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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sooshi on June 2, 2004, at 20:53:06
In reply to Re: Topamax, » sooshi, posted by kka on June 2, 2004, at 10:21:31
That's great! Good luck to you, and I hope you have as much success with Z as I have!
Posted by dazed on June 3, 2004, at 16:16:08
In reply to Re: Topamax, » kka, posted by redscarlet on June 1, 2004, at 16:37:01
Redscarlet--How many milligrams of Zonegran are you on now? (and how much topomax were you on?)
> I was on Topamax for close to two years and I had VERY, VERY bad hair loss during the whole time I took it. I was like you and took mega amounts of vitamins but that didn't help. I'm now on Zonegran and that is working great and NO hair loss. My hair is growing back in and I give it a little help by staying on the vitamins. The hair loss was the only bad side effect that I had from the Topamax.
> HTH
>
Posted by redscarlet on June 3, 2004, at 17:17:07
In reply to Re: Topamax,, posted by dazed on June 3, 2004, at 16:16:08
I'm on 200mg's of the Zonegran and I was on 200mg's of the Topamax.
HTH
Posted by imlaurie on June 3, 2004, at 19:28:46
In reply to Re: Topamax,, posted by dazed on June 3, 2004, at 16:16:08
> Redscarlet--How many milligrams of Zonegran are you on now? (and how much topomax were you on?)
>
> > I was on Topamax for close to two years and I had VERY, VERY bad hair loss during the whole time I took it. I was like you and took mega amounts of vitamins but that didn't help. I'm now on Zonegran and that is working great and NO hair loss. My hair is growing back in and I give it a little help by staying on the vitamins. The hair loss was the only bad side effect that I had from the Topamax.
> > HTH
> >
> Hair loss was my only side effect also. At least that was the only one I was aware of :) I quit taking it a couple of weeks ago and am now only on the Zonegran, 100 mgs. daily. I have already gained 5 pounds (yuck) but on the flip side my hair loss has stopped, just like that!! I guess you just can't have it all.
Has anyone on Topamax had trouble with excessive dry skin? I was so busy worrying about my hair that I wasn't paying attention to my skin. Now I notice that my feet are not very nice to look at anymore, cracked heels, etc. Also just dry skin in general.
By the way I notice no side effects with the Zonegran at all and I have been on it for about a month now.
>
Posted by kka on June 3, 2004, at 22:30:45
In reply to Re: Topamax,, posted by imlaurie on June 3, 2004, at 19:28:46
imlaurie,
Did you have to tirate up on Zonegram just like Topamax...will you be increasing from what you are on now...maybe then you will lose the weight you put on from going off Topamax...
> > Redscarlet--How many milligrams of Zonegran are you on now? (and how much topomax were you on?)
> >
> > > I was on Topamax for close to two years and I had VERY, VERY bad hair loss during the whole time I took it. I was like you and took mega amounts of vitamins but that didn't help. I'm now on Zonegran and that is working great and NO hair loss. My hair is growing back in and I give it a little help by staying on the vitamins. The hair loss was the only bad side effect that I had from the Topamax.
> > > HTH
> > >
> > Hair loss was my only side effect also. At least that was the only one I was aware of :) I quit taking it a couple of weeks ago and am now only on the Zonegran, 100 mgs. daily. I have already gained 5 pounds (yuck) but on the flip side my hair loss has stopped, just like that!! I guess you just can't have it all.
> Has anyone on Topamax had trouble with excessive dry skin? I was so busy worrying about my hair that I wasn't paying attention to my skin. Now I notice that my feet are not very nice to look at anymore, cracked heels, etc. Also just dry skin in general.
> By the way I notice no side effects with the Zonegran at all and I have been on it for about a month now.
> >
>
>
Posted by stacylouisabeus on June 4, 2004, at 6:35:38
In reply to Re: thanks » Kazzy, posted by headachequeen on May 31, 2004, at 21:28:43
omg I cannot believe you could stay married to a man that would verbally abuse you like that. That does more damage than than anything physical ever could. I would rather be beat physically than be ever spoken ill to. Neither is appropriate, but I feel I can protect myself better physically.
Posted by imlaurie on June 4, 2004, at 9:07:00
In reply to Re: Topamax, » imlaurie, posted by kka on June 3, 2004, at 22:30:45
No, this is the dose they started me on. They also had me on Topamax too when they started the Zonegran about a month ago. I quit the Topamax myself. When I go for my next appt. they may increase it when I let them know I am no longer taking Topamax.
Laurie
"Life May Not Be The Party We Hoped For But While We Are Here We Might As Well Dance" :)
Posted by headachequeen on June 6, 2004, at 16:34:16
In reply to Re: thanks » headachequeen, posted by stacylouisabeus on June 4, 2004, at 6:35:38
> omg I cannot believe you could stay married to a man that would verbally abuse you like that. That does more damage than than anything physical ever could. I would rather be beat physically than be ever spoken ill to. Neither is appropriate, but I feel I can protect myself better physically.
LOL he was not abusing me verbally at all...
he was making light of a situation that bothered him deeply...
rather than say that when he met me I was drastically underweight and had a frightfully low self esteem despite the fact or facts that I am and was then an extremely intelligent and talented young woman, not to overlook the attractive part, with a great deal to contribute, and a family of wealth and position that seemed to overlook the obvious and refuse to do anything to help.. he would joke about his reasons for becoming involved with me...
we are of Celtic background; those things that mean the most to us, those things that touch us most deeply we do not talk about openly other than with a joke... we do not wear our hearts on our sleeves so to speak...
I understant when says this...
what I do not understand is why he fed me so well that I gained all that weight!!!!
He is an incredible cook... sigh
and I have suffered the results of his talents in the kitchen...
cornsih game hens with shrimp and wild rice stuffing are not too bad but the majority of the dishes he comes up with are massively rich and fattening and they did not help when I began to put on weight...
now he does things with salmon and chicken that are wonderful...salmon with almonds and apricots that or walnuts and pears... and chicken breasts with pears.... it makes being thin something to yearn for <G>
he has been my greatest fan and my firmest critic over the years... never allowing me to put forth mediocre work but always standing there in support of my projects... but abusive? no not that...
I do thank you for caring though...
one of our shared projects has been to work with abused children and with abused parents; a fastening work and with abused women...
unreal...
kat
Posted by rockette on June 6, 2004, at 21:11:16
In reply to Re: Topamax, » kka, posted by headachequeen on June 1, 2004, at 22:07:50
And just when I thought I had the Topamax dosage set (50mg am, 50 pm) keeping headaches at a minimum and hairloss stable...Doc adds Zantac to the mix for lousy GERD stomach problem (already taking Protonix) and whammo---more hair down the drain! Just took my shower and sad to say, handfuls came out. Now I'm depressed (isn't that what the Wellbrutrin is for?--actually I've heard that adds to hairloss, too) I'm really getting tired of the cures being worse than the disease..... Too many pills!! I think it may be time to stop them all and start all over again. (Of course after the first 3 day migraine I'll be begging for mercy!!)
Sorry for the "whining"--can deal with the stomach acting up again but the hairloss deal sends me over the top!!!
Posted by shadows721 on June 6, 2004, at 21:26:25
In reply to Re: Topamax, Zantac and hair down the drain!!, posted by rockette on June 6, 2004, at 21:11:16
Can you reduce the med a bit and still get the benefit? I am hoping there will be a dosage that will give you the benefit of having no migraine without the hair loss. I feel this is going to be a delicate fine tuning process.
Posted by bruce_w6 on June 6, 2004, at 21:28:14
In reply to Re: Topamax, Zantac and hair down the drain!!, posted by rockette on June 6, 2004, at 21:11:16
I am on Lamictal (250 mg) & Lithium Ototatate (6x120). Bipolar II. I also take Gemifribazil & Niaspan for cholesterol ad triglycerides. My weight has crept up unmercifully fast. I started Topomax and went up at 25 mg a week to my currant dose of 150 mg. No side effects except for some forgetfulness. No weight loss yet. Pleases respond. When does the weight loss start? What can I do? I am really scared.
Posted by headachequeen on June 7, 2004, at 16:23:59
In reply to Re: Topamax, Zantac and hair down the drain!!, posted by rockette on June 6, 2004, at 21:11:16
Posted by kka on June 23, 2004, at 21:30:33
In reply to Re: Topamax to Zonegran, posted by TexasChic on November 19, 2003, at 11:07:18
>Texas Chic - How are you? Are you still on Zonegran for binge eating? How is it working? What dose are you on? I just started two weeks ago, Topamax made me lose too much hair. If you have time and are still on the boards I would love to hear how you (or anyone) is doing on this med.
Thans KKA
My doc switched me to Zonegran (for my binge eating) because of the problems I was having with the Topamax – mainly the interference with birth control, cognitive problems, and tiredness. From what I can tell, its about the same thing as Topamax except its not supposed to have those particular side effects. I'll let yall know how it works out
Posted by headachequeen on June 23, 2004, at 22:16:21
In reply to Re: Topamax, Zantac and hair down the drain!!, posted by rockette on June 6, 2004, at 21:11:16
> And just when I thought I had the Topamax dosage set (50mg am, 50 pm) keeping headaches at a minimum and hairloss stable...Doc adds Zantac to the mix for lousy GERD stomach problem (already taking Protonix) and whammo---more hair down the drain! Just took my shower and sad to say, handfuls came out. Now I'm depressed (isn't that what the Wellbrutrin is for?--actually I've heard that adds to hairloss, too) I'm really getting tired of the cures being worse than the disease..... Too many pills!! I think it may be time to stop them all and start all over again. (Of course after the first 3 day migraine I'll be begging for mercy!!)
> Sorry for the "whining"--can deal with the stomach acting up again but the hairloss deal sends me over the top!!!I just found this post... and have to mention that there are meds that help with the side effects that attack the stomach... one that really helps is Serc (says she not sure what it is that affects your stomach... but I have an awful time with abdominal pain, stomach cramps, and nausea thanks to dear old Tegretol... and serc really does help... tried the domperden and it helped with the tingling in the hands but caused even worse stomach cramps and abdominal pain and threw in diarrhoea which I do not need... have been off it for almost two weeks and still trying to rid myself of the side effects that accompany it...
apparently it takes up to three months to get some of these things out of the system...
oh joy!!!)The Serc really helps though...
and I have found that there is a shampoo that helps with hair loss threats but I forget the name... will ask my hair stylist, she is the one who mentioned it...
it may help some of you...
and shampooing less frequently may help too ... we have become a society of daily shampooers ... something that was not the norm even thirty years ago...
there has to be a solution here...
kat
Posted by redscarlet on June 23, 2004, at 22:37:20
In reply to Re: Topamax, Zantac and hair down the drain!! » rockette, posted by headachequeen on June 23, 2004, at 22:16:21
The shampoo your talking about I think is Nioxin's Bionutrient.
HTH... :-)
Posted by SLS on June 24, 2004, at 10:37:56
In reply to Re: Topamax to Zonegran » TexasChic, posted by kka on June 23, 2004, at 21:30:33
> My doc switched me to Zonegran (for my binge eating) because of the problems I was having with the Topamax – mainly the interference with birth control, cognitive problems, and tiredness. From what I can tell, its about the same thing as Topamax except its not supposed to have those particular side effects. I'll let yall know how it works out
I found Zonegran to be a very clean drug as far as side-effects are concerned. It did reduce my appetite significantly.
Good luck with it.
- Scott
Posted by headachequeen on June 24, 2004, at 13:10:35
In reply to Re: Topamax, Zantac and hair down the drain!! » headachequeen, posted by redscarlet on June 23, 2004, at 22:37:20
> The shampoo your talking about I think is Nioxin's Bionutrient.
> HTH... :-)Hi again... no this is one put out by one of the professional hair care companies ... my favourite stylist (who keeps an eye on the possible fallout problem for me) told me about it but says that I don't need it.. there is also a conditioner and she says that she has found it to be very successful for clients with hair loss problems related to other medications and health conditions...
shall ask for the name of it when I see her ...
kat
Posted by redscarlet on June 24, 2004, at 13:30:16
In reply to Re: Topamax, Zantac and hair down the drain!! » redscarlet, posted by headachequeen on June 24, 2004, at 13:10:35
Kat ~ Please let me know the name of the product once you get it because Nioxin is the only professional hair care line that I know of that is for hair loss so I would like very much to see what else is out there for this problem. I lost a LOT of hair while on Topamax (on Zonegran now).
Thanks... :-)
Posted by headachequeen on June 24, 2004, at 13:37:38
In reply to Re: Topamax, Zantac and hair down the drain!! » headachequeen, posted by redscarlet on June 24, 2004, at 13:30:16
> Kat ~ Please let me know the name of the product once you get it because Nioxin is the only professional hair care line that I know of that is for hair loss so I would like very much to see what else is out there for this problem. I lost a LOT of hair while on Topamax (on Zonegran now).
> Thanks... :-)I shall check with her this afternoon or first thing tomorrow.. we have a storm coming in and I still have a difficult time seeing without the dark glasses... given the darkness outside and the dark glasses it is hard to get around... so had to postpone my appointment until tomorrow... but if it lightens up at all shall wander downtown...
we live only a few blocks from there... a good thing about small-town-living <g>
but when the weather acts up I am house-bound sigh... between the barometer in my wrist and ankle and the aftermath of the surgeries on my eyes this whole thing is annoying...speaking of hair though - she still has to thin mine..
so I seem to be doing all right so far...
I use a was to sculpt mine, sometimes a putty... and you know they say that there is something wrong with those of us who have emotional problems??????
the other day a person I know casually asked how I managed to make my hair hold this style.. told her I use was or putty...
she went out and tried it... floor wax...
now I wonder who really needs help...
it ain't us sports fans...
trust me...
kat
Posted by crow on August 10, 2004, at 13:47:23
In reply to Re: Topamax, » kka, posted by headachequeen on June 1, 2004, at 16:26:08
> > Kat,
> > Glad to hear you are doing well. In your post you mentioned no hair loss "at this point" I started Topamax in Oct. at 25 mgs and then by March I was up to 175 mgs twice a day. in March I started having severe hair loss so I stopped taking topamax, then tried again in late April even at the low dose of 50mgs the hair loss started again. Did this happen to you and did the hair loss just stop?? I was taking vitamins, biotin, vitamins - E and B vitamins folic acid, seleninum, zinc, and a prenatal pill. Should I have just stuck it out, would the hair loss eventually stop? I am really wanting to give it another try but cannot lose the hair again. I was taking for migraines and weight loss and had much success without ANY of the side effects other than hair loss...any advice on trying the topamax again and avoiding hair loss. Any imput would be great! Thanks KKA
> >
>
> I lost hair with tegretol... scads of it... and panicked but could not... dared not stop taking it...
> when murph mentioned the biotin I felt like a fool as we give it to our Chows for hair problems along with megadoses of vitamin C... and 400 to 800 IU of vitamin E with zinc ...
> and of course virgin coldpressed olive oil... and a few other vitamins and mineral supplements to ensure they get the right stuff for their skin and hair, but especially the C... so why did I not think of it for myself??????
> where was the logic that the human was supposed to have to go with the opposable thumb????
>
> I have not had any more hair loss than was the norm since...
> I do find that my hair is dry at times but since I stopped using the wax in it that has changed...
>
> I really cannot claim any side effects other than the excessive thirst... but then I was always running around playing camel crossing desert even before the topomax....
> LOL
> katHi kat,
My husband has been taking tomapax for about 4 months for migraines, the doctor has him up to 400mg per day(200am and 200pm)he hasn't expereinced hair loss but is having major problems diaria and appetite, it seems very unhealthy, just eating a small meal a day(if that), can't force himself to eat anything else. He has loss 40 lbs and it is obvious he should not be on the doses he's on, the doctor he has doesn't seem to have a firm grip on the medication, so my question to you, is when you went of the topamax how did you do it? How much did you taper at a time, and did you experience any of the symptons I've discribed? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Posted by imlaurie on August 10, 2004, at 16:33:05
In reply to Re: Topamax, » headachequeen, posted by crow on August 10, 2004, at 13:47:23
I quit taking Toapamax and Zonegran over a month ago. I hardly lose any hair at all compared to the hanfulls that I was losing during the medication.Also I have only gained back about a pound of all the weight I had lost. Looking slim is a dream come true but at 50 the weight loss added years to my face, I used to look young for my age now eveyone says I look quite old and need to gain weight. I hardly recognize myself in the mirror. There is no happy medium with anything, I am convinced.
Posted by headachequeen on August 10, 2004, at 17:25:07
In reply to Re: Topamax, » headachequeen, posted by crow on August 10, 2004, at 13:47:23
> Hi kat,
> My husband has been taking tomapax for about 4 months for migraines, the doctor has him up to 400mg per day(200am and 200pm)he hasn't expereinced hair loss but is having major problems diaria and appetite, it seems very unhealthy, just eating a small meal a day(if that), can't force himself to eat anything else. He has loss 40 lbs and it is obvious he should not be on the doses he's on, the doctor he has doesn't seem to have a firm grip on the medication, so my question to you, is when you went of the topamax how did you do it? How much did you taper at a time, and did you experience any of the symptons I've discribed? Thanks in advance for your reply.
>
Hi!!
First I have to tell you that I am still taking Topomax and will probably be taking it forever as I am epileptic and it is prescribed primarily to help control seizures...
as it deals with migraine (a side effect of the medication) it was the neurologist's choice instead of increasing the tegretol... to which I say a loud hallelujah...The diarrhoea problem is one that is hard to deal with... and I have talked with several people who have had to cope with it...
the best approach we have found is to use Metamucil or one of the other psyllium products and to avoid dairy products and seed-containing fruit and vegetables...
Sometimes using oh glory, there goes the memory bank... can't remember the name of it but they have all those dense commercials... or Lomotil is the only answer...as for appetite, the initial appetite suppressant component does settle down after a while...
I don't think I could lose weight now if I tried and I am on a closely monitored food regimen as well as the topomax, yet there has been no change in my weight in a month or two...I keep wondering if there were a decision to take me off Topomax whether or not I would suddenly gain weight again...
read the other day about a person who gained 100 pounds in 90 days on an anti-depressant and that put me into total trauma!!!The dietitian at our hospital who is helping me work on a pro-active plan to counteract diabetes II and post-op problems told me that if I ate three meals a day instead of the one that I have come to prefer since I started Topomax that things would balance well...
to spread the food of the one meal over three with a little added each time.... I have never been a breakfast fan and that has not been a great success <g>
I have been trying for a month now, and while the sugar levels have adjusted, I am totally uncomfortable...
so going back to the one meal, but going to
try including green vegetables and sprouts and things for a 'light lunch' and evening snack that she wants me to have, and see if that works...
a light salad for lunch and celery or aspargus spears for a snack...
we'll see how it goes....kat
Posted by headachequeen on August 10, 2004, at 17:30:06
In reply to Re: Topamax,, posted by imlaurie on August 10, 2004, at 16:33:05
> I quit taking Toapamax and Zonegran over a month ago. I hardly lose any hair at all compared to the hanfulls that I was losing during the medication.Also I have only gained back about a pound of all the weight I had lost. Looking slim is a dream come true but at 50 the weight loss added years to my face, I used to look young for my age now eveyone says I look quite old and need to gain weight. I hardly recognize myself in the mirror. There is no happy medium with anything, I am convinced.
There never is a happy medium...
I think that is one of Murphy's laws...but look at this way, the weight loss may well have added years to your life...
that is the way I see it...
the pounds I gained on the meds that didn't work, are now almost all gone; I never want to return to the excessively thin person I once was, but I am much happier now that I am more comfortable with me...
I do get tired of people telling me I have to stop losing weight...
although I have not lost any in weeks...
and interestingly enough, it is often people who could most benefit from a little weight loss who tell me how worried they are that I am losing weight and think that I should see a doctor about it...
after all, I have to be sick or I couldn't lose weight, right????
arrgghhhh a pox upon them...kat
Posted by Kathai on August 22, 2004, at 17:15:56
In reply to Re: Topamax, » crow, posted by headachequeen on August 10, 2004, at 17:25:07
Hi all, I am new to this site, doing research after prompting from my mother (I'm 35!). About a year ago my neurologist prescribed topamax after I suffered terrible migraines for years. For this past year, I took it at night before I went to bed. The only side effect I've noticed is crazy, racing dreams, and waking at every sound (which makes sleeping really difficult, since I have two dogs and a snoring husband). Even the dr. has been surprised that I've had no weight loss! (I was really looking forward to THAT side effect!)
I have slept terribly and am very sensitive to sound - my husband's snoring just about is throwing me over the edge. Because of this, my frequent distrubances at night and the dreams - Since I sleep terribly, I decided two weeks ago to try taking it in the AM instead of the PM. I still have dreams sometimes - I have history of having vibrant dreams almost every night anyway - but I noticed right away overall I slept SO MUCH BETTER. Also, seemed to have less of an appetite during the day.
HOWEVER...I went away on vacation and forgot to bring the meds. I saw a chirpractor who was also a nutritionist, and he told me I sounded like a heroin addict the way I talked about being terrified of missing s dosage, or my neurologist leaving the practice, etc. It made me wonder. I want to be drug free. Maybe if I start exercising and eating right I will be ok? I stopped taking the topamax. It has been a week now. I have been fine. Last night, terrible sleep. I woke up and took fiorcet at 4am. Today, a headache. I am wondering if the topamax is wearing off...I am wondering if I will get better, or if I will get worse in the long run.
By the way, I just read my bottle and realized the dosage is really low - 25mg, two tablets a day.
anybody have any advice? I have learned alot after stumbling upon this site this morning, thank you.
PS I do have hair loss...I am learning more about side effects; I haven't figured out over the past year what are side effects vs. regular life stuff
Posted by Kathai on August 22, 2004, at 17:41:41
In reply to weaning off my Topamax (presc. for migraines), posted by Kathai on August 22, 2004, at 17:15:56
After reading more and more postings today, I have learned a lot. I also have been doing a search, and found the most informative website! http://www.migraines.org/treatment/protpmax.htm
My last posting I stated that I wasn't sure what my side effects were vs. real life things..and after reading this posting it was like a big relief to see that some of the things I have been concerned of over the past year, are side effects of topamax! I seem to have most of the "less common" side effects, interestingly enough.
Check out the website!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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