Posted by headachequeen on November 10, 2003, at 11:44:01
In reply to re: the benefits of topamax, posted by helenag on November 10, 2003, at 10:17:08
> Hello... Topamax, along with its mood stabilizing properties, has also been the subject of a big test for helping alcoholics overcome the urge to drink...
... sure has been a life saver for the mood swings and for weight loss. I am currently on 250mg a day. I don't drink very often at all and when I do, max is two drinks...
...
...IT MAKES ME A LITTLE MORE TIRED MAYBE... but I am tired anyway all the time.
>
> Hope I helped. HelenI seem to keep posting... sorry, but I am trying to figure out all these side bits and pieces... I have had such success with the headache aspect of the Topomax which was the primary (I think) intention of its prescription and since August 12th or thereabouts when the Tegretol was bumped up to 400 mg between it and the Topomax I have had only one seizure... and these weird seizures that sneak up when I am sleeping and leave their calling cards when and if they feel like it and are sometimes embarrasing and other times so confusing I am really happy to be without so I have to admit that I am mostly content with the effects of the two of them...
and the weight loss side effect of Topomax... I know it is nothing I did, because I have proved that I have no real will power... if the weight does not come off in a month then I am tired of the whole process and quit... well that is good too...
and I have not had any side effects that I would consider serious.. can't drink because it makes me seriously ill, well so what? the laryngwhatsis says if I want my vocal cords to be repaired can't drink and I don't like the stuff anyway and don't drink often or much anway so don't drink in the first place, seldom finish that glass of wine with dinner... no loss...
have not experienced many of the side effects mentioned here...
the thirst and dry mouth, yes but I am told they also go with Tegretol and went with the anti-depressants I was on... so that is no big deal.. drink lots of water...
for no headaches and loss of weight I can deal with it...
the dry hair I go to my hair stylist and get her to deal with it...
now you mention being tired...
I thought it was the change in time zones as I had noticed being tired of late... am on a course in another time zone... and a very energy-intense one at that... that had to be it...
but even with lots of sleep I am exhausted when I do nothing...no, not exhausted, just tired, drowsy... no get up and go sort of thing..
and, when I sit down and think about it, it has been going on for months and I have been here for a week ... instead of sitting up and writing into the night (I do my best work in the early hours) then getting up and running agility or atracking course, I drag around and wonder when I can lie down and sleep for a while...
I am particularly aware of it here, as people tend to sit around and disect the day and the exercises we have run here and I am thinking that I have to hold up my head and think and listen and absorb and I can't... it is an effort to keep my eyes open let alone absorb what is being said and the post mortem talk sessions are as much a part of the course as the instruction and the doing and the assessment sessions from the instructors... they are maybe more important as the other participants are often really helpful or more critical and aware.. and there I am dozing off..
at meal times as the others are discussing the runs we had and the mistakes we made or the great things someone did.. I am all but dozing...
me? or Topomax?
I have to force awareness or be forefully active to not be dragging ... and this is not me...
side effect?
I am on 400 mg and it is working for the needed things...
and I do believe in it...
now I want to know how to combat what may be its side effects..
other than curling up and sleeping for a year and buying a wig
I realise this may not be happening because of Topomax but why am I so drowsy all the time and have hair that was so healthy becoming straw when the only change in my life other than dumping the effexor, imovane and zyprexa was taking on the Topomax ---
I don't want to stop taking it and reverse the good it has done... the headaches were debilitating.. the seizures terrifying...
but I want to stop the side effects...
sign me looking for answers
poster:headachequeen
thread:50878
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/278205.html