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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by creeker5 on April 11, 2007, at 12:50:07
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by rachelled on April 11, 2007, at 12:14:03
> I am on the lowest dose of Topamax currently; 25mil /day for migraines. I don't have a history of depression but I've been nothing but a mess since I've been on it... also, my father is clinically depressed. My doctor seems more inclined to think my contraceptives are at fault, but they've never been a problem emotionally. I'm very tearful, basically bursting into tears over very little (or more frighteningly, no) triggers... I feel downhearted or hopeless most of the time.
>
> We're changing my contraceptive brands, but would getting off this Topamax be a good idea as well? It's unfortunate because it's the only thing that's been effective for migranes, but I can only get so specific an idea from google, and this message board is the best thing I've found so far.. the last month of my life has been hell, and I want it to stop before it goes too far.I posted about my wife being depressed on Topamax a couple months ago. She was in the same situation. Crying all the time for no reason. Being mad and suicidal and not knowing why she was feeling this way. At other times in here life when she was dealing with depression there was a reason. We could pin point why she was depressed or what was causing it. This last time it was different there was no reason. After posting the first time on this site I took my wife back to the neurologists who had prescribed her Topmax for her migraines. He was very adamant about Topamax not being the cause and made us feel crazy for thinking it. He keep showing us the study that showed only 1% of people on Topamax have depression as a side effect. Even though I knew Topamax was the cause I let him convince me to keep her on Topamax. After another few weeks of Hell I went back and demanded he take her off Topamax. This Time he did and put her on Depakote. She has been on Depakote for 3+ weeks. Within a couple days of coming off Topamax she was no longer dealing with the same depression she was on Topamax. The suicidal thoughts completly went away. The underlying depression still remains that she had before but it is a 100% improvement being off Topamax. I know are Dr said that the topamax would be out of her system within a couple days and that she could stop cold turkey. Going off Topamax is the best thing she ever did. Also the Depakote is working just as good as the Topamax did for her migrains.
Posted by rachelled on April 11, 2007, at 13:07:00
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by creeker5 on April 11, 2007, at 12:50:07
>
> I posted about my wife being depressed on Topamax a couple months ago. She was in the same situation. Crying all the time for no reason. Being mad and suicidal and not knowing why she was feeling this way. At other times in here life when she was dealing with depression there was a reason. We could pin point why she was depressed or what was causing it. This last time it was different there was no reason. After posting the first time on this site I took my wife back to the neurologists who had prescribed her Topmax for her migraines. He was very adamant about Topamax not being the cause and made us feel crazy for thinking it. He keep showing us the study that showed only 1% of people on Topamax have depression as a side effect. Even though I knew Topamax was the cause I let him convince me to keep her on Topamax. After another few weeks of Hell I went back and demanded he take her off Topamax. This Time he did and put her on Depakote. She has been on Depakote for 3+ weeks. Within a couple days of coming off Topamax she was no longer dealing with the same depression she was on Topamax. The suicidal thoughts completly went away. The underlying depression still remains that she had before but it is a 100% improvement being off Topamax. I know are Dr said that the topamax would be out of her system within a couple days and that she could stop cold turkey. Going off Topamax is the best thing she ever did. Also the Depakote is working just as good as the Topamax did for her migrains.
Thank you.. This is reassuring to hear, especially in the light of others being affected as well. Does it seem likely that my symptoms would be caused by such a low dose, though?I don't know much about Depakote, but I gather that it is also for epilepsy?
Posted by creeker5 on April 11, 2007, at 13:35:51
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by rachelled on April 11, 2007, at 13:07:00
> >
> > I posted about my wife being depressed on Topamax a couple months ago. She was in the same situation. Crying all the time for no reason. Being mad and suicidal and not knowing why she was feeling this way. At other times in here life when she was dealing with depression there was a reason. We could pin point why she was depressed or what was causing it. This last time it was different there was no reason. After posting the first time on this site I took my wife back to the neurologists who had prescribed her Topmax for her migraines. He was very adamant about Topamax not being the cause and made us feel crazy for thinking it. He keep showing us the study that showed only 1% of people on Topamax have depression as a side effect. Even though I knew Topamax was the cause I let him convince me to keep her on Topamax. After another few weeks of Hell I went back and demanded he take her off Topamax. This Time he did and put her on Depakote. She has been on Depakote for 3+ weeks. Within a couple days of coming off Topamax she was no longer dealing with the same depression she was on Topamax. The suicidal thoughts completly went away. The underlying depression still remains that she had before but it is a 100% improvement being off Topamax. I know are Dr said that the topamax would be out of her system within a couple days and that she could stop cold turkey. Going off Topamax is the best thing she ever did. Also the Depakote is working just as good as the Topamax did for her migrains.
>
>
> Thank you.. This is reassuring to hear, especially in the light of others being affected as well. Does it seem likely that my symptoms would be caused by such a low dose, though?
>
> I don't know much about Depakote, but I gather that it is also for epilepsy?My wife was on 50mg then went down to 25mg When she went from 50 to 25 we noticed an improvement for a couple days but it came right back. It wasn't until she was totally off That we noticed a huge difference. If I where you I would listen to what your body is telling you. You know better than any Doctor. My wife had the same concerns this was the first time in her life that she had no migraines but in the end migraines are better than depression. She is on a low dose of Depakote now and that seems to be controlling her migraines now to where she only has a few a month instead of every day.
Posted by sash07 on April 11, 2007, at 19:23:22
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by creeker5 on April 11, 2007, at 13:35:51
I had the same experience from 75mgs to 25mgs.It seems eventually the depression creeps back up on you.I personally need to get off it completely..it causes osteoporosis & gave me stomach pains.
Please know a side affect of depakote is hair loss... my Dr never told me nor did I find out until it was to late. OMG! What a problem! Be careful,take Biotin and B Complex Vitamins if you decide to continue with it. Isnt this fun?
Good Luck (:
Sasha
Posted by greybantha on June 17, 2007, at 7:22:48
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by sash07 on April 11, 2007, at 19:23:22
I have never been on medication for anything prior to 9/06 when I saw a neurologist about severe migraines 3-4 times a week. He put me on the topamax 25 to start and eventually got me up to 50. I have to say that it got rid of my headaches and gave back some of my life that I was missing. In April of 07 we were going on vacation and so I cut my dose down from 50 to 25 everything was ok, but I missed two doses while on vacation.
The week I got back my life fell apart. I started having panic attacks and was weepy and depressed. At first the doctor said it wasn't the med and I should increase back to 50 so I did and felt better for one week, but then it started all over again and I finally went to my regular physician who did a battery of tests to finally get diagnosed with anxiety disorder secondary to the Topamax. She said it has been found to cause depression and anxiety and apparently I am very sensitive to the changes so I had to come off in half doses. I'm taking 12.5 in the am and pm and am about to cut out the pm dose tonight. I had to start taking Lexapro for the anxiety and the depression and Clonopin at night to sleep. I have missed two weeks of work and both of my daughter's birthday's are coming up soon. I feel like I'm getting back on track, but withdrawing from the Topamax while introducng the Lexapro has not been easy.
I would suggest that anyone thinking about using the topamax for migraines look at every other option first and really look into the side effects of this medecine not only while you are on it but while you are coming off as well. It hasn't been easy and when I'm done with all of this, it's organic foods and yoga for me!
Posted by tgo on June 21, 2007, at 8:51:48
In reply to can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by Holli-Anne on January 2, 2005, at 22:25:26
Topamax can. I was on it alone and I believe it's an antimanic. It made me cry all the time and get very depressed. Someone like me would need to take it with an antidepressant.
Posted by Dmarie on July 12, 2007, at 21:45:28
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by greybantha on June 17, 2007, at 7:22:48
Yes, Topamax can cause Depression. I have been on it since 2004 for Classic Migraines and it has been wonderful, however lately I've noticed a BIG difference with depression for no reason at all. I have been on 50mg.daily, but have cut back to 25mg. and am going to ween myself off of this. I have also been diagnosed with a Pericardial Effusion. I am a healthy person and all tests have come back negative for any reason for this effusion. The only med I take is Topamax. My neurologist doesn't believe this could be the cause, but I've begun to do some reasearch and although I have not found documented proof, I have found a few things that could point in the direction of this med as the possible cause. If anyone has any info, please let me know. I was diagnosed 3years ago and the fluid is increasing with no valid reason as to th cause. Stay off the med...it's been great for my migraines since I cannot tolerate any other meds, but I don't think it's worth it in the long run.
Posted by sabas on September 27, 2007, at 13:49:58
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by MariaB on June 4, 2006, at 9:37:17
Warning on Topamax. My daughter,27,diagnosed as bipolar was in remission phase and was doing fine. Due to some hair loss she was given Topamax instead of Depakine. The dose was 25 mg daily and incresed to 50 mg after a week. After two weeks she became depressive. After next two weeks she visited her doctor but topamax was not withdrawn- an antidepressant moclobemide was added. 10 days later she comitted suicide
Posted by KayeBaby on September 27, 2007, at 17:09:48
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression? » MariaB, posted by sabas on September 27, 2007, at 13:49:58
I am so sorry. I cannot imagine how you must be suffering.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Kayd
Posted by Hayley on November 6, 2007, at 15:09:06
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by KayeBaby on September 27, 2007, at 17:09:48
I have been on 200 mg. of Topamax for about one year. I started at a low dose and slowly increased until I got to 200 mg. I needed this strength to prevent my migraines. Then I started feeling extremely hopeless about my life. I would cry all the time and had thoughts of suicide. I was very hard on myself and also hostile to other people at times without realizing it. My neurologist did not think it was the topamax but just my life getting the best of me. I am now weaning myself off the medicine and am already feeling much better. Sadly, I suffer from migraines and they are coming back. And the weight that I lost while on the medicine is also coming back. But the side effects are so hard to handle, I think I would rather deal with the migraines than the depression and as well as the inability to retrieve the correct word. I felt like I had Alzheimer's at a young age.
Posted by joaquin on November 6, 2007, at 16:56:08
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by creeker5 on April 11, 2007, at 13:35:51
Yes it can.
I can tell you that from my personal experience and if you do a little looking around on the web, you'll find it's quite a common side effect in fact.
Posted by Ron Hill on November 6, 2007, at 19:42:32
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression? » MariaB, posted by sabas on September 27, 2007, at 13:49:58
Sabas,
I am so very very sorry. I send out my thoughts and prayers to you.
Please take care of yourself. Perhaps a support group?
I can't begin to express my sorrow for your loss. My tears are for you.
-- Ron
Posted by greybantha on November 7, 2007, at 6:23:19
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by Hayley on November 6, 2007, at 15:09:06
Haley,
I just wanted you to know that I am now four months off of the medicine and I still have some generalized anxiety, it is far better than the hell i went through on that pill. You have no idea how much long term pain you are saving yourself by getting off of topamax now. Good luck through the weaning process. It's not easy but it is worth getting your life back. I have a feeling that we will be hearing a lot of bad things about this pill in the future.
Best Wishes!
Posted by Hayley on November 7, 2007, at 10:53:29
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by greybantha on November 7, 2007, at 6:23:19
Sadly, besides the depression, just the overall feeling of being stupid or in a fog was too much for me. I had a difficult time getting through my day at work, staying on task. And when I was speaking, I would often lose track of what I was saying or had trouble finding the word that I was looking for. I hate to appear unintelligent. It saddens me that this drug is being hyped as the new wonder drug that can be used for so many different problems. Anna Nicole Smith was reported to have been taking this medication for weight loss. I wonder if topamax had any cause in her death?
Posted by greybantha on November 7, 2007, at 17:47:52
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by Hayley on November 7, 2007, at 10:53:29
I was wondering if anyone had anything they have taken for migraines that has worked. Now I am only on Anaprox which dulls the ache but does not deal with the pressure and sometimes the headache comes back. Any suggestions?
Posted by creeker5 on November 7, 2007, at 21:28:21
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by greybantha on November 7, 2007, at 17:47:52
> I was wondering if anyone had anything they have taken for migraines that has worked. Now I am only on Anaprox which dulls the ache but does not deal with the pressure and sometimes the headache comes back. Any suggestions?
After the disaster with Topamax my wife switched to Depakote. It worked better than Topamax. I can not remember what all the side effects are you may want to read up on it. The one side effect my wife had was hair thinning. I would start on a lower dose than recommended. My wife is taking half the recommended dose and it is working good.
Good Luck
Posted by DMarie on November 7, 2007, at 21:49:19
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by KayeBaby on September 27, 2007, at 17:09:48
I am so sorry about your child. You are in my prayers. I weaned myself off of Topamax as I too became hopeless and beginning thoughts of ending my life. No reason to even think things like this! Had additional tests done, labs, echo, x-rays, mammo to see if there was malignancy possibly causing the Pericardial Effusion and everything came back negative. Thank God! I had a bout with withdrawl as I weaned myself off of Topamax. Terrible headaches. I'm off of it 2mos. now and have begun to drink "Himalayan Goji Juice" from Free Life and MiGone from Native Remedies online. Headaches are just about gone. I have pressure (sinus) occasionally, however I really believe the Goji Juice and MiGone has helped. I pray this helps someone and they get relief from the migraines. PLEASE wean yourself off of the Topamax....My spirits are better now and I feel emotionally, mentally so much better since I'm off of the Topamax.
Posted by creeker5 on November 7, 2007, at 22:17:23
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by DMarie on November 7, 2007, at 21:49:19
It is nice to see this thread is staying active. I first posted back in January. I hope others find this site and post there experiences with Topamax. If enough people post maybe more testing will be done.
Posted by sabas on November 8, 2007, at 6:40:39
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression? » sabas, posted by Ron Hill on November 6, 2007, at 19:42:32
Thank you. The more I read the more I'm sure that Topamax has caused this tragedy. And a doctor who had prescribed it had no idea about medical report
on depression and suicidality induced by Topamax.
And in my country leaflet inside the box doesn't say enough warnings on potential side effects
take care> Sabas,
>
> I am so very very sorry. I send out my thoughts and prayers to you.
>
> Please take care of yourself. Perhaps a support group?
>
> I can't begin to express my sorrow for your loss. My tears are for you.
>
> -- Ron
Posted by greybantha on November 8, 2007, at 7:38:58
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by sabas on November 8, 2007, at 6:40:39
I just wanted to let everyone know that the makers of Topamax stopped additional testing on the medicine in 2004 and abandoned their petition to the FDA to have it approved as a weight losss drug. That new study they just put out that says the med can help addicts was done by an independent study group. It looks as though the makers of the drug know that it isn't all it was thought to be and they should start disclosing what they know to the public before more people get hurt.
Posted by rskontos on November 8, 2007, at 18:48:20
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by greybantha on November 8, 2007, at 7:38:58
Hey guys where is the information on topamax and depression. I have been on it for over three years. I am not sure I need it now as my migraines may have a different orgin so I am wondering if I should go off of it. I have always had depression, it is worse now but am on an AD too. I wonder if the two combined can be a really bad thing? I was thinking of going off of it when I get off the AD since I know it helps with the brain shocks AD gives you went you go off them. Anyone with experience or knowledge of topa with an AD? My daughter has been on it for three years too with no depression. But she needs it for seizures. Maybe that is different. rk
Posted by elanor roosevelt on November 8, 2007, at 22:23:13
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by greybantha on November 8, 2007, at 7:38:58
hostile? i was yelling at people i didn't even know
Posted by jjjaspar on November 10, 2007, at 15:21:38
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by Hayley on November 6, 2007, at 15:09:06
> I have been on 200 mg. of Topamax for about one year. ... I needed this strength to prevent my migraines. ... I am now weaning myself off the medicine and am already feeling much better. Sadly, I suffer from migraines and they are coming back.
My daughter was born with migraines which became progressively more severe and frequent as time went by. She also was on 200mg Topamax, which helped her migraines tremendously, cutting them back to just a few a month.One of her doctors put her on CoQ10 from www.lef.org for something else... and she suddenly quit getting any migraines! Her neurologist is so impressed that now, after 8 years on Topamax he wants her to start trying to slowly tritrate down to a lower dose or maybe even try to wean off it!
Posted by Wiltzen on September 2, 2008, at 23:21:52
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression?, posted by Hayley on November 6, 2007, at 15:09:06
Yes Topamax can cause depression! I was on Topamax for 3 days and suddenly I was crying, hostile, and feeling suicidal. This is the worst experience I have ever had with a substance including the flu and food poisoning. It made me dizzy(including seeing double), forgetful, tired, stupid and anxious. I called my doctor and he said get off that drug and don't look back; come and see me and I will find you a better drug.
Posted by Jeroen on September 5, 2008, at 12:38:37
In reply to Re: can Topamax CAUSE depression? » Hayley, posted by Wiltzen on September 2, 2008, at 23:21:52
hi, i had that with lamictal, but it kept hanging and resulted in psychosis wich im still fighting but my fire is out
This is the end of the thread.
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