Posted by Elena on March 26, 2000, at 18:04:06
In reply to Re: possibly abnormal side affects of mood stabilizier, posted by Amanda S on March 26, 2000, at 16:45:58
> Elena, I could not tolerate topomax at all like so many other mood stabilizers. My conclusion was to get off of it asap and let my pdoc know asap. I also had a trememdous headache not like a migrane, but it felt like a truck was upon my head. My eyes felt like they were drooping. I am so sensitive to most of these medicines. The only one that has worked for me is lamictal. My mother use to take it for epilepsy. I take it along with an anti-anxiety med. I seem to be doing well. Had been on lamictal since July 1999. My hair has been thinning so I thought it was from the lamictal and I stopped cold turkey. Sure was a awful withdrawal. Found out you can't go off completely. I am bipolar but not a rapid cycler. I have a fun manic side, however, I get very anxious and can't stop my obssesive thoughts about dying so I take the anti-anxiety,seems to work.When I am manic I am happy and feeling good, but want to live so much that I can't imagine dying. I start planning vacations and find fun things to do. When I am depressed which is usually during a rainy dreary day, I cry alot and don't mind so much about dying. What a double edged sword. Hope I didn't take to much of your time. I hope you have found a med that works. Let me know.
Amanda--Thank you so much for getting back to me. I found another thread from Brenda, who felt she was misdiagnosed as bipolar II and was also prescribed Topomax. As soon as she got off it she felt better. This is the second time I've been through the Topomax thing. The first time my doctor insisted my symptoms had nothing to do with the medication and everything to do with my "disease." I disagreed and she's been pretty patronizing ever since. I think I also disagree with her diagnosis, but we'll see. I see a lot of "flavor of the month" diagnosing going on (in my humble sick person's opinion). Anyway, again, thank you and I wish you all the best. BTW, vis a vis thinning hair and depressive symptoms, have you checked out the thyroid connection? That's my next step. Good luck.
poster:Elena
thread:21415
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/28205.html