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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Collete on October 13, 2001, at 12:11:57
My story( short version) is that after MANY years on Prozac, it is no longer enough and for the past several years I have been suffering from poopout - I think the symptoms are irrelevant here. My pdoc's first try for me was Depakote which did nothing for me but make me gain weight. Then we tried Zyprexa and JACKPOT! I felt like I wanted to for the first time in so long I can't remember! Then the insatiable hunger and urges came and the weight gain was almost as bad as my original problems, so we switched to Geodon. I have been on Geodon for 2 weeks and....nothing.
For the high cost of this drug, I want to feel the way on do on Zyprexa. After doing much research here, I have come up with the idea of trying Zyprexa again but with EITHER Lamictal or Topmax to help control the appeite stimulation. Does that sound like it could work? Is one significantly better than the other for weight loss? Thank you for your help, I see my pdoc on Monday. Collette
Posted by JohnX on October 13, 2001, at 12:21:48
In reply to Lamictal or Topamax with Zyprexa?, posted by Collete on October 13, 2001, at 12:11:57
> My story( short version) is that after MANY years on Prozac, it is no longer enough and for the past several years I have been suffering from poopout - I think the symptoms are irrelevant here. My pdoc's first try for me was Depakote which did nothing for me but make me gain weight. Then we tried Zyprexa and JACKPOT! I felt like I wanted to for the first time in so long I can't remember! Then the insatiable hunger and urges came and the weight gain was almost as bad as my original problems, so we switched to Geodon. I have been on Geodon for 2 weeks and....nothing.
> For the high cost of this drug, I want to feel the way on do on Zyprexa. After doing much research here, I have come up with the idea of trying Zyprexa again but with EITHER Lamictal or Topmax to help control the appeite stimulation. Does that sound like it could work? Is one significantly better than the other for weight loss? Thank you for your help, I see my pdoc on Monday. ColletteTopomax is supposedly useful for weight loss.
Probably better for that than for mood-stabilizer
according to my pdoc. He warns of potential
for kidney stone.Lamictal is really tricky to get onto and I
don't think it would help much with the weight
problem.my 2c.
-john
Posted by Karen Curtis on October 13, 2001, at 13:50:35
In reply to Re: Lamictal or Topamax with Zyprexa?, posted by JohnX on October 13, 2001, at 12:21:48
> > My story( short version) is that after MANY years on Prozac, it is no longer enough and for the past several years I have been suffering from poopout - I think the symptoms are irrelevant here. My pdoc's first try for me was Depakote which did nothing for me but make me gain weight. Then we tried Zyprexa and JACKPOT! I felt like I wanted to for the first time in so long I can't remember! Then the insatiable hunger and urges came and the weight gain was almost as bad as my original problems, so we switched to Geodon. I have been on Geodon for 2 weeks and....nothing.
> > For the high cost of this drug, I want to feel the way on do on Zyprexa. After doing much research here, I have come up with the idea of trying Zyprexa again but with EITHER Lamictal or Topmax to help control the appeite stimulation. Does that sound like it could work? Is one significantly better than the other for weight loss? Thank you for your help, I see my pdoc on Monday. Collette
>
> Topomax is supposedly useful for weight loss.
> Probably better for that than for mood-stabilizer
> according to my pdoc. He warns of potential
> for kidney stone.
>
> Lamictal is really tricky to get onto and I
> don't think it would help much with the weight
> problem.
>
> my 2c.
>
> -john40mg of geodon daily is just not enough. Increase your dose, karen
Posted by Krazy Kat on October 13, 2001, at 15:16:35
In reply to Lamictal or Topamax with Zyprexa?, posted by Collete on October 13, 2001, at 12:11:57
> I've taken Topamax for about 8 months. Definitely is an appetite supressant, and you'll find more to support that here if you do a search.
It worked as a supressant (SP?) for me at a pretty low dose - @50 mg. But others have said it took up to 200 mg for that to kick in.
Here's the deal with the drug from my experience and what I've read here:
It does impair your cognitive skills. I didn't realize how much until I lowered my dose from 250 mg to 100 mg.
It does have side effects such as losing words, problems with coordination, slurring, tingling in hands. These went away for me within a month or so.
It did help me as a mood stabilizer, but eventually not enough (I take Depakote, 1000 mg, now as well).
I found it Very sedating, but have not seen that side effect in others.
Overall, I like Topamax, but at a dose of 100 mg or below.
Lamictal was not a good med for me - I got ill on it. But, there are people here who sing its praises. It is known to have more of an AD effect. But, I have never heard of it being used as an appetite supressant.
I, too, gained weight, very quickly on Zyprexa.
- K.
Posted by phillybob on October 14, 2001, at 16:51:56
In reply to Re: Lamictal or Topamax with Zyprexa? » Collete, posted by Krazy Kat on October 13, 2001, at 15:16:35
I would be curious of hearing from people who've addressed the Zyprexa weight-gain issue with Topamax.
Sounds interesting, especially since you were doing well (right?) on Zyprexa and Prozac but becoming the Goodyear blimp, too.
Research Topamax (topiramate) here, Collette, and you will hear much success with weight loss. You will also see plenty of words of wisdom regarding significantly increasing one's intake of water daily during use of this med to avoid (or at least attempt to avoid) the dreaded kidney stone possibility.
There has, I think, also been a more recent warning issued on Topamax regarding ocular (eye) pressure causing blurred vision, but seems to reverse once stopping the med (if this does occur too dramatically).
On my Topamax trial, I finally discovered the meaning of leftovers ... meaning, I actually did not feel compelled to keep eating once I was full! But, since I used Topamax alone (as monotherapy), I wasn't taking it with Zyprexa, and I had to stop due to receding gums.
Thus, I would just add to practice amazing oral hygiene while taking this med (not bad advice anyway). On this latter point, anyone know of a med to take to counter-act dry mouth side effects?
On Lamictal (with Prozac), I actually had gained very minimal weight (water weight?). And, during my trial, I was even doing some kind of exercise marathon-type benefit (6 hours/day of exercise) for 7 consecutive days and didn't even lose any weight at all?!
Posted by Collete on October 14, 2001, at 18:54:15
In reply to Lamictal or Topamax with Zyprexa?, posted by Collete on October 13, 2001, at 12:11:57
I am thinking that maybe, before trying Zyprexa again, I should try JUST Lamictal ( along with my Prozac). I have read enough here to think that may help me like the Zyprexa did. I realize that they are quite different drugs....although I barely understand the chemisty. Perhaps Lamictal will help with the dysthymia and other poop out problems. My pdoc seems pretty willing to try whatever. Collette
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