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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AKC on June 25, 2001, at 6:39:25
Really guys - this is a female thing.
I don't know if this is related to starting topamax or not, so I thought I would ask. I am somewhat like clockwork with my menstrual cycle - one day before my period, I retain water (with sore breasts and irritability), 4 day period, then 4 weeks until it starts all over again. However, I started topamax 2 weeks ago. I suffered "pms" like symptoms for 4 days last week (mainly sore breasts), I started bleeding for about 1/2 day Saturday, stopped for 2 days, and then started again this morning. And I am about a week early. Is this at all anything to do with the topamax? Or am I just having one of those fluke periods? Thanks for any insight.
Posted by tina on June 25, 2001, at 15:42:36
In reply to topamax and a feminine question, posted by AKC on June 25, 2001, at 6:39:25
> Really guys - this is a female thing.
>
> I don't know if this is related to starting topamax or not, so I thought I would ask. I am somewhat like clockwork with my menstrual cycle - one day before my period, I retain water (with sore breasts and irritability), 4 day period, then 4 weeks until it starts all over again. However, I started topamax 2 weeks ago. I suffered "pms" like symptoms for 4 days last week (mainly sore breasts), I started bleeding for about 1/2 day Saturday, stopped for 2 days, and then started again this morning. And I am about a week early. Is this at all anything to do with the topamax? Or am I just having one of those fluke periods? Thanks for any insight.Hey AKC
I'm not on topomax, I'm on elavil but I have had the same thing happening to me since starting it. My doc said it's common but if it really starts getting bothersome, you might want to try taking a low dose contraceptive pill and get your hormones back on track.
just a thought
T
Posted by AKC on June 25, 2001, at 20:04:22
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question » AKC, posted by tina on June 25, 2001, at 15:42:36
Thanks. My T told me to track my cycle closely the next few months to see if this is an aberation or not. I hadn't thought about low dose contraceptives if it becomes a pattern. That is a great suggestion.
Posted by cjay on June 25, 2001, at 21:50:45
In reply to topamax and a feminine question, posted by AKC on June 25, 2001, at 6:39:25
> Really guys - this is a female thing.
>
> I don't know if this is related to starting topamax or not, so I thought I would ask. I am somewhat like clockwork with my menstrual cycle - one day before my period, I retain water (with sore breasts and irritability), 4 day period, then 4 weeks until it starts all over again. However, I started topamax 2 weeks ago. I suffered "pms" like symptoms for 4 days last week (mainly sore breasts), I started bleeding for about 1/2 day Saturday, stopped for 2 days, and then started again this morning. And I am about a week early. Is this at all anything to do with the topamax? Or am I just having one of those fluke periods? Thanks for any insight.I had the same problems while on Effexor xr, my doctor did not seem to think they were related though! Now I wonder, I also started lactating.
I have not had any problems (OF THAT KIND)since switching to celexa.
Cjay
Posted by somebetter on June 25, 2001, at 23:04:59
In reply to topamax and a feminine question, posted by AKC on June 25, 2001, at 6:39:25
yes, I have, but I'm also in my mid 40's
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 26, 2001, at 8:21:10
In reply to topamax and a feminine question, posted by AKC on June 25, 2001, at 6:39:25
I know that Topamax interferes with OCPs (oral contraceptive pills), but I don't know if it causes menstrual problems: "However, many anticonvulsant medications can induce an increase in hepatic microsomal enzymes, which can produce increased pill metabolism: The result has been a decrease in the pill’s contraceptive efficacy resulting in an estimated 3.1 pregnancies per 100 women years of use. These medications include carbamazepine, topiramate, and tiagabine. A number of anticonvulsants do not cause such interference, including valproic acid and lamotrigine."
Greydanus, Donald E. MD et al. Contraception in the Adolescent: An Update. Pediatrics. 107(3):562-573, March 2001.
I don't know what this means clinically.
Posted by DebbieLynn on June 26, 2001, at 17:19:47
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question, posted by cjay on June 25, 2001, at 21:50:45
> > Really guys - this is a female thing.
> >
> > I don't know if this is related to starting topamax or not, so I thought I would ask. I am somewhat like clockwork with my menstrual cycle - one day before my period, I retain water (with sore breasts and irritability), 4 day period, then 4 weeks until it starts all over again. However, I started topamax 2 weeks ago. I suffered "pms" like symptoms for 4 days last week (mainly sore breasts), I started bleeding for about 1/2 day Saturday, stopped for 2 days, and then started again this morning. And I am about a week early. Is this at all anything to do with the topamax? Or am I just having one of those fluke periods? Thanks for any insight.
>
> I had the same problems while on Effexor xr, my doctor did not seem to think they were related though! Now I wonder, I also started lactating.
> I have not had any problems (OF THAT KIND)since switching to celexa.
> Cjay
Cjay,
Just a quick question. I am on Effexor XR 225mg and just started Celexa. I will be on this combo for another 3 weeks, and then wean off of the Effexor. How does the Celexa work for you after being on Effexor. The Effexor work great for me, but I cannot tolerate the sexual side effects. My doctor said Celexa is less likely to cause this.
He wants me to be on a steady level of Celexa to help with withdrawals from Effexor!Thanks!
Debbie
Posted by Kingfish on June 26, 2001, at 18:53:23
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question/CJAY, posted by DebbieLynn on June 26, 2001, at 17:19:47
AKC:
I'm so glad you posted this. I have been too embarrassed to. How sad is that.
My experience has been this:
If I miss taking a dose, even by a few hours, I'll have a "mini-period" - it will last two to three days. I will still have my regular period.
I actually haven't asked my Dr., but it absolutely the Topamax becuase it has happened only when I started that and only when I've missed a dose.
I have no idea what it means, but Sal's post is a little frightening. I have not had the pleasure or pain of becoming a mother because of it, though. :)
Posted by Autumn Despotis on June 27, 2001, at 18:44:20
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question/AKC, posted by Kingfish on June 26, 2001, at 18:53:23
> AKC:
>
> I'm so glad you posted this. I have been too embarrassed to. How sad is that.
>
> My experience has been this:
>
> If I miss taking a dose, even by a few hours, I'll have a "mini-period" - it will last two to three days. I will still have my regular period.
>
> I actually haven't asked my Dr., but it absolutely the Topamax becuase it has happened only when I started that and only when I've missed a dose.
>
> I have no idea what it means, but Sal's post is a little frightening. I have not had the pleasure or pain of becoming a mother because of it, though. :)I just started taking this stuff last night. It's time for my period, and today I began having cramps from the depths of hell! It seems impossible to me that one dose of topomax (or however the hell you spell it)could have caused such a drastic effect already. What do you guys think??
Posted by AKC on June 27, 2001, at 21:14:53
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question/AKC, posted by Autumn Despotis on June 27, 2001, at 18:44:20
I talked to my pdoc today and she really doubts that it has anything to do with the topamax. I am on seroquel which she would rather suspect, though I have been on it for some time and this is not quite the typical side effect for it. At least for me, and hopefully for you, Autumn, this is just some fluke thing that can happen from time to time with us women. Heck, for me it could just be the stress that I have put on myself from worries over just starting this med.
Posted by Autumn Despotis on June 28, 2001, at 10:11:37
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question » Autumn Despotis, posted by AKC on June 27, 2001, at 21:14:53
You're probably right about the whole thing. Just the stress from learning about potential side effects alone can put someone into a pretty altered state. Thanks!!
Posted by Wendy B. on June 28, 2001, at 14:53:14
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question » Autumn Despotis, posted by AKC on June 27, 2001, at 21:14:53
> I talked to my pdoc today and she really doubts that it has anything to do with the topamax. I am on seroquel which she would rather suspect, though I have been on it for some time and this is not quite the typical side effect for it. At least for me, and hopefully for you, Autumn, this is just some fluke thing that can happen from time to time with us women. Heck, for me it could just be the stress that I have put on myself from worries over just starting this med.
Hi there Women!
(Sal, I always thought you were a guy! No offense, and it's always amazing to see your med-citations - just hope you're not embarassing AKC or anybody else...)I think anything can cause our systems to get out of whack. Worries and stress definitely do. Personally, I'm like Tina, I have been on a low-dose anti-contraceptive for years to control heavy bleeding. It works well, I always know when I'm going to get my period, the flow is always light and lasts only 3 days, etc. Very predictible (sp??) predictable (?). So I recommend it highly, if you don't mind taking hormones. Mine is very low-dose, it's called Mircette. Others are Tri-Phasil and Ortho-Tri-Cyclen (something like that).
AKC, you might want to keep track for a few months, and then go on the pill if you don't like not knowing when you're going to bleed... I hate that. 'Cause you always have to wear a pad or tuck 2 or 3 kleenex into your panties (look out Sal, we're getting really descriptive, here!). It's uncomfortable, feels like a diaper, pads with 'wings' are a pain in the butt, so to speak...
The Mircette has never not worked, through the med changes: ADs alone, ADs plus mood-stabilizers. I've never been on Topamax, so I don't know.
Also, if you are anywhere between the ages of 35 and 50, there is a lot of info out there on PERI-MENOPAUSE (books, probably a web site or two, find out more, the info is there). It's the stage we go through in the years leading up to menopause, the cessation of bleeding altogether. Our periods don't just *stop* at 50, they become more and more irregular over time. The body's response to such fluctuations in estrogen are: hot flashes (yes, even before 50!), night sweats, anger, irritability (irritibility?), forgetfulness, mood swings, depression... Any of this sound familiar? So add this to an already depressed or bipolar woman, and you've got some recipe for distress. Then add the psych-meds, which we don't know all that much about in terms of how they affect menstruation. It's a mess!
It's amazing what we have to go through as women. My hat is off to all of you who wrote in on this thread about your experiences. Also, even Sal!
Wendy
Posted by AKC on June 28, 2001, at 15:22:49
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question » AKC, posted by Wendy B. on June 28, 2001, at 14:53:14
Thanks Wendy - this is a lot of great information. In the few weeks since I found this discussion board, I have learned so much. It amazes me how everyone is so open and willing to share. Thanks again.
Posted by AKC on June 28, 2001, at 17:43:58
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question » Wendy B., posted by AKC on June 28, 2001, at 15:22:49
You would think being a frigging attorney I would be a tad better researcher. I went to the pharmaceutical web site for this med and looked at the prescribing information sheet. In the section "Other adverse events observed during all clinical trials" intermenstrual bleeding was frequently reported. Frequently reported meant that it occured in at least 1 in 100 patients (out of 1,757 adult and 310 pediatric patients). Guess some of us are the lucky ones - if it continues, birth control (for this 36 year old lesbian) here I come!
Posted by cjay on June 28, 2001, at 21:00:40
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question/CJAY, posted by DebbieLynn on June 26, 2001, at 17:19:47
> > > Really guys - this is a female thing.
> > >
> > > I don't know if this is related to starting topamax or not, so I thought I would ask. I am somewhat like clockwork with my menstrual cycle - one day before my period, I retain water (with sore breasts and irritability), 4 day period, then 4 weeks until it starts all over again. However, I started topamax 2 weeks ago. I suffered "pms" like symptoms for 4 days last week (mainly sore breasts), I started bleeding for about 1/2 day Saturday, stopped for 2 days, and then started again this morning. And I am about a week early. Is this at all anything to do with the topamax? Or am I just having one of those fluke periods? Thanks for any insight.
> >
> > I had the same problems while on Effexor xr, my doctor did not seem to think they were related though! Now I wonder, I also started lactating.
> > I have not had any problems (OF THAT KIND)since switching to celexa.
> > Cjay
>
>
> Cjay,
> Just a quick question. I am on Effexor XR 225mg and just started Celexa. I will be on this combo for another 3 weeks, and then wean off of the Effexor. How does the Celexa work for you after being on Effexor. The Effexor work great for me, but I cannot tolerate the sexual side effects. My doctor said Celexa is less likely to cause this.
> He wants me to be on a steady level of Celexa to help with withdrawals from Effexor!
>
> Thanks!
> DebbieHi Debbie,
I had no withdrawal side effects at all!
I now take 40mg at night and I really do not think it is working for me. I find I am very tired, more anxious, no motivation and I seem to feel down all the time everything is a REAL effort.
I see my Dr. tomorrow it has been almost 6wks in total that I have been taking celexa and almost 2wjs at the 40mg dose, I have not noticed the difference I was hoping for. Now I wonder if I should of stayed with the effexor xr(but the weight gain of 30lbs was too much)
Cjay
Posted by DebbieLynn on June 29, 2001, at 17:55:34
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question/CJAY » DebbieLynn, posted by cjay on June 28, 2001, at 21:00:40
> > > > Really guys - this is a female thing.
> > > >
> > > > I don't know if this is related to starting topamax or not, so I thought I would ask. I am somewhat like clockwork with my menstrual cycle - one day before my period, I retain water (with sore breasts and irritability), 4 day period, then 4 weeks until it starts all over again. However, I started topamax 2 weeks ago. I suffered "pms" like symptoms for 4 days last week (mainly sore breasts), I started bleeding for about 1/2 day Saturday, stopped for 2 days, and then started again this morning. And I am about a week early. Is this at all anything to do with the topamax? Or am I just having one of those fluke periods? Thanks for any insight.
> > >
> > > I had the same problems while on Effexor xr, my doctor did not seem to think they were related though! Now I wonder, I also started lactating.
> > > I have not had any problems (OF THAT KIND)since switching to celexa.
> > > Cjay
> >
> >
> > Cjay,
> > Just a quick question. I am on Effexor XR 225mg and just started Celexa. I will be on this combo for another 3 weeks, and then wean off of the Effexor. How does the Celexa work for you after being on Effexor. The Effexor work great for me, but I cannot tolerate the sexual side effects. My doctor said Celexa is less likely to cause this.
> > He wants me to be on a steady level of Celexa to help with withdrawals from Effexor!
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Debbie
>
> Hi Debbie,
> I had no withdrawal side effects at all!
> I now take 40mg at night and I really do not think it is working for me. I find I am very tired, more anxious, no motivation and I seem to feel down all the time everything is a REAL effort.
> I see my Dr. tomorrow it has been almost 6wks in total that I have been taking celexa and almost 2wjs at the 40mg dose, I have not noticed the difference I was hoping for. Now I wonder if I should of stayed with the effexor xr(but the weight gain of 30lbs was too much)
> Cjay
CJAY
I am scared that Celexa will not work as well as Effexor. I tolerate Effexor very well, it has worked wonders for me. I am also a bit scared about the effects on the liver.Debbie
Posted by Autumn Despotis on June 30, 2001, at 7:46:35
In reply to Re: topamax and a feminine question » AKC, posted by Wendy B. on June 28, 2001, at 14:53:14
Hello!
For those of you who have taken oral contraceptives for a long time, 5 years or more, beware! (Insert scary music here)
No, seriously, I am recovering from an evil Liver surgery to remove a tumor (the size of a damn baseball) from my liver, they had to take half my liver, too! I'm getting to the point now. The tumor was caused by long term use of the pill. I had been on it for 9 years. The tumor didn't grow large enough to cause me pain until I received hormone shots to combat endometriosis. A lot of times, you can't even feel the pain, the only way they could find mine was by ct scan. I'm not here to be a doomsayer, this sort of thing isn't very common. I just thought you should know about it, I had no idea they could cause tumors before I was diagnosed.Autumn
This is the end of the thread.
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