Posted by WelshKat on March 24, 2002, at 18:06:16
In reply to Re: Chloral Hydrate (Noctec)- anyone ever tried th » WelshKat, posted by BarbaraCat on March 24, 2002, at 14:35:18
> Dear Kat,
> Your experiences are VERY interesting and pertinent to this group. There are many of us who have Topamax questions, so your reports on your results in this study would be very important to us. Also, do you think your severe insomnia was the result of the Topamax or the mania? Also is Cl Hydrade addictive? Keep us informed, please. - BarbaraThis has been a very rough 5 weeks. I am very lucky to have a very
supportive family and an internet business I run from home. I think the
insomnia has been caused by both my mania and the Topamax. :-) But I
have never slept much in my life. I am also taking about 1 1/2 mg of Ativan a day.
I take 1 mg at bed time. And about 1/4 mg at least once a day. Sometimes twice a day.
I find I get extremely irritable and aggitated on the
Topamax about 2 or 3 hours after my morning dose. I don't know how much
I am taking, of course. The trial pdoc lowered my morning dose about 2 weeks ago.
That was a huge help. She may lower my evening dose this week.
Not being able to drive is a real pain in the arse. During parts of
the day it is all I can do to simply get around my
house. :-) I am finding it easier to find my words. Thank goodness.
My typing and spelling is improving. The tingling in my feet is going
away. I still can't drink anything with carbination. That's no biggie.
I have lost about 10 pounds. The best side effect, IMHO. lol
I do think the Topamax is helping with my very serious
mood swings. I am finally coming out of a very bad
depression. No mania at the moment. I am having a real
problem going into public places. But I have had some problems
with social phobias and GAD all my life. Except
during my good manias. Right now I am simply very tired. I've been
trying to get caught up on work on my web site.
I find the Topamax just exhausts me.As for the Chloral Hydrate, I feel like I could skip it tonight and
forever with no problem. I just wouldn't sleep. :-) But lets see what happens come the middle
of May. I will talk to the study pdoc about the
addictive properties of it. According to what research I've done, it is
addictive. But so is Ativan according to people who are scared
of the benzos which I can't imagine living life
without. The way I look at it, I have Bipolar I
for the rest of my life. I'm not that terribly concerned
about what is addictive. I just know that I will
have to be careful about how I go off things that
my body becomes used to having in its system.Let me know if I can answer any other questions.
I do find that I feel a little better every day.
This is the hardest thing I've ever done. My whole life is
being turned upside down. My family is finally having
to deal with the realities of my illness. For the
first time in my 40 years of life. It's not always
very pretty, to say the least. But it is a good
thing! I was first diagnosed about 6 years ago. My
marriage ended the same year. I gave up medications
about four years ago. Not a smart move. I feel
that I am paying a high price for those four years.
I spent the last two years in an isolated depression.
Until last Fall when I flew into a crazy mania which
caused all sorts of havoc in my life. Then down
into the horrible black hole. Which finally
sent me looking for help. I had read of Topamax
and thought it might work for me. Learned of this
study and here we are. I have no insurance so
it really is a godsend. Though I don't recommend
going up to such a high dose in one week.
No way ~ No how! But I figure it's for a good cause.
Take care, Kat
poster:WelshKat
thread:99769
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020322/msgs/99924.html