Topamax dosage for bipolar

Common Questions and Answers about Topamax dosage for bipolar

topamax

1655289 tn?1326042889 Topamax does tend to cause weight loss, but trust me, this is not the way you want to lose weight. Topamax (I was taking it for bipolar) first of all did nothing for my moods. I was back in the hospital a few months after first being prescribed this, along with seroquel and ativan for panic and anxiety. That's not what makes this medicine so undesirable though. With each dose increase, I had numbness in my legs and arms. This could continue for as long as 2 weeks after a dose increase.
1276940 tn?1564515084 I am a 41 year old woman who is on her 2nd attempt at taking Topamax for Bipolar Disorder. This go round I was put back on it in July of 2014. I am taking 100 mgs in the AM and 100 mgs at bedtime. One of my main side effects was the tingling & numbness in my fingers & toes. I am still experiencing the tingling & numbness but only in my fingertips not at all in my toes.
1655449 tn?1302089876 I have been on topamax for migraines for eleven months now and have lost a ton of weight...at first i had same side effects and it was very scary, but they do lessen in time and i find not having as many migraines well worth the first 6 weeks of strange speech, confusion, side pain etc. i make myself drink enough water each day...and with the help of excercise i have lost around 27kgs...definitly dampens my appetite!!.
Avatar f tn My doctor put me on topamax for migraines. She didn't have samples in the office, so she just gave me a perscription for 100 mg pills and said it wouldn't be a problem to start at that dosage. I've been taking this dosage for 7 days, and think it's too much. Is it too late to go back and start taking 25 mg the 1st week, 50 the 2nd, 75, and then 100 the 4th week (I looked up how it SHOULD be taken on the medical site).
Avatar m tn The objective of these mood stabilizers is to control both the manic and the depressive states of bipolar disorder. Their effectiveness depends on the patient, dosage and other variables.
Avatar f tn I had periorbital migraines and was placed on Topamax, technically an anti-seizure but also great for migraine/headache control and mood stabilization in bipolar disorder. That for a while was the only thing that worked for me. It can have a sedative and appetite suppressant effect. I was also shortly on a low dose of Elavil for migraines. Carefull with that one, take only the amount prescribed.
Avatar f tn i was on topamax for 5 yr for my bipolar...worked great as u i wasnt drinkin enough water n went numb in my hands.. i was on 50mgs 2x a day. it took about 2wks til dr got me on the rite mgs a day.but once i had the right amount felt normal.i wasnt cryin for no reason any more.as for other side affects didnt have any...i was takin a slepin pill aswell,n wellbutrin.
Avatar f tn I forgot to say that, yes, a dose of 200 mg daily of Seroquel right off the bat can cause such a heavy sedation where he couldn't walk. I experienced it for a few days after my Seroquel was titrated up. The only thing I could do was sleep. I couldn't open my eyes, eat, or go to the bathroom, let alone try to swing my legs over the side of the bed or lift my head up. I know I tried to talk, but I have no idea if I did, because I was too sedated.
15242955 tn?1534438461 A man I know is on Clozapine for his bipolar disorder. His psychiatrist prescribed it.
Avatar f tn I am new to topomax and have been takingit for 2 weeks. It was prescribed for headaches and so far its been great. Ive lost 2 lbs. already. It controls appetite etc and keeps you from getting headaches but the sideffects are terrible. I take it right before bed and wake up feeling ok although the first few days felt very droggy. My neurologist wants to take me off it and i am refusing.
Avatar f tn I'm on Lamictal and it's working well for me so far. It is a slow taper, 25 mg every two weeks until 100 mg, then you can go up by 50 mg every two weeks. So it takes a while to work, but it's really good for the depressive phase. It's great for BP II, and it's approved I believe as an add-on med for BP I stabilization. Topomax does get used for bipolar, but it causes major cognitive side effects in a lot of people, to the point of getting nicknamed "Dopamax".
614508 tn?1265281722 Has anyone had any interactions/reactions with the drug Topamax when prescribed for BPII & OCD. My understanding from the drug handout is that it is normally prescribed for migraines, seizures and weight loss. My doc has just increased my dosage to 100mg 3x per day. I have experienced some deterioration in my eyesight however I'm not sure if that's attributed to age (hadn't had my eyes examined in 2 years) or the Topamax which I've been on a lower doze for 6 weeks.
Avatar f tn Lately he is kind of showing signs that are simlar to that of the topamax. He is very irritable for no reason, frustrated, hits himslef, cannot take the word NO most the time, will be playing and having fun, and all of a sudden he makes an aweful face and whines like maybe he is having headaches. It seems like when all is going well and its just me and him and having a great day, doing everything he likes, he is upset, whiney, etc. ALSO, he is not seeming to learn from his actions.
Avatar m tn I would ask for an alternative medicine. Topamax causes hair loss which I have experienced first hand. I found out that that is one of the main side effects and wish I hadn't taken it. I would look on the internet for medications that treat migraines and look at all of the side effects. I have found I have to be proactive and do my research and ask the doctor about a specific medication.
5032487 tn?1365824021 is there a MH drug out there for bipolar disorder that doesn't make you gain weght?...just wondering and without a side affect?
Avatar n tn The psychiatrist put me on 300 mg Zoloft and 150 mg topamax. I have gone cold turkey for 2 weeks off both of them. I am exhibiting signs of sweating, irritability, full-on head swirls, insomnia all the time, excess energy and if I get upset, it feels like my heart is going to pound right out of my chest. I have tears on/off and am depressed for no apparent reason at all. My questions is: will I ever feel normal again with all these side effects? I don't want to be on them anymore.
Avatar f tn I am bipolar, have chronic migraines, and doing IVF. I use lithium and lamictal for my mood stabilizers and will stay on them through my pregnancy. The tentative plan is to add topamax after baby for the migraines and an added mood stabilizer boost. I am loving the possible side effect of weight loss as I am overweight, but I would be devastated if I lose my hair. I may have a migraine everday but they're not so bad I would hand over my hair for relief.
Avatar f tn Right, I agree. Like I've said before, trust in my doctors has come hard before, and now w/ wanting to be stable, trusting them is key, and trusting myself to know when I'm feeling bad is key. I don't want to feel bad anymore. I've researched everywhere, asked you probably a MILLION questions right?!!! I called or emailed my doc every day for the first week because of s/e, but that was from Risperdal, now that I'm off that **** and just on Lamictal and Topamax I'm fine.
Avatar f tn You are on a lot of meds. I was like that yrs. ago; way overmedicated and way overweight. I'm now down to 2 antidepressants and 1 mood stabilizer. (I am also a rapid cycler). Everybody is different and responds to medication differently. The best and most all-around useful mood stabilizer for me has been Topamax. It is an anti-convulsant, also indicated for propylaxis of migraines (which I also have). The great side effect, if you're overweight, is WEIGHT LOSS. Be careful, though.
Avatar f tn You are at the recommended dosage for treating anxiety. 20 mg is the dosage the manufacturer originally recommended for depression, so the first question is, why not up the dosage of the drug you're on first and see if that works? It would be the least bothersome thing to do for you, as since you've been on Lexapro for awhile anyway it's going to have all the problems of stopping it anyway. A second question would be, why add two drugs instead of just adding one?
3140085 tn?1342843508 Before I lost insurance my doctor had me on prozac with depakote for my bipolar. Since I am no longer employed I can not afford insurance. Fortunately I do live close to the border and can cross it to get my medicines still. My question is, since I can not go to the dr with out insurance and can not get blood work done for the depakote i am not comfortable taking it. a few years ago the dr had me take topamax and i really liked it. can you take topamax with prozac?
505907 tn?1258369340 For more information about bipolar disorder (which consists of bipolar depression and bipolar mania), google "Phelps + psych education." Some mood stabilizer med work from the bottom up; they are best for treating bipolar depression. Other mood stabilizer meds work from the top down; they are best for treating bipolar mania. Depending on whether your mood episode is mania or depression, your doctor should choose an appropriate mood stabilizer.
Avatar n tn Bipolar is often confused with temporal lobe epilepsy, because TLE has ALL the psichosis if it isn't well controlled, since they are mostly part of the temporal lobe.
Avatar f tn and it has an adjustment period once you are on a set dosage......but for those 2 to 3 weeks adjusting it was very difficult, I got new headaches in areas I did not have b4.....and was so tired and just in a fog a very heavy fog. When I went back to my Dr to ask to be taken off this med I was told about the adjustment period and that it will change the headaches....and after a time I felt better while on it...and once ran out and boy was I aware how it was helping me....
633143 tn?1262133535 I also had this kind of crazy weight loss on Topamax. For me, it turned out to be the combination of the dosage of Topamax and other medications that made the weight loss so severe. I noticed that once I stopped taking Wellbutrin and as my headaches improved I lowered my dose of Topamax, the weight loss eased off and it took about 6 months to get back to my usual weight. Now I am back watching what I eat, instead of eating everything in site and losing weight!
Avatar f tn I'm 29 and bipolar, I was diagnosed at 19. I'm currently on a # of meds, lamictal, topamax, celexa, wellbutrin and Ativan. Lately I feel like I've been causing fights over the smallest things with my bf and then I get extremely emotional and cry. For instance I was hurt that he made plans with his family on Tuesday night bc I assumed he would want to hang out with me after work and not seeing each other for 4 days.
Avatar f tn m told can cause anxiety) and Lamictal (mood stabilizer for Bipolar). Buspar works great for me and is the kind of med that you can feel accumulate in your system. That way, you don't suffer if missing a dose. I take 10mg 3 times a day. It used to just be 2x, but my job got stressful and we made an adjustment. I was originally given Xanax which was a huge mistake on my GP's part.
284078 tn?1282616698 I hope anyone who uses Topamax for any reason is fully aware of the serious risk of acute narrow angle glaucoma. I had read several articles about it but saw it firsthand last week. As usual on my quiet weekend off I got the dreaded call from the emergency room, again. This time about a woman on Topamax for 7 days who seemed to have lost almost all her vision 12 hours after increasing her dose per her doctor's instructions.
587778 tn?1261397118 I did not have any problems before taking this medication. A group of doctors consulted me in the ER and all agreed that my dosage of Topamax, 100 mg 2X's a day, is two much!!! Upon further conversation, I learned that by neurologist was supposed to gradually increase my dosage to that amount. And reading the rest of the blogs, I see that nearly everyone was gradually giving Topamax in doses of 25mg. My neurologist started me at 100mg twice a day and I have been there every since.