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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sarahsundae on February 8, 2004, at 8:14:11
I just began taking Topamax on Friday night to help as a mood stablizer (I am bipolar). I have heard and read from so many people that it has helped with weight loss.
Has anyone had that luck here? I am just curious. I know I just started it, so I don't really notice too much (except that soda tastes funny) but I can hope.
Posted by panic_attack on February 8, 2004, at 8:33:15
In reply to Topamax=weight loss?, posted by sarahsundae on February 8, 2004, at 8:14:11
Ooh, I want to know too. If it does, I will begin to take it. Lexapro+Remeron=25lbs or more overweight :(
Posted by dragonfly25 on February 8, 2004, at 9:31:28
In reply to Re: Topamax=weight loss?, posted by panic_attack on February 8, 2004, at 8:33:15
It does cause weight loss among many other side effects. I stopped it due to hair loss, weight loss and cognitive problems. It did help me out with my mood though, too bad.
but some peaople aren't bothered by the side effects.
i was only on 50-100mg mainly 50, and i lost appetite, i have heard it usually takes affect at higher doses
Posted by sarahsundae on February 8, 2004, at 10:32:11
In reply to Re: Topamax=weight loss?, posted by dragonfly25 on February 8, 2004, at 9:31:28
I'm only on 25mg so far so I haven't really noticed it and I just started it. But I did notice that I have been fuller faster, which is good.
I need the mood stablizer big time and I need something that won't make me gain weight (that is a big issue with me since I lost a lot on my own).
Thanks for the input.
Posted by Sooshi on February 8, 2004, at 11:03:58
In reply to Topamax=weight loss?, posted by sarahsundae on February 8, 2004, at 8:14:11
I take 400mg Topa, began losing at around 100mg. Have lost 16lbs total, and not a pound more, although I haven't gained any either. Some people lose a whole lot, some just a little or none at all. Mostly I just get full sooner so I tend to not eat as much. My desire for sweets has NOT been eradicated! I'm sure if I would excercise and cut out the sugar I would lose even more.
I don't think Topamax is going to end up being the great weight loss wonder drug everyone is hoping it will be. Like all the hairy side effects of this medication, your body adjusts to them eventually, even the loss of appetite, and you go back to eating like you did before anyway. I know....bummer.
Posted by gabbix2 on February 8, 2004, at 15:21:30
In reply to Re: Topamax=weight loss? » sarahsundae, posted by Sooshi on February 8, 2004, at 11:03:58
I lost a lot of weight on Topamax, about 35 lbs.
I started losing after reached about 100mgs per day.
However, some of the weight I lost was weight I'd gained really quickly from Effexor, so I'm sure that's part of the reason it came off so easily.Now that I'm down to a bit less than my pre-effexor weight, it will be the true test I guess.
I also had terrible coginitive side-effects, almost enough to make me quit taking it, but
they did go away finally.
Posted by Zena on February 8, 2004, at 15:27:36
In reply to Re: Topamax=weight loss?, posted by panic_attack on February 8, 2004, at 8:33:15
Panic_attack,
I have been on Remeron for over a year but my Dr.just started me on Lexapro. I am on 15mg. of Remeron & 10mg. of Lex. Was wondering what mg. of Remeron your on? I don't want to put on any weight. So far I haven't with the Remeron but I watch what I eat & exercise daily. This combo scares me though. I expressed that to my Dr. & he said he had something that would take care of it if I gained weight.Will be interesting to see what it is.
Zena
Posted by helenag on February 9, 2004, at 22:12:11
In reply to Re: Topamax=weight loss?, posted by Zena on February 8, 2004, at 15:27:36
I've been on Topamax for nine months and titrated up to a dose of 300mg, where I have been since December. Prior to that, was at 200mg. I have lost 20 pounds, mostly from loss of appetite. I eat once a day, at dinner time. Maybe a couple times a week I will eat a little something for lunch. Just not hungry.
Side effects include sometimes tingling in hands and feet (mainly in morning and hardly bothers me anymore). The worst side effect is the cognitive difficulties which continue to plague me, especially when I am stressed or tired. I forget names of people, places, and things.
The drug has been excellent in controlling mood swings where others have failed.
Posted by Patient Mom on February 10, 2004, at 15:33:16
In reply to Topamax=weight loss?, posted by sarahsundae on February 8, 2004, at 8:14:11
Topamax (nicknamed "dopamax" due to adverse cognitive effects) is joking refered to as the "perfect California drug: it makes you stupid and thin".
I've been on a tri-cyclic anti-depressent (sp)(noratryptaline) in combination with SSRI and anti-seizure meds for both depression and pain management (multiple diagnoses in place) but had to discontinue the tricyclic due to other complications. That phase out and replacement was complex and painful (as are most major med changes) but had a radical effect on appetite: on the tricyclic I could eat anything put in front of me. I was never full. On Topamax I have to remind myself to eat. Moreover, I find fruit, a little cheese and bread delightful, savory and satisfying. Weight loss is steady at around 2 pounds a week over the past 9 weeks. At some point it has to stable out, but since I was seriously overweight with adverse health consquence, this is currently making all health providers happy. I have been on a structured cardio-vascular and strength building workout program throughout the time I've been on both the tri-cyclic and now Topamax.
Net it out for me as a patient, with my specific multiple diagnosis and mix of medications:
Topamax has substantial adverse effects on thinking, specifically on speech (word finding), alertness and memory (but then so did my tricyclic)
Topamax reduces my appetite compared to the state while taking a tricyclic while I concurrently have a heightened appreciation for food and flavor--I'm fuller and satisfied with simplier foods and smaller portions.
As a pain management sidebar, removing the tricyclic seems to have substantially increased pain associated with reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
Posted by PoohBear on February 11, 2004, at 11:00:51
In reply to Topamax: appetite down, thinking down, posted by Patient Mom on February 10, 2004, at 15:33:16
I'm taking 50mg of Topamax per night for sleep and mood stabilization. I have noticed no decrease in my desire for food or any significant weight loss from the gain I got from Remeron. It's doubtful that I would be taking enough to achieve any weight loss since 75mg popped me awake at 1am, unable to go back to sleep.
I have battled my weight for years, never being able to be satisfied, usually eating by the clock, not necessarily when hungry, and then eating til over-full.
I wonder though if I would be able to 'psych' myself out, by 'telling' myself that the Topamax would help take off the extra pounds, that I wouln't be as hungry, etc, etc.
Any thoughts?
Tony
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