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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on May 18, 2005, at 22:56:39
Hi,
Each time I take Lamictal, I become hypomanic. I then fall into depression 3/4 days later. Ir read on that psych education associated with psychobabble that topamax may be a good alternative in this case? Anyone have a relevant experiences or any thoughts?
bps
Posted by Maxime on May 19, 2005, at 7:20:02
In reply to If LAMICTAL makes on manic, can TOPAMAX work?, posted by bipolarspectrum on May 18, 2005, at 22:56:39
> Hi,
> Each time I take Lamictal, I become hypomanic. I then fall into depression 3/4 days later. Ir read on that psych education associated with psychobabble that topamax may be a good alternative in this case? Anyone have a relevant experiences or any thoughts?
> bpsA lot of people have great success with Topomax. But it does cause cognitive problems that's for sure. Maybe if you stay on a low dose or titrate very slowly. It also makes certain things taste funny (Coke) and you can lose weight on it.
But yes, it work well for a lot of people. Have you tried Trileptal? I only ask because it's very good and doesn't cause the same cognitive problems as topomax. Maybe at higher dosages it does. But there are hardly any side effects with this med and it's weight neutral.
Maxime
Posted by woolav on May 19, 2005, at 8:00:07
In reply to Re: If LAMICTAL makes on manic, can TOPAMAX work?, posted by Maxime on May 19, 2005, at 7:20:02
I agree, I am on lamictal and have/had manic episodes. And my pdoc just added trileptal to help minimize the episodes. He is keeping me on the lamictal 300mg. I am optomistic that this combo will work. Plus the side effects are suppose to be low....
S
Posted by bipolarspectrum on May 19, 2005, at 16:51:44
In reply to Re: If LAMICTAL makes on manic, can TOPAMAX work?, posted by woolav on May 19, 2005, at 8:00:07
Hey,
Thanx for the replies.. Yes, lamictal makes me hypomanic for a couple days ever time I increasse the dose. But then I return to depression. I bring up topamax because I understand that it has a similar mode of action, affecting kainate receptors or something.. I read that topamax was good for people who get hypomanic to lamictal on the psych.depression topamax page..
bps
ps. In reality, if topamax works for my bipolar depression, I think I could live with a little stupidity!
Posted by D minor on May 19, 2005, at 18:34:00
In reply to Re: If LAMICTAL makes on manic, can TOPAMAX work?, posted by bipolarspectrum on May 19, 2005, at 16:51:44
Hi,
I take Topamax. It doesn't make me stupid. No cognitive impairment or anything like that. It seems to work against the hypomania. But I seem to need another med to work against the depression. Been taking it off and on for a couple years. Right now I'm up to 100 mg. We'll see how it goes combined with the Cymbalta.Goodluck,
dm
Posted by stresser on May 19, 2005, at 20:48:49
In reply to Re: If LAMICTAL makes on manic, can TOPAMAX work?, posted by D minor on May 19, 2005, at 18:34:00
I just had to come in and post to this one. I swear, I really do have things I need to be doing. I take Topomax (225mg)per day, Zoloft, and Adderall, for Bipolar II. I am having great results with it, and so far, not too much congnative dulling. I am already dulled! At 43, it's a natural process, I am afraid. I do have moments when I can't remember things, but I don't know if it's because that's just me, or the topomax. I have not lost any weight on it, but, not gaining either. I do not need to lose any, so that may be the reason why it hasn't had that effect on my body. Many people who take it do lose weight, and will tell you so in their posts. I have been told it's a good add-on for other stablizers, but it's working well for me as my only one. (right now) Let us know how things turn out. -L
Posted by sdb on May 20, 2005, at 19:34:18
In reply to Re: If LAMICTAL makes on manic, can TOPAMAX work?, posted by stresser on May 19, 2005, at 20:48:49
A pdoc I know said lamictal-seroquel would be standart therapie. He said, Seroquel could counteract often lamictal instabilization. I am not very experienced in mood-stabilizers and i dont know if the pdoc is right.
See below:
Posted by Alvin on May 21, 2005, at 21:21:56
In reply to Re: If LAMICTAL makes on manic, can TOPAMAX work?, posted by bipolarspectrum on May 19, 2005, at 16:51:44
I was on Topomax for two years very successfully; I didn't find it a complete solution for depression though, so took it with an antidepressant as well. I stopped taking Topomax when I was nearing completion of grad school because I thought it caused me some memory problems. But that just could have been my imagination......
Posted by bipolarspectrum on May 23, 2005, at 19:39:44
In reply to Re: If LAMICTAL makes on manic, can TOPAMAX work?, posted by Alvin on May 21, 2005, at 21:21:56
Hello,
Thanx for the replies.. I'm gonna talk to my pdoc tomorrow about switchin from lamictal to topamax.. lamictal either makes me hypomanic or depressed.. I'm currently on it with zyprexa and this didnt stop the high i get from it followed by a deep low.. topamax is a weird drug i understand.. i sometimes see a phychopharmacologist who was telling me that he just completed a study with 75 people.. topamax was the drug studied for bipolar depression.. topamax helped people with bipolar depression in this study..
bps
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