Just back from the doctor

[Isolde]

Hi all,

I was so nervous this morning, because I had an appointment with my doctor to try and get a Topamax prescription. I mainly decided to go to my doc rather than order online due to cost, but also because I'm already on a med. for high blood pressure, and if I add another drug to the mix, I feel better doing it with his supervision. I also feel pretty comfortable talking to him, but I was nervous in any case.

He listened to my story - I told him how my daily alcohol consumption over the past few years has turned into numerous drinks per night and how I'd tried cutting back on my own but always (quickly) relapsed and about how I'd come across the My Way Out program and how Topamax as an integral part of it, etc. I had printed out a few things to show him, but the only things he asked to see was the Lancet study and the list of supplements.

I'm so glad I read through all 50 pages of the Topamax survey - it really helped to be able to give him info. about how different people are faring with the drug, from the amount of the dose to how long they stay on it. He said he had a few patients on it for migraines and other things, but that not many were at 300mg. He asked me whether the program was for abstinence or moderation, and I told him that I would like to be able to moderate. He said that my 4-6 drinks a night (I thought it was only 2-3 until I actually measured the ounces) technically makes me an alcoholic and that somtimes people with a strong dependence like that find it very hard to moderate, and that one drink can make them slip. Which I understand, and I may consider doing an initial period of abstinence, but I don't think I would ever want to cut it out of my life completely (assuming I am able to take control of it). I also told him that most people find that the Topa helps them be able to say no to the 2nd drink (or just forget about it completely, which is my dream!).

So he said that he had no problem giving me the Topomax, but that he'd want to see me back in a month to see how I'm doing on it. He gave me a prescription that goes up to 100mg/day, at which point I'll see him again and we'll assess if I need to go higher at that point. Nice guy that he is, he also gave me a 3 week freebie sample pack (love that!).

I was planning to wait until I got the supps. and the hypno CDs before beginning, and start everything together. But since I'm due back to the doc in a month, I guess I'll go ahead and get started today. The side effect I'm most concerned about is the dopiness. I've had the odd day here and there when I just feel like I'm completely brainless and it sucks! So I'm going to be proactive and order the Adrafinil TODAY. So if the Topa instantly turns me into a blithering idiot, hopefully I'll have the Adrafinil to counteract it before people start catching on.

So here I am, ready to begin the journey. Though I am new here and haven't posted much yet, I want to thank everyone who does post and contribute. There have been so many things I've read that have been helpful to me already, and I'm sure there will be much more as I continue to visit.

[julie001]

Good for you!!! I just went to the doc too a few weeks ago too. Basically the same story as you. I went in well armed with MWO info He was familiar prescribing it for migraines, but was willing to prescribe it and see me back in a month. I am up to 100mg today and am very satisfied so far. No major side effects, and I am drinking much less.I'm also taking lots of the vitamins, including Gaba and L-Glut. Good for you for having the courage to talk to the doctor! I know that for me that was a major hurdle, and I was so relieved to finally have it out there and to be getting help. Let me know how it's working for you. Good luck.

Julie

[Ask For Help]

Great job. Sounds like you were very honest and well prepared. Sounds like your doc is a good one too.

Doesn't feel good to have your doc on your team? I know I felt safer w/ my primary doc knowing what I was doing, and supporting me in my goals. My doc had used (and seen success) using Topo for alcohol, as well as for weight loss (another of my goals) so when he prescribed it and said "go for it" I could have kissed him.

I think you'll find that many never get to the 300 mg dose; in fact I think the revised page from the book notes that. I've done well on 75 and I have read of women on 50 and men on 100 - 150. So you might want to check that out here on the boards, or in the book update.

Best of luck to you. This is an exciting time, isn't it?

Ask

[DeeBee]

Originally Posted by Isolde

I may consider doing an initial period of abstinence, but I don't think I would ever want to cut it out of my life completely (assuming I am able to take control of it). I also told him that most people find that the Topa helps them be able to say no to the 2nd drink (or just forget about it completely, which is my dream!).

Hmmm that sounds just like me three months ago!! I was not even interested in going AF but here I am on 14 days AF.

I too have the support of my Doc, isin't it a great feeling!!

My only advise to you is to keep posting and learning, the Topa and supps won't work if you loose focus or become complaicent (sp?). It's not going to be a walk in the park, but it will be the most liberating experience, to gain YOU back!

[Isolde]

Thanks for the responses! Yes, it definitely feels good to have the support of my doctor. Towards the end of our appointment he said that he was glad that I'd made a decision to do something, as most people don't notice that it's gotten out of hand.

Julie - do you think you will stay at 100mgs, or maybe try going up a little bit more? Are you happy with the more moderate level that you're at now, or are you looking to decrease your AL intake more?

Ask - from what I read in the Topamax survey thread, I gathered that most people seem to find their "magic dose" somewhere between 100 and 200 mgs, which is what I told my doc. Considering that I feel exhausted after having taken only 1 pill, I doubt I'll be going anywhere near 300 mgs! Though hopefully that side effect will subside - just gotta get through it, one cup of coffee at a time!

DeeBee - I also wonder if that will happen for me. If at one point, with the combo of the Topa, the supps, and the CDs, that I just won't have the urge for a drink and I'll just be racking up those AF days w/out even thinking about it. That is really what I am hoping for!!

[julie001]

Isolde,

I just started at 100 mg today. I plan on going up if I need to because I'd like to moderate even more than I have. I reduced my drinking significantly (meaning I don't drink to get drunk) , but haven't gone AF for days in a row which I would like to be able to do without any kind of mental battle with myself. Ideally, I'd like to be an occasional social drinker, not the sit at home and drink a bottle of wine by myself routinely drinker--like I had become. The Topamax has really helped to give me the confidence that I can conquer this. My doctor (the doctor's assistant really) said something very similar. He said he was impressed that I had come in. He shook my hand and asked if I was excited to be doing something positive towards getting a handle on this problem. I cried when he left the room because I was excited and relieved to finally have it out there and to be doing something to get a handle on it. Keep in touch. Good luck!

Julie

[SandyWaters]

Hi - I saw my doctor back in June, and let him know that I have a problem and want to stop drinking. He was super supportive, and actually seemed excited that I had come to him for help. I mentioned Topamax, but he had never prescribed it for treating addiction, but did have experience with Campral, so he gave me a prescription for that. It's sitting unopened in my cupboard because it is only effective once you stop drinking, which I haven't been able to do yet. Catch 22! So I just ordered my CDs and supplements, and have an appointment with Doc to see if we can try the Topamax route. My real concern is the dopiness side effect and how it will impact me at work. I guess I can just try it and see what happens!! After my first appointment with my doctor, I too had a good cry, and felt so relieved that he was so supportive. Looking forward to getting started!!

[Doxymom]

That's great that your doc understood what you wanted to do. Think of it like this.. a topamax stupid it much better than a drunk stupid. I went off Lomictal and was drinking bad again. I am now back on after talking to my psych nurse practitioner. I am going up slowly to try to avoid side effects. There are severaly studies done on topa and lomictal on alcoholism. So do as your doctor says. Anything is worth a try. Alcoholism kills. Best of luch to you.

[Isolde]

So it's been a week and I thought I'd just give a quick update on how I'm doing with the Topa so far. After the first 2 sleepy days, I thought I was going to have a REALLY difficult time, but it seems to have dissipated, along with the bit of dopiness I was feeling at first. However today I am bumping up to 50mg, so we'll see if I get those same effects again for the first few days.
Who knows, maybe it was all psychosomatic. (See, I can't be that dopey, I'm using big words! ) I can't say I've had a big reduction in cravings yet, though the effect of alcohol seems to be stronger, so I end up drinking less because I feel buzzed much more easily. Things do taste a bit different. I kind of like it actually - carbonated beverages make my tongue feel extra fizzy. Granted, beer doesn't taste as good, but it hasn't made me dump any down the drain once I've opened it.

I've only experienced VERY slight tingles in the feet, which if I hadn't read was a possible side effect, I wouldn't even have noticed. Sleeping very well at night, which is great, although I wouldn't say I slept poorly before. Just sleeping EXTRA well now!

I think I'll get the most benefit from the Topa when I add in the supplements and the CDs next week. It's just that I haven't committed myself 100% to cutting back yet. Right now I'm still giving myself permission to drink. I'm glad that it's less, but I still feel like it should be even less than what it is.

So far so good. Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to continue with it!

[soccerfan]

Hi Thread,

I went on My way Out back In March--I didn't have the courage to
go to my Doctor like you so I ordered topamax on line...I was drinking at least
5-6 drinks probably more per night for many years...When I hit 100 I started to slow down,
at 200 I quit cold turkey! Not sure if it was the medicine--me just wanting to finally be sober or combination of both but I did it!!
I haven't had a drop of liquor in over two months--life is really so much better and quite
honestly I don't even miss it--never thought I would say that!! as I was a full blown
alchoholic!! Feel free to write back--you can do it--it really is all about willpower!