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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 dragonfly25 on December 27, 2003, at 23:53:09
i am new in here and i have been reading about the side effects of topamax- which are really concerning me. i am only on 50mg, but i am on it for the 2nd time, the 1st time i got up to 100 and after a few days, i could barely remember who i was :), eventually i went off and now 2 years later needed something, and topamax came up again. i got up to 75 and started noticing that nothing was processing in my head...i would have things to say, but only stuttering would come out. i am really woriied that i never really returned cognitively from my 1st experience. does anyone know if this is possible?
Posted by sailor on December 28, 2003, at 10:20:13
In reply to is it topamax??, posted by dragonfly25 on December 27, 2003, at 23:53:09
Dragonfly--I don't know anything about Topomax, or what your options are, but if I thought a drug was doing to me what you report, I'd drop it flat out. Especially since you have now two experiences to consider its effects. A basic maxim of medicine is "do no harm"...it sounds to me that what you're reporting may be harmful. Forgive me if I overreact. I believe in erring on the side of caution. Regards, Sailor
Posted by Sooshi on December 28, 2003, at 11:12:21
In reply to is it topamax??, posted by dragonfly25 on December 27, 2003, at 23:53:09
I'm wondering if you are titrating your dose up too quickly? You must REALLY up your dosage REALLY slowly on this med. I personally didn't have to go up so slowly....I started at 25mg and went up 25mg a week until I reached 200mg. But some people literally start with half a pill for 2-4 weeks, then go up from there, maybe even slower. Whatever it takes to avoid the cogvitive side effects. Maybe this would help you?
Also, you posted a question earlier about when people started experiencing weight loss? For me it was about 75mg...I just started getting "fuller" at meals and wasn't as hungry, and this feeling is still pretty much the same at 200 mg. I'm still consistently losing weight, at a very slow rate now (it was quite rapid at first).
Hope this helps a little.
Posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:42:10
In reply to Re: is it topamax?? » dragonfly25, posted by Sooshi on December 28, 2003, at 11:12:21
Hi DragonFly.
Well I am sure you know that another name for Topomax is "Topo-stupid" because so many people do experience cognitive problems. I had to go off it because of that and because it eventually caused me to go psychotic.
I would say based on the side effects you are having that you should stop the med now. Everything should return to normal. :)
Maxime
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 28, 2003, at 16:06:38
In reply to Re: is it topamax??, posted by Maxime on December 28, 2003, at 11:42:10
thanks for all your advice
it is so tough when it helps with your mood so much, but it makes you so stupid. cause what do you do next? it is possible i went up to quickly, as i am quite sensitive to drugs. i took 25 for quite a while though. i only take 50 now. i started weaning myself last week and will continue till i am off it.
Posted by Utopia on December 28, 2003, at 18:47:01
In reply to is it topamax??, posted by dragonfly25 on December 27, 2003, at 23:53:09
Hi Dragonfly
Definitely, definitely it's the Topamax. Although one would have to know your other meds, the cognitive problem is very very common. While I was on it I couldn't even write a cheque and spell fifty. Yes, it can adjust with small titration and held for long enough, but if it affects your work or quality of life, revise your decision with your doctor.
Good luck
Posted by Chasemom on December 29, 2003, at 15:14:00
In reply to Re: is it topamax?? » dragonfly25, posted by Utopia on December 28, 2003, at 18:47:01
Hi, what were you on Topamax for? I was recently put on it for migraines and it has done wonders!! I was suffering every other day and now it has been nearly a week with none! My neurologist put me on 25 mg a week and upping 25mg a week until 100mg--not sure I will need to go up though if it is working--only side affect has been diarrhea-I do take it at bedtime and that helps-good luck-Christy
Posted by dragonfly25 on December 29, 2003, at 15:22:24
In reply to Re: is it topamax??, posted by Chasemom on December 29, 2003, at 15:14:00
i take it to stabilize my mood. i am on it with wellbutrin. but it has really helped my mood, or has it? for all i know it is just me and i started feeling better. i have other side effects as well, such as hair loss- i didn't know till i found this site that it is probably related to the drug. i hope you continue to get help from it, you may luck out and miss the awful side effects.
dragonfly> Hi, what were you on Topamax for? I was recently put on it for migraines and it has done wonders!! I was suffering every other day and now it has been nearly a week with none! My neurologist put me on 25 mg a week and upping 25mg a week until 100mg--not sure I will need to go up though if it is working--only side affect has been diarrhea-I do take it at bedtime and that helps-good luck-Christy
Posted by Utopia on December 30, 2003, at 12:59:03
In reply to Re: is it topamax?? » Chasemom, posted by dragonfly25 on December 29, 2003, at 15:22:24
Yes, it definitely helped my mood as well so much so that I was sorry to come off it. However, if you become cognitively challenged, then maybe a review in the form of dosage and administration could be a good idea. If it's working, only scrap it as a last resort because agreeable meds are highly personalised.
The hair wasn't a problem whereas with Valproate it is - Weight came down on Topamax yet went up on Valproate. Have you ever asked yourself ... what you win on the roundabouts, is it worth what you lose on the swings?
This is the end of the thread.
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