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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DharmaMama on November 3, 2003, at 13:41:02
I am in a very professional job with the oil and gas business. I just feel like I am going to lose my job. Every day I wake up, get ready, I feel like I am missing something. Like I am half dressed being on this medicine (Topamax). I am up to 100mg upping my dose once a week to 25mg. Does that make sense??? I do not even feel like I make sense at times. I have conversations with coworkers and within minutes forget what we talked about.
I do not feel together. I am a very together and level headed person. I am on Topamax for my anxiety, depression, stress and anger problem.
I feel lost. At times I get up from my desk, walk out of my office and I feel like I am walking around without my pants. Or I am driving home from work and I forget where I am going.
I left my parking garage and I am driving down a major freeway, I have my access card in my hand. I am thinking to myself, "How did I get through that gate? Did I just run through it or did I use the access card?"
Posted by karen_kay on November 3, 2003, at 16:36:48
In reply to I feel like I am going to lose my job!!, posted by DharmaMama on November 3, 2003, at 13:41:02
I think that there may be some things you can do to help this situation. First.. accurate note taking. Be sure to keep detailed notes. It really helped me out. After about the first month or two of being on Topamax I was back to normal. And I had to write everything down! Even had to write down when to let the dog go outside! I remember I would write a note about a test and then write a note to study for the test, or I would forget to study.
Another thing you may not realize, is that others really don't notice it as much as you do. If you keep really detailed notes (and detailed notes of where those detailed notes are!!) you shouldn't be in danger of losing you job. Just be sure you double and triple check to be sure you have your pants on in the morning hun! And hang in there! I know what it is like!
If it is really severe for you, possibly try talking to you supervisor. I spoke with a professor without disclosing why I was taking the medication. (Not out of embarrassment, just felt it wasn't her business) Maybe some of your more mind-boggling duties could be passed over until you are better prepared to handle them, which should be in about a month. Then, if all else fails, you could check into switching meds. Good luck hun, I'm rooting for you! Karen
Posted by Dinah on November 3, 2003, at 21:31:28
In reply to I feel like I am going to lose my job!!, posted by DharmaMama on November 3, 2003, at 13:41:02
I'm afraid I have similar problems on medications that just shouldn't cause them. But I do think you should discuss this with your pdoc. Mine knew without my even saying so that remaining as productive as possible was a major goal and has vetoed a few of my suggestions because of cognitive side effects. You need to let him know how important this is to you. He might be able to help somehow.
I'm sure Karen is right and lists help a lot as well. They've never really worked well for me because they require that you a) remember to put things on the list and b) remember that you have a list to look at. But that's just me...
Posted by bookgurl99 on November 3, 2003, at 23:11:18
In reply to I feel like I am going to lose my job!!, posted by DharmaMama on November 3, 2003, at 13:41:02
Hey --
other than the short-term memory problems, is there anything else that makes you concerned that you could be losing your job? have you gotten any warnings? or is it just that you have a disconcerting feeling of 'faking it' that you didn't have before?
i worked at my current job feeling out of it for about a year due to daily migraines and a med that was not working for me. sometimes i felt like i was faking it. but now that i'm on the right meds for me, nobody says "gee, your work is so much better now." they just mention that i seem to have more energy, or seem happier lately, which i am.
if the topamax side effects wear off after awhile and it works for you, then you may be able to skid along for a few weeks waiting for it to kick in right. probably no one will notice that your work is off, unless you make a HUGE mistake, which sounds unlikely.
then this is more of a regular board issue, but if the topomax just not working, then you need to work with your MD on taking something better. there are numerous meds for the anxiety that you face, and many of them have milder side effects.
hope you're feeling better!
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