![[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 galkeepinon on June 30, 2003, at 22:18:48
I hope someone may have a take on this? I currently take 200mg of Topamax and 75mg of Effexor (2 weeks now) a day. Yesterday I took them as scheduled and I felt quite depressed. I was just pondering a few things, and got a little depressed. But, today, I didn't take the Effexor and nothing happened, I didn't get depressed. I still pondered the same things, but my attitude was the same. It was weird and I can't explain it. My point, I have questioned using an AD with a MS many times and am still a little confused as to whether it is really necessary to do so. Has anyone had any experience with taking these two meds together? Or any experience taking a mood stabilizer and an anti-depressant together? Has it worked? Is it unecessary? What is anyone's experience? Good or bad? Or a similar experience? I am bipolar and I need very little meds to get reasonable success. I just wanted to throw this out there. Any response would surely be appreciated very much.
Thank youGal
Posted by Tanya Ann on July 1, 2003, at 10:17:34
In reply to ? About Effexor and Topamax? Please, posted by galkeepinon on June 30, 2003, at 22:18:48
I am still in the throws of a formal diagnosis. One thing for sure is that I have major depression symptoms that come often and are quite disabling at times. I am also on the dissociative spectrum during major stress and it is unpredictable when it will happen. No meds seem to be working for the depression. I felt a lift with topomax in the beginning but then fell right back into depression again. I take Prozac 40 mg as well and it does absolutely nothing for me. My doctor started the topomax because he was beginning to suspect bipolar rather than just depression which I've been treated for the last 2 years for. He is also suspecting ADHD. Nothing helps my depression. I almost feel like I've been through so much trauma that my brain just doesn't want to respond anymore. It just wants to give up and go to sleep forever. It is really quite sad. I have moments of excitement, but really only when I am at work. I am getting very tired very quickly. I understand your worry about meds.
Tanya
Posted by galkeepinon on July 1, 2003, at 16:20:58
In reply to Re: ? About Effexor and Topamax? Please, posted by Tanya Ann on July 1, 2003, at 10:17:34
Tanya, thanks for your reply, I hear your frustration-I'm sorry. I feel the way you do a lot. Lately I have just wanted to sleep it all away. Do you remember what dosage of Topamax you were on when you did feel that "lift"? I have been on a lot of antidepressants and this time around my doctor had me on none for about 2 months. I hope you feel better and if you need support, or any questions about anything, I'm here for you.
Take care and thanks again
Gal> I am still in the throws of a formal diagnosis. One thing for sure is that I have major depression symptoms that come often and are quite disabling at times. I am also on the dissociative spectrum during major stress and it is unpredictable when it will happen. No meds seem to be working for the depression. I felt a lift with topomax in the beginning but then fell right back into depression again. I take Prozac 40 mg as well and it does absolutely nothing for me. My doctor started the topomax because he was beginning to suspect bipolar rather than just depression which I've been treated for the last 2 years for. He is also suspecting ADHD. Nothing helps my depression. I almost feel like I've been through so much trauma that my brain just doesn't want to respond anymore. It just wants to give up and go to sleep forever. It is really quite sad. I have moments of excitement, but really only when I am at work. I am getting very tired very quickly. I understand your worry about meds.
>
> Tanya
Posted by jasperwasper on July 1, 2003, at 22:59:55
In reply to ? About Effexor and Topamax? Please, posted by galkeepinon on June 30, 2003, at 22:18:48
Hi Gal,
I take Topomax and Effexor together...for about 8 months now..I have no problems with it...I was on Prozac (alone) before and taking Codeine for migraines. Of course the Dr. screamed about the codeine and the put me on Topomax with Effexor...the reason he switched me to Effexor he says...is that it also helps with headaches. I take 75 mg (3 pills) a day of Topomax (at nite) and 2 pills ..1 mornining..1 nite of Effexor 75mg. I'm not extremely depressed..clinically I guess is a better word...but I've tested it and if I get off of antidep. I tend to "lose it" and let everything get to me..bad temper etc... hope this helps..
Posted by galkeepinon on July 2, 2003, at 0:33:07
In reply to Re: ? About Effexor and Topamax? Please » galkeepinon, posted by jasperwasper on July 1, 2003, at 22:59:55
Hooraaaaayyyyyyy! Yes this helped how wonderful to hear!!! Can I ask you some questions please?
My family practice doctor also said that Effexor is very effective in reducing migraine attacks, she does many lectures and seminars on it. So I hear you there. I'm like you, not extremely depressed, more just clinically you could say. I take 75mg in the am of Effexor. I take 100mg of Topamax in the am and 100mg in the pm. Do you think taking 200mg all at night of the Topamax would be a suggestion to bring up to my psychiatrist? Just a thought.
I recently (about 2 months ago, was taken off Effexor, and got worse, couldn't sleep, got very anxious, grumpy, just did not feel well at all) it was like I was addicted to the med, but I don't think you can get addicted to effexor? So I was put back on it 2 weeks ago.
You sound like you are doing well on that combo. Did you lose any weight on Topamax even at 75mg a day? Do you take anything else? How is your sleep?-does taking the Topamax all at night help you sleep better do you think? Are you diagnosed with bipolar or more depression?
Thank you so much for replying-what a big help!Thanks again
gal
> Hi Gal,
>
> I take Topomax and Effexor together...for about 8 months now..I have no problems with it...I was on Prozac (alone) before and taking Codeine for migraines. Of course the Dr. screamed about the codeine and the put me on Topomax with Effexor...the reason he switched me to Effexor he says...is that it also helps with headaches. I take 75 mg (3 pills) a day of Topomax (at nite) and 2 pills ..1 mornining..1 nite of Effexor 75mg. I'm not extremely depressed..clinically I guess is a better word...but I've tested it and if I get off of antidep. I tend to "lose it" and let everything get to me..bad temper etc... hope this helps..
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.