Quote:
Originally Posted by squishygoboom
Hi,
I'm new here, but I'm also in school (graduate school) while on Topamax with a 5 month old. I'm ready to pull my hair out needless to say. I am diagnosed with Bipolar II. The only thing I'm on right now is Topamax and in my opinion, it is awful! I am considering asking for something else to supplement the Topamax because I cannot tolerate the dosage the doctor wants me at. He allows me to reduce my dose if I find that I cannot tolerate the higher dose, so currently I am only taking 50mg instead of 100mg, which has helped immensely. I feel less foggy and slowed down.
In the past, I have not revealed my diagnoses to my professors, but I have explained to them that I am experiencing a few difficulties due to a medical condition I have and a new medication I am on or something to that effect. If you do ask for an accommodation through the school, it is confidential and the teachers are required to respect your accommodation. I have never done this though. I've always found that going to the individual teacher before class has worked. All of my teachers have been wonderful and very understanding.
From my research, what you are experiencing is very common. Many people refer to Topamax as "Dopamax"
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Hi Squishy - Welcome
I've been taking Topa since 2005 and I admit, it's a rough drug. But I had terrible migraines so it does double duty for me. I used to make several trips a year to the ER for migraines and I've only had to go once since I've been on it. I've had a few migraines and some bad headaches but nothing compared to what I had prior to taking Topa.
I just titrated down to 100mg (I titrate down in summer and late winter) and I titrate up in the spring and early winter as the wetter weather affects my migraines. My dose has been as high as 200mg but I can't stay above 97lbs. on that high of a dose. I do take all of it at night and it seems to help some.
The only other think I'm taking is Xanax as needed, which is daily as of late. I'm also on a large vitamin regimen now and I believe that has helped some (for me anyway).