![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ragan on April 12, 2001, at 2:10:09
My doctor put me on Topamax about three months ago to treat bipolar disorder. He wanted me to start out at 150mg a day- 75mg in the morning and 75 at night. Over the folowing 4 weeeks he increased the dosage to 200mg in the morning and 200mg at night. During this period I, being a somewhat intelligent person, became a blabbering idiot. My short term memory disappeared, BASIC problem solving skills went away and my appetite was all but gone. Oh yes, it seems odd, but for some reason Cokes, sodas, or anything carbonated taste as if I'm chewing on aluminum foil. Well I've since reduced the dosage and regained my mind, although somewhat still manic. Still the diminished appetite and the oddity with the sodas- I'll continue to increase SLOWLY this time... anyone have any input on these side effects?
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 12, 2001, at 2:19:05
In reply to topamax side effects, posted by ragan on April 12, 2001, at 2:10:09
I had a similar experience on Topamax, but hell, it works! For a little while I even thought I was being made high from Topamax--and said to myself, "I don't care if I'm stupid, as long as I feel good."
I eventually went off of it due to the side-effects (some vision as well as cognitive side-effects). Now I'm on Tegretol XR and more pleased with it.
You must have tried Tegretol, Neurontin, and Lamictal, right?
Posted by ragan on April 13, 2001, at 0:59:50
In reply to Re: topamax side effects, posted by SalArmy4me on April 12, 2001, at 2:19:05
> I had a similar experience on Topamax, but hell, it works! For a little while I even thought I was being made high from Topamax--and said to myself, "I don't care if I'm stupid, as long as I feel good."
>
> I eventually went off of it due to the side-effects (some vision as well as cognitive side-effects). Now I'm on Tegretol XR and more pleased with it.
>
> You must have tried Tegretol, Neurontin, and Lamictal, right?Actually no. I started out on Depakote and the weght gain was un acceptable for me (I must maintain a certain weight for sports). So the good doc sent me straight to Topamax because of the weight loss side effects. Funny that you mention the vision- mine seems to have gotten worse lately as well. I've had glasses for four years now- and I'd only wear them to go the movies, but here lately I've been picking them up much more often. How odd. What's the connection there?
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 13, 2001, at 2:02:17
In reply to Re: topamax side effects, posted by ragan on April 13, 2001, at 0:59:50
I definitely think you should give Lamictal a try. I don't believe that anyone really gains weight from the Lamictal itself--despite the "your mileage may vary" bit.
Posted by phillybob on April 13, 2001, at 11:12:33
In reply to topamax side effects, posted by ragan on April 12, 2001, at 2:10:09
> anyone have any input on these side effects?
Hi, ragan. If you haven't already found this with the Search Engine feauture, there's a wealth of information in the following "Topamax Experiences" discussion thread ( http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/50878.html )
Keep us posted of your experiences. It does sound like you started with too high of a dose and also increased too quickly. Good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.