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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Brittany on July 24, 2003, at 20:21:37
My issue is this. I have been on effexor for 5 years and I feel it is the most effective anti-depressant I have taken (I've also been on prozac and wellbutrin). I began taking Neurontin 4 years ago when my anxiety spurts were finally diagnosed. Neurontin solved the problem. Yet I believe that effexor has caused me to gain the 70 lbs. I've gained over the past 5 years collectively. I have read about Topamax and wonder if the combination of effexor and topamax will be better and help me to lose the weight (nothing works). The current combination of effexor and neurontin seem to just keep the weight on....and growing. My dosages are 225 mg effexor and 800 mg neurontin. I also take amoxycillin for acne. Help!
Posted by yesac on July 25, 2003, at 9:54:46
In reply to Neurontin vs. Topamax, posted by Brittany on July 24, 2003, at 20:21:37
I don't know a whole lot about topomax, but I've definitely heard that people can lose a lot of weight on it. It seems odd to me that you have gained weight on Effexor - I think usually people tend to lose weight (I did), but I guess it's possible. I know that a lot of people gain quite a bit of weight on Neurontin, but I've personally never tried it. It seems to me that trying the topomax combo with effexor might be a a worthwhile thing for you to try. Good luck!
Posted by Antjan on July 25, 2003, at 23:01:06
In reply to Re: Neurontin vs. Topamax » Brittany, posted by yesac on July 25, 2003, at 9:54:46
I have been taking Effexor XR plus Topamax for three years for severe depression and have had NO problems with weight gain. Actually I have lost about 20 pounds that I needed to lose after taking prednisone for probable auto-immune disease before the severe depression. I think you gained the weight on neurontin. I took it awhile and did.
Slowly my p-doc has raised my dosage to: Effexor XR 300 mg per day (one dose in AM) and Topamax 275 mg taken 200 in AM and 75 in pm. My doctor said that the Topamax is used as an anti-depressant "booster" and a mood stabilizer since I might be Bi-polar without the mania.
By the way, I used to have horrible leg pains (muscular) associated with the auto-immune. The Topamax completely relieves the leg pains 95% of the time, keeping me from having to take ibuprofin--hard on the stomach in the doses needed to suppress the pain.
I really can't think of any side effects. Watch your blood pressure with Effexor, and drink a lot of water with Topamax. If you get dehydrated, you can be prone to kidney stones. I'm prone to stones, but by drinking enough water, I have avoided them.
The combination has really helped my depression, although some days are better than others. Please don't try this on your own!!
This is the end of the thread.
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