TWEETY PIE Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Hi , I first want to say how much this site has helped me- so thank you everyone. I knew this would be the place to come to get the best feedback for my question. My doc had me on lamictal, which was not working. (irritability, anxiety, etc.) I switched to topamax and it has been so much help its amazing! I have started to sleep better, control my mood and focus, eating is not the focus of my life, and my motivation is coming back! Through reading, most people take it am and pm, which I do. But I find that I do so much better when I take 25- 50 mg mid day. I take 50 mg am and pm in addition to the mid day dose, So I'm at 150 mg right now. Can anyone else offer their input on this as a mood stabilizer? ( My other meds are Wellbutrin XL, Provigil and adderall) My question is, I started this med, as my doc liked lamictal and didn't understand Topamax as a mood stabilizer. When I see him, how do I bring it up that this is something I have started and is working? I need direction on the dose that is eventually going to be the best for me, but I'm concerned about his reaction. In the meantime- I could really use the advice here. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffybirdie Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Hi Tweetie Pie and Welcome to CB! I take Topamax also as a stabilizer and like it way better than I did Lamictal. I also take it with Wellbutrin. I took Lamictal for over a year, not only did it not really work (I was also irritable on it) but my hair thinned badly so I finally discontinued. I went for a while without a stabilizer for awhile. Then was on and off Abilify for a year. It worked, but made me hold crazy amounts of water in my hands and feet. So anyways, last week, I went to a new doctor she looked over my charts, quizzed me on why i didn't like Lamictal and right away suggested Topamax. I've only been on it for 8 days and I feel great. My issue is mostly anxiety as my depression is in remission, but the anxiety gets so bad that I get real snappy and angry and I haven't had it happen once since is started. I feel completely calm and even. I split my dose in 2. 50 mgs in the morning, 50 at night. This was the suggested way that I do it but my doctor told me that I know my body best and as long as I get my 100 mgs per day in me to split it up however I see fit. That may apply to you. I would tell your doctor how your feeling and not be too worried about he reacts, it's his job to ensure you feel well and do it safely. Good luck with your topamax and post anytime, I've gotten loads of great advice from the nice folks here! xo, birdie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anelize Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 I take Topamax as a mood stabilizer, and it works extremely well to kick my rapid cycling in the ass. I take 100mg in the am, and 100mg in the pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Topamax is a tricky drug. You really need to find the exact right dose for you, to manage your sx. If I understand you correctly, you are taking about 50 mg more than your doctor recommended? You need to call and explain the situation, and that you feel better at this dose. For one, your doc needs to know accurately what you are taking to be of help. Secondly, if you keep taking extra pills you are going to run out of your meds prior to your next fill. Some people do find that they do better with 3 times a day dosing rather than twice a day dosing on topamax, as it has a short half life. The three times a day just seems to lend itself to more even coverage. There is no reason you shouldn't dose three times a day. So, go for it, if it helps you. Just make sure that your doctor is aware, and agrees with your plan. Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWEETY PIE Posted November 28, 2009 Author Share Posted November 28, 2009 Thank you ALL sooo much!! I am so glad to know its ok to take 3 x a day which I'll continue to do. I too have been on Abilify and also trileptal which put me to sleep, and this is like a god send. For the first time in so long I woke up from a 4 hour undisturbed sleep. I am taking the 50am, 50 midday, 50 pm. In your experiences did you stay at a certain dose for awhile and then increase? Does it take a while to help correct other behaviors as it almost immediately corrects others? (this in regards to binge eating disorder, and rapid cycling bipolar) Thank you all again. I appreciate your support. I will make an appointment with my doctor. ( I ordered this online- just enought to try) I am dreading telling him, but- its the only way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 Yeah, you do need to talk to him; nothin' to do but just do it. If you've been working with him for a while and have a good rapport, I'd think he'd just take it in the spirit of "you're trying to get better and this was a move of desperation." But you do need to talk to him. For one thing, Topamax requires a bit of blood monitoring at the onset and while being adjusted up. It really does put people into mild metabolic acidosis [raises hand.] That's not an inherently super-dangerous thing but it does need a bit of watching at first, and it also drives the dosing, because sometimes it goes to more than mild metabolic acidosis and it becomes clinically important. (If there were purging to go with the binge eating, it would be particularly important to discuss this with your psychiatrist. Some types of purging would add to the acid-base imbalance.) Yes, it's usually slowly titrated up by 25-50mg every 1-2 weeks. Yes, you need outside guidance as to the dose. Some people take it as a three-times-per-day drug, yes. It's usually a twice-per-day. It does seem to work as a mood stabilizer for some folks, even though not for most. Um.... For the first time in so long you woke up from a 4h undisturbed sleep, you identify your problem as "rapid cycling," and you're on Wellbutrin, Provigil, and Adderall? I think I'm a little confused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazynotstupid Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Waaaaiiittt a minnit...did you drop lamictal and add topamax that you ordered from an online pharmacy, and, if I am correct, without a prescription? Wow. And you're only getting four hours of sleep? Wow. Um, just wondering how long you were on lamictal and on what dose... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffybirdie Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 Whoa, I'm just now catching the part where you did this without a doctor. You need to talk to him/her asap. I'm all for Topamax, it's a great med, but you gotta talk to your doc before these things. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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