![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 25, 1999, at 12:20:14
Happy Holidays guys...
Has anyone tried topiramate (Topimax)?
This drug was originally devoloped as an anticonvulsant. However, like many other anticonvulsants (Tegretol, Depakote, Lamictal, Neurontin), it possesses some mood-stablizing properties.I am especially interested to know with what other drugs it has been combined with.
Has anyone combined Topimax with Depakote?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Laura on December 26, 1999, at 15:20:40
In reply to Topiramate (Topimax) combinations?, posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 25, 1999, at 12:20:14
>
> I started topamax three weeks ago and am very pleased with the results so far. I have been on wellbutrin (800 mg/day) and prozac (40 mg/day) for about a year and trying various anticonvulsants. Neurontin ... lamictal ... the depakote worked well, but after three months, my hair was falling out and I had gained 20 lbs. My doctor took me off the depakote and we tried tegretol. That made me so tired that I could not even get out of bed. That's when we added the topamax and gradually took me off the tegretol. Since then I've felt really great - lots of energy, extremely productive at work, excellent mood. Initially I noticed that I was out of breath (a concern for me because I'm an athlete) and quite anxious, but those side effects seem to have gone away. I'm currently taking 100 mg of the topamax and my doc thinks we will try to go up to 200. She and I both think this may be the right combo after a year of trying. Now that would be the best New Year's present ever. Good luck to you.
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 26, 1999, at 16:49:17
In reply to Re: Topiramate (Topimax) combinations?, posted by Laura on December 26, 1999, at 15:20:40
>> I started topamax three weeks ago and am very pleased with the results so far. I have been on wellbutrin (800 mg/day) and prozac (40 mg/day) for about a year and trying various anticonvulsants. Neurontin ... lamictal ... the depakote worked well, but after three months, my hair was falling out and I had gained 20 lbs. My doctor took me off the depakote and we tried tegretol. That made me so tired that I could not even get out of bed. That's when we added the topamax and gradually took me off the tegretol. Since then I've felt really great - lots of energy, extremely productive at work, excellent mood. Initially I noticed that I was out of breath (a concern for me because I'm an athlete) and quite anxious, but those side effects seem to have gone away. I'm currently taking 100 mg of the topamax and my doc thinks we will try to go up to 200. She and I both think this may be the right combo after a year of trying. Now that would be the best New Year's present ever. Good luck to you.I am smiling big-time for your New Year's gift. I hope it lasts indefinitely. Very cool. :-)
If it's not too much trouble, I am curious as to what your diagnosis is. I am bipolar and suffer from an unrelenting depression. I'm hesitant to use the word "severe" as it seems like I am minimizing the suffering of others. It is pretty bad, though. How would compare your experiences with Lamictal vs. Topimax? I am currentle taking Lamictal plus Depakote, along with Tofranil (imipramine). Each seems to contribute to a slight improvement that I am not too quick to be without. My doctor has suggested Topimax as possibility, but he didn't specify whether he would consider combining it with the other two or if it would be necessary to discontinue one or both of them. Your reply is very encouraging. I think I will pursue Topimax as an alternative.
Thanks.
Stay Well,
Scott
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 26, 1999, at 16:52:37
In reply to Re: Topiramate (Topimax) combinations?, posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 26, 1999, at 16:49:17
What a terrible job of proof-reading. I'm trying to watch the football game. (Lame excuse)
- Scott
Posted by Laura on December 27, 1999, at 5:53:55
In reply to Re: Topiramate (Topimax) combinations?, posted by Scott L. Schofield on December 26, 1999, at 16:49:17
>
> >> I started topamax three weeks ago and am very pleased with the results so far. I have been on wellbutrin (800 mg/day) and prozac (40 mg/day) for about a year and trying various anticonvulsants. Neurontin ... lamictal ... the depakote worked well, but after three months, my hair was falling out and I had gained 20 lbs. My doctor took me off the depakote and we tried tegretol. That made me so tired that I could not even get out of bed. That's when we added the topamax and gradually took me off the tegretol. Since then I've felt really great - lots of energy, extremely productive at work, excellent mood. Initially I noticed that I was out of breath (a concern for me because I'm an athlete) and quite anxious, but those side effects seem to have gone away. I'm currently taking 100 mg of the topamax and my doc thinks we will try to go up to 200. She and I both think this may be the right combo after a year of trying. Now that would be the best New Year's present ever. Good luck to you.
>
> I am smiling big-time for your New Year's gift. I hope it lasts indefinitely. Very cool. :-)
>
> If it's not too much trouble, I am curious as to what your diagnosis is. I am bipolar and suffer from an unrelenting depression. I'm hesitant to use the word "severe" as it seems like I am minimizing the suffering of others. It is pretty bad, though. How would compare your experiences with Lamictal vs. Topimax? I am currentle taking Lamictal plus Depakote, along with Tofranil (imipramine). Each seems to contribute to a slight improvement that I am not too quick to be without. My doctor has suggested Topimax as possibility, but he didn't specify whether he would consider combining it with the other two or if it would be necessary to discontinue one or both of them. Your reply is very encouraging. I think I will pursue Topimax as an alternative.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> Stay Well,
> Scotthmmm, my diagnosis. Well, the medical forms say major recurrent depression. The consensus seems to be that I'm not really bipolar though I exhibit many of the characteristics. Another shrink thinks I might be PTSD.
The lamictal was weird. I could not stop crying and I also started to stutter. I found both these side effects unacceptable and did not wait to see if they would lessen over time. My doctor suggested trying the lamictal again - or the topamax - and I opted for the topamax. So far, so good.
Good luck
Laura
Posted by Laura on December 27, 1999, at 16:38:16
In reply to Re: Topiramate (Topimax) combinations?, posted by Laura on December 27, 1999, at 5:53:55
> >
> > >>
I've been on topamax for about three weeks and have had very good results. But I did with depakote too, until three months in when I started to lose hair, gain weight, etc ... Has anyone been on topamax for more than three months and can you share your experience? I'm actually the first person my doc is trying it on ...Thanks,
Laura
Posted by juniper on December 28, 1999, at 1:16:30
In reply to Any long term topamax users out there?, posted by Laura on December 27, 1999, at 16:38:16
a pilot study conducted in august found that topiramate, unlike pretty much any other drug out there, helped the majority of those tested (again, a small sample of 13) either reduce or cease binging behavior entirely. i do not know if a follow up study has been completed.
anyone ever take topiramate for binging?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.