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!!
poster:Antjan
thread:245005
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030723/msgs/245372.html