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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sooshi on October 21, 2003, at 22:03:51
I'm coming off of Lamictal, slowly titrating down for next 3-4 days, then going to start Topamax. I hear such good and bad things about it - it's either saved someone's life, or made it hell!! Swallowing that first pill is going to make me a wreck....should I expect not to work the next morning (assuming I take the pill at night - I forgot to ask pdoc when to take it)?
I feel like I can put up with almost any side effect, considering I've been on almost every AD and stabilizer out there and experienced some major side effects, but this Topamax...I've never been so anxious to get on it (to stablize my horrendous moods and to lose weight) and so afraid to get on it, from what I've read (memory loss, confusion, sleepiness/fatigue/sluggishness, rash, kidney stones, etc!).
Oh well, any thoughts that might quell my fear? Please no rants about how horrible it is...I've read enough of those!
Posted by sarita0001 on October 21, 2003, at 22:39:59
In reply to About to start Topamax...scared..., posted by Sooshi on October 21, 2003, at 22:03:51
Hi Sooshi-
I don't want to scare you but rather save you from further problems. Lamictal is also an anti-epileptic so if you did ok on that, then you might be ok. I took Topamax for 4 months and the highest I got was 100 mg for about a little over a month. If you are a woman, it is really important that you know that Topamax and other anti-e's have androgenic properties(testosterone)that can make you grow excess hair in the worst places. I had excess facial hair growth which I will have to deal with for a long time until I am done with laser treatments that are costing me 2000 dollars. It also messed up my periods, occasional memory loss, gave me a temporary eye condition(blepharitis), made my eyelashes grow, acne, and hopefully nothing else. It really messed up my hormones and now I have to go to the endocrinologist. The doctor who gave me this said it was rare, the new one says topamax has hellish side effects. It seems to be a hit or miss kind of drug. My advice is stick to what you know or seek people's advice too. I am just trying to save you some trouble. But if you do take it, good luck. It has worked for a lot of people.
Sara
Posted by Sabina on October 21, 2003, at 23:03:56
In reply to About to start Topamax...scared..., posted by Sooshi on October 21, 2003, at 22:03:51
this is the start of my third week on topamax 75mg. it hasn't been nearly as bad as i was afraid it would be. i had a much worse time with ssri's, but that's just me. try to focus on the positive aspects of why you're planning on taking it.
as long as you start with a small dose you should be fine. i also take seroquel 100mg. that's another drug for which the side effect profile many people have really strong opinions, yet i am currently very happy with it.
we're all so different in our reactions to these drugs and so lucky to have so many from which to choose. good luck with your new treatment. please let us know how you're doing. good luck!
Posted by galkeepinon on October 22, 2003, at 3:09:58
In reply to About to start Topamax...scared..., posted by Sooshi on October 21, 2003, at 22:03:51
Hi Sooshi, try not to be scared although I know it's easier said than done. Just take it one day at a time Sooshi.
No rants here: Topamax was awesome, I lost 25 pounds while on it, and it did help with mood stabilization, I'm about to go back on it.
I wish you nothing but success on it.
Any other questions, please feel free to ask me.
If not, best wishes and good luck to you!
:-)**BTW~ I LOVE your nick!!! I've been meaning to tell you. Do you like 'Sushi"???
I was introduced to it at a very young age and still LOVE it:-)
Posted by Sooshi on October 22, 2003, at 8:08:51
In reply to Re: About to start Topamax...scared..., posted by sarita0001 on October 21, 2003, at 22:39:59
Thank you Sarita....although I don't like to hear the negatives about Topamax, it really is good to know all about it. I will keep a look out for those "manly!" type side effects - I'm so hairy as it is, I certainly don't need any more (more than you needed to know, right?!)
I'm just hoping I tolerate it well...thanks again for your input!
Posted by Sooshi on October 22, 2003, at 8:11:50
In reply to Re: About to start Topamax...scared..., posted by Sabina on October 21, 2003, at 23:03:56
Thanks Sabina for the good review of Topamax! I am also hoping the side effects won't be as bad as predicted either...maybe all of my worrying will turn out to be worse than the side effects! I'm truly hoping this stuff works...I need it badly.....
Please let me know how you are doing also!
Posted by Sooshi on October 22, 2003, at 8:20:09
In reply to Re: About to start Topamax...scared... » Sooshi, posted by galkeepinon on October 22, 2003, at 3:09:58
Hi gal,
I've kept up with your posts a little, although I do get confused with all the different people on here! I can't remember why you went off the T, but recall your experience wasn't that bad, and that you were willing to go back on it. Let me know how it goes. BTW, I'm BPII, and finding out about mood stabilizers has really been a lifesaver. I was diagnosed Major Depressive for the past 15 years...Oh, and I can't stand sushi!!!! I got this nickname because my nieces and nephews (about 12 years ago now) couldn't pronounce my name...it came out "Aunt Shooshi", and my brothers and sister, being the jokers that they are, began telling them to call me "Aunt Sooshi". Ha Ha. Now, when they call me from across the room in a store, it's quite embarising(sp)! No, really I've come to love this name, and wouldn't trade it for the world. I never go by my real name anymore.
Thanks, and do keep me posted...I'm very anxious to see how it goes for you!
Posted by karen_kay on October 22, 2003, at 15:35:48
In reply to Re: About to start Topamax...scared... » galkeepinon, posted by Sooshi on October 22, 2003, at 8:20:09
Hello Sooshi! Bye the way, I love sushi! Umm, I am BPI, but lately for the past couple of years have been suffering (let me tell ya!!) withmajor depressive episodes. I tried lithium, lamictal, neurontin, depakote.. basically you name it..I put on about 30 lbs and being vain I heard about Topamax. I decided, why not try it? I am telling you, my life has changed! I am a college student who could not leave her house or shower earlier in the year and now I am happy and able to go to class. Granted, therapy has helped, but I have been in therapy for over a year. I have been on Topamax for a little over 3 months and my mood has improved greatly. I am at 300 mgs a day. I do have a bit of numbness in my appendages still and the mental confussion is still hanging on. I have decided that the benefits far out weight the side effects. If you drink plenty of water (which you will because cola tastes bad!!) you willnot get kidney stones. I have lost a little over 15 lbs. But most importantly I have control of my life. Give it a shot, what do you have to lose? It takes a while to find the correct "cocktail" but when you do, life is bliss!! Good luck in your "quest" and I hope that if you try Topamax, the results are similar to mine. Karen
Posted by MelD on October 22, 2003, at 17:51:38
In reply to Don't be scared!, posted by karen_kay on October 22, 2003, at 15:35:48
I was also really scared to start Topamax 4 wks ago. I take 50 mg at bedtime, and waited for a night when i didnt have to work the next day. I have been so pleasantly surprised by its effects and i now love it! I have more motivation and energy, rarely nap (used to every day) and just plain feel great. The only side effects ive been troubled with are tingling in the feet and stubborn constipation.
One question. I was on Parnate and gaining weight,(atypical lucky me lol) so my pdoc prescribed the Topamax for weight loss. My appetite and carb cravings have been dramatically decreased and im drinking a lot more water due to constant thirst, but i havent lost a single pound. Considering that i am eating less, do you think i will gradually lose weight, or do you think i will need to increase my dosage? Im feeling so well, i hate to mess with a good thing. Thanks, Melodie
Posted by Sooshi on October 23, 2003, at 16:00:39
In reply to Re: Don't be scared!, posted by MelD on October 22, 2003, at 17:51:38
Man, you don't know how good it is to hear this! It has really helped to lessen my fear, and I feel ready to take this stuff head on.
MelD, I heard it takes up to at least 100-200mgs to get any weight loss effects, but it does sound like you're experiencing some lack of appetite, so just give your body time to start adjusting. I'm adding excersize to my routine now, so hopefully that will help boost the weight loss even more. But more so than weight loss, I need this stuff to stabilize my moods, which are hectic right now.
Thanks everyone for all your input, and keep it coming!
Posted by galkeepinon on October 26, 2003, at 2:16:18
In reply to Re: About to start Topamax...scared... » galkeepinon, posted by Sooshi on October 22, 2003, at 8:20:09
Hi "Aunt Sooshi" ( That is so cute!):-) The fact that they called you that is reason enough 'not to trade it for the world' :-)
Just wanted to see how you were.
Yes! I am going back on Topamax.
I went off the Topamax because my pdoc wanted to put me back on Lamictal, but now I will be on both.
Nope, my experience wasn't that bad at all. I got a little tingling in my feet, and other than that, the 'stupids', and I lost 25 pounds.
I really hope you're doing good!
Keep me posted, and I'll do the same:-)
> Hi gal,
> I've kept up with your posts a little, although I do get confused with all the different people on here! I can't remember why you went off the T, but recall your experience wasn't that bad, and that you were willing to go back on it. Let me know how it goes. BTW, I'm BPII, and finding out about mood stabilizers has really been a lifesaver. I was diagnosed Major Depressive for the past 15 years...
>
> Oh, and I can't stand sushi!!!! I got this nickname because my nieces and nephews (about 12 years ago now) couldn't pronounce my name...it came out "Aunt Shooshi", and my brothers and sister, being the jokers that they are, began telling them to call me "Aunt Sooshi". Ha Ha. Now, when they call me from across the room in a store, it's quite embarising(sp)! No, really I've come to love this name, and wouldn't trade it for the world. I never go by my real name anymore.
>
> Thanks, and do keep me posted...I'm very anxious to see how it goes for you!
Posted by Sooshi on October 26, 2003, at 23:38:42
In reply to Re: About to start Topamax...scared... » Sooshi, posted by galkeepinon on October 26, 2003, at 2:16:18
I took my first dose of T last nite...no major se's today, just sleepiness. I was soooo nervous about the whole thing, I kept waking myself up during the night to see if I was experiencing any side effects! I just took my second 25mg dose, so we'll see how tomorrow goes....
Good luck with the L and T combo...I've been reading a lot about this combo and it seems to be a real lifesaver, so I hope it really works out for you!
This is the end of the thread.
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