![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 19:33:15
I was wondering if anyone had any problems with taking topamax and causing anxiety?
christina
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2006, at 21:36:35
In reply to Does anyone have problems with topamax and anxiety, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 19:33:15
What do you take it for? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 21:43:25
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anxiety » christinav, posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2006, at 21:36:35
I take it for migraines.
Posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 22:16:36
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anxiety, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 21:43:25
> I take it for migraines.
I took it briefly, I dont think it gave me anxiety, but everyone is different.
9% of those taking at 200mg/day in studies had nervousness vs. 2% on placebo. As the dose went up in add-on trials for seizures, nervousness was two to three times placebo. The most common reported side effect though was fatigue.
You could be experiencing this.
I'm sure you're aware there are a lot of other drugs out there for migraines including those specificially made for them but maybe your doctor has a particular reason for this one.
Posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 22:20:55
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx » christinav, posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 22:16:36
I am sensitive to drugs so 100 mg would probably put me in the hosiptal. I have a low tolerance. I only started with 25mg and had some relief but with 50mg i had heart palpatations, my anxiety startes, nervousness and adrenline feeling. christina
Posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 22:41:39
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 22:20:55
> I am sensitive to drugs so 100 mg would probably put me in the hosiptal. I have a low tolerance. I only started with 25mg and had some relief but with 50mg i had heart palpatations, my anxiety startes, nervousness and adrenline feeling. christina
A lot of people with anxiety are sensitive to medications. Especially in combination. Its just a matter of finding the right combination and if you have a good psychopharmacologist I'm sure you will.
The second part that you mention, is probably paritally due to the drug, but what is known as your autonomic nervous system probably took over.
The palpitations can be minimized or eliminated with ... in fact that's another class of drug I forgot to mention entirely for anxiety... a non-cardioselective beta blocker. Propranolol is usually the drug of choice, although there is also nadolol, pindolol, sotalol, and timolol. They don't stop anxiety like benzodiazepines but they stop the sympathetic nervous system and especially propranolol is used in essential tremor. Propranolol is also used in migraine therapy.
Posted by Cairo on January 15, 2006, at 23:57:29
In reply to Does anyone have problems with topamax and anxiety, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 19:33:15
Tapering up very slowly, I experienced just about every symptom listed in the package insert. I was told to stick with it as the side effects would diminish. At 100mg, Topamax caused panic attacks, which still have not completely gone, even after slowly tapering totally off. I am now on Klonopin for the continuing panic attacks.
Don't judge others' experiences with your own. Listen to your body.
You have to decide if the risk/benefit is worth it.
Cairo
> I was wondering if anyone had any problems with taking topamax and causing anxiety?
>
> christina
Posted by christinav on January 16, 2006, at 9:25:55
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx » christinav, posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 22:41:39
This will be the second beta blocker i have tried and while this one has helped a little both were tried because i had symptoms from another medication. Once i stop the medication that brought on the problem the problem goes away. I guess when i went to the doctors and told them the problem with the topimax he just covered it with another med and i dont like that. I am 36 and take enough medications. I feel like a drugstore LOL. christina
Posted by christinav on January 16, 2006, at 9:25:58
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx, posted by Cairo on January 15, 2006, at 23:57:29
Thank you for that. I have decided to go off the topimax and see what happens. I know my body and i am pretty sure that is what is make me have more anxiety than i should. Thank you.
Posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 20:43:26
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx » christinav, posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 22:41:39
Hi yxibow,
Do the beta-blockers have any effect on other physical manefestations of anxiety, e.g. muscle tightness/tension?
Thanks,
cache-monkey> The palpitations can be minimized or eliminated with ... in fact that's another class of drug I forgot to mention entirely for anxiety... a non-cardioselective beta blocker. Propranolol is usually the drug of choice, although there is also nadolol, pindolol, sotalol, and timolol. They don't stop anxiety like benzodiazepines but they stop the sympathetic nervous system and especially propranolol is used in essential tremor. Propranolol is also used in migraine therapy.
Posted by christinav on January 16, 2006, at 21:37:39
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx » yxibow, posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 20:43:26
It doesnt with me.
Posted by 4WD on January 16, 2006, at 21:39:09
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx, posted by christinav on January 16, 2006, at 21:37:39
My pdoc says that Depakote is used to treat migraines. And it is supposed to be helpful for anxiety. you might want to ask about giving it a try.
marsha
Posted by yxibow on January 17, 2006, at 1:16:48
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx » yxibow, posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 20:43:26
> Hi yxibow,
>
> Do the beta-blockers have any effect on other physical manefestations of anxiety, e.g. muscle tightness/tension?
>
> Thanks,
> cache-monkeyYes, they can... maybe not to the same degree as klonopin. You have to dial up a fair bit, like 80mg at a time from my experience, and of course always make sure that your pulse is around 60 or so -- since while they are "non-cardioselective", they do affect the heart of course and its best to have it pumping :) (humour) People with essential tremor have taken up to 240mg a day but that's with slowly progressing.
If you're not on a high regime of benzodiazepines you might ask your doctor for a small dose of Soma (carisoprodol), which is a back relaxant. It is distantly related to barbiturates so doctors are reluctant to prescribe it today mixed with other drugs (including my doctor.. sigh.. the stuff really works.) Its distant cousin, Robaxin, can also be used on back spasms, although it is not nearly as strong as Soma.
Posted by cache-monkey on January 17, 2006, at 12:53:40
In reply to Re: Does anyone have problems with topamax and anx » cache-monkey, posted by yxibow on January 17, 2006, at 1:16:48
Thanks for the info. It feels right now that reducing the Klonopin in combination with my Lithium (which was making me wired/tense) might be easier than my earlier attempts to taper the K without touching the Li. But I will keep the beta-blockers, as well as Soma in mind for future discussion with my pdoc.
Best,
cache-monkey> > Hi yxibow,
> >
> > Do the beta-blockers have any effect on other physical manefestations of anxiety, e.g. muscle tightness/tension?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > cache-monkey
>
> Yes, they can... maybe not to the same degree as klonopin. You have to dial up a fair bit, like 80mg at a time from my experience, and of course always make sure that your pulse is around 60 or so -- since while they are "non-cardioselective", they do affect the heart of course and its best to have it pumping :) (humour) People with essential tremor have taken up to 240mg a day but that's with slowly progressing.
>
> If you're not on a high regime of benzodiazepines you might ask your doctor for a small dose of Soma (carisoprodol), which is a back relaxant. It is distantly related to barbiturates so doctors are reluctant to prescribe it today mixed with other drugs (including my doctor.. sigh.. the stuff really works.) Its distant cousin, Robaxin, can also be used on back spasms, although it is not nearly as strong as Soma.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.