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**louise** · June 18, 2009, 11:29 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

Congratulations on doing well on your program. I don't know if your have heard from anyone - but you might if you posted in general or with a different title. A lot of people can't handle the side effects of topa and have managed to continue the program without it.

**finallyfree** · June 25, 2009, 02:42 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

afraid to try topamax

i just got a supply from my doctor and i am afraid to take it....

**mazac** · July 21, 2009, 11:11 AM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

Topa Supply

Hello,
do you still have the Topa supply? and if so, are you in the US?
Thanks
Mazac

**gehabe** · July 21, 2009, 11:26 AM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

topa

Hi MAZAC

Yes, I still have it and I am located in the US. As I mentioned before, I can not handle the side effects - pain in my stomach. I have a supply of 150 pills / 100mg each Topiramate purchased at river pharmacy. If you are interested let me know I will ship to US no problem.

Thank you and good luck

**bernard** · July 21, 2009, 11:26 AM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

The negative cognitive and neurological side effects are why "Some disgruntled patients have dubbed it 'Dopamax.'" Ameisen, p212.

**~iirene~** · July 22, 2009, 10:08 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

i want to stop taking it. i think the numbness in my hands and feet are from Topa?
if i take too much i can hardly get out of bed.
i really feel like trying something else.

**prancy** · July 24, 2009, 01:28 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

gehabe. Do you still have the Topomax? I am in California and have thought of trying this. The comments are sort of scaring me however. Is it possible to just take less and have fewer side effects?
anyone around who is using the Topomax and doing well? Would love to have some feedback.

**bernard** · July 24, 2009, 02:00 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

prancy,
Have you tried baclofen? It is, as I see it, by far the top choice of the alcoholic intelligentsia.

**prancy** · July 24, 2009, 02:17 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

no, I have not tried anything. Just found this site about 15 days ago and started to read about all this. I read the MWO book and she was talking about Topomax. Then I did a bit of research and was scared of some of the side effects. Then I saw a lot about baclofen on this site and am trying to figure it all out. I have been AF for about 19 days but would love to find something that would help me be able to have a couple of glasses of wine at social situations. I know I cannot handle AL on a regular basis. Do you recommend bac for that kind of an approach?

**bernard** · July 24, 2009, 02:53 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

The only thing I'd recommend is read Ameisen's book, read this site, consult a physician if you are able to find one familiar with baclofen or willing to cooperate, make a decision on how to proceed, and do so with caution. Baclofen would definitely be my first choice, by far. I have seen many accounts of great success on baclofen, and I can't think of any in which it was tried properly and failed. (Members of MWO, please inform us if you know of any such failures.) Controlled drinking and comfortable abstinence are commonly reported.

**gehabe** · July 24, 2009, 03:02 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

Topa

prancy;673721 wrote: gehabe. Do you still have the Topomax? I am in California and have thought of trying this. The comments are sort of scaring me however. Is it possible to just take less and have fewer side effects?
anyone around who is using the Topomax and doing well? Would love to have some feedback.

Sorry, I did not see your post sooner. Yes I still have them. The program calls for you to start at 25mg, 50mg, 75mg and go all the way up to 300mg. which I think is a lot. I stopped at 150mg per day and thought it would be manageable. After a while, I stopped because of the pain.

Topamax does work at 100mg per day "IF" you follow all the program with the shake, etc. It is a matter of self control I guess but it is not easy, that is why we are here.

If you are intereseted let me know and I will mail them to you. I am not into making money on this deal but it would be nice getting part of my money back. It is up to you. What I have is Topiramate (generic for Topamax) purchased at River Pharmacy who are quite reputable.

Let me know if you want them and send me your mailing address on a PM (private message).

Take care

Gehabe

**keke** · August 6, 2009, 05:19 PM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

Hey Gehabe, Do you have the side effects, yet still get the benefits with a lower dose? Third day at fifty mgs and the "icks" started in. I also can't seem to lift half my usual weight for gym class and am starting to get real tired. What gives with this so called miracle drug? Best of luck on the new plan. Keek

**Arrow** · August 16, 2009, 06:20 AM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

Just for the record

I'm taking Topamax 50mg per day in two separate 25mg doses morning and night. I am a big fella at six feet tall and 190 pounds (183cm 86kg).

I am getting good results as it is helping mediate cravings alongside programme of me working to change my behaviour which includes oodles of determination, exercise, new diet and some useful chats with an addiction specialist.

I did not take it expecting that it would do the work for me.

There have been moderate and quite acceptable side effects for me. I imagine that if the dosage was much higher and above 100mg per day then the side effects would be a bit nasty. However those higher doses are mainly for people taking the drug for seizures.

The main point is that it should be taken as part of an overall programme of change and is not a magic bullet in itself. Also, any med should be taken with a doctor and you are better off with someone who has experience in addiction medicine rather than a general practitioner. I know these can be hard to find, mine was - in Singapore the people for addiction treatment used to be the police force until only a few years ago!

If you are aiming for a lasting solution to your drinking problem then you will need to face up to things and drug treatments alone will not work. Real lifestyle changes do require us to dig a little deeper, a drug like Topamax, the Sinclare method, Baclofen or other approaches can certainly help get you on the road to some sort of change in habits.

The willy-nilly popping of pills is an understandable act of desperation, but dangerous. It is wrong to create an impression that self medication is sensible or that meds alone will help.

Clearly we have all been desperate with our drinking - but we need to face up to some home truths here - real change is about REAL CHANGE; is not available at the bottom of a bottle nor will a pill get you out of jail for free.

**Cinders** · August 16, 2009, 06:46 AM

Tough Side Effects of TOPAMAX

Arrow,

I have to chime in here and say how much I agree with your statement.

I take Baclofen and it has been a true Godsend for me. It helped me get sober. Period. But it won't help me stay sober. The further I get away from my last drink and my drunken lifestyle, the more I am able to work on the other areas of my life that need adjusting.

I don't want to be just sober. I want to live a full and happy sober life.

These meds can help us get a good plan kick started. In my case, the Baclofen seemed to be the one thing that allowed me to get sober long enough to start working my plan.

I am grateful for it. I truly am. But, I have much hard work in front of me. I do relish it though. I get to start a new life. One without the muck and mire that alcohol created in mine.

Cindi

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