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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by headachequeen on January 1, 2005, at 17:21:31
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » headachequeen, posted by rainy on December 26, 2004, at 14:15:35
> Kat, I just read this morning in Newsweek of all places (prescribing info for Topamax, big ad for migraine relief) that Tegretol reduces blood plasma levels of Topamax by 40%. I'm sure your medicine man is aware of this, but you aren't getting as much Top by almost half as you may have thought you were. Unless you already knew this. Hence the continuing seizures??
>
> The friendly supermarket pharmacist confirmed this fact and stated this is true with trileptal as well--something I want to ask my pdoc about as a mood stabilizer. Hoo boy.
>
> As for titrating up on Topamax, I'm on day three of 350 mgs and noticing that I'm beginning to have repetitive thinking--the same sentence keeps running through my head, or I rehearse conversations over and over, always taking the same part. Sort of like learning lines. Bleahg.
> At least so far I'm not as mean and nasty as I was last time I went up, but this is as far as I got, too. Pdoc expects me to be at 400 by now, I think--she didn't instruct me. I saw her three weeks ago and have an appointment on Wednesday. I'm really dreading the appointment.
>
> rainy
>
>
Rainy, I didn't know that... but it could be why I am taking 600 mg when they say that I need 400???
makes sense to me when I know that...
don't dread the appointment...
any handouts I have had from neurologists about topomax tell the patient to increase only when he or she feels ready... not to increase sooner than two week increments but not to increase before the body has adjusted...
just tell the doctor that your body and you are not ready...
she should understand...this has been an awful few days and I have not been reading the boards at all... am now reading them and will try to catch up to some degree...
but have promised myself no stress whatever...
a series of aura situation, what you describe so well as saran wrap days and some incredible seizures as well as a couple of days, like today with the tingling sensation in hands and face...
the new med mix is not working at all...
so on Monday when all the offices magically re-open after the Christmas holiday I am going to try and get a sooner appointment and get something done...
as 'Stresser' has pointed out so accurately my body simply cannot manage many more of these episodes.
I cannot believe I am saying this, but I think I want to go back to Tegretol (with the Topomax of course) --
when I saw him a few days ago the Clobozam was increased (in slow increments of course <s>) by 1/2 tablet at a time over a week until I was taking 2 tablets each evening and then I am to start taking 1/2 a tablet in the morning working up to two each morning...
I am suspicious that the increase in clobozam is related to the aura days and the seizures that follow... seven seizures since Christmas Eve and that is when I had started two a night...
the link is two obvious...
when I went back to one and a half or one a night I had no problem the following day.So I figure that if I put two and two together....
I keep hearing such terrible things about Topomax...
and having such positive results with it...
so why not increase it and leave this other stuff out of the picture?
It seems so simple to me, but then I am not a neurologist, I simply have to try to live with the condition....
sigh
kat
Posted by stresser on January 1, 2005, at 19:57:35
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » rainy, posted by headachequeen on January 1, 2005, at 17:21:31
You keep hearing terrible things about the topamax? It seems that it was working much better before with the Tegretol (?), than with the new meds. Am I correct? I would like to know what you are hearing about the topamax. I really don't think Monday morning can come quickly enough for you. Stand your ground, I'm not a neurologist either,(that would come in handy!!) but it seems to me that you have been going through this long enough to know something about what may be good for you. Is it that common for a doctor to advise a patient to increase the dosage as they see fit? -L
Posted by rainy on January 2, 2005, at 6:08:57
In reply to Re: Topamax and metabolism » rainy, posted by headachequeen on January 1, 2005, at 17:21:31
Kat, it's good to hear from you again. If you're having good results from Topamax, then most of the awful stuff you're hearing doesn't apply to you. I hope I'm not the source of the awful stuuf, whatever it might be. It sounds from your post like you've discovered something: your seizure level increases with the clobazine and decreases when you don't take it--is this clue? Are they fixing something that isn't quite broken? Do you feel like an experiment? How long does this go on before you give out? Personally, I don't like this.
rainy
Posted by Robert Blackburn on January 2, 2005, at 17:42:57
In reply to topomax, posted by Ellen Brodie on April 19, 1999, at 15:58:40
help me!
My wife startes taking 50mg of topomax a little over a month ago for migraines (used to take imitrex like skittles). And well....she got really mean and very irrational. She has admitted and her mom has noticed too. Does ANYONE have any experience with this what so ever!
Posted by Paintmom on January 2, 2005, at 18:22:25
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Robert Blackburn on January 2, 2005, at 17:42:57
> help me!
>
> My wife startes taking 50mg of topomax a little over a month ago for migraines (used to take imitrex like skittles). And well....she got really mean and very irrational. She has admitted and her mom has noticed too. Does ANYONE have any experience with this what so ever!
Well
I am new here....and probably the least knowledgable on the topic because I have only been taking topamax for three weeks....however..
since a secondary use for the medicine is for bipolar disorder...it makes sense that it effects brain chemistry...so maybe if you don't have BP...it can make you irritable...Just a thought...
If I take too high a dose of buspar I get like that...
Talk to her doctor...maybe at a lower dose there will be no side effects....
Good luck
Posted by stresser on January 2, 2005, at 19:45:11
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Robert Blackburn on January 2, 2005, at 17:42:57
Funny how you posted the question I was about to write in and ask!!! Isn't that strange? My daughter had been taking topamax for four months and also takes Wellbutrin. I have noticed that she has become a mean, intollerable, know-it-all, I'm gonna take you down, type of 16 year old. She was like that before that topamax (about 3months), and I'm wondering if it's the wellbutrin, but now I think the topamax may have a hand in the attitude. I don't like this attitude at all, and have been obsessed with figuring out what is going on. It's driving her me and her father crazy. We want out other daughter back. Let us know how things are for you. -L
Posted by rainy on January 2, 2005, at 20:14:05
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by Robert Blackburn on January 2, 2005, at 17:42:57
To Robert Blackburn: When I first started topamax my husband commented in a wondering kind of voice that I was so "hostile" and that's exactly how I felt. Your wife started at 50 mgs rather than at the usual 25 which may be part of the problem. If she increases her dose at all, please caustion her to take it slow and easy. I've found by trial and error that if I go up by no more than 25 mg increments every three weeks I don't get as crabby, but even then I can feel the urge to snap hard to curb sometimes. It seems especially difficult to remain sane in the second week of a new dose. The first time I titrated up I didn't know what the hell was going on and nobody told me. You guys aren't alone in this and I guess it's the norm for Topamax users. Things do even out eventually.
rainy
Posted by bridgey1128 on January 2, 2005, at 21:11:57
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by rainy on January 2, 2005, at 20:14:05
Robert, your wife is probably having such a bad reaction to it because she started at such a high dosage like rainy said. You should ALWAYS start at the bottom and slowly work your way up. How long has she been at 50mg? If possible back down to the 25mg for a tad and then when she evens out then in a week or so THEN go up to the 50mg. Every 2 or 3 weeks then you can go up to the next dosage and no sooner. Otherwise you can have pretty bad side effects. I take it for bipolar and when I went up too soon I lost my eyesight until Kat told me to back down. ONce I did, just like she said, it went back to normal and ever since I haven't had many problems. The only time I have had problems was when I actually needed to go up and didn't. Topomax actually KEEPS me from being irritable and witchy so I don't know why it causes that in someone unless they went up on the dosage too quickly or another drug maybe caused it and it was to blame, who knows. It has worked for me quite well by itself although I know that a lot of people take other drugs along with it. Thankfully it DOES work by itself because I can't afford to take anything else!
Posted by rainy on January 3, 2005, at 9:44:39
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by bridgey1128 on January 2, 2005, at 21:11:57
Maybe you're just a kinder gentler person than I am, Bridgey. I think I was hostile before I started taking the Max and it just sort of brought it out in me, you know? But boy, did it ever. My pdoc told me it is supposed to calm me down--I'm still waiting. Different personalities respond to different drugs in different ways, like duh. And yes, it's really good that it works for you as a solo mood stabilizer--it's going to have to do that for me, too for awhile longer. All I was doing was quoting research that indicate it isn't always effective on its own, and you know how results change with different studies. I don't think it's doing very well for me, but I may be at too low a dose which is why I'm creeping up toward 400. Crabbily, I might add, two weeks into 350.
I also couldn't remember how to write 2005 on a form this morning--crossed out several tries which took us way back into the last century before it finally dawned on me. Little things.
But it will get better.rainy
Posted by stresser on January 3, 2005, at 19:52:13
In reply to Re: topomax » bridgey1128, posted by rainy on January 3, 2005, at 9:44:39
Very interesting! Maybe it's not the topamax, it's the wellbutrin making her nasty. Topamax has helped very much with the mood fluctuations so far, she had talked with the me and the doctor about that at the last session. It's something for her to notice that about herself. She is not wanting to take 250mg of wellbutrin because it makes her really sweaty, so she's only taking 150mg until she sees the doc on thurs. I don't like that, because I think the depression could come back, but it's only for a few days. Thanks for the input everyone.
It will be at least a month before I will remember to write 2005 on anything!! Don't feel alone with that, I do it every year! -L
Posted by je44y on January 4, 2005, at 10:16:51
In reply to Topamax, posted by Momof4 on July 10, 2004, at 9:47:31
HELLO, IM NEW AT THIS, I'VE BEEN READING THESE THINGS FOR MONTHS. ANYWAYS IM WORKING MY WAY UP TO 200MG OF TOPAMAX FOR SEVERE MIGRAINES. WHICH MAKE ME NOT SLEEP SO MY DOC GAVE ME KLONIPIN. I HAVE A HISTORY OD DEPRESSION IVE TRIED EVERYTHING, PROZAX, EFFEXOR, ZOLOFT, EVERTHING MAKES ME TOTALLY FAT. IVE BEEN ON WELLBUTRIN BEFORE BUT IT STOPPED DOING ANTHING FOR ME. BUT IM GOING TO TRY IT AGAIN. DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THIS LITTLE DRUG COCKTAIL?
ALSO AS I UP MY DOSAGE OF THE TOPAMAX I SEEM TO GET JUST A LITTLE CRAZIER, EDGIER, AGGRESSAVE. LIKE I'M GONNA SNAP. I HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING ABOUT THAT KIND OF SIDE EFFECT. ANY THOUGHTS
Posted by stresser on January 4, 2005, at 13:49:04
In reply to Re: Topamax,t wellbutrin, klonipin » Momof4, posted by je44y on January 4, 2005, at 10:16:51
Hi, Just read your post and can't really tell you if the topamax is making you feel edgy or not. I really think that it's the wellbutrin that makes me crazy! My daughter is taking it also and I think it's making her intollerable as well. I thought it could be the topamax, but it has been going on longer than she has been taking the topamax. She did tell me and her doctor that the topamax has stabilized her moods, (can you believe she noticed that?)so I am leaning towards blaming the wellbutrin. It also makes her really sweaty, so she is now refusing to take 350mg, and taking 150mg per day. I hope the depression does not come back. She will be seeing her doctor on Thursday, and I don't think she will become any more depressed before then. I don't know that wellbutrin is working for me at all anymore. It seems that it makes me more depressed these days, so I made the descision to quit taking it altogether about three days ago. I feel fine, for now......Good luck. I'm sure you will get other replies to your post that will be more helpful to you. Most of the people taking topamax have been taking for quite a long time, and they have great advice. -L
Posted by Jenbracha on January 14, 2005, at 13:25:09
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by Ellen Brodie on May 28, 1999, at 5:34:48
Ellen,
I am on Topomax also and wondered how long it took for your cognitive dulling to decrease?
Is the topomax still helping you and how long have you been on it?Any info is much appreciated!
Best,
Jen> > I am now on 300mg a day of topomax. My doc has been uping the prescription at 50mg about every 10 days. As the time as gone on I have notice consideraberably less cognitive dulling. At first I was at the reading level or at least felt like I was at the reading level of a twelve year old. I am thirthy six. It has helped stabilized my moods and the side efects have decreased over time. I am also taking klonopin. I am bipolar and have a generalized anxiety disorder. I hope this helps. Good Luck. Ellen
Posted by rainy on January 14, 2005, at 16:20:45
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by Jenbracha on January 14, 2005, at 13:25:09
Jenbracha, I've been on Topamax since 2003. I stopped it once at 350 mgs because I was really disoriented after having gone up too quickly to that dose. When I restarted I went slowly to 300 and stayed there without problems for several months (it didn't do squat for mood stabilization) and am now inching my way (25 mgs every two weeks) to 400. I forget nouns and time is totally weird--like Christmas seems at least three months ago instead of only slightly more than three weeks. I'm also very hungry. But the cognitive dulling is much less than it was at first and this is good. If you're titrating up be sure you're going slow, even if your MD has you bouncing right along. Slow helps with side effects. Check with her/him.
rainy
Posted by stresser on January 14, 2005, at 18:44:37
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by Jenbracha on January 14, 2005, at 13:25:09
Has anyone experienced hair loss while taking topamax and/or Wellbutrin? My daughter is taking both, and has noticed her hair is thinning now that she has been on both for about five months. Her doctor has taken her off the Wellbutrin for now, but she is continuing to take the topamax. I have started her taking Biotin and Gelatin, I bought at Walgreen's. She is really very upset about this, and I don't know what to do to help her. Will those vitamins and protein help? -L
Posted by redscarlet on January 15, 2005, at 20:44:46
In reply to Re: topamax, Wellbutrin and hair loss, posted by stresser on January 14, 2005, at 18:44:37
I was on Topamax for over two plus years and I lost TONS and TONS of hair during the entire time I was taking it.
I even took mega dosages of biotin and many other vitamins but they had no effect on the hair loss.
My hair was also very dry.
Unfortunately hair loss can be a side effect from both the Topamax and Wellbutrin for some people.
I was also on Wellbutrin 450mgs for all of 2004 (just went off as of this month 1/05) but had no hair loss from it myself.
(note: I was not on the Wellbutin & Topamax at the same time)
But I have remained on all the vitamins even after being off the Topamax for a year.
I'm still trying to get my hair back !
I now take Zonegran (been on it since 1/04) which is very similar to Topamax. In fact they say it's a cleaner med then the Topamax, meaning the side effect profile is much less.
You may ask her doctor about the Zonegran if the Topamax is working except for the hair loss.
However I have heard of some people having the hair loss on the Zonegran, but that is not so for me and I think far fewer people have that side effect from the Zonegran then the Topamax.
HTH... :-)
Posted by rainy on January 16, 2005, at 8:20:33
In reply to Re: topamax, posted by rainy on January 14, 2005, at 16:20:45
About hair loss on Topamax: I didn't, I think. I lost a lot of hair on Lamictal--so much that I went off the stuff and immediately felt better all over. I was taking it with Topamax. Zinc and biotin (never tried gelatin) seemed to slow the process on Lamictal and halted it completely on Topamax, if it ever occured. I think I got the formula on the Lamictal thread but someone might have some good ideas about hair loss and AEDs on the alternative board, too.
rainy
Posted by monkeypants on January 17, 2005, at 15:51:43
In reply to Re: Lamictal weight gain?, posted by jerseydevil on December 11, 2003, at 14:59:52
I've just began taking Lamictal (I've titrated up to 100mg per day over the last 2 months). I've experienced significant weight gain since beginning treatment with Lamictal. I've taken Welbutrin SR for several years, so I'm fairly sure that it's not the cause of the weight gain. I switched from 200mg of Topamax (it ceased to work & actually caused depression, and has lately been published as NOT a significantly effective way of treating bipolar). I understand that Topamax can cause weight loss or decrease in appetite, so I'm not sure if the switch from Topamax to Lamictal triggered the weight gain.
I've gained about 20 pounds in less than 2 months--quite significant since I've never weighed over 140 lbs! I've proceeded to eat healthier and excercise, but my weight has continued to rise no matter what I do! My clothes aren't fitting anymore!
My doctor claims Lamictal should not cause any increase in weight, nor is it indicated in the drug's side effects.
Has anyone else gained a significant amount of weight from Lamictal?? Any help would be appreciated, as my mood treatment on Lamictal has been so far so good...
Posted by monkeypants on January 17, 2005, at 16:29:39
In reply to Re: topomax and mean irrational people, posted by stresser on January 2, 2005, at 19:45:11
I also took Topamax & Wellbutrin for some time. I recently discontinued the Topamax because it ceased to be effective for mood stabilization & had some psycho-motor effects (difficulty with memory and word-finding).
What I wanted to mention is this: if your daughter was depressed before taking Welbutrin & Topamax, her attitude changes may be a result of successful treatment. What I mean is that depression can cause withdrawn, anti-social, listless, submissive behavior. If your daughter is expressing (what sounds like) aggressive or loud behavior, it may be that her depression has lifted , if she is acting differently than she was when she was depressed.
Another explanation is that the Wellbutrin has caused her to be slightly manic. Mania can include symptoms of aggressive behaviors, excessive talking, irritability, impatience. Wellbutrin can cause an increase in energy and can, in some cases, cause manic symptoms if not checked with a mood stabilizer like Topamax, Depakote, Lamictal, etc.
Good luck & I hope this helps!
Posted by rainy on January 17, 2005, at 19:47:28
In reply to Re: Lamictal weight gain? » jerseydevil, posted by monkeypants on January 17, 2005, at 15:51:43
Gaaaaa! About the weight gain!! How awful to have chainged eating habits and begun to exercise and still be gaining. It reminds me of my SSRI days and the doctor saying well I don't see any weight gain this is all your imagination while I packed on 50 pounds. Are you taking anything else besides the Topamax? Why don't you go to Remedy Find and check the side effects of Topamax yourself--sometimes weight gain is tucked away in there under "rare." Just because it's rare or infrequent doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
rainy
Posted by monkeypants on January 18, 2005, at 15:31:16
In reply to Re: Lamictal weight gain? » monkeypants, posted by rainy on January 17, 2005, at 19:47:28
> Gaaaaa! About the weight gain!! How awful to have chainged eating habits and begun to exercise and still be gaining. It reminds me of my SSRI days and the doctor saying well I don't see any weight gain this is all your imagination while I packed on 50 pounds. Are you taking anything else besides the Topamax? Why don't you go to Remedy Find and check the side effects of Topamax yourself--sometimes weight gain is tucked away in there under "rare." Just because it's rare or infrequent doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
> rainy
>
Thanks for your response, Rainy. I'm not taking Topamax; my weight gain issues are in reference to Lamictal, which I began taking 2 months ago instead of Topamax. I did check RemedyFind.com, and found no instances of weight gain in the listed side effects, or in the posts. Besides the Lamictal, I am also taking 300 mg Wellbutrin daily, but have taken it for about 10 years without any change in my weight. Like I mentioned, since starting Lamictal 2 months ago, I've gained 20 pounds, which is the only negative effect so far--but it's a very negative one!
Posted by monkeypants on January 18, 2005, at 15:44:39
In reply to Re: topamax, Wellbutrin and hair loss » stresser, posted by redscarlet on January 15, 2005, at 20:44:46
I also took Wellbutrin & Topamax for about 3 years. I don't think the Wellbutrin contributed to hair loss because I've taken it for much longer than the tmax (10 years) with minimal side effects (I have mild difficulty falling asleep & hyperactivity at times).
My hair did thin a bit while I took Topamax, but even more bothersome was the extreme dry scalp it gave me (anyone else?) I know it can cause decreased sweating (causing the body to overheat at times), so I imagine that the cause of dry scalp is the reduction of moisture to the skin.
I've since switched from Topamax to Lamictal (2 months ago) and notice a mild improvement in my hair quality, but still have pronounced dandruff/dry, itchy scalp that doesn't respond to anti-dandruff shampoos. I'm not sure if the topamax has a long half-life or stays in your system after you stop taking it--does anyone know?
monkeypants
> I was on Topamax for over two plus years and I lost TONS and TONS of hair during the entire time I was taking it.
> I even took mega dosages of biotin and many other vitamins but they had no effect on the hair loss.
> My hair was also very dry.
> Unfortunately hair loss can be a side effect from both the Topamax and Wellbutrin for some people.
> I was also on Wellbutrin 450mgs for all of 2004 (just went off as of this month 1/05) but had no hair loss from it myself.
> (note: I was not on the Wellbutin & Topamax at the same time)
> But I have remained on all the vitamins even after being off the Topamax for a year.
> I'm still trying to get my hair back !
> I now take Zonegran (been on it since 1/04) which is very similar to Topamax. In fact they say it's a cleaner med then the Topamax, meaning the side effect profile is much less.
> You may ask her doctor about the Zonegran if the Topamax is working except for the hair loss.
> However I have heard of some people having the hair loss on the Zonegran, but that is not so for me and I think far fewer people have that side effect from the Zonegran then the Topamax.
> HTH... :-)
>
Posted by bridgey1128 on January 18, 2005, at 16:15:45
In reply to Re: topamax, Wellbutrin and hair loss » redscarlet, posted by monkeypants on January 18, 2005, at 15:44:39
I shed like a dog anyway so I don't know if it's the Topomax or just me. I have plenty of hair to spare anyway. My hair isn't very dry other than I have dyed it for the first time in my life so that is probably why. It isn't brittle and I use tons of conditioner anyway. So who knows! Is Zonegran for bipolar or just depression and does it make you gain weight? Just wondering...Topomax is working but I have to find something that is less expensive and possibly has a generic. This is KILLING me on insurance so that I can't afford anything else like, you know ANTIBIOTICS!
Posted by stresser on January 18, 2005, at 16:32:21
In reply to Re: topomax and mean irrational people » stresser, posted by monkeypants on January 17, 2005, at 16:29:39
I think the wellbutrin may have been making her mean and irrational. The doctor took her off it last Friday, and we are waiting to see what happens with that. Before she became depressed in the first place, she didn't express this type of behavior, so I'm pretty sure it's the medication. It made me MANIC as heck, and I feel 100% better after stopping that medication. I just about lost my mind on that, no kidding. I'm amazed as to what it did to me and I didn't really even know it. He did give me topamax at the same time, and that could be part of the reason I feel better also. (Yes, now he thinks I need it) The topamax may be the culprit as far as her hair falling out, because it is continuing to happen. The doctor told us today to have her stop taking it....she will see him on Jan. 25. That will give her over one week with no meds., and I hope that will be ok. I am wondering also about Zonegran, and the side effects with that. Does anyone know about losing hair on that medication? Her doctor said she is Bipolar, but she took an MMPI test anyway on Monday. That will help with the diagnosis, I hope. Suggestions anyone?-L
Posted by redscarlet on January 18, 2005, at 18:24:53
In reply to Re: topamax, Wellbutrin and hair loss, posted by bridgey1128 on January 18, 2005, at 16:15:45
Zonegran is used as a mood stabilizer for bipolar, that's why I take it.
It does not cause any weight gain.
HTH
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