BipolarSpinster Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 (edited) So I asked for the topamax while in a very obvious mixed state...right after spending 300 of my 800/mo. SSDI. ? but damn was it fun. Laughing, throughout, until she says “running out of ideas” , lost it, balled like a baby. She said she literally never prescribes Topamax. Isn’t fond of it, “doesn’t work much”. Told her about the cool place I’ve been hanging out and how some have had success with it, and did some clinical studies research, and said “look! It can kill 3 birds with one stone, possibly! Voracious appetite, migraines, mood stabilization!” She hesitantly relented, and showed her naïveté when dosing me 50 first week, 100 next week, 200 next. Holy shit this seems rather fast! She also didn’t know what time of day to take it, but I’ll manage! But who am I to complain? I got my ticket to a better body (I hope, I hope!), possible migraine relief without getting miserable shots in the head every few months, and possibly pulling me out of this crazy cray. So, to the Topamax experts here: morning or night med? Is this definitely too high to start with? She was only gonna go up max 100 ‘til I referenced y’all mostly being @ 200! Wow did I get lucky! I think I’m done. Super dizzy, foggy (before Topamax!), and nutty from lack of sleep! What say ye’s? Edited June 2, 2018 by BipolarSpinster Damn autocorrect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 Moving to anticonvulsant forum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 2, 2018 Author Share Posted June 2, 2018 31 minutes ago, MiaB said: Moving to anticonvulsant forum. Sorry MiaB! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 When I took it, and I took it for migraine and weight control, I didn't take that much and I took it in the morning. It didn't make me sleepy that I can recall, but it did make me a little foggy headed. I can't comment on whether the titration is fast or not, but I don't believe it has a prolonged titration schedule like Lamictal. However, like all the anticonvulsants, it still can cause SJS but the risk is not as significant as Lamictal whose risk is already very small. I ultimately had to give it up because it made me dizzy. However, I am not a doctor or pharmacist. I suggest asking your pharmacist these questions if your doctor doesn't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 2, 2018 Author Share Posted June 2, 2018 10 minutes ago, jt07 said: When I took it, and I took it for migraine and weight control, I didn't take that much and I took it in the morning. It didn't make me sleepy that I can recall, but it did make me a little foggy headed. I can't comment on whether the titration is fast or not, but I don't believe it has a prolonged titration schedule like Lamictal. However, like all the anticonvulsants, it still can cause SJS but the risk is not as significant as Lamictal whose risk is already very small. I ultimately had to give it up because it made me dizzy. However, I am not a doctor or pharmacist. I suggest asking your pharmacist these questions if your doctor doesn't know. Ok. I did ask him about time of day. He didn’t know either. He said it could cause drowsiness, but some it doesn’t. Then told me, try it at night first. Which scares me as if it causes insomnia, it’ll be 4 days with almost no sleep. I’ve seen a lot of people ask med questions, sorry if I was inappropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 I assume that you'd take it in the morning (unless it is really sedating or causes alot of drowsiness). I've never taken it, but many people here call it "Dope-a-max" apparently because it often causes some cognitive problems... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 2, 2018 Author Share Posted June 2, 2018 (edited) Neither of us were sure, cause I’m afraid if it does put me to sleep, I won’t be there for my dog. I’m scared of both, insomnia or keeping me awake another night. surprised me the pharmacist couldn’t give me a definite answer. Thanks for replying. Edited June 2, 2018 by BipolarSpinster Lack of sleep rotten articulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 2, 2018 Author Share Posted June 2, 2018 Definitely causing drowsiness. Now I just don’t know if it’d still be effective the next day still if I take it at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancesintherain Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 I'm not great on how the chemistry piece works, but I think I get the basics for half-lives. Topamax is listed as being 19-24 hours. So, if I understand that right, you will still have it in your system in the morning and pretty much up until you take the next dose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikl_pls Posted June 2, 2018 Share Posted June 2, 2018 Topamax is usually taken in divided doses. It's usually started low, like 25 mg 2x/day for 1 week, then increased to 50 mg/day 2x/day, then increased by 50 mg 2x/day every week until 100 mg 2x/day, then increased by 100 mg 2x/day until target dose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 2, 2018 Author Share Posted June 2, 2018 12 minutes ago, dancesintherain said: I'm not great on how the chemistry piece works, but I think I get the basics for half-lives. Topamax is listed as being 19-24 hours. So, if I understand that right, you will still have it in your system in the morning and pretty much up until you take the next dose. Thanks ?! 8 minutes ago, mikl_pls said: Topamax is usually taken in divided doses. It's usually started low, like 25 mg 2x/day for 1 week, then increased to 50 mg/day 2x/day, then increased by 50 mg 2x/day every week until 100 mg 2x/day, then increased by 100 mg 2x/day until target dose. This helps a lot. She already has me cutting the 100 in half, so I’ll just cut it four ways and break it into twice a day. Will help with the drowsiness I’m sure. Thank you for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoidberg Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 (edited) I started Topamax about a month ago. I started at 25 mg 2x per day and increased each dose by 25 mg each week until I was at 100 mg 2x per day. I have been at that dose, 200 mg per day, for just shy of a week now. Side effects are a bit of fog and occasionally tingling in my feet. These are wearing off quickly. My appetite is down. I have lost weight. I have gone from abusing alcohol regularly to rarely thinking about it. So all good (ok, amazing) things. The main reason I started Topamax was to see if it would stabilize my mood from the top while Lamictal stabilized my mood from the bottom, and also stop my drinking, reduce my appetite, and maybe help control some of my impulsive behavior generally. In other words, it was a long shot to see if it could be a wonder drug that would kill multiple birds with one stone, before going on an atypical. I am cautiously optimistic that Topamax could fit that bill. My only concern is that it is brining my mood down a little bit too much at times and punching some holes in the floor set by the Lamictal. The easy answer to that is to go up on the Lamictal, but my pdoc and I are going down on my gabapentin and waiting to get me out of a currently stressful period at work before committing to more meds. Anyway, YMMV, but I find hearing other people's experiences with particular meds to be helpful. Also, if it wasn't clear, I am taking it for bipolar II. Edited June 3, 2018 by Zoidberg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BipolarSpinster Posted June 3, 2018 Author Share Posted June 3, 2018 4 minutes ago, Zoidberg said: I started Topamax about a month ago. I started at 25 mg 2x per day and increased each dose by 25 mg each week until I was at 100 mg 2x per day. I have been at that dose, 200 mg per day, for just shy of a week now. Side effects are a bit of fog and occasionally tingling in my feet. These are wearing off quickly. My appetite is down. I have lost weight. I have gone from abusing alcohol regularly to rarely thinking about it. So all good (ok, amazing) things. The main reason I started Topamax was to see if it would stabilize my mood from the top while Lamictal stabilized my mood from the bottom, and also stop my drinking, reduce my appetite, and maybe help control some of my impulsive behavior generally. In other words, it was a long shot to see if it could be a wonder drug that would kill multiple birds with one stone, before going on an atypical. I am cautiously optimistic that Topamax could fit that bill. My only concern is that it is brining my mood down a little bit too much at times and punching some holes in the floor set by the Lamictal. The easy answer to that is to go up on the Lamictal, but my pdoc and I are going down on my gabapentin and waiting to get me out of a currently stressful period at work before committing to more meds. Anyway, YMMV, but I find hearing other people's experiences with particular meds to be helpful. Also, if it wasn't clear, I am taking it for bipolar II. 4 minutes ago, Zoidberg said: I started Topamax about a month ago. I started at 25 mg 2x per day and increased each dose by 25 mg each week until I was at 100 mg 2x per day. I have been at that dose, 200 mg per day, for just shy of a week now. Side effects are a bit of fog and occasionally tingling in my feet. These are wearing off quickly. My appetite is down. I have lost weight. I have gone from abusing alcohol regularly to rarely thinking about it. So all good (ok, amazing) things. The main reason I started Topamax was to see if it would stabilize my mood from the top while Lamictal stabilized my mood from the bottom, and also stop my drinking, reduce my appetite, and maybe help control some of my impulsive behavior generally. In other words, it was a long shot to see if it could be a wonder drug that would kill multiple birds with one stone, before going on an atypical. I am cautiously optimistic that Topamax could fit that bill. My only concern is that it is brining my mood down a little bit too much at times and punching some holes in the floor set by the Lamictal. The easy answer to that is to go up on the Lamictal, but my pdoc and I are going down on my gabapentin and waiting to get me out of a currently stressful period at work before committing to more meds. Anyway, YMMV, but I find hearing other people's experiences with particular meds to be helpful. Also, if it wasn't clear, I am taking it for bipolar II. Yes, very helpful. I’m so grateful for all the responses. Good luck with it. Hopefully we both do well. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HydroCat Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 I have just recently found out that ACs are magic pills Seriously though, I'm on my first (and hopefully last) AC - Lamictal, which is pharmacologically similar to Topamax (although it has different chemistry). Titration is very slow, about 6 weeks to get from 25 to 200, which I believe should be about the same with Topamax. Dose is divided morning/evening, but while taking only one a day I found that it is better taken in the morning because it has some positive effect on cognition throughout the day. Good luck. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notloki Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 On 6/3/2018 at 2:33 AM, HydroCat said: I have just recently found out that ACs are magic pills Seriously though, I'm on my first (and hopefully last) AC - Lamictal, which is pharmacologically similar to Topamax (although it has different chemistry). Titration is very slow, about 6 weeks to get from 25 to 200, which I believe should be about the same with Topamax. Dose is divided morning/evening, but while taking only one a day I found that it is better taken in the morning because it has some positive effect on cognition throughout the day. Good luck. It is common to split the dose as it does not have a long half so you need the split dose to keep levels of Lamictal steady. So my neurologist says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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