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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by honeychica on June 30, 2005, at 10:27:43
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS STUFF? IS IT FOR MIGRAINES? I DON'T HAVE MIGRAINES, MY PSYCHIATRIST PRESCRIBED IT FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE SEVERE ANXIETY AND i HAD A "PSYCHOTIC" EPISODE 3 WEEKS AGO WHILE ON BUSPAR, WHICH I CANNOT RECALL ANYTHING ABOUT EXCEPT WHAT MY MOM TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED, I TRIED TO KILL MYSELF. SO DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS TOPAMAX IS AND WHAT IT DOES? I FEEL KINDA WOOZY ON IT. AND I HAVE NO INSURANCE AND IT COST $128.00 FOR 30 PILLS!!!
PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT I AM PUTTING INTO MY BODY, I AM SO TERRIFIED WHAT HAPPENED 3 WEEKS AGAO MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN! THANKS SO MUCH FOR LISTENING....~ lAUREN :)
Posted by Nickengland on June 30, 2005, at 11:28:38
In reply to PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME! TOPAMAX MAKES ME A ZOMBIE!, posted by honeychica on June 30, 2005, at 10:27:43
Hi Lauren :-)
Yes you're right Topamax is sometimes given for migraines...I believe its indicated for that use in the US too. Its main use however is epilepsy.
I actually take Topamax myself and not for epilepsy or migraines, but as a mood stabliser for bipolar disorder. This use is "off label" but is very common for psychiatrists to prescribe medication that is off label, simply because the medication, in this case Topamax can help other conditions as well.
Feeling woozy on it sounds pretty normal to me if you've just started it...is it giving you a calming effect?...and what dose are you taking?
I would think your docor has given you Topamax because it sounds like you've been through quite a rough time these past few weeks..he is probably thinking that this will help to keep you calm and more stable ~ I've found it helps in this way too.
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by partlycloudy on June 30, 2005, at 11:51:21
In reply to Re: PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME! TOPAMAX MAKES ME A ZOMBIE! » honeychica, posted by Nickengland on June 30, 2005, at 11:28:38
I had a hard time at first with Topamax too (as a mood stabilizer) and I'm on a low dose - 25mg. There were a few days when I felt paranoia, irritability, and slept most of the day away on the sofa. It evened out after a week or so and I'm relieved to say that I haven't felt this well in MONTHS.
Hope you're able to stick with it and that it helps you.
partlycloudy
Posted by Nickengland on June 30, 2005, at 13:22:49
In reply to Re: PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME! TOPAMAX MAKES ME A ZOMBIE!, posted by partlycloudy on June 30, 2005, at 11:51:21
Hi Partlycloudy :-)
So you just take 25mg a day?...How long have you been taking it for? Which other meds are you taking if you don't mind me asking or is Topamax the only one?
(Sorry for all those questions at once lol)
I'm glad to see you liking it so well and have got relief :-)
I've only just started myself and pretty impressed so far myself!
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by partlycloudy on June 30, 2005, at 16:30:18
In reply to Re: PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME! TOPAMAX MAKES ME A ZOMBIE!, posted by Nickengland on June 30, 2005, at 13:22:49
I take is as an adjunct with Cymbalta, 60mg for mild bipolar2.
Also take xanax .25mg to .5mg as needed for GAD and panic attacks.
This is the first improvement in my symptoms I have experienced since January.
pc
Posted by bipolarspectrum on June 30, 2005, at 17:19:08
In reply to Re: PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME! TOPAMAX MAKES ME A ZOMBIE! » Nickengland, posted by partlycloudy on June 30, 2005, at 16:30:18
Hello,
I've been on topamax now for a week and am feeling a little antidepressant effect.. I started at 25 mg/twice a day and am going up from there... I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed antidepressant activity? I just feel lighter and calmer..
bps
Posted by Nickengland on July 2, 2005, at 5:28:46
In reply to Just to add my two cents.., posted by bipolarspectrum on June 30, 2005, at 17:19:08
Hello Bps
Good to see another on Topamax looking like they are doing well so far too :-)
Yes I've noticed a light anti-depressant effect...quite different to an antidepressant effect ive had before but all in all its positive.
I feel lighter too...may sound funny but I wonder if thats because i'm loosing alittle bit of weight?
Sometimes I can feel my mood going alittle aggressive, but its very rare and only if something really bothers me quite badly..which I guess happens to anyone anyway.
That said, I think overall I feel calmer too..
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by linkadge on July 3, 2005, at 18:46:54
In reply to Re: Just to add my two cents.. » bipolarspectrum, posted by Nickengland on July 2, 2005, at 5:28:46
I don't think that this was particulary the best choice for you in your position.
The doctor prescribed it to you as a mood stabalizer. But there are much cheaper, more effective mood stabaizers which should be tried first.
Lithium, is better for people who are prone to think about suicide, plus, it would only cost you like $6.00 per month.
If you feel that you have bipolar disorder, but you cannot take the Topomax (for whatever reason) ask about lithium.
Linkadge
Posted by partlycloudy on July 4, 2005, at 13:32:17
In reply to Re: Just to add my two cents.. » bipolarspectrum, posted by Nickengland on July 2, 2005, at 5:28:46
> Hello Bps
>
> Good to see another on Topamax looking like they are doing well so far too :-)
>
> Yes I've noticed a light anti-depressant effect...quite different to an antidepressant effect ive had before but all in all its positive.
>
> I feel lighter too...may sound funny but I wonder if thats because i'm loosing alittle bit of weight?
>
> Sometimes I can feel my mood going alittle aggressive, but its very rare and only if something really bothers me quite badly..which I guess happens to anyone anyway.
>
> That said, I think overall I feel calmer too..
>
> Kind regards
>
> Nick
>
>
Say, I feel the agression too, and don't like it one bit, although it is forcing me to learn how to communicate more, er, effectively and less, um, offensively.... that is, if I want to stay married.
I thought it was just me. How are you dealing with it?
thx
partlycloudy
Posted by honeychica on July 6, 2005, at 5:18:47
In reply to Re: Just to add my two cents.., posted by linkadge on July 3, 2005, at 18:46:54
THANKS SO MUCH JUST FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REPLY EVERYONE...IT MEANS SOOOO MUCH TO ME, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW. I JUST GOT ACCEPTED FOR MEDICAID! BUT...BUT! YES, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY WITH AN ALMOST $300 A MONTH SPEND DOWN, WHICH THEY WILL APPLY MY PAST DUE MEDICAL BILLS TOO (GOOD, CUZ I HAVE ABOUT $10,000 OF PAST DUE MEDICAL BILLS I'VE SUBMITTED) BUT BAD CUZ WHEN IT RUNS OUT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $300 OUT OF POCKET OF MY OWN MEDICAL BILLS EVERY MONTH FOR MEDICAID TO CONTINUE COVERAGE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WILL DO THEN, IT'S ALL ABOUT PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE REALLY. UNDER MEDICAID I CAN GET ANY AND ALL PRESCRIPTIONS FOR ONLY $1.00 PER PRESCRIPTION UNLIMITED. RIGHT NOW I GET ALL MY MEDICATION FREE THROUGH THE PROGRAMS THROUGH THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS, I WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PHARM. CO. PROGRAMS WITH MEDICAID.
I DON'T KNOW, IT'S ALL SO OVERWHELMING RIGHT NOW, MY THERAPIST IS HAVING HER BABY AND WILL BE GONE FOR 3 OR 4 MONTHS AND I'LL BE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THIS NEW THERAPIST I AM MEETING TUESDAY AND I AM JUST FEELING REALLY DOWN. I LOST MY TPOAMAX PRESCRIPTION, WELL WHAT WAS LEFT, ON MY VACATION WITH MY MOM TO MAINE AND I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD CALL MY NEW PSYCHIATRIST AND ASK HIM TO CALL IN MORE OR WAIT ALMOST 2 WEEKS FOR OUR NEXT MEETING....I AM JUST OVERWHELMED. I HAD TO COME HOME EARLY BECAUSE I BURNED MY FOOT 2ND DEGREE BURNED MY FOOT WHILE MAKING TEA, BY ACCIDENTALLY DROPPING A KETTLE OF BOILING WATER ON IT AND I AM IN TREMENDOUS PAIN AND ON ANTIBIOTICS AND HAVE TO SOAK IT TWICE A DAY AND PUT THIS EXPENSIVE BURN CREAM ON IT AND I CAN'T GO SWIMMING IN THE LAKE OR WALK FOR TOO LONG, SOME VACATION HUH? AND I FEEL BAD TELLING MY MOM I'D RATHER STAY HOME AND JUST REST THAN GO ALL THE WAY TO MAINE TIL SUNDAY, AND BE WITH MY CAT, AND WHERE THERE'S A PHONE AND CABLE T.V., AND WHERE I AM JUST GENERALLY, PHYSICALLY MORE COMFORTABLE, CUZ SHE WILL JUST GO BACK UP THERE ALONE AND I KNOW SHE WILL BE LONELY AND SHE WANTS ME TO GO AND I AM FEELING SO TORN, I HAVEN'T SLEPT, I CAN'T DECIDE WHAT TO TELL HER....EVERYTHING SUCKS SO BAD RIGHT NOW, ANY ADVICE WOULD BE MOST WELCOME....SORRY TO RANT TO YOU GUYS....I AM FEELING BAD FROM HEAD TO TOE LITERALLY....
> I don't think that this was particulary the best choice for you in your position.
>
> The doctor prescribed it to you as a mood stabalizer. But there are much cheaper, more effective mood stabaizers which should be tried first.
>
> Lithium, is better for people who are prone to think about suicide, plus, it would only cost you like $6.00 per month.
>
> If you feel that you have bipolar disorder, but you cannot take the Topomax (for whatever reason) ask about lithium.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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