[BNLsMOM]

I had my first P-doc appointment today. He says he can see Bipolar 2 with me and has prescribed Topamax. I'll be taking my first pill tonight. Anyone have experience with this drug?

[Amazonmom]

I have friends taking it...they all lost weight.

Also, take extra care when driving or anything that requires quick thinking.
Some people call it Dope-max because you can have confused thinking as a side effect.

[BNLsMOM]

Oh Gosh, I don't think I could be more confused than I am on a regular basis, but thanks for the warning about driving.

Yay for losing weight!

Has it helped your friends' symptoms?

[Amazonmom]

Yes, it's helped all of my buddies who take it. One takes it for epilepsy, one for intractable migraines, and one for bipolar. My friend with bipolar also takes other drugs, and uses Topamax as a "side dish" as I like to call it.

[daggy]

Hi just saw you all talkling topamax
Sorry to say I had the worst side effects to it then any other drug I have had
It sent me to the ER and absolutely scrambled all common sense I had for months And then months later it was still doing the nastiness on me . had me clean out most of my office and burnt everything not to mention SI .
So that's just my vote against but they say only some people get side effects but I supose I was just the 1 out of the 100

[BNLsMOM]

That sounds scary, daggy. I'm sorry you had that experience.

I feel OK today, but I was up all night feeling really anxious. I don't know if it was the med (probably not since it was my first dose and only 25mg) or if I was just anxious about finally being on meds.

I kept staring into space and then shaking it off and things were so annoying that I almost couldn't stand it. I wanted to jump out the window at one point because I thought I was going to smash my husbands face when he snored. (His snoring bothers me, but not usually to the point of violence)

I guess it will be something to watch closely.

[the1forgotten]

I took topamax for along time for migraines, I'm also bipolar so I started taking lithium and you can't take both at the same time. I liked topamax a lot, it worked really well. The only side effect I seemed to have was my hair started falling out more then usual. It is rather pricey though, at least on my insurence. Hope it all works out.

[daggy]

The only other thing I could add after reading how your first night went is to make a list of how you feel / felt and give/ tell your P doc so at least they know. I think it takes about 10 days for the levels to work properly but all I can say if you are worried tell someone. It may be good after awhile. My P doc wasn't that impressed that I went behind/ over his head to get some treatment . But that's his hangup. Read the information sheet that comes with the meds

good luck

[BNLsMOM]

Thanks again! I did start a journal. Yesterday I felt great. I was able to go to a birthday party filled with people I had never met and I did fine. Then I had enough energy to get through the day and I cleaned the kitchen. Cleaning the kitchen shoulen't be a big deal, but after being completely non functional for nearly a year, it is pretty huge.

It has been so long since I have felt good that I am not sure if I feel good, or if I am going to become hypomanic. For now, I am going to enjoy how I feel, journal it and get as much done as I can to set up my life so that it works better in teh hard times. I know this isn't magic, and I am reluctant to celebrate it, but so far I feel good. I have been on it for three nights now and other than that first bad night, I have slept beautifully. I woke up today at 5:50, rested and ready to go.

[Berries]

Originally Posted by BNLsMOM

Thanks again! I did start a journal. Yesterday I felt great. I was able to go to a birthday party filled with people I had never met and I did fine. Then I had enough energy to get through the day and I cleaned the kitchen. Cleaning the kitchen shoulen't be a big deal, but after being completely non functional for nearly a year, it is pretty huge.

It has been so long since I have felt good that I am not sure if I feel good, or if I am going to become hypomanic. For now, I am going to enjoy how I feel, journal it and get as much done as I can to set up my life so that it works better in teh hard times. I know this isn't magic, and I am reluctant to celebrate it, but so far I feel good. I have been on it for three nights now and other than that first bad night, I have slept beautifully. I woke up today at 5:50, rested and ready to go.

(((((((((((BNLSMOM)))))))))))

i'm so glad you are feeling so much better!!! YAY!!!!!

Keep posting and letting us know how you are doing?

[BNLsMOM]

I went up to 50 mg today and I am feeling drunk. I am staying home which stinks because it the first sunny day we have had in two weeks and I want to go out.

I am afraid that I am starting to become hypomanic because I feel really hyper and scattered like I want to do a million things but I can't decide what to do so I am doing nothing and I am getting bored.

I hope this doesn't mean that I have to go off this med. I want to give it a chance, but I have been keeping a journal and every day I am getting a little more hyper. I want to even out. I see my T tomorrow.

I don't feel bad right now, but I don't want to go over the edge, you know?

[Tinaleigh]

I would NEVER reccomend Topamax to anyone. you may lose weight but your mind will feel like it is going through sludge. That effect starts happening around 200 mg. I took Topamax for over a year and as soon as I stopped taking it I noticed a huge difference in my thinking ability. I truly feel like I am smarter now. If you can, don't take this medication. Also, if you ever plan on getting on birth control you are screwed. Topomax lowers the efficacy of birth control at 400mg and gynocologists tend to get very pissy when they have to deal with meds like Topamax.

DON'T TAKE IT, but also tell your doctor your not taking it and don't stop it suddenly- it can cause seizures. Yuck.

TinaLeigh

[mlpHolmes]

Originally Posted by the1forgotten

I took topamax for along time for migraines, I'm also bipolar so I started taking lithium and you can't take both at the same time. I liked topamax a lot, it worked really well. The only side effect I seemed to have was my hair started falling out more then usual. It is rather pricey though, at least on my insurence. Hope it all works out.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear #1,

The generic for Topamax has recently come out! The generic is called

TOPIRAMATE it is less expensive. I tend to get migraine headaches also & I am bipolar like you. If you can not take the Topamax w/ Lithium, maybe you could try what I'm on, Topamax w/ Seroquel, works beautifully!!

Be well,
Holmes

[mlpHolmes]

I have been on Topamax for ~ 3 1/2 years, originally for seizures & migraine headaches.
Now, I am on it for the headaches,
I am on a high dose,
fortunately I have never experienced any negative side effects at all.
I am so gratefully to be rid of the migraines!!

Much Love,
Holmes