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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by slinky on June 17, 2006, at 17:54:23
I'm into my 3rd week on 75mg. I started on 25mg at night for 3 weeks then went up to 50mg a day...it was rough but not this rough.
It's for bipolar after trying all other stabilising meds...I'm stopping at 100mg daily.
Tegretol worked up to a point as long as I avoided everthing and everyone.If you can remember the feeling before an exam or public speech..this is what it feels like all the time. Knotted stomache , hard to eat ( no wonder it's a good diet drug) diahrrea, jumpy. I'm uncertain whether to continue taking it to find out if it's just start up side effect or stop before I explode or implode.
It's pointless asking my pdoc because I'm his first patient he's prescribed it to ( I'm in sunny UK)Any input would be appriciated,
Slinky
Posted by slinky on June 18, 2006, at 7:15:51
In reply to SEVERE anxiety and slight insomnia on Topamax, posted by slinky on June 17, 2006, at 17:54:23
..for anyone else who may be experiencing side effects from topamax..or looking for advice I found this forum helpful.
Slinky
Posted by slinky on June 18, 2006, at 7:17:24
In reply to Re: No matter..., posted by slinky on June 18, 2006, at 7:15:51
Posted by ed_uk on June 18, 2006, at 12:35:46
In reply to SEVERE anxiety and slight insomnia on Topamax, posted by slinky on June 17, 2006, at 17:54:23
Hi Slinky
It sounds awful :( Will you reduce the dose?
How did you get your pdoc to prescribe Topamax?
Ed
Posted by slinky on June 18, 2006, at 19:40:19
In reply to Re: SEVERE anxiety and slight insomnia on Topamax, posted by ed_uk on June 18, 2006, at 12:35:46
> Hi Slinky
>
> It sounds awful :( Will you reduce the dose?
>
> How did you get your pdoc to prescribe Topamax?
>
Hello Ed...good to see you.After reading loads of others experiences I'm going to continue ( Neurontin helps a little ) until I reach the theraputic dosage -100mg.
Usually this weird anxiety goes away after about two weeks or more but comes back when the dose is increased again...but for some the anxiety stays, hopefully I'm not the latter.
I have to give it a shot.
I just suggested it to my doc because every anti depressant I throw at carbamazapine is useless.
Hopefully Topamax will help with dysphoric mania...and be less depressive.
Just wish he'd prescribe Klonopin..I'm reducing the carbamazipine as well as increasing the Topamax..It's hard to keep myself together.
Oh well...Take good care of yourself Ed x
Posted by ed_uk on June 19, 2006, at 12:43:05
In reply to Re: SEVERE anxiety and slight insomnia on Topamax » ed_uk, posted by slinky on June 18, 2006, at 19:40:19
Hi Slinky!
>Just wish he'd prescribe Klonopin
Have you tried diazepam (Valium)?
Ed x
Posted by Cairo on June 19, 2006, at 18:57:31
In reply to SEVERE anxiety and slight insomnia on Topamax, posted by slinky on June 17, 2006, at 17:54:23
How slowly are you increasing the dose? VERY slowly, I hope, in case side effects get worse. I ramped up only 25mg every two weeks (starting at 25mg) and things only went from bad to worse. At 100mg, the Topamax caused full blown panic attacks, terrible akathisia, and every other side effect listed in the package insert. Only the bone crunching fatigue improved a bit, but not the other side effects. Had to wean off and take Klonopin for several months before the panic attacks improved. I'll never take Topamax again, just not for me.
The SE may improve for you, but go slow in case they don't.
Cairo
> I'm into my 3rd week on 75mg. I started on 25mg at night for 3 weeks then went up to 50mg a day...it was rough but not this rough.
> It's for bipolar after trying all other stabilising meds...I'm stopping at 100mg daily.
> Tegretol worked up to a point as long as I avoided everthing and everyone.
>
> If you can remember the feeling before an exam or public speech..this is what it feels like all the time. Knotted stomache , hard to eat ( no wonder it's a good diet drug) diahrrea, jumpy. I'm uncertain whether to continue taking it to find out if it's just start up side effect or stop before I explode or implode.
> It's pointless asking my pdoc because I'm his first patient he's prescribed it to ( I'm in sunny UK)
>
> Any input would be appriciated,
>
> Slinky
>
Posted by Cairo on June 19, 2006, at 18:57:34
In reply to SEVERE anxiety and slight insomnia on Topamax, posted by slinky on June 17, 2006, at 17:54:23
How slowly are you increasing the dose? VERY slowly, I hope, in case side effects get worse. I ramped up only 25mg every two weeks (starting at 25mg) and things only went from bad to worse. At 100mg, the Topamax caused full blown panic attacks, terrible akathisia, and every other side effect listed in the package insert. Only the bone crunching fatigue improved a bit, but not the other side effects. Had to wean off and take Klonopin for several months before the panic attacks improved. I'll never take Topamax again, just not for me.
The SE may improve for you, but go slow in case they don't.
Cairo
> I'm into my 3rd week on 75mg. I started on 25mg at night for 3 weeks then went up to 50mg a day...it was rough but not this rough.
> It's for bipolar after trying all other stabilising meds...I'm stopping at 100mg daily.
> Tegretol worked up to a point as long as I avoided everthing and everyone.
>
> If you can remember the feeling before an exam or public speech..this is what it feels like all the time. Knotted stomache , hard to eat ( no wonder it's a good diet drug) diahrrea, jumpy. I'm uncertain whether to continue taking it to find out if it's just start up side effect or stop before I explode or implode.
> It's pointless asking my pdoc because I'm his first patient he's prescribed it to ( I'm in sunny UK)
>
> Any input would be appriciated,
>
> Slinky
>
Posted by slinky on June 19, 2006, at 19:45:12
In reply to Re: SEVERE anxiety and slight insomnia on Topamax, posted by Cairo on June 19, 2006, at 18:57:34
Valium is too weak for me, ativan was a bit stronger..anyway this doctor is anti- benzo even though I've never become dependant on them when my previous doctor prescribed them...so he'd rather I suffer. When I panic ( before topamax) I can lose consciousness .I've been taken to hospital in am ambulance cause I just droppped and lost consciousness in the shop ( I ate something before I went out)
My last panic 2 weeks ago I was dealing with someone that was stressing me and I passed out again but I was at home. So the doc would rather I'd fall and bang my head than prescribe me something that may help.I ordered klonopin online but never recieved anything.
I've been increasing Topamax 25mg every 4 weeks because I'm med sensitive. At least if things don't change the ride down coming off will be an easier one. I guess the next 25mg increase will be unimaginable pain, if so I'm reducing straight away.
slinky
Posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2006, at 16:05:29
In reply to Re: Ed Uk/Cairo, posted by slinky on June 19, 2006, at 19:45:12
Hi Slinky
English doctors usually prescribe very low doses of Valium - so low in fact that it's hardly worth taking it at all. What dose did you try?
Ed x
Posted by slinky on June 20, 2006, at 17:31:33
In reply to Re: Ed Uk/Cairo » slinky, posted by ed_uk on June 20, 2006, at 16:05:29
Hi Ed..
He prescribed 5mg..it did nothing so I took 10mg.
It just made me yawn and crave for my bed , just like ativan did.
Something like Neurontin but stronger would be great because it eases the anxiety without making me just tired.
I think Lyrica has no limit dosage but I daren't ask him for that... yet.Slinky x
Posted by ed_uk on June 21, 2006, at 13:58:25
In reply to Re: Ed Uk » ed_uk, posted by slinky on June 20, 2006, at 17:31:33
Hi Slinky
Lyrica is now officially approved for the treatment of Generalised Anxiety Disorder in the UK. If your doctor knows about this, s/he may be more likely to prescribe it for your anxiety - which may not be GAD....but never mind.
Ed x
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