Topamax -long term use

[postgram]

I would really appreciate any input if anyone knows what the long term effects would be to continue taking this medication. I'm fine not drinking alcohol as long as I'm taking it, but am scared to quit taking the drug for fear I will slip back into old habits. Thanks for any input. Postalgram.

[Cinders]

PG,

I am not a doctor BUT there are several people here who have been on Topamax for a long, long time and staying sober.

I hope they post and respond here.

Also, Topamax is an anti-seizure medication. People who suffer from seizures take Topamax forever.

While I am not versed in the effects of taking it long term, I can say that there are those who have no choice.

It is great to hear it is helping you so much!! Congratulations and to MWO.

Cindi

[beatle]

Cindi, you are always so kind --answering a post seemingly unrelated to you.

I will try to follow your example, since I have no experience with Topamax either.

Alcohol is a far worse substance than almost any other you can put into your body. What is the record of long-term Topamax use compared to the record of long-term alcohol use?

I don't know the answer to that, but please think about it before you start worrying about it.

[CAM2575]

Hi there. I have a dilemma and I'm hoping someone can offer some advice?
My Doc decided she will not prescribe me Topamax for my problem. Another Doc I know said that the cognitive deficits that people get when they take it, outweigh the benefits of the curbing the alcohol craving. I'm not sure what to do, but I know I have to stop and cannot do it alone....
I ordered from an online Pharmacy and plan on taking it anyway. My concerns are:
1. Does this drug make you stupid?
2. Can this drug be taken with Effexor?
3. What will happen if I take this drug on my own???

Can anyone help?
Any advice is appreciated!

[WaitingToExhale]

As a former Topa user - I'll pop in a bit.

I think the MOST important thing any/all of us have to keep in mind is that all of us will react differently to different medications. What works for some, will not for others. The awful side effects for some, will not be experienced at all by others.

This is a great forum for information and understanding each other's experiences - BUT, you are not the same person you may be reading about.

Topa was a miracle drug for me - to a point. As a daily "Mediterranean drinker", I had not seen an AF day for years. With Topa, I began to have those without much panic or stress.

There are many here that have found great success with Topa. The downside for me, were the side effects.

I was soon over the "spaciness" with Topa and handled that part just fine. But I started losing weight - rapidly. Great for some - not for me as I am still very active ad lost WAY too much weight. Not everyone has that SE! And then my hair began to thin - big time. Again - not everyone has this experience.

I HATED stopping Topa because I really felt I was on to something. But I had too because of the SEs.

We all have to test the waters for ourselves. Go slow and careful and remember that you may have found something that works for you - or you may need to keep exploring.


PS: I was not "stupid" on Topa - in fact I still lectured through it all. And I did it w/o a DR.

[Jenn]

I can only state my own experience... As noted previously in this thread, everyone reacts differently. about 2 years ago I took Topa for about 3 months. It really helped with eliminating the craving! I ordered it online, & I followed the dosage schedule in the MWO book. It "kicked in" after about 3 weeks. By the time I was up to 200 mg I decided to quit due to the side effects...metallic taste in my mouth, my hair falling out big time (had already lost a lot due to thyroid issues, but they were then under control), anorexia (lost 35 lbs without trying at all!) and Topa Dopa .... I kept losing words! Generally at the worst times, like at work.
It took quite a while before I returned to my earlier heavy drinking, but over time (6-8 months) I just slipped into old patterns. So now I am back here and have been taking Baclofen - this is day 10 and I am hoping the "switch" will turn soon!
Wishing you the best of luck...
Jenn

[july141995]

Hi PG,

I'm back again. I use to be known as Bird of Paradise around here a year ago. Welcome! My story is the almost exact same as Jenn's. EXACT. Except I'm still waiting for my Baclofen!
I did gain benefit from Topa. I fell into the "I don't need a pill to help me anymore"....I didn't give my sobreity enought time. "The Dopa effect" evens out...the weight loss did not..until I discontinued taking the Topa. Good luck and keep posting.

[postgram]

Hi, Postgram here, thanks everyone for all of your support, I really appreciated reading everyones thoughts, and did learn that everyones experience is different. I took my last topa pill today so until I can decide what to do hopefully I will keep doing the research and talk to my doctor. But I have enjoyed all the support I've gotten from MWO. Thanks bunches.

[cash]

So my doctor told me I may not need to go that high on the dosage and that I may be able to sit on 100 or 150 per day? Has anyone had any success at that level. I am currently on 50 mg and week 2.
I am hoping it might lick in sooner then MWO says and if it does I can stay on that level for a while and see what happens. Any thougth???

[sidney]

I only needed to take 100 mg a day. It really helped me to quit. I am now more than 5 months AF. I stopped taking it a couple of weeks ago.