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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:29:55
Hello you all,
I have been coming here and reading your very informative replies for a number of weeks. I REALLY appreciate the knowledge that you all have regarding meds, etc :-) Therefore, I have a couple of questions I would like your opinions on, please.
Last Friday (to be exact) I finally went back to a pdoc (it's been about 5 years since I've seen one). This is the first one I've seen who said "Maybe you have a TOUCH of BP (even though I don't fit ALL the criteria) but based on your history." Anyhoo (Long story short), he decided to try me on Zoloft with an adjunct of Topomax (mainly as a mood stabilizer but he also chose it because I have weight issues). I have always been on SSRI's alone in the past but they only helped me "get by" I guess?
So here goes the questions. Naturally I have researched about both meds and realize I am going to have side effects, etc. and I am starting out on low dose and slowly increasing (as directed by my doc), but having never taken either one before, esp. with the Topomax (being in a TOTALLY diff class), I am not sure about a couple of things).
I am experiencing: tingling and heat and hands lower arms (I would swear I am on fire at times!), I have a constant headache, naturally I am nauseus (I expect this one) and not real hungry (this is a plus, haha).
I am frightfully mixing up words and forgetting thoughts in mid sentence as I'm trying to say it! I am starting to look like a blubbering idiot in front of my peers and superiors and this is embarrassing!!!A. Is this all normal and if it is, will these symptoms subside, remain the same or worsen?
B. If these are not normal or yada-yada, should I call my doctor immediately to discuss with him? (Like I said with not ever having taken a med Topomax I am just not sure).
Thanks in advance for any and all comments you all might have and thanks for all the endless replies you all post on this board constantly :-)Robin
Posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:36:54
In reply to To: SusanC, KrazyKat, CamW JohnX2.....Please, posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:29:55
Let me apologize for the apparent jumbled mess it appears I typed! (See even my thoughts are not processing with my fingers dommit!).
One of the most important things I meant to say is I feel tingling and heat IN my hands! (geesh)
(whispers thanks again and sulks away)
Posted by Shar on October 31, 2001, at 19:34:50
In reply to Re: To: SusanC, KrazyKat, CamW JohnX2.....Please, posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:36:54
If I may crash the party here (butt in)...
I urge you to call your pdoc when you have concerns, don't let it get to the scary or crisis stage. Your pdoc probably expects clients to have questions and s/he should be willing to talk with you.
If your doc does not return your call or talk with you, I'd like for you to post that info.
Shar
Posted by Krazy Kat on October 31, 2001, at 20:45:03
In reply to To: SusanC, KrazyKat, CamW JohnX2.....Please, posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:29:55
Wow, a message directed To Me, amongst others. :)
> > > I am experiencing: tingling and heat and hands lower arms (I would swear I am on fire at times!), I have a constant headache, naturally I am nauseus (I expect this one) and not real hungry (this is a plus, haha).
I am frightfully mixing up words and forgetting thoughts in mid sentence as I'm trying to say it! I am starting to look like a blubbering idiot in front of my peers and superiors and this is embarrassing!!! > > >COMPLETELY sounds like Topamax side effects I had. Everything eventually went away for me except for a problem with sedation after about a month 1/2. BUT I recently dropped my dose of Topamax from 250 mg to 100, actually, now it's 75 mg, and I couldn't believe the clarity that was restored. So, I would say, it seems to have some lingering cognitive effects. It did help me though - it was the first thing, first time I ever had an 'awakening' and could see the world more clearly.
I am now watching my hand shake because of my Depakote dose increase (I started having more hypomanic episodes, so I had to switch.)
Also, I keep wondering when the weight gain that everyone mentions (with Depakote) will begin. It's making me nervous.
So, none of these stabilizers are perfect.
Please keep us informed!
- K.
Posted by Krazy Kat on October 31, 2001, at 20:48:58
In reply to Re: To: SusanC, KrazyKat, CamW JohnX2.....Please, posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:36:54
Also, go up Very Slowly, as I believe you said you were.
I don't know - the lower dose of Topamax with Depakote has worked better for me but you have to have labs done for Dep. and it has potential serious side effects (i.e. liver trouble). I've been cycling between mania and depression very rapidly the last few months, as well, which Dep. is good for.
If you don't get enough info in this thread, try posting again with something like "Zoloft + Topamax - anyone have any input".
Good luck.
Posted by susan C on October 31, 2001, at 21:17:40
In reply to To: SusanC, KrazyKat, CamW JohnX2.....Please, posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:29:55
Hold on here, ME,me, little mouse me as the leading name...this must be why i checked in tonight, I heard your psychic call...
Yes, I had similar experiences with topamax (affectionately referredt o as dopamax) and yes, the first post is right,
B.CALL YOUR DR and talk to him/her...I have never taken Zoloft, but cannot tolerate any SSRI, and I, too, do not 'hit' all the symptoms of bipolar 2.
A. YMMV (your milage may vary..it took me awhile to figure that one out) I believe there is a tradeoff to meds, side effect / benefits. I am usually pretty patient (see Keppra Journal) but at the same time, if it is disrupting REALLY distrupting your daily life, you need to evaluate getting something changed. (see Keppra Journal). I really believe meds and the docs who prescribe them are really hoping to IMPROVE your life, not make it worse. AND they cant and don't see your life and they have lots of patients....
As a number of doctors have said to me lately, your evaluation of the symptoms will be subjective...i sometimes say to myself, am I better with this or with out it...am I willing to 'put up with this?' I wish this was like a broken leg, in a way, but it isn't.
I hope that helps.
a blushing mouse (it is hard to see, I know, under all this face fur)
susan C
>
> I have been coming here and reading your very informative replies for a number of weeks. I REALLY appreciate the knowledge that you all have regarding meds, etc :-) Therefore, I have a couple of questions I would like your opinions on, please.
>
> Last Friday (to be exact) I finally went back to a pdoc (it's been about 5 years since I've seen one). This is the first one I've seen who said "Maybe you have a TOUCH of BP (even though I don't fit ALL the criteria) but based on your history." Anyhoo (Long story short), he decided to try me on Zoloft with an adjunct of Topomax (mainly as a mood stabilizer but he also chose it because I have weight issues). I have always been on SSRI's alone in the past but they only helped me "get by" I guess?
>
> So here goes the questions. Naturally I have researched about both meds and realize I am going to have side effects, etc. and I am starting out on low dose and slowly increasing (as directed by my doc), but having never taken either one before, esp. with the Topomax (being in a TOTALLY diff class), I am not sure about a couple of things).
>
> I am experiencing: tingling and heat and hands lower arms (I would swear I am on fire at times!), I have a constant headache, naturally I am nauseus (I expect this one) and not real hungry (this is a plus, haha).
> I am frightfully mixing up words and forgetting thoughts in mid sentence as I'm trying to say it! I am starting to look like a blubbering idiot in front of my peers and superiors and this is embarrassing!!!
>
> A. Is this all normal and if it is, will these symptoms subside, remain the same or worsen?
>
> B. If these are not normal or yada-yada, should I call my doctor immediately to discuss with him? (Like I said with not ever having taken a med Topomax I am just not sure).
>
>
> Thanks in advance for any and all comments you all might have and thanks for all the endless replies you all post on this board constantly :-)
>
> Robin
Posted by JohnX2 on November 1, 2001, at 4:02:50
In reply to To: SusanC, KrazyKat, CamW JohnX2.....Please, posted by blondemomints on October 31, 2001, at 18:29:55
Robin,I haven't had a chance to review the other
posts, but I'll give you some quick feedback
as best I can, sorry if I don't post
references.- A touch of BP is symptomatic of bipolar II.
Difficult to diagnose. Sometimes overlapping
symptoms with ADHD (the slightly manic symptoms
can mimic ADHD).- Typical for any bipolar patient, prescribing
a anti-depressant stand-alone can give irratic
results. The mood-stabiler is generally needed to
get a robust and consistent anti-depressant response.
The exception to this is the more recent trend
to prescribe an anti-psychotic like Zyprexa.
Some anti-convulsants like Lamictal are
anecdotally thought to have a robust anti-depressant
effect, thus hopefully eliminating the need for
more than one med.- Don't know much about Topomax. Most of the
mood stabilizers have side effects of:
cognitive dulling,slurred speach,staggering,
dermatitis. A lot of this has to do with changes
in electrical stimulation of GABA
(inhibitory chemical) and Glutamate (excitatory
chemical). Usually the side effects wear off once
a steady-state dose is reached. I have experienced
all these side effects. If they don't wear off
over time, inform your practitioner.- Not sure about the tingling. But the headache &
naseau could be caused probably by either med.
- I wouldn't expect the symptoms to worsen, exceptr
while increasing the dosage. At a steady state
dose, expect the symptoms to subside. I feel
that about 2 and possibly 3 weeks is the timeframe for most
side effects to subside once at a consistent
dose. I find that the anti-depressant side effects
take longer to subside. I find the anti-convulsant
side effects subside quickly. Again, this is
for me and may not be representative for
everyone. (I am bipolar II).Keep us posted on the progress. We are here
to support you.best wishes,
john> Hello you all,
>
> I have been coming here and reading your very informative replies for a number of weeks. I REALLY appreciate the knowledge that you all have regarding meds, etc :-) Therefore, I have a couple of questions I would like your opinions on, please.
>
> Last Friday (to be exact) I finally went back to a pdoc (it's been about 5 years since I've seen one). This is the first one I've seen who said "Maybe you have a TOUCH of BP (even though I don't fit ALL the criteria) but based on your history." Anyhoo (Long story short), he decided to try me on Zoloft with an adjunct of Topomax (mainly as a mood stabilizer but he also chose it because I have weight issues). I have always been on SSRI's alone in the past but they only helped me "get by" I guess?
>
> So here goes the questions. Naturally I have researched about both meds and realize I am going to have side effects, etc. and I am starting out on low dose and slowly increasing (as directed by my doc), but having never taken either one before, esp. with the Topomax (being in a TOTALLY diff class), I am not sure about a couple of things).
>
> I am experiencing: tingling and heat and hands lower arms (I would swear I am on fire at times!), I have a constant headache, naturally I am nauseus (I expect this one) and not real hungry (this is a plus, haha).
> I am frightfully mixing up words and forgetting thoughts in mid sentence as I'm trying to say it! I am starting to look like a blubbering idiot in front of my peers and superiors and this is embarrassing!!!
>
> A. Is this all normal and if it is, will these symptoms subside, remain the same or worsen?
>
> B. If these are not normal or yada-yada, should I call my doctor immediately to discuss with him? (Like I said with not ever having taken a med Topomax I am just not sure).
>
>
> Thanks in advance for any and all comments you all might have and thanks for all the endless replies you all post on this board constantly :-)
>
> Robin
This is the end of the thread.
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