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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1806 to 1830 of 1838. Go back in thread:
Posted by Maxime on April 14, 2006, at 13:08:18
In reply to Re:IMPORTANT » Maxime, posted by SandyWeb on April 14, 2006, at 11:17:37
I understand.
And you aren't pitiful! You are struggling and fighting. There is nothing pitiful about that!
I know lying is wrong, but sometimes the system leaves us so desperate and with no other choice.
I don't think I would do it unless it was a med that was making a world of difference.Klonopin is weight neutral. They have weight gain as a side effect but I don't know anyone who has gained on it (including myself).
Good luck! And remember, you are strong. :-)
Hugs, Maxime
> Hi Maxime,
>
> I know you meant well by your message, and I *really* appreciate that you even took the time to communicate your idea to us.
>
> But even if it were just ME writing out the Exemption Status form, and just the doctor signing on the dotted line, I wouldn't feel right about listing all sorts of meds that I haven't even tried that.....you never know....somewhere down the line, I may try and find to be my miracle med, right?
>
> I truly am not getting down on your case. I'm touched that you were thinking of ways to try and help me with this miserable situation. But not only can't *I* lie about meds that I haven't tried, but I wouldn't even think of asking my doctor to lie for me as well. We're supposed to be working as a team, and not a team like Bonnie and Clyde! Lol.
>
> I've actually come to accept that the Topamax is gone. I had it long enough to get me down to a proper weight for my height (and maybe that was all that G*d's intention was), and since I'm also staying away from the Remeron....well, even though I'm middle-aged (good golly, when did THAT happen?!?)...I'm hoping I can learn some new ways of eating and exercising.
>
> Inderal LA: weight neutral?? Hopefully.
>
> Seroquel: I know it cause weight gain, BUT I'm only taking 100mg at night for insomnia (can't imagine that would cause the munchies)
>
> Clonazepam: I don't know. Weight neutral??? PLEASE!!
>
> Thanks so much for your concern. It's rather uplifting to know that others are reading this thread and thinking through scenerios as to how to help poor pitiful Sandy. LOL! But I *will* be fine. Each day behind me is another day towards completing the withdrawal process.
>
> Take care, Maxime!
>
> Sandy
Posted by storm rider on April 14, 2006, at 13:33:26
In reply to Re:IMPORTANT » SandyWeb, posted by Maxime on April 14, 2006, at 13:08:18
Sandy, delete the word pitiful from your vocab...
lol
as we all are, you are struggling to make your world and life style better for you...insomnia, now there is something I know all too well from a very personal experience...
part of me is afraid to sleep because of the risk of seizure...the old 'it won't get me this time' thing...
the other part of me doesn't know how to stop thinking and let the brain use the off switch to allow sleep...
as a result sleep is definitely a rare commodity in this person's lifestyle...
Immovane, I forget the generic term, is not weight related and does let one reach that sleep phase...
I now have to take two at night (10 mg each) to sleep as I have been on it for several years and have adjusted to the lower dose; tried something else but it was the same as drinking a glass of water, and addictive to boot...
one of the meds I had stopped taking cold turkey three years ago and now I forget its name...
suddenly realised that I had this stuff before and didn't want it again and wasn't sleeping anyway..
let's just go back to immovane and the increased dosage...
my doctor, the one who moved, had said I could increase to three a night if necessary -- it was the new one who suggested a change to the tranquilizer and that I do not want in a million years...
immovane works is pharmacy plan friendly and does not add pounds... at this point I would be happy if it did actually...
sigh
kat
Posted by SandyWeb on April 14, 2006, at 14:29:49
In reply to Re: Bye Bye, Topamax, posted by challenged on April 14, 2006, at 1:44:39
Kat,
Ummm, do you ever sleep? Lol. If you're not researching, then you're typing to us, and if not typing to us, then preparing for your show. You're going to burn out, lady. Do what all the kitty kats are doing these days. SLEEP. *smile*
Please don't think that you need to take this on as a project. Everything will be fine. I have a feeling you're a perfectionist. Don't worry about it. Now...if my bank account suddenly dropped to zero.....okay, then I'd be yelling to high Heaven for ANYONE and EVERYONE to help me. Lol.
But I lived without medications until March 25th, 2003. I still keep all my University agendas. Crazy, huh? Just looking through it now, how the HECK was I doing all those assignments and term papers and clinicals and FINALS just as I was beginning to take Zoloft (my very first foray into the exciting world of psychopharmacology)??? And I had to stop that med because it made me feel like I was outside my body. And all this while making A's and B's!!!!! I'd be lucky to even know where to locate an A or a B in the alphabet now! LOL.
Anyways, way off track. I just meant to say that you don't need to spend so much time on trying to figure out this riddle. Humans run PharmaCare. And sometimes just the right person (or the wrong person) making a decision impacts on the outcome of a patient's chances of receiving an exception status med. I'm aware of that. I've accepted that. I don't fight anymore. It doesn't take a whole heck of a lot of stress anymore in my life to crash my coping systems, and so I know when to back down. And who knows? Maybe my brain chemistry has changed enough that I really don't need such hard core meds anymore. Just keep me supplied with the Klonopin (bad things happen when I run out!!!! You don't want to know. But I know this, and so this is something that I *would* fight for). I also know that I need the Inderal LA or I'm going to have one panic attack after another when I feel my heart beating in my head, fingers, stomach, back....all those lovely places....so again, I'd fight for that med.
I think I'm rambling. Am I? Not too sure anymore. Seems like an awfully long sentence!! LOL!
I'll stop it here.
Sandy
Posted by SandyWeb on April 14, 2006, at 16:26:26
In reply to Re:IMPORTANT » SandyWeb, posted by Maxime on April 14, 2006, at 13:08:18
Hi Maxime,
I was kind-of kidding when I called myself "pitiful". I just meant that the situation wasn't one that I'd happily sign up for! Lol. Such is life. And it can be as bad as we make of it, or as good as we wish to imagine it to be. And I'm choosing to see the Topamax "experiment" was a success in that I lost a lot of weight (although it would have been nice to just have had ONE MORE MONTH OF WEIGHT LOSS. As my daughter says, "Grrrr-sy"! Lol). I'm not concerned about the effects from the gestational diabetes from both my pregnancies now, although I suppose the damage could already be done. But that information is in "tomorrow", and I'm living in "today"....and so far....."today" is fine.
And don't feel bad about your suggestion to me. We all say and do things when we're trying really hard to come up with a remedy. THANK YOU for thinking of me. It feels good to know that I can come over here and have at least two wonderful women to bounce questions and irritations off of. And then when someone else pops in with a comment, it amazes me that this is really just one huge community and anybody could be listening in on us at any time. So hopefully we're helping somebody else as we stumble along this little used trail. And you know what? So far (and now I'm probably hexing myself! Lol!!!), I'm still feeling fine and haven't even had to use the Klonopin yet. Then again, I know the half life of these meds is high, so.......let's see how whacko I am this time next week!! LOL!
Be good! I hope you have a great holiday!
Sandy
Posted by SandyWeb on April 14, 2006, at 17:25:58
In reply to Re:IMPORTANT » Maxime, posted by storm rider on April 14, 2006, at 13:33:26
Oh gosh, I know what you mean about not knowing how to turn the brain off at bedtime. I actually had to train my brain to accept the Seroquel because that didn't even want to work.
It's funny that you mentioned Immovane. They would rather prescribe this because it's non-addictive......although more expensive to produce then the benzos. Anyways, it is just a piece of junk to me. Really! It does absolutely nothing. Not even the metal mouth everyone talks about.
I even upped the dose real high (since I seem to need high doses, so why would it be any different with this med, right?). NOTHING!! I swear the pharmacists all play games with me and say....let's pretend to give her a sleeping pill, but really we'll just give her an aspirin. Pathetic. The pdoc I was seeing at the time practically called me a liar to my face, and that was the last time I saw her. Absolutely no affect whatsoever. Maybe if I downed the whole dang bottle??????
My daughter, unfortunately, seems to have her mum's whacked-out body chemistry too, and she was having a hard time sleeping one night....so I gave her one. Nothing. Gave her another one a little later. Nothing. Like mother, like daughter. But my son is the opposite. I almost feel sorry for her. She's probably going to be fighting with doctors all her life if she finds herself in need of medical attention. "Oh no, honey, we can't give you any more pain relief. You're at the max." Yeah, for the NORM!! Don't they remember from med school that a small amount of people don't get relief until OVER that dosage....the same as a small amount get relief UNDER that dosage??
I would be so happy to have a pill that KEPT me asleep. I don't have problems falling asleep.....it's staying asleep. You never know when hubby might decide to come back and do a bit of strangling here and a bit of suffocating there and all the other love tokens he liked to bestow on me. So...I'm always listening. And bad news now.....Since March 26th.......we don't know where he is. He used to be 5000 miles away from us. Now....he got fired, he moved, and.....
Well, anyways, yeah, sleep is a good thing. I hope you have sweet dreams tonight.
Take care!
Sandy
Posted by Aleese on April 14, 2006, at 20:39:51
In reply to Re:IMPORTANT » storm rider, posted by SandyWeb on April 14, 2006, at 17:25:58
Does anyone have any idea why Topomax would work as a appetite decrease for some and NOT others??
Posted by challenged on April 14, 2006, at 20:57:23
In reply to Topomax Weightloss, posted by Aleese on April 14, 2006, at 20:39:51
> Does anyone have any idea why Topomax would work as a appetite decrease for some and NOT others??
Aleese,
I have the same question.......It seems to not decrease my appetite either......I would like to know also.......How many milligramns are you taking?
Nettie
Posted by Aleese on April 14, 2006, at 21:05:29
In reply to Re: Topomax Weightloss, posted by challenged on April 14, 2006, at 20:57:23
> > Does anyone have any idea why Topomax would work as a appetite decrease for some and NOT others??
>
> Aleese,
>
> I have the same question.......It seems to not decrease my appetite either......I would like to know also.......How many milligramns are you taking?
>
> NettieI am taking 50 mgs.
Posted by challenged on April 14, 2006, at 21:48:16
In reply to Re: Topomax Weightloss, posted by Aleese on April 14, 2006, at 21:05:29
> > > Does anyone have any idea why Topomax would work as a appetite decrease for some and NOT others??
> >
> > Aleese,
> >
> > I have the same question.......It seems to not decrease my appetite either......I would like to know also.......How many milligramns are you taking?
> >
> > Nettie
>
> I am taking 50 mgs.Aleese;
Gosh, I am on 200 daily on my up to my normal 250 if not 300 this time around..... so I just started back on them after being off for a month.......hmmm I don't know.......waiting to hear from others as well...not really taking them for weight control but then again staying away from other meds that indeed contribute to weight gain, on the other hand, which aren't good for me.
Nettie
Posted by storm rider on April 14, 2006, at 22:40:40
In reply to Re:IMPORTANT » storm rider, posted by SandyWeb on April 14, 2006, at 17:25:58
> Oh gosh, I know what you mean about not knowing how to turn the brain off at bedtime. I actually had to train my brain to accept the Seroquel because that didn't even want to work.
>
> It's funny that you mentioned Immovane. They would rather prescribe this because it's non-addictive......although more expensive to produce then the benzos. Anyways, it is just a piece of junk to me. Really! It does absolutely nothing. Not even the metal mouth everyone talks about.
>
> I even upped the dose real high (since I seem to need high doses, so why would it be any different with this med, right?). NOTHING!! I swear the pharmacists all play games with me and say....let's pretend to give her a sleeping pill, but really we'll just give her an aspirin. Pathetic. The pdoc I was seeing at the time practically called me a liar to my face, and that was the last time I saw her. Absolutely no affect whatsoever. Maybe if I downed the whole dang bottle??????
>
> My daughter, unfortunately, seems to have her mum's whacked-out body chemistry too, and she was having a hard time sleeping one night....so I gave her one. Nothing. Gave her another one a little later. Nothing. Like mother, like daughter. But my son is the opposite. I almost feel sorry for her. She's probably going to be fighting with doctors all her life if she finds herself in need of medical attention. "Oh no, honey, we can't give you any more pain relief. You're at the max." Yeah, for the NORM!! Don't they remember from med school that a small amount of people don't get relief until OVER that dosage....the same as a small amount get relief UNDER that dosage??
>
> I would be so happy to have a pill that KEPT me asleep. I don't have problems falling asleep.....it's staying asleep. You never know when hubby might decide to come back and do a bit of strangling here and a bit of suffocating there and all the other love tokens he liked to bestow on me. So...I'm always listening. And bad news now.....Since March 26th.......we don't know where he is. He used to be 5000 miles away from us. Now....he got fired, he moved, and.....
>
> Well, anyways, yeah, sleep is a good thing. I hope you have sweet dreams tonight.
>
> Take care!
>
> Sandy
sometimes, around 1230 or so, I can fall asleep... that is not a problem...
but at two o'clock I wake up... and that is it for the night...
then somewhere between 0530 and 0700 I fall back to sleep... when the rest of the world is starting the day... if I take two of the immovane then I am able to sleep... as long as there are no noises...
no one closes a door on the street or starts a car or or or...and as long as I have no thoughts running...
I have always been a night owl... do my best work at night, but there are times when I really would like to sleep...
just can't convince my brain that it wants to shut down, and then there is that fear of seizure business ... it does not help to be afraid to sleep because one has no control over what happens when one is asleep...
and of course I have my own set of fears, akin in a way to yours... although my threat is not my husband, he is one of the things in life that keeps me sane <s>I have big dogs, one reason being that I love the breed, and love working with them, another being that they are a power breed and a protection breed...
they are here for a purpose...
and still I don't sleep...so I do my research and work on shows -- and the program director for the radio network is ecstatic as the programs reach him weeks and weeks ahead of schedult LOL -- writing and producing them (today I am working on one that will run in July says she with a smug smirk plastered all over her face...
wherever I go, even to the tv studios, one or two of my dogs will be tight on my heels...but the immovane is not addictive the way that other sleep med/tranquiliser is... and I still can't remember the name..
the directions are to take as needed...
one, two or three a night...they do help.... although I still waken around two it is a little easier to go back to sleep...
kat
Posted by storm rider on April 14, 2006, at 22:45:31
In reply to Re: Bye Bye, Topamax, posted by challenged on April 14, 2006, at 1:44:39
all the help you provide for your unselfish, tiredless, efforts you provide us all here on this board. You are a wonderful person....Nettie
> >
>
>No, Nettie, I am simply me... somewhat obsessive, totally impulsive and totally resentful when people are not treated with proper understanding and compassion...
I have been on a crusade of late trying to make people in various levels of power accept responsibility for our working poor and elderly who are unable to maintain their homes and lifestyles...
heat their homes and provide for themselves at the same time ---
and now a new problem is pointed out...
Sandy I am sure, is not alone...
if I can find a way to help her, to make someone show me a bit of light at the end of that tunnel, then maybe I can help others...
and when I find a windmill I have to attack it head on..
it all comes from having to read Don Quixote in high school when my French teacher didn't know what to do with this francophone student foisted upon him lol
but thank you for your kindness...
kat
Posted by storm rider on April 14, 2006, at 22:49:50
In reply to Re: Topomax Weightloss, posted by challenged on April 14, 2006, at 20:57:23
> > Does anyone have any idea why Topomax would work as a appetite decrease for some and NOT others??
>
> Aleese,
>
> I have the same question.......It seems to not decrease my appetite either......I would like to know also.......How many milligramns are you taking?
>
> NettieOnce again, I think it depends a great deal on how it is taken... working up to the dosage slowly, starting in the evening until the half dose is reached then starting in the mornings until the total is reached...
starting in large amounts is not going to work and I don't understand why I just know it doesn't....
no great explanation, just experience and others' experiences and what I learned at the clinics...
kat
Posted by Aleese on April 14, 2006, at 23:01:49
In reply to Re: Topomax Weightloss » challenged, posted by storm rider on April 14, 2006, at 22:49:50
> > > Does anyone have any idea why Topomax would work as a appetite decrease for some and NOT others??
> >
> > Aleese,
> >
> > I have the same question.......It seems to not decrease my appetite either......I would like to know also.......How many milligramns are you taking?
> >
> > Nettie
>
> Once again, I think it depends a great deal on how it is taken... working up to the dosage slowly, starting in the evening until the half dose is reached then starting in the mornings until the total is reached...
>
> starting in large amounts is not going to work and I don't understand why I just know it doesn't....
>
> no great explanation, just experience and others' experiences and what I learned at the clinics...
> kat
>
> Its not any of that because I know of 3 different people who started loosing at 50 mgs....my question is why does it work that way for some and not others because I am on 5 mgs as well!!???
Posted by SandyWeb on April 15, 2006, at 9:12:48
In reply to Re:IMPORTANT » SandyWeb, posted by storm rider on April 14, 2006, at 22:40:40
Kat wrote:
"but the immovane is not addictive the way that other sleep med/tranquiliser is... and I still can't remember the name"
Zopiclone!!!! Zopiclone!!!!
I knew if we thought about it enough, the ole grey matter would come through for us! Lol. Anyways, in MY experience (and my daughter's)....and not putting words in ANYBODY ELSE'S MOUTH.....I found this med to be just a spec of dirt they found on the floor and decided to fuse together and pretend it was a sleeping pill. Lol. Truly, it had absolutely NO EFFECT on either my daughter or myself....but the medical profession just doesn't seem to want to believe that. I guess they think I'm trying to get the GOOD DOPE instead. That's ridiculous. If a ball of lint would knock me out for a night of restful sleep, I'd choke and gag that dang thing down my throat every night! LOL!
As they say, everyone's body chemistry is different. I just wish that when a patient tells a doctor that a particular med doesn't have any effect at this dose or this dose or even this dose.....that the doc would believe you. Aren't we supposed to be working as a team? When did the patient become the rouble-rouser? *smile*
You know, I really should take a look through my file next time I'm in his office. Although that may do more bad than good. If I see all these descriptions of me that are so off-base, I'm going to feel so ineffective in my ability to TRY and explain myself to him.
And do you know that they don't really even read all those reports? When I was in the hospital due to a suicide attempt, I had to make an appointment with my regular doctor when I got out to get the stitches out. So I go to the doc's....and they wonder why I'm there this time. I asked if any paperwork had come in from the hospital. And she (left her for another doctor after this episode) said that so many reports were always coming in on me (during the time that some un-named pdoc we all know was having the cops visit me all hours of the day and night)...and no...she hadn't read the report. What did it say? Well, I just turned my wrist over and said that I needed to get my stitches out. So she takes me to the nurses office, doesn't even tell her WHERE the stitches are, and just says that I need stitches out. So the nurse sets up her tray, all happy and chatty, getting prepared to remove my stitches from a sports injury or something....and then I have to turn my wrist over again. Slight pause.....but she handled it well. And she actually treated me quite kindly. I was impressed. I think she's in the right profession.
So, later I'm back for follow-up with the pdoc and team at the hospital and I tell them that my doc didn't even read the hospital report and didn't know that I needed my stitches out. They all looked around at each other, and boy...the different emotions....anger, shock, disgust, disbelieve. The pdoc said that he had typed up 10 pages on my stay in the Crisis Unit....and my friendly neighborhood doc couldn't even be bothered to read it because so many papers were always coming in on me anyways. Whatever happened to ethics in medicine?
I also mentioned that she wouldn't write me a prescription for the Seroquel that the pdoc was giving me for sleep. I asked if he could do that for me. Of course he could. She was just a jerk. I think she was just as glad to get rid of me as I was to get rid of her. Not a very classy lady. I honestly don't know why some people go into medicine. I mean, there will be the patient from time to time who doesn't quite fit the mold....and the doc may have to do some research and try to figure out why something isn't working and what might possibly work. But she just couldn't be bothered. As you can tell.....I AM SO GLAD TO BE RID OF HER!!!!!
Okay, so Kat......ZOPICLONE!! Lol!!!!!! How do we ever get off onto these rambles?? Hey, and it's 2.5 days of cold-turkey on Topamax and Remeron. Still feeling good. Give me a few more days, though, once the half-lives are dropping.....then the little men in their long green coats might be coming to take me away! Ha ha!
(((Kat)))
Sandy
Posted by storm rider on April 15, 2006, at 13:30:14
In reply to Re:IMPORTANT (You are getting sleepy...NOT)(Kat) » storm rider, posted by SandyWeb on April 15, 2006, at 9:12:48
As for reading charts... the neurologist I see is supposed to be the top of the heap as far as epilepsy is concerned in this neck of the woods...
it was the first one who put me on topomax and he knows about it because he is actually a headache specialist...
what a weird circle of events it took to get me onto topomax... sent to the wrong neurologist in the first place LOLat any rate, every appointment, the neuro asks about the last appointments... can't be bothered taking a second to refresh his memory by checking my file...
then he asks about the recent statis episodes, has my husband tell him what happened each time...
I do not have to hear it again and my husband does not have to relive it again... and again and again...
Does he not realise that it is hard on the man to review these things...
and stress undoes the benefit of the topomax...
starts the seizure activity all over sigh...By the way, does anyone else wear medicalert bracelet or medallion ... you know, the thing that tells paramedics and er personnel that you have a particular medical condition or are on a particular mediction???
As I am violently allergic to codeine and to penicillin and because of the epilepsy and 'asthma'-like condition, I wear a bracelet...
but I have never known anyone to pay any attention to it...the last time the ambulance had to be called, I came to just as the firemen were coming into the living room with oxygen...
one of them checked my pulse and blood pressure...
ignored the bracelet...the paramedics arrived and one started an iv while the other checked my pulse and blood pressure...
neither looked at the bracelet...got to er... someone added something to the iv
checked my pulse and blood pressure and did all sorts of things
at no time did anyone look at my bracelet to find out if I had any condition that might need to be considered or any allergy to medication...so why did I bother with all that money to register and maintain my registration??????
go figure...
kat
Posted by Aleese on April 18, 2006, at 12:48:24
In reply to Re: Topomax Weightloss, posted by Aleese on April 14, 2006, at 21:05:29
Does Dr.Bob know why this may be a problem in some people and not others?
Posted by challenged on April 18, 2006, at 19:46:37
In reply to Re: Topomax Weightloss, posted by Aleese on April 18, 2006, at 12:48:24
> Does Dr.Bob know why this may be a problem in some people and not others?
Let"s ask him........Also I had worked my way up from 25 mill a day before and I had the same problem so I am not sure that my restarting at a high dosage is the determining factor for myself as to the lack of weightloss or loss of hunger like others have experienced and it just not being the case for me at a 200 milligram daily dosage sooooooo......I just need some answers as well Aleese.......<big sigh> It really is frusterating......Nettie
Posted by Asana on July 14, 2006, at 14:35:12
In reply to Re: Kat and everyone » ed_uk, posted by headachequeen on June 17, 2005, at 21:23:39
I am wondering if people can tell me anything about the side effects of Tegretol. I am especially interested in it's effect on thinking and cognition, the ability to articulate, and also creativity, as I am a writer. I'm on Lamictal and some seroquel for anxiety, and they help me sleep, but I can't tell how much they're affecting the above. I've been on stuff that was really bad for those things, like lithium and depakote, and never want to go back.
Posted by storm rider on July 15, 2006, at 12:18:13
In reply to side effects of tegretol, posted by Asana on July 14, 2006, at 14:35:12
> I am wondering if people can tell me anything about the side effects of Tegretol. I am especially interested in it's effect on thinking and cognition, the ability to articulate, and also creativity, as I am a writer. I'm on Lamictal and some seroquel for anxiety, and they help me sleep, but I can't tell how much they're affecting the above. I've been on stuff that was really bad for those things, like lithium and depakote, and never want to go back.
Hi Asana,
For a writer, effects of any med on cognitive skills are a serious concern. Believe me, when I say that I understand, as I am a writer as well...
if I am not able to put my thoughts in order, then I am not able to survive, and that means more than just a pay cheque for me.
Being able to express myself is an art form. Imagine an artist suddenly unable to express herself on canvas, take away my ability to create with words and that would be moi...I am presently producing a two-hour radio show that is syndicated and has to be ready to go each week without fail. The show is a dialogue between me and the listener, based on a theme which I choose and develop, with music as well as the dialogue. The topics vary according to my mood and are generally satirical; each show takes between six and eight hours to write and produce. This is in addition to a second two-hour show I produce for the same people, but it is a no-brainer really, nostalgic and fuzzy music and memory style.
At the moment my television show is in hiatus; we start back to serious work in October. That is not as much work, simply research and then an hour discussion with the guests for the week and any callers who may decide to join the debate.
In my spare time I write for publication.In other words, I have found no problems with cognitive skills and I am taking 800 mg of Topomax daily, the maximum dosage that has been found to be of therapeutic value, although it has been found that up to 1200 mg is apparently safe to take.
I have to say that I wonder why anyone would be prescribed so high a dose when it is of no therapeutic value. (I am interested in any logical answers of course.)Topomax is the only med that works for me in controlling epileptic seizures and migraines, both of which I have learned from reading and research are somewhat related in that they are considered to be electrical shorts in the brain's 'wiring'.
If it is any help to you, I have been taking Topomax since January of 2003 and have not suffered from any side effects other than the time I had a glass or two of wine with dinner. Topomax and alcohol do not do well together.
My hair has not fallen out and according to all the blood tests and so on, my liver and kidneys are doing just fine.
My physician does monitor the process to be sure that there are no ill effects as I have had severe side effects from another medication that was prescribed for the seizures, one that actually increased the seizure activity and has seriously affected my vision -- and did great damage to my hair (one of my pride issues lol).Hope this helps
kat
Posted by khfreibe on December 19, 2006, at 10:19:38
In reply to Re: topomax (for everyone chatting 6-24) Snoozy » jgoree, posted by Podwoman on July 11, 2003, at 0:02:35
Podwoman,
I read your post about how your son asked you why you were being so nice... what are you taking now and is it having the same effect? Why did they take you off instead of just giving you a smaller dosage? How much weight did you lose on topamax?
> Sorry to hear about your daughter. I recently was taken off Topamax (monday) due to extreme allergic reaction (rash covering 1/2 my body) after bing on 600mg daily.
>
> This is a tricky drug. I this is is being touted as the (relatively) new great thing on the market but it has some side effects that are more severe than maybe previously known to some people. Don't back down with your convictions!
>
> Good luck with everything--My prayers are with you.
>
> --Podwoman
Posted by stormrider on December 19, 2006, at 20:34:38
In reply to Re: topomax (for everyone chatting 6-24) Snoozy, posted by khfreibe on December 19, 2006, at 10:19:38
I have been on Topomax now since January of 2003 with no side effects. At first it was a secondary med in conjunction with Tegritol which was causing enormous side effects. I have since stopped using tegritol with amazing improvements although the damage it has caused is irreversible.
I have stated in this forum repeatedly that it is vital to start slowly and titre up slowly with Topomax to allow your system to adjust to the medication and to avoid side effects.
While it was prescribed for epilepsy and migraine, I also lost over one hundred pounds that I had gained because of side effects of medications...
at the present time I wear a size two... amazing reallystill no side effects unless one considers the fact that I am almost seizure free and have not had a migraine in almost four years...
freedom indeedkat
> Podwoman,
>
> I read your post about how your son asked you why you were being so nice... what are you taking now and is it having the same effect? Why did they take you off instead of just giving you a smaller dosage? How much weight did you lose on topamax?
>
>
> > Sorry to hear about your daughter. I recently was taken off Topamax (monday) due to extreme allergic reaction (rash covering 1/2 my body) after bing on 600mg daily.
> >
> > This is a tricky drug. I this is is being touted as the (relatively) new great thing on the market but it has some side effects that are more severe than maybe previously known to some people. Don't back down with your convictions!
> >
> > Good luck with everything--My prayers are with you.
> >
> > --Podwoman
>
>
Posted by saturn on June 18, 2007, at 21:09:01
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by nancy on April 21, 1999, at 12:00:06
> Actually, pills do change feeling, thoughts, desires...and some of them do disrupt one's physiology significantly causing weight gain or loss.
>
> When I took Topomax, I was replused by just the thought of food. Also, I could only tolerate water to quench my thirst...well, ok, I could drink coffee. But any other type of liquid had a disgusting flavor.
>
> I have been taking Seroquel instead of Topomax, recently, to satisfy my pdoc curiosity about my potential response to these completely different mood stabilizers.
>
> I'm going to get back on the Topomax and DROP the Seroquel. Topomax is an AED, whereas, Seroquel is an atypical antipsychoticWhat's an AED?
Posted by storm rider on June 19, 2007, at 22:45:49
In reply to Re: topomax » nancy, posted by saturn on June 18, 2007, at 21:09:01
> >
> > I'm going to get back on the Topomax and DROP the Seroquel. Topomax is an AED, whereas, Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic
>
> What's an AED?An AED is an anti epileptic drug...
originally Topomax (Topirimate) was intended and is primarily prescribed to control epilepsy.
It was discovered that it had side effects:
controlled migraines and caused weight loss or aided in weight loss...I have a rare form of epilepsy for which I was prescribed another AED, because I suffered from migraines, my neurologist who specialises in treating headaches, prescribed topiramate (Topomax) as a secondary med.
I have not had a migraine in over four years now.
The med to which he had switched me for epilepsy control caused severe side effects including kidney damage and visual problems. As my husband had read about the severe problems caused by the drug, I quit using it, relying solely on Topomax with amazing results.
The other med had intensified seizure activity and increased the incidence of the seizure activity.. sometimes I had two or three in one night and they were longer and stronger, as opposed to perhaps one a month, sometimes months between seizures before.
This was a known effect of that drug, while Topomax does not do this...
It does cause dry mouth and needs to be taken slowly when one starts it. It will cause most people to lose interest in food and cause foods to taste different, especially junk food I found lol
but it helps in weight loss for many -- not all --
peoplekat
Posted by Wolf Lady on December 15, 2007, at 21:05:13
In reply to Re: Topomax Weightloss, posted by challenged on April 18, 2006, at 19:46:37
I am bipolar (hypomanic) and took Celexa and Depakote (I found Neurontin to be a worthless mood stabilizer). I gained 50 pounds in a year on Depakote, and that only made my depression worse. I also have migraines, so my doctor switched me from Depakote to Topomax and added Cymbalta. Now I feel great, and I have lost all the weight I gained--it took about 7 months. I feel better than I ever have. The weight loss was just a welcome side effect of the Topomax. We never even discussed using it as a weight-loss drug. I also think going off the Depakote contributed to the weight loss.
Posted by challenged on December 15, 2007, at 23:46:26
In reply to Re: Topomax Weightloss, posted by Wolf Lady on December 15, 2007, at 21:05:13
> I am bipolar (hypomanic) and took Celexa and Depakote (I found Neurontin to be a worthless mood stabilizer). I gained 50 pounds in a year on Depakote, and that only made my depression worse. I also have migraines, so my doctor switched me from Depakote to Topomax and added Cymbalta. Now I feel great, and I have lost all the weight I gained--it took about 7 months. I feel better than I ever have. The weight loss was just a welcome side effect of the Topomax. We never even discussed using it as a weight-loss drug. I also think going off the Depakote contributed to the weight loss.
Hi
Read your post It has been sometime since I have received a message and have been on Topomax 400 mg a day now for quite a while. Started at 25 mg daily and slowly incrreased. My weight was at a high of 165 I am now at 129. I work out regularly as well but when I was on prozac and lexapros and I can go on and on I was just feeling terrible and more depressed more because of he weight gain. Had no energy to even go anywhere and the migranes were terrible. Yes the topomax is all I take and it has helped me tremendously to start feeling myself again. I am really glad that you are feeling better and hope it continues to be a helpful drug for you. It has helped me.
Nettie
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