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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Momof1BPKid on October 21, 2003, at 10:12:01
Hi everyone, I have been reading alot about topamax and it not being really effective under a dose of 200mg. for both mood stablizing and for weight loss . Can all you topamax users tell me what your experiences have been?
Posted by galkeepinon on October 21, 2003, at 11:01:16
In reply to topamax effectiveness at 100mg?, posted by Momof1BPKid on October 21, 2003, at 10:12:01
Hi, I'm thinking you're referring to the use of Topamax for your son from an earlier post~not sure, I could be wrong.
In any case, for *me*, I did well on Topamax. I also know that a lot of people didn't experience good *effects* until about 150-200mg for both mood stablizing and for weight loss.
Once I hit 175-200mg, my weight came off quick, and my moods were relatively under control.
I discontinued it because I started to get TERRIBLE *itchies* and I couldn't handle it anymore. My psychiatrist and I tried to lower the dosage, but I had levels quite high in my *system* already.
My doctor and I are thinking about putting me back on it, the weight loss and mood benefits were great!
Just *my* experiences...
Best of luck:-)
Take care.> Hi everyone, I have been reading alot about topamax and it not being really effective under a dose of 200mg. for both mood stablizing and for weight loss . Can all you topamax users tell me what your experiences have been?
>
Posted by Momof1BPKid on October 21, 2003, at 11:18:21
In reply to Re: topamax effectiveness at 100mg? » Momof1BPKid, posted by galkeepinon on October 21, 2003, at 11:01:16
Sounds good, what happened is his neurologist wanted to take him off the depakote alltogether put him only on 200mg (gradually) of topamax and keep the zyprexa for weight loss and mood, the psychiatrist said 'UM NO' basically that he never used topamax alone and to put him back on 1000mg of depakote er it wont cause weight gain and to try the abilify. so here is where we stand
abilify , topamax, depakote
I have about 4billion samples of crap in my house im like a psychiatrist office of stuff that didnt work.> Hi, I'm thinking you're referring to the use of Topamax for your son from an earlier post~not sure, I could be wrong.
> In any case, for *me*, I did well on Topamax. I also know that a lot of people didn't experience good *effects* until about 150-200mg for both mood stablizing and for weight loss.
> Once I hit 175-200mg, my weight came off quick, and my moods were relatively under control.
> I discontinued it because I started to get TERRIBLE *itchies* and I couldn't handle it anymore. My psychiatrist and I tried to lower the dosage, but I had levels quite high in my *system* already.
> My doctor and I are thinking about putting me back on it, the weight loss and mood benefits were great!
> Just *my* experiences...
> Best of luck:-)
> Take care.
>
> > Hi everyone, I have been reading alot about topamax and it not being really effective under a dose of 200mg. for both mood stablizing and for weight loss . Can all you topamax users tell me what your experiences have been?
> >
>
>
Posted by galkeepinon on October 21, 2003, at 11:52:51
In reply to Re: topamax effectiveness at 100mg?, posted by Momof1BPKid on October 21, 2003, at 11:18:21
Hmmm, the neurologist wants to 'put him only on 200mg (gradually) of topamax and keep the zyprexa for weight loss and mood'
Zyprexa makes you lose? 'UM NO' LOL
I'm confused. Zyprexa is a weight gainer in so many people. So the psychiatrist wants your son completely off the Zyprexa~which has done well for him mood wise? -but you're not 'using' the Topamax alone, like the psychiatrist said here, your son would also be on Zyprexa (with the Topamax). In my humble opinion, I do agree with the Depakote ER and Abilify.
It's worth a try...
Hang in there, this is a toughie, and good luck with the doctors...> Sounds good, what happened is his neurologist wanted to take him off the depakote alltogether put him only on 200mg (gradually) of topamax and keep the zyprexa for weight loss and mood, the psychiatrist said 'UM NO' basically that he never used topamax alone and to put him back on 1000mg of depakote er it wont cause weight gain and to try the abilify. so here is where we stand
> abilify , topamax, depakote
>
>
> I have about 4billion samples of crap in my house im like a psychiatrist office of stuff that didnt work.
Posted by karen_kay on October 21, 2003, at 16:50:40
In reply to topamax effectiveness at 100mg?, posted by Momof1BPKid on October 21, 2003, at 10:12:01
Hello! I take 300 mgs of topamax as well as 15 mgs of abilify. I started to lose weight at 200 mgs. I am having cognition problems and also problems with numbness in my apendages, but the effects on my mood far outweigh the side effects. I have lost roughly 15 lbs so far, but I took lithium in the past and put on aobut 30 lbs. I hope this information has been helpful to you. At this point topamax has been a savior to me. I hope it can help your son as well. Karen
Posted by karen_kay on October 21, 2003, at 16:55:35
In reply to Re: topamax effectiveness at 100mg? » Momof1BPKid, posted by galkeepinon on October 21, 2003, at 11:52:51
Zyprexa tends to cause massive weight gain. I also know that Depakote does as well. Maybe the new type he is trying may not, but putting him on zyprexa and topamax would just seem pointless to me. Couldn't you try Geodon or abilify (again) or seroquel. There are a number of antipsychotics that do not cause weight gain, but zyprexa is notorious for packing on the pounds. I would think the doctor would take this into consideration before putting your son on both medications at the same time. Maybe you should ask your doctor aobut htis and try to switch him to a different antipsychotic. Just a thought? karen
Posted by karen_kay on October 21, 2003, at 17:04:16
In reply to Re: topamax effectiveness at 100mg?, posted by Momof1BPKid on October 21, 2003, at 11:18:21
I should really read all of the posts before replying, eh? Umm, I am on only topamax for my mood stabilizer. I am bipolar 1, but I usually have problems with depression. What is your son classified? I have tried every mood stabilizer out there and the only one that worked for me is topamax. I only take topamax, 300 mgs a day. At this point, what do you have to lose just trying it alone? I know that personally it is a miracle for me. I was cooped up in my house for aobut 3 months and just couldn't leave and topamax has changed my life. I'm not trying to "sell" the drug, don't get me wrong, but you have to go with your instinct because you never really know what wil work. I only wanted to try it because it would help me lose the weight that lithium caused me to gain. Now, I am able to attend my classes and go out with my friends. My whole life has changed. Sorry, back to meds.. umm, I'm just saying that there is a chance that topamax alone will stabilize his mood. And abilify does have some mood stabilizing ability as well, especially to prevent manic epiosodes, at least that is what my pdoc told me. Ask your doc next time and see what he/she says. Good luck hun and sorry if I have bored you endlessly. It really is a pain finding the proper cocktail, but when you do it is pure ectasy!!!!! with love, karen
Posted by Momof1BPKid on October 22, 2003, at 23:11:36
In reply to Last thing, promise, posted by karen_kay on October 21, 2003, at 17:04:16
I am waiting for that day! for him!
The topamax is only at 100mg, so I am hoping upping to 200mg is helpful. I think depakote helps him a bit, he says it doesnt. But he is not too helpful with his meds and saying what helps and what doesnt.
He was on zyprexa 7.5-10mg depakote er 1000mg and topamax 100mg
I had a conflict with the neurologist/ psychiatrist.
where the neuro wanted to take him off depakote,and up the topamax to 200mg,
psych said bring the depakote back to 1000mg. this is all an effort to gain weight and help him. so depakote is back at 1000mg , topamax still at 100 and abilify just added. He is going to also add paxil to the mix to see if he responds well. Kids are so difficult to help sometimes.From my perspective. he is reactive... very much so, he gets overly obsessed over stuff and gets angry in the obsessive process. He has had motor tics with no meds (tourettes ) restless leg like you wouldnt believe. adhd severe hyperactivity, bipolar NOS and some oppositional features.
Mainly Its difficult to know. I have seen him get very upset about bugs, and people breathing on his stuff. His mood is just junky alot of the time, more angry and cycles throughout the day very very quickly. he has lots of anxiety also.
I say kids are difficult cause its hard to know in children if the fidgetyness is bipolar or adhd, it is also difficult to know if a child is depressed and just exhibiting it differently than an adult.
Well we can see how goes. I am worried about all these meds he is taking interacting badly.
paxil did help him in the past though.
> I should really read all of the posts before replying, eh? Umm, I am on only topamax for my mood stabilizer. I am bipolar 1, but I usually have problems with depression. What is your son classified? I have tried every mood stabilizer out there and the only one that worked for me is topamax. I only take topamax, 300 mgs a day. At this point, what do you have to lose just trying it alone? I know that personally it is a miracle for me. I was cooped up in my house for aobut 3 months and just couldn't leave and topamax has changed my life. I'm not trying to "sell" the drug, don't get me wrong, but you have to go with your instinct because you never really know what wil work. I only wanted to try it because it would help me lose the weight that lithium caused me to gain. Now, I am able to attend my classes and go out with my friends. My whole life has changed. Sorry, back to meds.. umm, I'm just saying that there is a chance that topamax alone will stabilize his mood. And abilify does have some mood stabilizing ability as well, especially to prevent manic epiosodes, at least that is what my pdoc told me. Ask your doc next time and see what he/she says. Good luck hun and sorry if I have bored you endlessly. It really is a pain finding the proper cocktail, but when you do it is pure ectasy!!!!! with love, karen
This is the end of the thread.
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