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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anne on December 9, 2000, at 0:14:23
Please HELP!
I have been taking Depakote (100mg) and Paxil (80mg)
for over a year now for PTSD and Panic Disorder. I
have also gained about 60-70 pounds (which I did not
need as I was overweight to begin with). I have also
had bulemia during my past 20 years (I am 37). I was
so tired of the weight that I just stopped taking it
(before telling my psychiatrist) and I had wicked
headaches for about a week, but now they are gone. He
is suggesting we both research Topomax as an option
(I may be bipolar) and to help me lose weight. Can you
please advise?Thanks so much. Anne
Posted by Ellie on December 9, 2000, at 21:37:49
In reply to Topomax vs. Depakote, posted by Anne on December 9, 2000, at 0:14:23
>
My sister tried Topomax instead of Depakote for serious bi-polar disorder. Topomax interfered with her other medication, Clozaril. I have heard other horror stories about permanent damaging effects from Topomax, too, so we took my sister off of it quickly. Depakote made her sick and tired, and she gained a ton of weight. Read fish oil/clozaril connection section.
Posted by Anne on December 10, 2000, at 1:12:05
In reply to Re: Topomax vs. Depakote, posted by Ellie on December 9, 2000, at 21:37:49
What were the serious side effects your sister had? I am trying to research the +/- of topamax. I also take paxil and my sex drive is nil. I cannot take welbutrin as I am a recovering bulemic. ARGH!
> >
> My sister tried Topomax instead of Depakote for serious bi-polar disorder. Topomax interfered with her other medication, Clozaril. I have heard other horror stories about permanent damaging effects from Topomax, too, so we took my sister off of it quickly. Depakote made her sick and tired, and she gained a ton of weight. Read fish oil/clozaril connection section.
Posted by Ellie on December 10, 2000, at 8:16:09
In reply to Re: Topomax side effects?, posted by Anne on December 10, 2000, at 1:12:05
> I have the documentation somewhere in my pile of research papers. A lady has wrote in somewhere that her son started taking topamax for anxiety/depression (it may have been manic depression, i'm not sure which one). He was on topomax for a period of time, i think somewhere between 6 months to a year, and he became worse than before. Suddenly, his thinking was really messed up, and he couldn't do simple tasks anymore, he couldn't hold a job, when previously he could. The woman who wrote this believed that the topomax permanently damaged her son.
Posted by Ellie on December 10, 2000, at 8:21:45
In reply to Re: Topomax side effects?, posted by Ellie on December 10, 2000, at 8:16:09
> > I have the documentation somewhere in my pile of research papers. A lady has wrote in somewhere that her son started taking topamax for anxiety/depression (it may have been manic depression, i'm not sure which one). He was on topomax for a period of time, i think somewhere between 6 months to a year, and he became worse than before. Suddenly, his thinking was really messed up, and he couldn't do simple tasks anymore, he couldn't hold a job, when previously he could. The woman who wrote this believed that the topomax permanently damaged her son.
oh, topomax causes cognative difficulties. Thinking problems. Putting "2 and 2 together" type of thinking problems. That happened to my sister.
Posted by jzp on December 10, 2000, at 20:45:19
In reply to Topomax vs. Depakote, posted by Anne on December 9, 2000, at 0:14:23
Hi Anne,
I used to take Depakote and Wellbutrin for bipolar II. In the first 4-6 months that I was on the Depakote, I gained about 60 lbs. I stopped gaining weight when I went off it, but have yet to lose most of the weight. yech. Anyway, my psychiatrist wanted to try me on Topomax, but we decided to risk it without a mood stabilizer for a while. However, should I require one, either it or Neurontin (gabapentin) are at the top of the list. Any medication can have bad side effects; that's just part of the deal. Don't let hearsay get you too panicked to try something that might work.
Best wishes,
Jannette
Posted by Janice1 on December 10, 2000, at 21:36:11
In reply to Re: Topomax vs. Depakote, posted by jzp on December 10, 2000, at 20:45:19
I agreen with Jannette. Topamax, along with Lithium, has been my lifesaver. I take only 100 mg a day, and it works like a dream.
I have noticed some cognitive slowing. (I actually scored less on an intelligence test after starting Topamax - I scored about 10-15% lower since starting the Topamax). All the questions were the same kind that I struggled with ... sequential mathematical questions. It was very frustrating because math was always my easiest subject.
But now I'm happy, and I'm still bright, and i'm productive. Plus, i work in design and don't need that much brain power anyway (wont' say that to the boss!)
plus no weight gain. good luck. Janice
This is the end of the thread.
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