[Dragonfly33]

I am failing a class and I am about to lose it.

I take Topamax for migraines and bipolar so it's a win-win for me. Common side effects that I suffer from are: trouble speaking, not thinking clearly, I cannot remember something I read 5 minutes ago, spelling, things I've done a thousand times I suddenly can't remember how to do.

I went to school about special accomodations however, they told me to work it out with my professors. My pdoc agreed (so that I didn't have to disclose my BP). I've been able to do that successfully until now.

Now professor sent me an email expressing concern over my grades and wishes to address with me. I did try to explain my situation at the beginning of the semester (a month ago) and clearly professor did not listen or I wouldn't be seeking advice here today.

Hubby suggests I withdraw from the class. It's too late in the semester for refunds and I will have to replace the class with another to keep my financial aid. I don't see pdoc until 2/28 and my next scheduled class is on Wednesday. Needless to say, I'm completely stressed out...

My GPA is a 3.5 and I just about killed myself to get it. Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[Moose72]

I'm sorry. I can relate- down to the topomax and migraines. Wish I had advice instead of sympathy. I had to drop out of school even before topomax for the same reasons.

[Mollie May]

Try speaking to your professor again. As one, I can tell you that most of us are willing to work with students who really want to do well but are experiencing non-academic obstacles. Discussing it again can't hurt, IMO.

[Dragonfly33]

Thanks Moose. Now I wonder how I got through the first two semesters...

I'm so over it right now. I am literally having bad dreams about this class and wonder how the heck I'm going to manage the other one. I'm very overwhelmed.

Even if I disclose, what is that going to get me? It's change my learning ability or lack thereof.

Oh, and the one friend I managed to make since starting school last summer? Decides to tell me last week that she believes there's no such thing as bi polar and it's just made up so doctors and Rx companies can make money... ugh.

[Moose72]

People say all sorts of stupid things about bipolar!

[Mollie May]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly33

Even if I disclose, what is that going to get me? It's change my learning ability or lack thereof. .

You should do what's right for you, and maybe now isn't the right time for school, but I have to ask: What happens if you don't "disclose?" If you don't try talking to your professor, asking for help? What does that get you?

[Dragonfly33]

What I meant to say was - How is disclosing my illness going to change things? The fact remains that I'm struggling with the side affects of the Topamax.

Could I have done so well the 2 prior semesters because of hypomania?

I'm not sure what to say to professor. There is a student in my class who clearly has physical and mental disability (she's in a motorized wheelchair), the mom brings student to and from class and there is a special desk. Professor told student in front of class "If you needed additional time for a test, you should have discussed that with me at the beginning of the semester." I almost fell out of my chair.

[Victoria'smom]

Now professor sent me an email expressing concern over my grades and wishes to address with me. This means that now's the time to ask for help. You don't have to tell your professor your Dx. just that you on medication that causes (x,y,z). There's a lot of accommodation pages:
Washington EDU
Bipolar world What do you think can help you?

[hamster-bamster]

Well this is a very simple situation with an obvious solution. Do not disclose bipolar. Do mention debilitating migraines for which you take Topamax. List the side effects of Topamax. And do so with each subsequent professor after the first lecture.

[Darth Bane]

i can relate.... you work so hard to get there and this bipolar with devastating depressive episode is waiting there for you.....

You don't have to tell your professor your Dx. just that you on medication that causes (x,y,z). There's a lot of accommodation pages:
Washington EDU
Bipolar world What do you think can help you?

Do not disclose bipolar. Do mention debilitating migraines for which you take Topamax. List the side effects of Topamax. And do so with each subsequent professor after the first lecture.

do those things... don't tell anybody about your bipolar... in case you haven't noticed yet,people are not all that nice.... they will consider us weak and weak get no sympathies, they are normally bullied.....

[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"

[Dragonfly33]

This was my response to Professor: I'm concerned about my performance as well. With all due respect, I tried to explain to you why I am struggling with this class. I take Topamax for migraines and just some of the side effects I suffer are: trouble speaking, not thinking clearly, something I read 5 minutes ago I cannot remember, spelling, places I've gone to a thousand times I suddenly can't remember how to get to, words that I've known my entire life I can't remember, and so on.

I know that you repeatedly suggest tutoring however, this solution will not change/fix my particular situation. I have gone to the Center for Access and Accommodations and explained my situation but because I don't have what the school deems an "academic obstacle" and I have been told to work it out with each individual professor.

I'm not sure what to do at this point and I'm open to hearing any suggestions you may have.

Hammy - this is the first professor that I've had an issue with. The others have been pretty good. I put my Speech professor through the wringer last semester (you guys should have seen that class!) and he was SO great!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly33

Hammy - this is the first professor that I've had an issue with. The others have been pretty good. I put my Speech professor through the wringer last semester (you guys should have seen that class!) and he was SO great!

I was thinking of prevention. Not to run into the situation of experiencing difficulties towards the end of a semester and being told that you should have advised the professor ahead of time.

[Dragonfly33]

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"

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).

[bunnifoo]

dragonfly - do you have some ideas of what could help you finish out the class? It might help your professor if you could send him a follow up saying "This is a follow up to my previous email, I believe that if I were to have x,y or z accommodation it would help me successfully finish this class. Can we work out a way to make these accommodation happen?

[Dragonfly33]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I was thinking of prevention. Not to run into the situation of experiencing difficulties towards the end of a semester and being told that you should have advised the professor ahead of time.

Oh, that didn't happen to me... the professor told that to a student in my class about a week and a half ago. You need to show the professor your disability card (issued by the school) and they have to make accommodations that you need. This student however, has obvious physical and mental disabilities. Mom brings her to and from class, she's in a motorized wheelchair, speech impaired, etc. When student said she would need additional time for quiz, professor seeemed irritated and told student she should have expressed said need to her when the semester started.

Many students discussed her lack of empathy after class...

[Dragonfly33]

Originally Posted by bunnifoo

dragonfly - do you have some ideas of what could help you finish out the class? It might help your professor if you could send him a follow up saying "This is a follow up to my previous email, I believe that if I were to have x,y or z accommodation it would help me successfully finish this class. Can we work out a way to make these accommodation happen?

I don't Bunni, which is I why I told the professor I was open to suggestions. This is a language class and it is taught the immersion method. From what I understand, high schools used to teach the core first, alphabet, numbers, vowels, etc., then words, then sentences. Immersion doesn't work like that, it's kind of backwards.

I've tried free podcasts, you tube, flash cards, it just won't stick

[squishygoboom]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly33

I don't Bunni, which is I why I told the professor I was open to suggestions. This is a language class and it is taught the immersion method. From what I understand, high schools used to teach the core first, alphabet, numbers, vowels, etc., then words, then sentences. Immersion doesn't work like that, it's kind of backwards.

I've tried free podcasts, you tube, flash cards, it just won't stick

Have you tried focusing on opposite of what the class focuses on (i.e. you get the immersion part in class and study the core [alphabet, numbers, words, sentences, etc. on your own])? I love languages and I teach myself. I've found that combining both aspects really helps the language stick for me. What language are you studying?

[ibex]

I use migraines as my cover instead of actually telling someone about my bp stuff. I find that is more comfortable for me. Sure its a fib, but I'd rather avoid something awkard.

Plus I do take something as a mood stabilizer that also treats migraines. So maybe its half of a fib.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by perfectlyflawed

I use migraines as my cover instead of actually telling someone about my bp stuff. I find that is more comfortable for me. Sure its a fib, but I'd rather avoid something awkard.

Plus I do take something as a mood stabilizer that also treats migraines. So maybe its half of a fib.

It is perfectly good.

[Dragonfly33]

Originally Posted by squishygoboom

Have you tried focusing on opposite of what the class focuses on (i.e. you get the immersion part in class and study the core [alphabet, numbers, words, sentences, etc. on your own])? I love languages and I teach myself. I've found that combining both aspects really helps the language stick for me. What language are you studying?

I have been trying to do just that Squishy. Podcasts, flash cards, you tube, a friend sat with me for 2 hours and went over some homework with me. By the time I got home, I'd forgotten most of it

I'm studying Spanish. There's tons of homework which is fine, but I have other classes too.

Professor speaks only Spanish in class. I just sit there with a blank look on my face. I've failed two quizzes in a row now.

[Dragonfly33]

Originally Posted by perfectlyflawed

I use migraines as my cover instead of actually telling someone about my bp stuff. I find that is more comfortable for me. Sure its a fib, but I'd rather avoid something awkard.

Plus I do take something as a mood stabilizer that also treats migraines. So maybe its half of a fib.

I use migraines too. It's not a lie, it's a half truth. What meds are you taking if you don't mind my asking?

[ibex]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly33

I use migraines too. It's not a lie, it's a half truth. What meds are you taking if you don't mind my asking?

My crazy meds are lithium 1500mg, depakote 2000mg, seroquel 800mg, and ativan 1mg. And vitamin Z for emergencies. I like to keep my meds at a minimum. When I first started meds I was on a merry go round working from 12 psychotropics at the same timeto 4. That is insane but life happens.

I was super over medicated and medical doctors were saying my case was too complicated to identify the physical from mental problems. I put my foot down at the risk of being labeled a difficult patient and treatment resistant.

Enuff said, sorry I seriously veered off course. When you disclose something like bipolar its like you disclosing a criminal history. I am not saying bipolar means you are a criminal. What I am saying is most people are ignorant and it could follow you into other facets in your life. Once its out you can't take it back. IMO
I'm not the warrior type to fight stigma, I stay in my closet and coast



complicated

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by perfectlyflawed

My crazy meds are lithium 1500mg, depakote 2000mg, seroquel 800mg, and ativan 1mg. And vitamin Z for emergencies. I like to keep my meds at a minimum.

But you are taking basically max dosages, in bold!

[ibex]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

But you are taking basically max dosages, in bold!

When I said MINIMUM that means 4 different drugs as opposed to 12 different drugs. My max dosage that you seem to have issue with can change but works well for me. So try not worry yourself bout my cocktail. Peace out.