[darkeyes]

Cam,
Here I go again, how is the combo Lithium (900mgs) and Topamax (25mgs The First Week, then more will follow) ? My major complaint to my doc today was the 30lb weight gain from the depakote and then replaced with lithium last Oct., I told him that my major problems were now in the past and I felt the meds. were great but maybe now "overkill" plus causing me to be lethargic, lose hair, and that old "nasty" weight gain. So he said I can gradually get off the celexa (20mgs) and switch to Topamax being that I wasn't depressed unexplainly while taking the celexa (on for 2 yrs already). Back to my question, (I tend to get off track) Is this a good combo, lithium and topamax? Side effects don't sound too nice. Fatigue! I do not need that, do most people experience it? Thanks ahead of time for any input.
"darkeyes"

[CamW]

DE- Yes, Topamaxª (topiramate) and lithium can and have been used together successfully, but not as often as I thought it would. Perhaps the reason for this is that there is a very minor drug interaction between the two, which may lead to respiratory depression. I do not think that this interaction is clinical significant in most people (perhaps those with asthma or other breathing problems should stay away from this combination). I have never seen nor heard of this interaction occurring when the two drugs were taken together. Talk to your doc about this. I have seen it work in a couple of cases; but as I have said, I have seen this combination the least of all mood stabilizer combinations. All that I can say (and that is not with absolute certainty) is that this combination looks very good on paper.

Sorry Babe! I have been away from the computer for the last little while. The second anniversary of my daughter's (Suzanne's) death (murder?) was on June 5. I had no emotional or physical ability to post anything for the past week or two.

My wife, 7 yr. old and myself spent 3 days in Banff National Park (last year it was Jasper National Park). I find that this getting away from the phone, computer, people, friends, and aquaintances in general is healthier than listening to condolences over and over again. It's not that I don't appreciate the thoughts, but it does get overwhelming.

We did the "tourist" things with my daughter (eg. visiting the Candy Store that has been their since our childhood, soaking in the Hot Springs, constantly eating, staying in a 5-star service hotel - the valet couldn't drive stick, so I had to park my own car - , smoking a $70 Cohiba Cuban cigar, and my daughter's first fondue - even snuck some rattlesnake, wild boar, ostrich, bison, frog's legs, along with beef chicken and shrimp, into my daughter's belly. I'm such a "dad". The Tobleroneª chocolate and fresh fruit dessert fondue was devoured by my wife and daughter.

The highlight of the trip was taking a gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain (approx. 5500 ft) to release a balloon with a card to Suzanne attached. Do you know how hard it is to climb about 2 miles of stairs with a broken back, especially since I forgot to take my brace. I am still paying for it now! Get this; for 2 adults and 1 child it cost $50 CDN for an 8 minute ride (but it was worth every penny to watch that balloon rise out of sight - yes, it was littering, but we really do recycle and compost far more than most people).

Another anniversary grinds by. It seems like it happened a hundred years ago. Sometimes I still think that I will be working in the yard and Suzanne will come in and ask if she can help. Guess I still haven't fully dealt with this or really grieved. I still think, against the wishes of my psychologist, that I will grieve in my own time. I have this feeling that the grieving process would not be as effective if it is forced or elicited from me, than if the grief just hits me naturally, in it's own good time (I guess that's a question for DocJohn).

Anyway, I am babbling. I have to work in the morning so I should get some sleep (really didn't have much these past few days).

I hope that you are well. - Take care, I am thinking about you (and BPII, and CQ, and Splash, and DocJohn, and Zen, and all those that I know I have missed - but not purposely).

Your friend - Cam

<font color=blue>"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry of as if nothing happened." - Winston Churchill</font color=blue>

[darkeyes]

Thanks for your reply, but I'm not taking the topamax any longer, it seems either by the time I was up to 50mg. (target 100mg) I mysteriously got a "bug" or reaction so the doc said stop and restart when the diarrhea goes away. Hell I'm not going to bother, it made me tired like the old depakote use to, and I do not need that, I'll never lose the weight these damn meds. caused me to gain, if I am too tired to exercise!! I was so tired or sedated or whatever, I fell asleep while driving home from my bloodwork, very scary, that happened twice last year when I was still on depakote. I need mild stimulants not to be additional sedated, the doc only gave me the topamax thinking it would help me with my weight, I don't think so, especially if it makes you feel like not doing anything. Enough of my problems. Your trip sounded beautiful, and spiritual, I'm sure Suzanne preferred it that way, you see you celebrated her life, you all were away from all life's distractions. You were with just yourselves and Suzanne. I understand just what you meant that you did appreciate everyone's condolences, but you do all need to have your own special time. Cam, you sound you are doin much better, follow your heart and not always what "they" all tell you to do, take care now.
Thanks!
"darkeyes"