Posted by Elzabeth on September 7, 2001, at 11:46:49
In reply to Re: Topamax: Crying Jags/Suicidal Thoughts » Elzabeth, posted by jay on September 7, 2001, at 9:24:01
Hi Jay, Thanks --
Hmmm, not sure what an AC is ... or an AP ... I'm assuming AD refers to antidepressant ...
On a whole, Jay, I'm very discouraged. Topamax has been a disaster for me. I've been doing this about six weeks, now. Have been up to 400 mg. about 2 or 3 weeks now -- and for me, this Rx has been poison. I've been sick, really sick. In fact, the last part of this week, I haven't been able to work. Went to my internist today. Felt like my womb was falling out of my body. It's not my womb, it's the G.I. tract. I can't eat. I can't -- er -- excuse me -- I can't poop. I'm just sick sick sick. I called my pdoc on -- when was it? Monday? Told him (his nurse actually) I wanted to go on a drug holiday. His advice? He wanted to INCREASE the Topamax. That, or to increase the Serzone, which hasn't been helping either. I'm starting to feel like a real nut case here. Nothing I've tried seems to lift my depression -- you know -- Wellbutrin, Lithium, Zoloft, Effexor, I've tried so many. I'm just really starting to wonder what to do next. :-(
Maybe I should post a treatment-resistant depression query.
Thanks for writing.
XXX, E.
Oh, P.S. I'm Elzabeth, not Elizabeth. Didn't want to confuse you with someone else you might be writing.
Elizabeth:
>
> I had the same experience with Serzone/Depakote, in fact most AC's with an AD. Lithium also...just major, nasty, YUKKY! A number of others have posted on here their positive experiences with the atypical AP's. In order to determine your tolerance to an AP, why not start with a very low dose of one, let it build up in your system for a few weeks, and go from there. IF you tolerate it (and compared to AC's, which all made me feel like I had been hit by a truck), the atypical AP's (especially in lower doses) seem to have such little in the way of side effects.
>
> Then, if you still feel the need to further your treatment of depression, you can 'test' small doses of ad's with whatever ap you are on. The best and most important thing with the ap's is this: they regulate and smooth your moods, only after a few weeks, without all the crappy cloudy feelings of ac's.
>
> YMMV...but there are many people on here who will agree, it is DEFINATELY worth a shot, and a GOOD one at that. You may actually shock yourself at how quick things will turn around.
>
> Best wishes...
>
> Jay
>
> > That pretty much sums it up. I am not suicidal, but life is miserable. Go to bed miserable. Wake up miserable. Am on Serzone for depression, and obviously it's not working. My new M.D. recently added Topamax as a mood stabilizer and now I'm not only depressed but crying. Frequently. And having thoughts of suicide. Wouldn't you know it's a holiday weekend. Anybody else experience crying/suicidal thoughts with Topamax? XXX, E.
poster:Elzabeth
thread:77445
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010907/msgs/78167.html