening we went out for dinner with friends, a steak with baked potato and cauliflower and baby carrots. I finished the steak because I do crave protein and I am convinced that is some connection of the topomax thing, and I ate some of the vegetables but only a mouthful of the baked potato...
> unheard of in the pre-topomax days!
> Didn't want roll or butter and didn't want dessert. (there was a chocolate mousse cake that looked good enough to die for as well as a variety of other incredibly wonderful and tempting desserts but they did not interest me at all.)
> I should add that it was the only meal of the day for me. I did not even have any yoghurt...
> something I usually have in the morning or at bedtime to provide the food to take with my meds...
> I no longer want sweets at all and that is a huge change, no pun intended...
> and no longer need three meals a day and three or four snacks to get me through the times between meals... not to overlook the bedtime snack and the chips or popcorn during the evening.
> another thing I have abandoned is drinking pop and the juice-type beverages...
>
> >>When? At what dose?
>
> I am presently back at 400 mg a day while I wait to find out if they are going to dump the wretched tegretol from my regime...
> the neurologist instead of eliminating it and replacing it, prescribed something to eliminate the side effects (I was already on meds to eliminate the side effects and this med has similar side effects, so I am not sure what this is supposed to achieve...) and ordered another eeg,this time sleep-deprived...
> in the meantime I have had three more seizures that I know of since my visit with him...
> and have to wonder how many there would have been had the topomax not been modifying the effects of the tegretol... arrgghhh
>
> >>I know I am over thinking it. So much so, that I over analyze my need to eat. You know, I think, is it working yet? Is it not? Can anyone fill me in???
>
> Relax and let things happen as they will...
> I began to lose weight the first week I was on topomax... three pounds the first week but the change of attitude toward food came slowly -- perhaps around 200 mg a day??
> and of late I notice it is really kicking in until I am able to stand in a Laura Secord shop, surrounded by the tantalising smell of chocolate and not want even one buttermallow bar...
> that is incredible progress!!!
>
> Considering the fact that we were raised to eat everything that was put on our plates and remembering that chocolate and sweets were the reward factor in so many ways, it is an attitude that is hard to break, but seems to be disappearing...
> so give it time. I would suspect that by the time you are on 100 mg evening and morning you will begin to feel a change...
> katSo so helpful, all. Thankyou. I will stay tuned. You are all so incredibly interesting....just like me!!!! LOL:)
>
Posted by rainy on June 15, 2004, at 21:18:49
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped, posted by heathermom on May 10, 2004, at 16:12:48
I'm barging in--interrupting really--apologies. I've been on serzone, 400 mgs which is going off market. Stopped taking lamictal and began feeling better but went into mild hypomania--too much energy, needed to paint the hall NOW--3 to 4 hours of sleep OK, that sort of stuff. Better now. On 300 mgs Topamax which keeps me from bulemia and and drinking, although it keeps me in a mild absent minded fuzz. pdoc wants to restart wellbutrin at 400 mgs augmented with 200 mgs trazodone (wellbutrin pooped out on me before serzone came on scene.) Anybody had any experience with this stuff? I don't want to gain weight on deseryl. I don't want to get seriously depressed again. I'm 62 and bpII. again, sorry for interrupting.
Posted by headachequeen on June 16, 2004, at 9:45:17
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped, posted by rainy on June 15, 2004, at 21:18:49
> I'm barging in--interrupting really--apologies.
You are not barging in at all... we are all here for the same reason I think... I just wish I knew how to keep track of ALL the posts instead of just some ...sigh...
I was on wellbutrin for a while, although never with the topomax as wellbutrin makes seizures worse and can cause them all by its lonesome... not something I need :(...
wellbutrin did slow things down for me... no more drive to do things and do them now.. have to admit I missed that ... used to get so much done and done NOW...
and, while I still am unable to turn off my mind and actually go to sleep and sleep through the night the way other people do according to my doctor, I am able to slow down during the day and I do not know why other than the fact that I am always tired... want to sleep all day...
so I fight to stay awake and then can't sleep at night so I am tired all day... I see a pattern here... sigh again...the wellbutrin certainly helped me turn off the let's go and do it all pattern...
it might help you too
kat
Posted by rainy on June 16, 2004, at 13:05:24
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped (nm) » headachequeen, posted by rainy on June 16, 2004, at 12:05:35
oops--I posted a big long message but apparently just thought I did. Sounds like wellbutrin did a job on you, Kat--I'm not so worried about being toned down as being plumped up on Deseryl. Also, just a word for those of us on Topamax. I had a chat with a neurologist this morning who suggested strongly that that medidication is behind, under and around almost all motor "indiscretions," like lurching, dropping, bumping, falling, etc as well as the Stupids. Also, when I complained about my handwriting going to pot, thinking that it might be a brain tumor or something, hs said, nope, it's the Topamax and didn't I want to take lithium or one of the other mood stabilizers instead? Good question?
Posted by bridgey1128 on June 16, 2004, at 13:48:29
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped, posted by rainy on June 15, 2004, at 21:18:49
Welbutrin made me nuts but that is why my Dr put me on meds for being bipolar. I know my Topomax needs to go up because I am starting to have energy during the day. I hate to say it but....the Topomax wears me out. I'm not sure what to do. If I take it I am bearable but now I am starting to snap again so I know it needs to go up. I have a Dr's appoinment tomorrow. I don't want to go into stupidville..I already have problems remembering stuff. Will it get worse? If it does I don't know if I can handle it and absolutely REFUSE to take something that makes me gain weight. I will be crazy before I will be even fatter than I am now. I am only up to 100mg at the moment and my Dr said usually weight loss starts at 125mg and up...so MAYBE I'll start to lose weight if I don't lose my mind first. I didn't know if there was a big difference in me on and off the meds..but I really can tell now that my dosage isn't high enough. I have more energy to do stuff but it's also paranoid energy and irritation. So I can clean my house better but I snap at everyone. So I can have a cleaner house but I am a bitch. HELP!!!! When my meds work I don't feel like doing anything but sleeping but my mood is better. I don't know how much longer I can take this drug. I guess I will have to see how well I do on a little higher dosage. Oh well..any feedback?
Posted by headachequeen on June 16, 2004, at 14:41:12
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped, posted by bridgey1128 on June 16, 2004, at 13:48:29
> Welbutrin made me nuts but that is why my Dr put me on meds for being bipolar. I know my Topomax needs to go up because I am starting to have energy during the day. I hate to say it but....the Topomax wears me out. I'm not sure what to do. If I take it I am bearable but now I am starting to snap again so I know it needs to go up. I have a Dr's appoinment tomorrow. I don't want to go into stupidville..I already have problems remembering stuff. Will it get worse?
Bridgey, I know that each person is affected differently and at different dosages by these medications... after all we are supposed to be individuals, right <GG>
At the moment I am taking 600 mg a day of Topomax...
now, first off, let us look at the side effects...
I am NOT losing hair dramatically and if we are being totally honest, I am doing nothing to prevent it... I have neither the time nor the interest to do anything to prevent it... work is too demanding... I am writing again and have too much on my mind to think about vitamins and supplements for myself... hard enough to take time to take the meds I need to survive without the other stuff...
I am NOT having trouble remembering things... vocabulary is still strong, memory is still strong... the only problem I have is the sleep thing... and that has been a life-long part of my being... I simply don't remember many nights when I actually had a good night's sleep but cannot lay that at the door of Topomax...
I do NOT have cognitive problems other than remembering my new phone numberat times... but I had the same number for twenty years so that is to be expected... and this number is the third in as many months, so....
I do NOT have any eye problems associated with Topomax... now the dry eye and blocked tear duct problem is still driving me out of my mind or what is left of it, but that is a problem of long standing and one that the surgeon says he will correct with the next try... of course he said that about the third try sigh...
I am NOT experiencing any of the side effects that are normally attributed as being the nasty side effects of Topomax...I DID start to lose weight the first week I started to take the stuff, as I have mentioned before (a whole three pounds... don't laugh, folks... it was a big deal to me at the time <s>)
I have NOT had a migraine since starting to take the stuff...
I have had fewer breakthrough seizures since starting to take the stuff...
and I HAVE lost weight...It seems to me that if the increases are taken at a slow and easy rate, the side effects are not as great a problem...
the cognitive problems that may arise tend to fade and a return to normal in a very short timeI have been using Topomax now for eighteen months and have found it to be really helpful... I DO have severe side effects from my main anti-epilepsy medication... and keep hoping that they will change it to another one and do it soon...
perhaps the tests they did last week will lead to that...
but I will not let them change the Topomax...
it has increased the efficacy of the primary med
-- originally I was having several breakthrough seizures a week, occasionally two a night...
now it is at most two a week, sometimes none a week...
it has eliminated the migraines...
it has helped me lose weight in a substantial and positive manner...
and I am not suffering as a result of taking it...
I would not give it up.
kat
Posted by bridgey1128 on June 16, 2004, at 15:23:00
In reply to Re: Has topomax helped » bridgey1128, posted by headachequeen on June 16, 2004, at 14:41:12
I'll stick with it girl because I know you have been through it all! ;) thanks
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