[jattitude74]

Has anyone heard of using topamax as a weight loss med? I have had my seroquel jacked from 50 mg up to 600mg for over a month now and I am gaining weight, about 25 lbs!!!! I have just recen tly lost 70lbs and was finally comfortable in my own skin and then it seems like when the meds changed I started gaining. I talked to my pdoc and he said that at my next appnt. we would discuss topamax to help loose the weight and can also be used as a mood stabilizer. Makes sense the weight loss can be a side effect thats good but I am already on mood stabilizers (seroquel and lithium) Anyways, just wonering if anyone had any luck with this, Thanks, Jen

[girlN]

I have not heard this but when I took lamictal I lost weight. I hope all goes well.

[ehrhar]

Have used topomax. I lost some weight with it but I had memory issues.

[RACEKA]

I'm on 150 mg per day of topomax as a mood stabilizer. It's supposed to decrease your appetite as a side effect. I have not noticed it.

If you have not already I would get your thyroid checked. Lithium messes with thyroid function and slow down motabolism. I had to go on a thyroid hormone replacement due to the lithium. Don't mess around with low thyroid because you can go into acoma if it gets too low.

Signs of low thyroid that I can remember:
tired all the time
hot and cold flashes
body aches.

I know there are more, but I can't remember. The tired all the time is the main one.

[mysteri]

I have heard that it could be used for weight loss. I took it for about 6 months for migraine prevention and really didn't notice much difference. It made soda taste funny so I did drink less soda which was good for quite a few calories. I eventually went off it because of the memory issues. Some folks refer to it as "dopamax" cause it makes you so stupid.

[jattitude74]

well i guess that is a lot of info. i think maybe i will think twice! i really don't need anything more to make me "dopey" and forgetful. i was just hoping to have some possitive feedback. i have already had my thyroid tested it came back normal so that is a good thing and as far as my lithium, i am in the process of lowering the dose to come off of it all together, down to 300mg per day, hopefully in a few more weeks i will be done. anyways thank you for everyones response, i will take them into consideration.-Jen

[tracy33]

Just wanted to add my opinion of Topamax. I love it. It did make me a little dopey at first, but it did subside after a while. I was put on it to help lose weight from all I gained from Lithium and others. Also for the mood stabilization qualities. It really helps for both. I lost 25 pounds rather quickly. I take 150mg. Started with a low dose, made gradual increases. To date, I have lost a total of 70 pounds. My pdoc has to now monitor my weight because she doesn't want me to lose anymore.
I do owe some of the weight loss to Slim Fast and my own will power as well. But I never really exercized.
Great for moods too.

[cyndi50]

A few years back a lost a lot of weight on Topamax and serzone. Unfortunately, I needed to change meds and have gained most of it back. Never could take lithium. Am now taking Emsam, Lamictal which is supposed to be weight neutral, I am not finding it so, Topamax 200 mg, Chantrix because I relapsed smoking in December, my last crash, and klonapin. I am hoping to have good results with the topamax again. I also go to the gym every day, but still continue to gain weight. I watch what I eat, and stay under 2000 calories a day, that is good for me as my height is 5'7. I am hoping to talk my pdoc out of the Lamictal as it makes me so tired.

[ehrhar]

Wow, that sounds encouraging to a person that has gained 40 pounds on Depakote. Maybe I'll talk to my pdoc and reconsider the topamax. I didn't realize that the memory issues subsided. Good job Tracy.