Topamax

I was recently prescribed Topamax for migraines, and I heard from someone else who is on it that they thought
Topamax could possibly be used to treat depression, but apparently it hasn't gone through all it's FDA testing or
whatever to be able to prescribed to treat depression.

Has anyone else heard anything like this?
Is it possible that by taking Topamax I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone so to speak and get rid of my migraines AND my depression?!?!

It's presribed for bipolar as a mood stabilizer. I know that much. I'm on it.
It levels my moods, but I couldn't tell you if it makes my depression any better. I haven't heard anything about it being used for depression alone, though.

I take Topamax for migranes and use it as a mood stablizer also. As a bonus I'm also losing weight.

Jbug

Well, I am actually gaining weight...

Wow that's a bummer. I don't know what to tell you. Can you talk to your doctor about that side effect?

Jbug

YES, YES, YES! Isn't that wonderful News!!! & another Big Benefit!!!! A lot of anti-depress. (ie Lithium, Seroquel) cause weigth gain, w/ Topamax itb keeps body weight under control. And Topamax certainly does help with the horrendous migraine headaches I used to get so frequently, I haven't had one in 2 1/2 yrs. when I started Topamax!! Alleluia! All my life I've battled depression & weight gain. Medicine worked beautifully for my depression. But the weight gain really affected my very low self esteem & confidece.

I think you'll like Topamax! Your Migraines will be gone FOREVER!!!
Please let me know how you are doing!!!
GOOD LUCK,PM me if you need me!!
Holmes

Can I ask the dosage you are on?
I am currently on 25mg twice a day with hardly any difference at all...
although, I will say this, I definately can tell a difference when I don't take it on time. Owwww!!!!!!!!

I was prescribed Topamax for back pain a few years ago, it seems to have several uses...?

It worked pretty good on my back pain, but it quit working after awhile.

I use Flexeril sometimes but find that it makes me to tired.

I find that exercise i.e brisk walking (for back pain) works the best for me.

As far as Migraines not sure on that one....I know people who take fiorinal/fioricet for migraines

and they get relief from it.

Hope you feel better.....!

Hi Manda!!!!

I am on 100 mg/day.
Holmes!

I was put on Topamax about 12 years ago for mood stabilization. It is my understanding that it was originally created as an anti-seizure med. I was never diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, my doctor thought I would like it because of it's tendency toward weight loss.
It worked very well at the time, BUT getting off of it is insanely awful!!! I have tried many times, to no avail...I was able to taper to a very low amount 100mg.
On another note...I had a question about this drug as well.
I have been having awful depression lately. I thought that I would try taking an additional topamax to see if that would help my mood. It actually has made me feel worse, or something has anyway.
Is it okay to just stop taking the extra amount if I only took it like 2 days?

Thanks.

I only listen to my pdoc on this one! He said that Topamax is not a very effective mood stabilizer, but an effective migraine medication. This is not the way to lose weight. He said that you don't really lose a lot of weight.

I will stick with my Seroquel(which is advertised to make on gain weight,supposedly) I haven't gained a pound after 4 months on this drug!

I know that the people who say how great and wonderful seroquel is are paid to advertise the product so people fork out big bucks.This is all false advertising and I am not buying the bait!

finally a post about topamax with a good amount of action! (i posted two threads, but had little response. so, i was pleased to see this.)

i currently take 100 mg twice a day of topamax as a mood stabilizer. i previously had tried abilify, lamictal, lithium and depakote, but they all did little if anything to improve my bipolar condition. and lithium just made me feel like a walking water balloon.

topamax has definitely evened out my mood shifts. and i am very happy i found it. now looking back at the other mood stabilizers i have taken, i really see just how ineffective they were for me and my messy lil head. as far as depression med management, thats where i need help. ive been on 300 mg of wellbutrin for YEARS, but i just dont think the two work well together. i really need to find a new anti depressant. feeling 'constant' is an improvement from always being either black or white, but feeling CONSTANTLY gray is bloody miserable.

anyone have any reccommendations as far as anti depressants that may play well with my topamax? ive been on many, and i have a great pdoc - but i wanted check here first to see if anyone had some advice...

thx
presh

WOW that is COMPLETE AND UTTER bs!!!
Topamax is one of the two (the other one being lamictal) meds that have successfully stabilized my mood. With Topamax, I had to take Cipralex in addition - because topamax took the mania away but not the depression.
And I lost 45lbs.

Your pdoc is lying to you.
But NO, Topamax can't be used to treat depression. Unfortunately, I wasn't made aware of that when I was put on it. It treats MANIA, not depression. Being bipolar type 2, that left me with depression - for six months, then I managed to tell my psychiatrist and he put me on cipralex - and that was the BEST year of my life. Honestly. AMAZING med.
I went off topamax cos my ex bf didn't want me to take meds (he wanted to be my med), and when I was gonna start taking meds again - topamax didn't work.

i take topomax and effexor and the combo works great for me...for mild bipolar, depression and trigeminal neuralgia...and i have lost 37 pounds since august. my appetite is very small...

my pdoc put me on lithium, abilify and then it seems every other med in the book over the past year all with nasty side effects...now the topomax seems to be the perfect med for me (i had to fight for it)...i feel great...nice and level, no problems. and my neuralgia doesn't hurt.

he seemed to not like to use it for bipolar saying it wasn;t very effective but for me it works and i'm happy.

Topamax is very effective for me and I lost over 50 pounds!

My GP put me on Topamax 3 years ago for really bad headaches. Pdoc increased dose of Topamax bc works great as a mood stabilizer -very successful for me. I am also on Effexor (for depression). Together wonderful combination for me. Allelluia!

I take topamax along with seroquel,celexa and geodon for me it works well and that topamax helps me loose a few pounds instead of gain.everyone is unique though