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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by PoohBear on January 30, 2004, at 16:40:11
In reply to Re: topomax » PoohBear, posted by headachequeen on January 30, 2004, at 16:23:35
Headachequeen:
Again, not a stupid question...
Since I'm NOT currently taking Topamax for Bipolar but rather for sleep, perhaps someone else can answer this better than I, but I'll take a stab at it...
As I understand the difference is in the amplitude or severity of the difference between the high of the mania and the low of the depression parts of the disease. If you understand waveforms and amplitude (height) and frequency (distance between crests), then it will make understanding bipolar much, much easier, because that's really what it is:
a rhythmic cycling of emotional highs and lows.
The cycles (frequencies) can be very longgggggg or they can be very short or they can even be mixed.
Bipolar I is the more severe form while Bipolar II is the less severe. A good website is:
http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/bipolar.html
Cheers!
Tony
> > > Hi anyone, Are you using topamax for bipolar? Or if not what does it treat? Hope this is not a stupid question. theresaM
>
>
> okay folks, speaking of questions that may or may not be stupid and probably are and are probably repetitive in that I have probably asked before...
> what is the difference between BipolarI and BipolarII ???
> thanks
> kat who is so easily confused
Posted by Karen_kay on January 30, 2004, at 19:26:29
In reply to Re: topomax » PoohBear, posted by headachequeen on January 30, 2004, at 16:23:35
Bipolar I dx is made when a person has had at least one manic or mixed episode, lasting for one week, unless hospitalization occurs (I think??) and at least one major depressive episode (though you don't have to have a depressive episode to be dx).
For me personally (Shhh, you won't tell, right???) I had a habit of getting nakie in public and walking around town at four o'clock in the afternoon, I've flashed police cars, random strangers, slept with strangers off the street. Of course my sister suggested I do it (walk around town naked, that is), and she knew I wasn't "feeling well" but she didn't know I had Bipolar Disorder. She just thought I was a riot (it's not quite so funny now). I also spent money I didn't have (to the sum of thousands of dollars while I was a starving college student), shop lifted, and gone on very little sleep for numerous days.Bipolar II Disorder dx is made when a person alternates between major depressive episodes and hypomanias. So, hypomania is a form of mania, only less severe and may not last as long as mania. Hypomania usually doesn't require hospitalization, and some people find it to be enjoyable. Usually I'm very talkative, need only a few hours of sleep, am very productive, have increased energy.
Hope that helps explain things with my embarrassing stories :)
Posted by headachequeen on January 30, 2004, at 23:00:32
In reply to Re: topomax » headachequeen, posted by Karen_kay on January 30, 2004, at 19:26:29
> Bipolar I dx is made when a person has had at least one manic or mixed episode, lasting for one week, unless hospitalization occurs (I think??) and at least one major depressive episode (though you don't have to have a depressive episode to be dx).
> For me personally (Shhh, you won't tell, right???) I had a habit of getting nakie in public and walking around town at four o'clock in the afternoon, I've flashed police cars, random strangers, slept with strangers off the street. Of course my sister suggested I do it (walk around town naked, that is), and she knew I wasn't "feeling well" but she didn't know I had Bipolar Disorder. She just thought I was a riot (it's not quite so funny now). I also spent money I didn't have (to the sum of thousands of dollars while I was a starving college student), shop lifted, and gone on very little sleep for numerous days.
>
> Bipolar II Disorder dx is made when a person alternates between major depressive episodes and hypomanias. So, hypomania is a form of mania, only less severe and may not last as long as mania. Hypomania usually doesn't require hospitalization, and some people find it to be enjoyable. Usually I'm very talkative, need only a few hours of sleep, am very productive, have increased energy.
>
> Hope that helps explain things with my embarrassing stories :)Thanks for the explanation...
I have been treated for depression for a longer time than I can remember eventually ending up in hospital a year and a-half past... my doctor thought I was bipolar actually; the psychiatrist who admitted me said I was not bipolar and diagnosed me as something else entirely, the which I have forgotten; actually she said she suffered from the same disorder and was really helpful.
The psych in charge of the department decided my mixture of symptoms was so interesting he would take my case; told me that himself eventually and made me feel like a some sort of insect on a pin being examined under a microscope or something... really wonderful feeling believe me! then went on to tell me I was not depressed at all but had a personality disorder and was hypomanic and did not need psychiatric care...
totally confused me by the time he was finished and I am still confused... but struggling to get through it all without him...
find more help here than he could ever provide...
I am thinking though of finding a way to arrange treatment with the first one... except she treats in-patients only and that is not an option I care to consider if possible...
contrary aren't I?
kat
Posted by Sooshi on January 31, 2004, at 11:56:34
In reply to Re: topomax » Karen_kay, posted by headachequeen on January 30, 2004, at 23:00:32
Kat-your hospitalization sounds a lot like my first hospitalization. They didn't know how to dx me either. Basically, I ended up with a dx of Major Depression, NOS, because back in the day (early 80's) there wasn't (I'm guessing) a BPII dx. Every time they would put me on a tricyclic ad (I don't think they were even using Prozac then), I'd get manic, although I had never had a true "manic" episode in my life. But when they would put me on lithium or tegretol, it would horribly aggrivate my depression (besides the fact that I was allergic to both, and got a terrible rash!). I was eventually released taking Desyrl and Xanax in megadoses and was back in the hospital within two weeks!
Anyway, I think one of the ways they dx BPII is how one responds to antidepressants...if you get hyper/manic on them, they tend to lean toward a dx of BPII.
Posted by Sad Panda on January 31, 2004, at 13:00:25
In reply to Re: topomax » PoohBear, posted by headachequeen on January 30, 2004, at 16:23:35
> what is the difference between BipolarI and BipolarII ???
BP1 is the classic Manic Depression.
With BP2 there is little & sometimes no mania, sometimes there is extreme iritability & crankiness instead, so it can easily be confused with the various types of depression.
What are your symptoms?
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by headachequeen on January 31, 2004, at 17:42:11
In reply to Re: topomax » headachequeen, posted by Sad Panda on January 31, 2004, at 13:00:25
> > what is the difference between BipolarI and BipolarII ???
>
> BP1 is the classic Manic Depression.
>
> With BP2 there is little & sometimes no mania, sometimes there is extreme iritability & crankiness instead, so it can easily be confused with the various types of depression.
>
> What are your symptoms?
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>I am going to try and answer both Panda and Sooshi in one post here...
and probably we will all end up as confused as I...
my depression treatment started years ago as a diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder because my depression that according to that wondrous psychiatrist is not a depression, always peaks in late Februaary early March. At that time I was put on some anti-depressant or other whose name I now forget... this was back in the eighties...
it did do one thing that was good, it suppressed my appetite and when I am depressed, or unhappy as so many of my acquaintances seem to view it, I go on eating binges and I have only now realised after reading information published to coincide with eating disorder week, that I was a binge eater, oh the things I am learning about myself that I really don't like---
I was losing weight on the stuff, but it was prescribed only during those winter months... January the doctor would start me on it and wrap up the treatment in April as a rule... he was good at listening and we would talk about my feelings and symptoms and I really respect his efforts
eventually he switched me to Luvox and I was using that for several years whenever the symptoms overtook me, and they often overtook me when it was not winter but no one seemed to think that this was anything out of the ordinary... he and I would talk and he would impress upon me the fact that I was not crazy as I would often insist...
it was overwork, stress, and so on...
and he would insist on helping me through it all... but then he retired and the man who bought his practice had a thing about women of a certain age...
EVERYTHING was to do with women of a certain age and I apparently fell into that age... even the tumour that had to be removed was first diagnosed as being pain that related to being a woman of a certain age so the depression I felt was also that of a woman of a certain age... he would under duress prescribe the Luvox while muttering about women of that age who wanted attention their husbands would not give them...
if I were to break a leg it would be because of my age.... so I changed doctors and the new one was fabulous...
he did not think anything had to do with the fact that I was in my forties and had everything to do with real symptoms and he did not feel that prescribing the meds in March would help; the new trend he said was to prescribe antidepressants year-round for SAD... so he did and then slowly began to change from Luvox to Wellbutrin, then added Effexor...
when I was diagnosed as being epileptic the wellbutrin had to go, so in came zyprexa... the immovane had been introduced to turn off my mind at night so I could sleep...
and by this time the SAD had been ruled out...
I have incredible highs brought about by successful creative spurts... I bring them on myself, celebratory as it were... they are not the bi-polar manic highs...
but I do have incredible lows, I become so depressed that I cannot leave my bed or my room instead I stay in the darkened room for days on end until I am able to face the world again and I do not know what triggers these spells for lack of a better word...
tears start for no reason... I can be in the middle of doing something or with people I enjoy in the midst of pleasurable activity and suddenly the tears start and the feelings of rejection and extreme loneliness and being shut off from the world set in...
I have found myself sitting on the floor in my own home rocking back and forth crying for no reason...
the list goes on and on...
a piece of music...
the smell of pipe tobacco of a particular brand...
cigar smoke...
these will send me into a total downspin toward total depression from which I cannot climb toward normal behaviour for days...
by the same token a piece of music or a certain scent or aroma or a certain accent or inflection on words can send me into such a sense of contentment and memory that I am totally at peace with the world for a while...
My manic periods are of such joy and delight with myself and my abilities... I do not do the wild spending or disappearing acts... I simply want to share the happiness of what I have accomplished with those around me...
my down periods are withdrawn and afraid and black and lonely...
those times when I do not appear to question or support are the times when I have taken to hiding from my fears or the blackness... and the past month or so there have been many such times..
my psychologist says that there is no need for years of therapy and has cut me loose, saying that I do not need him any more. If I have bad times I should call him and he will set up an appointment...
guess all the dark days are in my head and time to get over it...
wish the topomax would work for this hyomanic thing...
kat
oh and by the way...
I decided to do my own little torture test of it...
for the past couple of days I have not been taking it...
took only the tegretol and the 'tingling' in my hands and feet not only continued despite the lack of topomax it increased. Today the so-called 'tingling' was so intense in my hands that it was painful...
wondering now if the topomax somehow moderates the tingling from the tegretol...
have decided to arrange an appointment with the neuro to ask him about it and to see if he will increase the topomax and lessen the tegretol...
at times I can hardly use my hands the pain is so intense...
and without the topomax the pains in my stomach and the nausea returned full force...
so I rest my case: tegretol makes the topomax seem like a walk in the park on Sunday afternoon in the fifties...but they tell me I do not suffer from depression...
and would not benefit from psychiatric care... I needed instead a psychologist and meds...
which set me to wondering why the provincial health plan pays the psychiatrists so much money and does not recognise psychologists...
they also told me it would take years of psychotherapy to overcome not being depressed...
and then told me I could go home in a week or so...
Posted by figmentspark on February 4, 2004, at 18:35:39
In reply to Re: Topamax Experiences? Â » sherry gomez, posted by maribeth on January 25, 2001, at 7:37:38
Has anyone out there experienced problems with breathing while taking topamax? It seems to have an effect on my ability to take in deep breaths, and I don't know what to do. I think I'm going to have to stop taking it, which is so frustrating because it has really seemed to help with the Bipolar symptoms.
Posted by Maxime on February 8, 2004, at 19:46:41
In reply to Topamax help =(), posted by figmentspark on February 4, 2004, at 18:35:39
> Has anyone out there experienced problems with breathing while taking topamax? It seems to have an effect on my ability to take in deep breaths, and I don't know what to do. I think I'm going to have to stop taking it, which is so frustrating because it has really seemed to help with the Bipolar symptoms.
Hello. Yes, it did with me. It made my asthma worse. I do remember reading that one of the side effects can be an increase in upper respiratory tract infections.
Maxime
Posted by sickofmyfatclothes on February 20, 2004, at 13:25:06
In reply to Re: Topamax help =(), posted by Maxime on February 8, 2004, at 19:46:41
I started on topomax for weight loss about 3 weeks ago building up from 25 mg. for 2 weeks to now 50 mg. at night and have been taking for one week. I have had no side effects really to speak of. I take 200 mg. Zoloft for depression. have for years. Can anyone with some experience with this tell me when I should, at what dosage start expecting some weight loss? I do know that I get full very easily now. I have never been a big eater though. I have very much enjoyed reading these past messages. I go back to my Dr. next week, and I think she may bump up my dosage, as I have had no adverse reactions. Anyone have any advice or ideas for me? THANKS so much in advance.
Posted by headachequeen on February 20, 2004, at 16:13:53
In reply to Re: Topamax help =(), posted by sickofmyfatclothes on February 20, 2004, at 13:25:06
> I started on topomax for weight loss about 3 weeks ago building up from 25 mg. for 2 weeks to now 50 mg. at night and have been taking for one week. I have had no side effects really to speak of. I take 200 mg. Zoloft for depression. have for years. Can anyone with some experience with this tell me when I should, at what dosage start expecting some weight loss? I do know that I get full very easily now. I have never been a big eater though. I have very much enjoyed reading these past messages. I go back to my Dr. next week, and I think she may bump up my dosage, as I have had no adverse reactions. Anyone have any advice or ideas for me? THANKS so much in advance.
I have said this so often... and am saying it again...
do not increase the dosage too fast or the side effects will really hit you...
continue with the 50 mg for at least another week before any increase then aim for the next 25 mg...
the weight effect seems to kick in according to the individual's metabolism is all I can figure...
I am always amazed that people do not see the weight loss start at once... I did...
it was not a huge weight loss but it was a weight loss ... 3 pounds in the first week...
and this week I discovered that I have lost another five pounds... had given up checking as I thought I had reached a permanent plateau...
was talking with my sister-in-law who was on topomax for several years to control a 'jumping around effect' as she calls it... she broke her spine about fifteen years ago and has suffered all sorts of side effects from that.
Now her doctors and there are dozens, have decided she is depressed and have her on effexor and another anti-depressant whose name I forget but it sounds like ampybutaline to my pathetic memory... shall check it out.. she was on welbutrin but that happy face offended her LOL...
and I am offended by the antidepressants for a person who is anything but depressed especially the effexor !!!!!!! ...
and on something that is to controlly the sudden twitches or spasms or seizures that her body goes through from the spinal cord damage... they took her off topomax...
she had no side effects other than it controlled her weight for ages...
she has been a one meal a day person for as long as I can remember... and now I know why... apparently the effect lasts...
I still have no urge to eat sweets and no real wish to indulge in heavy meals... and this from the person who found food the way to escape the things that upset or depressed me... amazing...
and to think that if I stop taking it the effect will last...
now to find out if the anti-seizure part lasts <g>
oh, relax folks, I know it won't, just a pathetic attempt at a joke...
had two seizures, mild ones but of the embarrassing sort for the type of epilepsy that I have... thank heaven for the type of epilepsy I have I guess...
and it annoys me to all get out that with the meds to control the seizures and the meds to control the nausea and abdominal pain that the tegretol causes and the meds to control the meds, the seizures still can happen...
I want to live in a perfect world...
to be young, slim, and happy all the time too...
and I want it all yesterday....
kat
Posted by helenag on February 21, 2004, at 20:12:56
In reply to Re: Topamax help =(), posted by sickofmyfatclothes on February 20, 2004, at 13:25:06
Weight loss for me started at 200mg and above. Am at 300mg now and have seen significant loss of appetite at this dose.
Posted by sjb on February 22, 2004, at 7:25:33
In reply to Re: Topamax help =(), posted by sickofmyfatclothes on February 20, 2004, at 13:25:06
I have not read this entire thread, so if I'm repeating something already said, my apologies.
First, not ALL experience weight loss with Topomax, and for those that do, it is generally temporary. Also, at higher doses, cognitive difficulties and lethargy are a frequent problem.
Topomax worked well for me for a couple of months but that was it.
A quote from a article in the New Yorker about the supplement industry was helpful for me and may be for others as well:
"Yet, despite thousands of weight-loss studies and an increasingly focused search for solutions, there is NO (caps inserted by me) evidence that any prescription, over-the-counter product, or supplement has ever kept a person's weight down for much more than a few months. At best, such drugs or supplements are short-term answers to lifelong problems; at worst, they intensify the disorders they attempt to cure." From Miracle in a Bottle by Michael Specter, The New Yorker, February 2, 2004
Posted by Sooshi on February 22, 2004, at 13:02:26
In reply to Re: Topamax help =(), posted by sjb on February 22, 2004, at 7:25:33
Weight loss was very temporary for me also. The appetite suppression is just another side effect that goes away with all the others, and if you haven't experienced any side effects to begin with, you probably won't experience much weight loss. Most people don't like hearing this, and continue to go on Topamax, hoping it will cure all their weight loss problems, but, well....maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones. Some people have really lost a lot of weight, but they really are the few...
Posted by Sooshi on February 22, 2004, at 13:14:12
In reply to Re: Topamax help =() » sjb, posted by Sooshi on February 22, 2004, at 13:02:26
Posted by katia on February 22, 2004, at 14:52:04
In reply to Re: Topamax help =() » sjb, posted by Sooshi on February 22, 2004, at 13:02:26
Hi everyone,
I am BPII/Mixed and have been on Lithium (made me a zombie), Depakote (afraid of the PCOS possibility), Lamictal - got the rash.
I have been off of meds for about 7 weeks now except for Seroquel for sleep (small doses) and 12 gs of fish oil. I was doing GREAT for about 5-6 weeks even thinking that I wasn't bipolar that there had been a mistake and I never needed meds again (pretty typical I know).
I've got samples of Trileptal and Topamax here - anyone care to comment on their experiences with both? I am not sure which one to start with. I'm starting to get irritable and depressed. energy's turning.
Anyone suggestions? Please?!
Katia
Posted by headachequeen on February 22, 2004, at 16:28:55
In reply to Re: Topamax help =(), posted by sjb on February 22, 2004, at 7:25:33
> First, not ALL experience weight loss with Topomax, and for those that do, it is generally temporary. >
> A quote from a article in the New Yorker about the supplement industry was helpful for me and may be for others as well:
>
> "Yet, despite thousands of weight-loss studies and an increasingly focused search for solutions, there is NO (caps inserted by me) evidence that any prescription, over-the-counter product, or supplement has ever kept a person's weight down for much more than a few months. At best, such drugs or supplements are short-term answers to lifelong problems; at worst, they intensify the disorders they attempt to cure." From Miracle in a Bottle by Michael Specter, The New Yorker, February 2, 2004
Here I take my stance at the chalkboard and assume my teacher's role again... thought I had left that life behind long ago when I entered the journalism life... forgive the pedantic stance, please...
BUT...
Let us remember first and foremost that Topomax is not intended to be first and foremost a weight-loss panacea. It was developed, if my weakened cognitive skills are kicking in properly <s>, to deal with seizures. In that respect, it has been a boon to the epileptic and to others with seizure-related illnesses and problems.
Along the way it was discovered that it has useful side-effects: it tends to eliminate migraine head-aches; it has a propensity for suppressing appetite; it would seem from the conversation among the people here that it helps some of us who suffer emotional mental health problems. It has negative side-effects, too many to list.
The useful side-effects, when working in tandem with its original raison d'etre, are great. However, when it is used specifically with the intent that it cause weight loss or it change the psyche's approach to life, then we are asking it to perform its random effects, not its intended effects, and we are hoping that it will do the unexpected.
There are no magic buttons or potions for weight loss. We all know that. No one who has gained weight for whatever reason, medical problem or simply because the chocolate cake and the butter pecan crunch ice cream were too hard to resist, thinks otherwise, but it is nice to have help and nicer yet to have hope.
As one who takes Topomax for its primary intent, to help with seizures and in the hope that one of its side-effects will kick in and the migraines will be defeated as well, I am more than happy.
The migraines have been absent from my life for almost fourteen months now.
The seizures, while not totally absent from my life, are no longer weekly or nightly, sometimes bi-nightly, events.
The weight-loss side-effect, again random, I realise, has kicked in too. The weight I gained while being treated for depression, thanks to the depression itself, some of it caused by the undiagnosed epilepsy (misdiagnosed as symptoms of depression and when diagnosed several years ago, ignored by a doctor who did not want me saddled by the stigma of epilepsy... depression is less a stigma????? go figure!) an thanks to the meds used to treat the depression that led to weight gain,
I have lost weight and kept it off for a year now; the weight loss began at 25 mg... I think it depends upon the metabolism of the individual...
not the dosage...
my sister-in-law was on Topomax and is now on another medication instead (she decided that she preferred to be able to have a drink now and then) but has not gained weight and still has a small appetite although she has not taken Topomax
for over two years and it may be longer. She had been off it for quite a while when I was first prescribed the med.
She still eats only one main meal a day with a light breakfast... a scrambled egg with cheese and juice or perhaps yoghurt and juice in the morning.
As I do she craves protein and her main meal is usually chicken or fish, occasionally beef with fresh vegetables... with the occasional snack of cheese... neither of us is able to finish a large meal... small portion of potato with a touch of sour cream or melted cheese on top with the vegetables which we prefer raw anyway LOL...
and we no longer indulge in chocolate bars or other sweets... with her birthday and our anniversary coming up, they are a day apart, we are both concerned about offending family members who have great plans afoot...
dinner at a favourite restaurant for the whole tribe and we will be the ones ordering salads... we just do not have the great appetites...
It may not have the same effect for everyone but this is a SIDE-EFFECT, it is not the planned effect...
and as someone told me a while back when I posted that I had reached a plateau and was no longer losing weight, it was time to do it the old-fashioned way... to work at it...
actually it was time to work at other things, not weight loss... I had to work on the body that had lost all that weight!!!
My body and I are considering the prospect of having to buy an entire new wardrobe when spring gets here...
nothing that fit last summer will fit this summer...
I have dragged out the sewing machine to make some alterations in favourite clothes... but some things are just not a possibility... and I could cry!
now we have a blood sugar problem...
it ain't all beer and skittles...
we have entered the low blood sugar arena this body and I... and that is a new challenge...
saw the doctor the other day and he is furious that my psychologist would kick me loose in winter when I have the worst time of all...
we have to get through February and March, traditionally my worst phase of the year and the psych-man says that I am doing so well I don't need him any more...
so time will tell...
maybe one of those random Topomax side-effects will replace the psychologist???
if not I have some strong help right here....
kat
Posted by Mags on February 22, 2004, at 18:24:33
In reply to headachequeen » sjb, posted by headachequeen on February 22, 2004, at 16:28:55
I agree with much of what headachequeen has said. I went on Topamax as a mood stabilizer and to control headaches and it has done a great job of the headaches. We are still working on doseage for my rapid cycling. As far as my appetite I have found that I stopped craving carbs almost immediately, so I have lost some weight BUT I do not think this drug is worth going on just to lose weight as there are so many side effects. The big one being the cognitive ones. Some days I feel like an idiot!!
Plus the original poster only mentions being depressed not BiPolar..this drug can CAUSE depression!
I realize losing weight instead of gaining on a psych drug sounds nice for a change but at what cost?
Mags
Posted by Mags on February 22, 2004, at 18:27:36
In reply to Re: headachequeen, posted by Mags on February 22, 2004, at 18:24:33
Posted by headachequeen on February 22, 2004, at 21:19:55
In reply to Re: headachequeen, posted by Mags on February 22, 2004, at 18:24:33
> I agree with much of what headachequeen has said. I went on Topamax as a mood stabilizer and to control headaches and it has done a great job of the headaches. We are still working on doseage for my rapid cycling. As far as my appetite I have found that I stopped craving carbs almost immediately, so I have lost some weight BUT I do not think this drug is worth going on just to lose weight as there are so many side effects. The big one being the cognitive ones. Some days I feel like an idiot!!
> Plus the original poster only mentions being depressed not BiPolar..this drug can CAUSE depression!
> I realize losing weight instead of gaining on a psych drug sounds nice for a change but at what cost?
> Mags
The idea of taking a drug for its side-effects really worries me...
I have a real problem with the side-effects from the main AED I have to take and wonder how on earth anyone can want to take something for its side-effects... sigh...
kat
Posted by katia on February 22, 2004, at 23:41:59
In reply to Re: topomax, posted by headachequeen on February 22, 2004, at 21:19:55
> The idea of taking a drug for its side-effects really worries me...
> I have a real problem with the side-effects from the main AED I have to take and wonder how on earth anyone can want to take something for its side-effects... sigh...
> katTo me it seems like just the evolution of meds. Who ever thought an anti-seizure med would be used as a MS?
Posted by sjb on February 23, 2004, at 8:35:48
In reply to headachequeen » sjb, posted by headachequeen on February 22, 2004, at 16:28:55
I am so glad it is helping you and others you know. I by no means intented to 'dis the drug for it's original label use for seizures, headaches, etc. I think it is wonderful that this drug has helped people with these problems, such as yourself. The fact that you and others have also have had long term appetite suppresant, that's great also. My post was meant as a general observation, not a 100% thing, and for those of us who tend to blame ourselves when a drugs benefit change or lose effect. It has been my observation that most on this board turn to Topomax for its weight-loss rep. Perhaps, drugs being prescribed for off-label use, need more scrutiny and long-term studies.
Posted by sjb on February 23, 2004, at 8:43:12
In reply to Re: topomax » headachequeen, posted by katia on February 22, 2004, at 23:41:59
I think it's fair to say, that many benefits have been found on drugs originally developed for an unrelated malady. I also think it goes without saying that if the manufactures can jump on a potential money-maker from a side effect, such as weight-loss, they will do so quickly, perhaps too quickly.
Posted by Sooshi on February 23, 2004, at 9:26:35
In reply to Re: headachequeen, posted by sjb on February 23, 2004, at 8:35:48
Hi sjb - I know that you didn't mean to dis Topamax! That's why I clarified my message WASN'T for you (see (nm) post on 2/22/04...I had accidentally posted the message to you). In fact, I think most everyone is AGREEING with you! That Topa should definately NOT be used as a diet drug alone, which is where it seems to be headed here lately. I, for one, thank you for you insight!
Posted by headachequeen on February 23, 2004, at 16:42:36
In reply to Re: topomax » headachequeen, posted by katia on February 22, 2004, at 23:41:59
I like the evolution thought... but I would like to know that the random effect was more controlled...
we have read too many posts here from people who have tried topomax (to use it as an example) for its side effects and found that it didn't work or that the other side effects kicked in and caused problems causing them to be disappointed or to some degree harmed...
I guess, being a staid and sober second thought type, I am concerned about the 'which one will I try next approach'...
and knowing the side effects with which I have to contend on a daily basis, I fear for those who have to face other side effects on a random basis...
did that emerge the way I wanted it to? or randomly?
kat
Posted by headachequeen on February 23, 2004, at 16:46:58
In reply to Re: headachequeen, posted by sjb on February 23, 2004, at 8:35:48
> I am so glad it is helping you and others you know. I by no means intented to 'dis the drug for it's original label use for seizures, headaches, etc. ... My post was meant as a general observation, not a 100% thing, and for those of us who tend to blame ourselves when a drugs benefit change or lose effect. It has been my observation that most on this board turn to Topomax for its weight-loss rep. Perhaps, drugs being prescribed for off-label use, need more scrutiny and long-term studies.>>
Oh, but that is my point, my concern, and my constant soapbox exactly...
we are too quick to try this drug and that one for the off-label effects...
and then get upset because of the side effects (too often random effects), the damage, the disappointments, and on and on...
When it works for the proper need then fine...
and if controlled for the random use then that is one thing...
but there seems to be a flood of people dictating to doctors...
and ads telling them to tell their doctors what to prescribe...
I know, I know, the old Canadian attitude that demands that we do not do that...
can't advertise drugs and so on...
but it is a worry to my way of thinking...
you have hit the nail on the head...
there are those who are helped but it is not a magic bullet...
kat
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