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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by AnitaMarie on December 26, 2002, at 13:06:35
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on December 19, 2002, at 23:30:10
I have been on 400 mgs of Wellbutrin and 300 mgs of Effexor for about 6 months now. (After a bout of major depression)
Since I still seem to be having many ups and dows (as I have had all my life it seems) my doctor has prescribed 100 mgs of Topamax/day. I took it for two days but seemed to be in a complete fog all morning (I took it at midnight the previous nights) I can't handle not being able to think fast and the need to search for words in my mind. Is this a side effect that will eventually wear off or am I doomed to suffer with living in a foggy state? I want to become stable in my moods but I don't want to be "grey". I ahve too many activities and a full time job to keep up with.
Posted by beachblond on December 27, 2002, at 15:09:27
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by AnitaMarie on December 26, 2002, at 13:06:35
> I have been on 400 mgs of Wellbutrin and 300 mgs of Effexor for about 6 months now. (After a bout of major depression)
>
> Since I still seem to be having many ups and dows (as I have had all my life it seems) my doctor has prescribed 100 mgs of Topamax/day. I took it for two days but seemed to be in a complete fog all morning (I took it at midnight the previous nights) I can't handle not being able to think fast and the need to search for words in my mind. Is this a side effect that will eventually wear off or am I doomed to suffer with living in a foggy state? I want to become stable in my moods but I don't want to be "grey". I ahve too many activities and a full time job to keep up with.I had too much trouble with Topomax in terms of my thought process and had to come off of it. The effects started at about 100 mgs. I couldn't find the right word, my thoughts were jumbled and short-term memory was noticably reduced. It continued the whole time I was on it--about 4 months. I finally gave up and have now switched meds. Good Luck!!
Posted by Ponder on December 27, 2002, at 16:57:34
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by beachblond on December 27, 2002, at 15:09:27
I added a small dose of Topa to my regimen of 150 mg Lamictal and 400 mg Wellbutrin hoping for some synergy with Lamictal. It actually improved my cognitive functioning up to 75 mg. At 100 mg I have some brain fogging. I think if I could stay at 100 mg/day for awhile that might clear, but things come up that I need to be functional for and I cut back to 75, so I still don't know.
I also have not had sedation or heaviness with Topa. A little agitation and some "creepy-crawlies" from it. Sorry, don't know how else to describe that feeling. But, that has subsided and I am doing pretty well on it. At 75 mg no effect on appetite. At 100 my appetite decreases. 100 must be the side-effect threshold for me.
I have to give that little bit of Topa credit for boosting my Lamictal and pulling me out of a downward slide. It's been worth it for me and I am feeling pretty darned well these days.
Posted by up on December 29, 2002, at 17:41:03
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Ponder on December 27, 2002, at 16:57:34
just diagnosed bipolar. mainly manic, just started topomax. i'm hypersensative to most things it seems. so far all is well, just a little tired and incredibly thirsty. researching a lot. enjoy reading the messages. thanks! up
Posted by up on December 29, 2002, at 17:41:34
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Ponder on December 27, 2002, at 16:57:34
just diagnosed bipolar. mainly manic, just started topomax. i'm hypersensative to most things it seems. so far all is well, just a little tired and incredibly thirsty. researching a lot. enjoy reading the messages. thanks! up
Posted by Madge on December 29, 2002, at 19:09:17
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Ponder on December 27, 2002, at 16:57:34
I have been on Topamax for almost two weeks now. It was added to my regime of meds by my psychopharmachologist as a way of counteracting the weight gain (approx 10lbs) I gained within the first few weeks of taking Remeron and couldn't lose. I am taking 45 mg of Remeron .5 mg of klonopin 3x daily and 50 mg of Topamax - 25mg in am and pm. My head gets a little fuzzy at night ie remebering strings of numbers is harder. ( I also have been taking a 5 day intensive Yoga workshop which has been kicking my butt so I may just be really tired from that as well - I'll see how I do after the workshop is over.)
I am titrating slowly to 100mg where the weight loss is supposed to start occuring. Tuesday I start on 50mg at night and 25mg during the day. I'll let you know how I do.Madge.
Posted by Gorda on December 30, 2002, at 19:20:09
In reply to Re: Starting on Topomax for Migraines. Advice anyone?, posted by Jaycee on November 18, 2002, at 5:17:27
Re Topamax
It made my hair fall out, I was bleeding under the skin--covered with huge purple bruises that were not from bashing into things. I felt good at first, but it wasn't worth it, and it did nothing for the migraines.
Posted by Gorda on December 30, 2002, at 19:26:47
In reply to Re: How many of you posting are currently exercising?, posted by Bill1888 on December 7, 2002, at 11:52:59
Topo was living hell, now on WB 300 mg, Zoloft 200 mg, nortriptyline 300, Inderal 100, I can't stop eating junk - icecream candy, I can barely move through the day at work, let alone exercise.
Haven't been able to force myself to go tto the gym in a year, need to lose 80 or so pounds, got a "total gym" and I'm having a lot of trouble trying to force myselt to use it. I tthink the huge amount of meds are part of the problem. I feel barely alive -- I should feel better taking all this stuff!!! Any advice?
Posted by Noa on January 1, 2003, at 15:09:17
In reply to Re: How many of you posting are currently exercising?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on December 15, 2002, at 10:57:46
Not enough!
I have always struggled with weight, have family history of insulin resistance and late onset type two diabetes (father and grandfather in later years), and since being on my meds for a while (no mood stabilizers, tho), have gained even more weight, and a lot of it in the waste area, which is where the fat cells supposedly store the hormones that make us more insulin resistent. Ok, so I belong to a gym and went religiously for a while, but have averaged about once a month in the past 8 months (that amounts to about a $50 visit each time!!).
I know it helps with my mood and with my weight and insulin resistance, but it is hard to get myself to go and work out.
Posted by jamielynn on January 1, 2003, at 16:05:23
In reply to Re: Starting on Topomax for Migraines. Advice anyone?, posted by Gorda on December 30, 2002, at 19:20:09
I had to get off the meds force myself to walk at least 10 minutes each day. And get off sugars. My mood is more stable and I am still tired alot but it is getting better. I always feel better after a walk, so I try to do it in the morning so it will get me going for the day. Zoloft make me sleep. WB was ok. But it took away that drive to really acomplish anything. I quit topomax as soon as I started feeling all Fuzzy in the brain. 75 mg. I am in College and couldn't risk the dah feeling.
The extra weight I carry is better than my grades.
I would go into more detail on some of the more alternative routes I have been having success with but I think the Dr. just wants med type info not so much chat. Good luck. May you all find yourselves.
Posted by doggrrl on January 3, 2003, at 16:02:02
In reply to Re: Starting on Topomax for Migraines. Advice anyone?, posted by Gorda on December 30, 2002, at 19:20:09
I do not take Topomax for migranes, but for a mild sz disorder and for bipolar disorder (along with lithium and ADs). I have had GREAT luck with it. I lost 22 lbs that I gained due to lithium and neurontin despite intense exercise 5 days a week. Since starting topomax, I have kept the weight off irrespective of my exercise habits, which were curtailed dramatically at one point for 6 months because of a sports injury. I have always been very athletic and had never gained any weight until I started lithium. No matter what I did, I could not shed the extra weight until the Topomax. I realize that I am only one person, and additionally, that I have always been thin. However, I have to say that for me, I am really pleased with Topomax. It also has had a marked AD effect, and has augmented the effects of my other meds. I took it and lithium alone together for months until a number of circumstances necessitated an AD. I take 200 mg/day. The hardest side effect for me was intense sedation. This lessened over time and disappeared but there were days when I thought I would not be able to continue it, especially with my job. I have experienced some naming problems on it -- again hard with my job, which involves lots of cognitive activity, writing, reading, lecturing -- but I can compensate with notetaking. Overall, the benefits -- mood augmentation, weight control -- far outweigh the slight decline in memory. The other side effects I had were fleeting, as I have been on it for over 2 years now and don't remember what they were, except for the horrific fatigue. Good luck to anyone considering this drug, and please write back with any questions. I know everyone is different. I am so sorry for Gorda -- with the hair loss, etc.
Posted by doggrrl on January 3, 2003, at 16:08:33
In reply to I had dramatic weight loss w/ Tmax, posted by doggrrl on January 3, 2003, at 16:02:02
Titrating up slowly is key (my doctor said), as many docs try to take their pts up by 50 mg at a time instead of 25. The last time I talked to him, he told me that now docs are advising pts to go up even more slowly to alleviate side effects even more. When I read over some more of the posts, I remembered that I also experienced tingling, etc. I often stayed at a dose longer than recommended by the packaging insert. It took me months -- I think 6 months -- to get up to 200 mg.
Posted by Ms. C on January 3, 2003, at 22:08:53
In reply to oh, the combinations, posted by art1 on November 16, 2002, at 11:48:21
I am on 150mg Topamax BID so far I forget what I am saying mid sentance. Not a good drug choice. I was wondering if another drug could be added to improve memory. It does stop headaches for me. I have lost some wt. Thats a plus. But not being able to retrieve a word I need when I want to or losing my thoughts mid sentence is too frustrating to make this a good drug to use. Got to be a better one or some combo. Going to lose my job using this ...no mistakes in medicine!!!
Posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 17:15:58
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations, posted by Ms. C on January 3, 2003, at 22:08:53
> I am on 150mg Topamax BID so far I forget what I am saying mid sentance. Not a good drug choice. I was wondering if another drug could be added to improve memory. It does stop headaches for me. I have lost some wt. Thats a plus. But not being able to retrieve a word I need when I want to or losing my thoughts mid sentence is too frustrating to make this a good drug to use. Got to be a better one or some combo. Going to lose my job using this ...no mistakes in medicine!!!
May I ask are you a physician?Jumpy
Posted by Karla on January 4, 2003, at 20:59:46
In reply to Re: Starting on Topomax for Migraines. Advice anyone?, posted by Gorda on December 30, 2002, at 19:20:09
I tried topamax up to 600mg. It did nothing to help my headaches but did manage to help me loose my memory. It did not effect my weight either way. I think this is a horrible medication.
Posted by Ms. C on January 5, 2003, at 13:53:00
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations, posted by Jumpy on January 4, 2003, at 17:15:58
No Jumpy not a physician but in the medical field. I could potentially make a mistake that could be harmful to someone. I have to check and recheck what I do, be extra careful. Productivity is low because of this. I am assuming I will be disabled because of this drug.
Posted by token on January 5, 2003, at 21:17:01
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations, posted by Ms. C on January 5, 2003, at 13:53:00
> No Jumpy not a physician but in the medical field. I could potentially make a mistake that could be harmful to someone. I have to check and recheck what I do, be extra careful. Productivity is low because of this. I am assuming I will be disabled because of this drug.
i'm not an md either but also in the medical field. when i first started "dopey-max" it took me 12 hours to fill out a report that i would usually do in 15 minutes. i was forgetting names and faces of patients/clients i had just seen a day or two before. i had to refer all my clients to competitors (humiliating!) b/c i KNEW i was not able to trust my clinical judgment or even form sentences- how can i do counseling in the land of nod? my brain works fine now that i've adjusted to it but my private business and my reputation will never be the same. but i must admit, topamax has done wonders for both my migraines and bipolar disorder.
Posted by Ms. C on January 7, 2003, at 6:22:26
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations » Ms. C, posted by token on January 5, 2003, at 21:17:01
Maybe there is some hope then that the forgetfulness of forgetting what you are doing and saying in the middle of it goes away with time. How long did it take you to adjust? I need a to add a new drug on top of this one for depression I think, will find out today for sure. Dopeymax! I like that one :) I feel like I have been more productive of late. My boss is still not satisfied though and verbalizes it regularly. I went from doing one persons job to doing two jobs and the stress of that is killing me, in fact the only reason I have not turned tail and ran away is the fact i am too dopey to learn a new position right now. But today I see the Dr again so perhaps I find out about my tests I had and if my EEG is normal and if depression and topamax were giving me the dopeys and if something can be done with the killer headaches I get that doesnt in fact give me another headache when it wears off the next day, a rebound headache. Ms. C.
Posted by Madge on January 7, 2003, at 10:40:13
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations, posted by Ms. C on January 7, 2003, at 6:22:26
I am curious how quickly you are titrating up on the Topamax. My Dr. specifically stressed that in order to ameliorate the "dopyness" and potentitial cognitive problems that one must titrate up VERY slowly. I have been titrating up 25 mg once a week. The key is also to take the majority of the meds at night. I started at 25mg at night for one week. Then titrated to 25mg in am and in pm. to a total of 50mg for one week. Then again added another 25 mg at night for a total of 75 mg (25 in am and 50mg pm) for one week. Tonight I am adding another 25mg at night to bring me up to 100mg and then I am staying at that level for two weeks. Then I am titrating up to 125 mg for another two weeks and then seeing my dr. I am on Topamax for mood stabilization but also to help counter the weight gain from taking Remeron. In order to lose weight one must be on a dosage of at at least 100 mg. per day. I also take Klonapin .5mg 3x daily.
I hope that helps.
Also, for those who have lost weight on Topamax, at what dosage, did you start seeing the weight loss. I am anxiously awaiting......But trying to be patiently awaiting...
Posted by Ms. C on January 8, 2003, at 4:58:59
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations, posted by Madge on January 7, 2003, at 10:40:13
I started with 50mg per day for 10 days then 100mg a day for the next month or so then 200mg a day for a month or so and now I am at 150 twice a day. Yesterday he added Zoloft 50mg at bedtime. Said it will help with the forgetfulness. Ms C
Posted by AnitaMarie on January 8, 2003, at 11:45:16
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations, posted by Ms. C on January 8, 2003, at 4:58:59
I have found that if I take my "dopeymax" (100mgs) at bedtime I have little of the forgetfullness in the morning. I now take 300 mgs of effexor and 200 mgs of Wellbitrin at 9 am and 200 mgs of wellbutrin at 6 pm and 100 mgs of topamax at about 11 pm. After the initial horrible fatigue and forgetfullness for a week or so, I am doing fine now. My doctor will be increasing the dosage soon so I will tell you how I am doing. My appetite is down but I notice a slight increase in it in the evening. Most likely because the Topamax is wearing off. Diet pepsi tastes horrible and I finally kicked the caffeine habit which was leading to many of my ups and downs too. I am hoping this stuff continues to work but I know me... up and down.. up and down..
Posted by Ms. C on January 9, 2003, at 20:48:48
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations, posted by AnitaMarie on January 8, 2003, at 11:45:16
I take 150mg at night and feel great in the morning all rested and remember everything. Then when I take the morning dose at about 11:00 am...all is lost again. I am hoping by adding the zoloft at night the Dr will be right..hoping and praying too and memory will be restored!! I need it to function. Ms C
Posted by Madge on January 9, 2003, at 21:38:51
In reply to I had dramatic weight loss w/ Tmax, posted by doggrrl on January 3, 2003, at 16:02:02
> I do not take Topomax for migranes, but for a mild sz disorder and for bipolar disorder (along with lithium and ADs). I have had GREAT luck with it. I lost 22 lbs that I gained due to lithium and neurontin despite intense exercise 5 days a week. Since starting topomax, I have kept the weight off irrespective of my exercise habits, which were curtailed dramatically at one point for 6 months because of a sports injury. I have always been very athletic and had never gained any weight until I started lithium. No matter what I did, I could not shed the extra weight until the Topomax. I realize that I am only one person, and additionally, that I have always been thin. However, I have to say that for me, I am really pleased with Topomax. It also has had a marked AD effect, and has augmented the effects of my other meds. I took it and lithium alone together for months until a number of circumstances necessitated an AD. I take 200 mg/day. The hardest side effect for me was intense sedation. This lessened over time and disappeared but there were days when I thought I would not be able to continue it, especially with my job. I have experienced some naming problems on it -- again hard with my job, which involves lots of cognitive activity, writing, reading, lecturing -- but I can compensate with notetaking. Overall, the benefits -- mood augmentation, weight control -- far outweigh the slight decline in memory. The other side effects I had were fleeting, as I have been on it for over 2 years now and don't remember what they were, except for the horrific fatigue. Good luck to anyone considering this drug, and please write back with any questions. I know everyone is different. I am so sorry for Gorda -- with the hair loss, etc.
goggrrl - At what point did you start to see weight loss with the Topomax? I am currently on 100 mg. I just titrated up to that amount last night and will be at that amount for two weeks when I will go up to 125mg for two weeks before I see my dr. Everytime I titrate up with just 25mg, the sedation is pretty intense for a few days, and then I seem to settle into the new dose. I am taking the Topomax for some mood stabilization but also to counteract the initial weight gain I experienced from taking Remeron.
---Madge
Posted by Angelseer on January 13, 2003, at 20:30:40
In reply to Re: oh, the combinations, posted by Ms. C on January 9, 2003, at 20:48:48
Hi all
I am wondering if any of you have had to stop taking Topamax suddenly, and if so did you experience any sort of withdrawl problems?
I have been taking 100mg am and 200mg pm for almost a year and 5 days ago, for a variety of reasons, ran out of topamax. I am trying desperatly to get my meds, but.... cost is outrageous with no prescription insurance and patient assistance program is taking WAY too long.
I have been having alot of anxiety attacks and sleep pattern is completely out of whack. I rapid cycle and it is starting to be obvious to others that something is suddenly not right.
Any thoughts/help would be welcome.
Thanks~ Angelseer
Posted by alijill on January 14, 2003, at 19:44:47
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences?, posted by Stacy Louisa Beus on December 19, 2002, at 23:30:10
I am now up to 100 mg. in the morning and 100 mg at night and I still feel hungry all the time. I have lost no weight and am actually gaining weight. why am I the only one experiencing this? While I know that I am not on the Topamax for my horrible weight gain, losing it would help. Please tell me I am not the only one who is still feeling hungry and racy.
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