Bipolar Disorder Forum - Topamax For Bi-polar And Depression?


Topamax For Bi-polar And Depression?

Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Bipolar Disorder -> Topamax For Bi-polar And Depression?

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Galoo

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 24 Feb 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Canada

Topamax For Bi-polar And Depression? Posted: 02-29-04 10:22am


Well, my doctor deciced to put me on topamax (starting me off very slowly at 25mg/twice daily) as well as 40mg paxil for depression/panic attacks. i'm always petrified when I start a new med...I've been on paxil for 6 years and i've never really had any side effects or problems with it. I've read up onm topamax and it seems to be used mostly for seizures and migraines...Most comon side effects are "hand & feet tingles" and a change in taste when drinking soda and it can make you really slow (that worries me I drive around with my 10 month old all the time ) well, it's been 3 days and nothing yet...How long does it take for side effects to kick in? Anyone have any experience with topamax...I need it for major mood swings and depression!

allergykids

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 3

Topamax Posted: 05-17-04 08:46am


Been on topamax for over a year now for seizures. Doesn't really help with bipolar. I can really say that now since I had to drop my lithium since I became pregnant. The only side effect I really had was weight loss, and that was good. Other seizure meds had the opposite.

KrazyKMB

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 19

Posted: 05-17-04 10:10am


I took topamax for awhile and I finally went off because it did not do anything for the bipolar and it made my hands shake way to much. I do hair so it affected me a lot. I do know they say it helps a lot of people it is one of the newer drugs they are putting people on. I also take paxil for my anxiety and panic attacks. I know what it is like to take a new pill and wait anxiously to see if it is gping to give you any side effects. When I started taking the paxil I was so anxious for a week thinking it was going to make me sick. Try not to worry even though I know that is hard. I am interested in hearing more about how your paxil worked. Obiously it is helping some if you have been on it so long. Let me know, krazykmb

mia

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 147
Location: dallas

Topomax Posted: 05-26-04 21:58pm


I get severe migrains, have fibromyalgia and am bi-polar and my doc just started me on topomax about 6 weeks ago. He said that it should help with all of these things but we started off even slower than you because I am very sensitive to medication. I started with 25mg once a day and now am taking 100 mg at bedtime. I have noticed, or I should say those around me. That the day after I go up 25mg I move in slo-mo. This, of coarse, would mean I am not being too manic, however they say it really hasn't slowed my mouth down much. Still talking a mile a minute, but my doctor says that a regular, minemum dose is 250 mg. So, i'm hoping for the both of us that topomax does work for some with bi-polar. It would be especially nice to 1 medicine instead of 3. Good luck, mia

samantha_loves_brandon

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Joined: 13 Jul 2005
Posts: 12
Location: eugene

Hey! Posted: 08-27-05 23:23pm


Yeah i'm on that to lose som pounds I have asked around they have use that for so many things like what i'm on it for and bipolar and well just other this so its like an all around pill.

allergykids

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Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 3

Topomax And Bipolar Posted: 08-28-05 16:56pm


I've learned that lamictal is also very good for bipolar. My goal is to use to treat both the bipolar and epilepsy. I have so many memory problems, I don't know whether its the topomax or not. Baby had slight neuro defect with mouth. Side effect of meds maybe.

SweetJane

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Joined: 05 Aug 2005
Posts: 12
Location: Ontario

Topamax Experience Posted: 09-02-05 01:01am


Hi, i take topamax 200mg along with five other psychiatric meds. I find it's successful for the hypomania, but not for the depression. Doctors always seem more interested and concerned about the top end than the bottom. I guess we get into more trouble at the top. At the bottom we just suffer silently and I guess they don't think that's as worthy of attention. Me, bitter? No... Take care, jane.

Sisterfriend

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Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 1

Newbie Here Posted: 11-23-07 13:10pm


I've been on Topamax for over two years for Bi-polar Manic Depression, I was diagnosed when I was 18 after the birth of my first child. Through the years I've been on every drug under the sun! Upper downers all arounders plus self medications from the streets cause I could do it on my on better, which I can say I was not proud of, and alcohol use to be a drug of choice. Now I've went from 208lb's to 140lbs I don't drink do drugs, can finally enjoy my life, my mind has slowed to a decent pace, its not all good but at least I can rationlize, find someone you can trust, thats where its at, don't be alone when your down, or manic.

pebbles07

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Joined: 28 Nov 2007
Posts: 37
Location: ,

Posted: 11-29-07 02:29am


Topamax, it's a wonder! LOL! I was put on topamax for bipolar disorder, At first I liked it I knew it stupors u but it didn't make me drowsy like depakote, rispredol, seroquel, lamictal and abilify. I was able to wake up and go on bout my day. I was slender when I was put on about 104 or so and I got down to 97 in a short time. I liked the weight loss but I stopped taking it, I do enjoy to drink and definitely not a good combo! I had my bad experiences with it and for now I am ok without it. I don't take none of my meds I prefer to work on myself without medication I don't need dependents like that. But Topamax will definitely be noticed in ur decision process and everyday activities, atleast for me. My doctor told me if ur smart u shouldn't have a problem and when u stop taking it ur IQ goes back to what it was, and I am pretty smart and it effected me I got in trouble off that stuff I don't really recommend it.

ComaWhite84

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Joined: 07 May 2008
Posts: 1

Topamax Posted: 05-07-08 03:59am


I have been taking taking Topamax for about 5 months now. I take 200mg a day. The only major side effect that I have is memory loss. I have very poor short term memory. (anyone else) Aside for that I think its a wonderful drug. Its heped with my BP and I've lost 20lbs. I am BP, Severe Anxiety Disorder, I suffer from panic attacks and possoble BPD (thats up in the air) Right now I'm on Topmax 200mg per day Wellbutrin 200 mg per day and alprazolam 2mg 4x a day. Its a good med. Give it a try. I have 2 kids and I function fine. ~Pam