Posted by dddiane on July 2, 2003, at 6:09:37
In reply to Re: Topomax-Should I or shouldn't I????, posted by ELENI4 on July 1, 2003, at 12:35:05
Elen,
I too was very leery of Topamax after my experience with Tegretol. But as bad as I make Tegretol sound, it was so much better than being an unmedicated bipolar I. I couldn't hold a job, I couldn't keep a relationship. If I had been born a hundred years ago they would have said I had demons, because I had serious demons. I fought them every day and lost.
The Tegretol rash was terrible, but it was not life threatening, and it cleared up as soon as I stopped Tegretol. The only AED associated with a "death rash" is Lamictal, and that can be avoided in most cases if the drug is initiated VERY slowly. If any rash begins, Lamictal is stopped.
I can say that for me the combination of Topamax and Lamictal has not only greatly improved my quality of life, but comes close to a "transparent" treatment. The Lamictal has almost no side effects, other than an upset stomach and some jitters at times, and it has allowed me to lower my Topamax so that I am feeling no side effects from that at all.
But I guess we all have our phobias about certain classes of drugs. I am extremely cautious about the AP's, I hated being on Respirdal, I resented it. It was like being in prison. But for others, it is freeing.
So I hope you find the medication that you need, and the courage to try it out.
Diane
poster:dddiane
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030701/msgs/238686.html