Want to try Topamax and have questions

[Anotherday]

Hi all,

I made an appt to see my shrink on Thursday and am going to (again) ask him for Topamax. I'm not really comfortable ordering it myself online for a few different reasons. I take Cymbalta and Abilify so I feel like I need his blessing before doing the Topamax is the biggest reason.

I am at my highest weight EVER so of course the weight loss is very appealing to me. I also know several people take it for cravings. I've tried Campral and Naltrexone and liked neither. To date he has only prescribed me Campral but too many pills and I just didn't think it was doing any good. I mentioned Bac to him once and he knows nothing about it so he's not going there and I won't just add it to my med cocktail myself.

How can I convince him to let me try Topamax? Any success stories here I can share with him? He has diagnosed me as bipolar so that is one angle. However, he has referred to it as Dopamax so I don't think he thinks too highly of it. Thanks!

[Anotherday]

Oops, sorry! Nevermind. I did not see the Topamax Newbies thread. I also called the pharmacist and it's ok to mix with my other meds. I am going to do this! I have the impression most of you order from River Pharmacy, is that right? If he says no to me I'll just order online. I am getting sort of excited.

[Funny Girl]

AD - I told you what I thought - I'd go in with research about using if off label for bipolar so you have some support. People here have taken it here with no problem on the dopey aspect - everyone is different. If you start out at a low dose & go up gradually you may be ok. Your big issue would be interaction with the other meds, but if the pharmacist sees no issue, you should be ok there - they usually know a lot. You'd think he/she would really want you to quit drinking . . . .

[hangingon]

AD,
I did start forgetting some words on Topomax I really wanted to lose weight and never dropped a pound. I did quit drinking for 30 days about a year ago on it but Icouldn't handle the tingling in my hands and feet and I lost a ton of hair. Don't mean to sound negative that was just my experience on it. I just started on Bac and other than the crazy dreams it seems to be working well.
Hanging

[mama bear]

Funny
topa showed up
YAY!!!!
is it 25 mg for a week? then 50??? I can't seem to locate my book......must be at work!!!

[Funny Girl]

Yes - 25 for the first week. Take it in the afternoon. I took mine late afternoon the first couple of days till I knew how I'd feel. felt kind of achy I think I told you for the first 2-3 days & then ok. By week 2 you take 2 - 25 mg pills in the p.m. Week 3 is one 25 mg in the mid-morning and 50 mg in the mid-late afternoon. Glad you got it - I think it will help you.

[DeeBee]

This is the second time I've been on Topa. The first time I went 60 days AF and had mild side effects when I tiraded up to 100mg's (tingling toes and topa dopa) this time I've only just reached 100mg's and to date no side effects, in fact I've been playing scrabble in the evenings with great success and on day 3 AF:-)

[mama bear]

does it stop the cravings right away????
I took 25 mg yesterday, and will take another 25 mg this afternoon......I DESPERATELY need this to work for the sake of me and my family.....

[Funny Girl]

Yes - don't get overeager tho & up the dosage too fast - see how you feel first. I does help right away. It has to get into your system. Take the supps too. You will still have to keep yourself busy, but MB, it definitely has helped me tremendously. I'm shooting my good thoughts out to the universe that it will help you too!

[Funny Girl]

p.s. - just so you know - I have some 'fake' beers in my fridge (for emergencies) and have not even felt like having one. I thought maybe Oscar night I might crack one open. In the past if I was laying off alcohol, I'd drink those (I think some brands do taste ok & make me feel less deprived), but not this time. Have hope!