TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

[Its a miracle]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I'm a 50 year old male. 5 Ft. 10 and 200 # - have been taking Topamax for 3 months and have settled at 100 mgs in the morning. Started at 25 mg and increased by 25 per week.

Side effects: A general difficulty with concentration/attention that has diminished over the months. Depression and some anger issues – this may or may not be attributable to the drug or exacerbated by it – could be part of the normal recover process. Tingling in hands and feet – I just ignore it as a minor side effect

Success: Topamax has totally taken away the physical desire to drink making it easy to deal with the psychological aspect of the addiction – part of it is just the fast that is a habit. I tried the moderation route but found that Topamax and alcohol did not mix well. For me abstinence is the way to go.

Other Meds: Adrafinil (Olmifon) – available online used to deal with the difficulty with concentration/attention attributed to Topamax. Lots of coffee.

[Larisa]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Oh, Jaded, I ordered my Adrafinil online. Here are some sites:


http://www.antiaging-systems.com/ias...adrafinil.html
Price: $29.99

Biogenesis Laboratories - adrafinil, anti-depressant - Product Information
Price: $33.20

http://qhi.co.uk/list.asp?r=860
Price: $26.3416

[Larisa]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Thanks, Sidney - I agree with you completely. Haven't received my topa yet, but here are some of the side effects of my little (2-bottle/night) wine habit that I deal with daily:

indigestion
fatigue
red, swollen eyes with red rash around them (have developed wine allergy, apparently) - more makeup!
excema patches on my face - even more makeup!
weight gain (30 pounds on my previous six-pack abs, that hurts!!!)
congestion/sneezing
itchy rashes at wrists, elbows, other joints
hot/cold flashes
shaky hands
never having money in spite of a healthy income
no time - have about 2 hours after work before I pass out (drink round two around 2 or 3 a.m.)
large Benadryl, Alleve, Tagamet, and Rolaids bill - must have at all times

oh...and I'm already foggy during the day, forgetting words and easily confused - boatloads of wine will do that to a girl.

Again, I haven't tried the topa yet, but at this point, I ain't scared of the side effects.

[sidney]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I had many of those symptoms I was either drunk or hungover a month ago. I have now lost 13 lbs in a month. My stomach is almost flat. My red bloated face is nearly normal. My double chin gone. I can concentrate. Sleep. I have energy and can do my job without screwing up or going to the bathroom to throw up. The topa is a miracle I just pray I can keep on going. If I forget words or think slowly it is a small price to pay. It takes away a good deal of the craving. I still have to fight it just makes it easier. I wish it worked for everyone. I was on it before this time it seems to have clicked because I am not drinking at all.

[Captnjack]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Hi Sidney what dose are you on??
Regards Cap

[sidney]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

i take 100 mg morning and 100 mg at 5 pm

[Captnjack]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

did you find a point that it Works
Cap

[Larisa]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I took my first 25 mg yesterday and one today. No side effects so far - and this is the first Saturday I've been sober in months and months and months. I weeded the flower bed, folded the laundry, put away the Christmas wreaths that have been in the car port since December - incredible!!! Not saying I've got this licked, but it's a good day.

[Larisa]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Ooooooo-kay...maybe I spoke too soon. Just heated up my lunch and put it in the dog bowl, which was on the counter next to my bowl. ??????????? Ha!!

[Dolly Sunshine]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Hahahaha!!

[sidney]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

It use to work at 50 mg now it works at 200 mg

[Larisa]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Update - I'm at 100 mg of topa. So far, no side effects at all, no real reduction in cravings that I can tell. I'm going to stay here for 4 days and then move up to 125. I'm hopeful that the switch will flip for me at 150 or 200 like it did for so many of you.

[srand]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

side effects

Has anyone experienced itching or prickly heat with the topa? I just upped to 50mg. yesterday.

[CS04]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Srand,
Sorry no itching or rash -- maybe it's something else and just coincidence.

I have been contemplating going off of Topa (I posted another thread) but many of you are saying that something "clicks" at 150 or 200 mg. I am currently at 100 mg; would go to 150 tomorrow unless I dose down/discontinue. I am still having cravings (guess that's what you'd call them) but they are psychological, not physical. I don't like the word "cravings" -- can we come up with something else??

Larisa, LOL about the Xmas wreaths being put away in May -- I have stuff in my house that's been sitting around for at least a year!

[dj0062]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

update - I have not posted for awhile - I kind of thought I would be one of those people that wouldn't need to take a lot. That has not been the case. I am now up to 150 mg and still am drinking everyday - some days can cut back but still is an effort. I too am wondering should I continue? My goal was to cut back to half. Side effects are the tingling in fingers just in the mornings usually - sometimes the fog (topa - dopa) - sometimes the metallic taste.