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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by houstongirl on October 25, 2001, at 18:10:53
Does anyone have any experience transitioning from Depakote to Topamax? I'm on 1500 mg Depakote, 100 mg Celexa and 200 mg Provigil. I want to try the Topamax b/c of weight gain on the Depakote, but my pdoc is concerned about the "confusion" I might experience during the transition phase, which apparently would take about 2 months. I need to be on an anti-convulsant b/c of "epileptiform brain wave activity" detected on EEG after suffering generalized tonic-clonic seizure on Wellbutrin. In general, btw, this combination of meds is the best I've ever been on. I just can't stand not being able to lose weight (and seriously working on it!)
Posted by Krazy Kat on October 29, 2001, at 17:17:26
In reply to Depakote to Topamax, posted by houstongirl on October 25, 2001, at 18:10:53
houstongirl:
Heh. I'm from Dallas originally. I wanted to respond sooner but the whole Quiz thing...
I take 1500 mg Depakote (just upped from 1000), @100 mg Topamax (trying to titrate off because of sedation) and 40 - 60 mg of Prozac for BP II.
O.K., our reasons for taking these meds are different, so I'll try to stick to effects. I've taken Topamax since last December. I had a lot of side effects for a month to two months. However, once I increased over 100 mg, the effects didn't increase if that makes sense. Let's see - the tinny taste in mouth, slurring, cognitive trouble, fingers tingling. And, for me, pretty bad sedation.
I was up to 250 mg. Now that I'm down a bit, I can really see how it affected me cognitively, and why it's called Dopamax by some. I'd say it works well for me at a low dose. Oh, and I did start having less of an appetite at as little as 50 mg. Lost about 10 pounds gained from other meds.
What about adding Topamax to Depakote? Just a thought for your pdoc. I haven't had any effects the past month, except a regaining of some clarity and less sedation.
- K.
Posted by houstongirl on October 31, 2001, at 8:33:54
In reply to Re: Depakote to Topamax » houstongirl, posted by Krazy Kat on October 29, 2001, at 17:17:26
K.-
I'm BP II as well. I just meant that I HAVE to be on an anti-convulsant for the other reason anyway. I thought my p-doc said you couldn't take Topamax and Depakote together. Do you know if sedation is a common side effect of the Topamax? I have bad enough sedation from the Depakote and 100mg of Celexa... Have you sustained the weight loss after titrating down the Topamax?
Thanks,
Cristy> houstongirl:
>
> Heh. I'm from Dallas originally. I wanted to respond sooner but the whole Quiz thing...
>
> I take 1500 mg Depakote (just upped from 1000), @100 mg Topamax (trying to titrate off because of sedation) and 40 - 60 mg of Prozac for BP II.
>
> O.K., our reasons for taking these meds are different, so I'll try to stick to effects. I've taken Topamax since last December. I had a lot of side effects for a month to two months. However, once I increased over 100 mg, the effects didn't increase if that makes sense. Let's see - the tinny taste in mouth, slurring, cognitive trouble, fingers tingling. And, for me, pretty bad sedation.
>
> I was up to 250 mg. Now that I'm down a bit, I can really see how it affected me cognitively, and why it's called Dopamax by some. I'd say it works well for me at a low dose. Oh, and I did start having less of an appetite at as little as 50 mg. Lost about 10 pounds gained from other meds.
>
> What about adding Topamax to Depakote? Just a thought for your pdoc. I haven't had any effects the past month, except a regaining of some clarity and less sedation.
>
> - K.
Posted by Krazy Kat on October 31, 2001, at 9:18:05
In reply to Re: Depakote to Topamax, posted by houstongirl on October 31, 2001, at 8:33:54
Hmmm, these are good questions. I actually don't weigh myself, so based on clothing fitting, I'd say I have maintained the weight loss, maybe gained a couple of pounds.
I don't know about taking the two together - my pdoc didn't seem concerned.
I don't think most people have trouble with sedation on Topamax - I'm not sure why I did. But then I didn't have trouble with sedation on Neurontin, and most people do, so perhaps I'm an anamoly? There are severeal threads on Topamax on this site that might be helpful. Here's one:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74715.html
- K.
This is the end of the thread.
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