topamax for bipolar 2

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.

I have bipolar2 and I’ve been on clonazapan for about 2 years for anxiety, basically what it is for and sleep disorders. It does effect your memory but all bipolar meds seem to do that.

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!!.

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.

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.

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.

If I had exhausted all avenues and resources to afford a psychiatrist to prescribe for my bipolar 2, the medication I would substitute for depakote would be lamotrigine (Lamictal) it is generic in Canada now, so it may be generic in Mexico. It is closer in action and proven to help with bipolar depression more than mania (doesn't do as well for mania). You have to titrate up slowly or you can get a fatal rash. If you do that the risk of getting the dreaded rash is next to nil. Good luck.

Is there really a need for Topamax still? I thought I was taking the Topamax for headaches, and now if the headache issues is resolved, then why keep taking the medication? Just wondering what everyone else is doing?

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.

I found that it did not work for my Bipolar even though i was on 800mg and yes, you will need regular blood tests to check your liver and kidney function. If you are concerned about it talk to your Psychiatrist about other options. I did! It is your body and you do have control over what goes into it.

I was on topamax back in 2009 for bipolar depressive. I had a horrible reaction to it. I went from 245 down to 158 within a month, no sleep, no eating, thought ppl were after me, couldnt finish my sentences. It was awful and I am still having trouble getting past the experience. I was taking 200mg and it about killed me. Just a warning to watch for signs.

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.

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.

t seen any weight loss or side effects. Each week I will increase my dose 25mg. Does anyone have any advise for me. Does this topamax really help people loose weight. I'm a heavy pot smoker and that really gives me the munchies. I know that In order to stop eating at night I got to stop smoking pot. But overrall does Topamax work for weight and when will I see any changes?

Thank you so much for all the help.

Hello Everyone, I'm very new community. My new dr. just recently told me that me that I'm bipolar. I had been on lamictal for about two years for depression and anxiety, but weaned myself off of it, as I was convinced that it was making me gain weight. When I weaned myself off, I fell into a deep depression and had to find myself a new dr. I started Topamax and Wellbutrin, but the Wellbutrin is making my thoughts and heart race. So I have to go off.

I have been on Topamax for 5yrs and have had my left and right shoulders frozen in the past 2 years. I am in my late 40's and in good health and the ortho said this was very unusual. He said that some seizure meds may cause this and I knew that higher doses are taken for epilepsy. He said they had never looked into this. Also, I have recently had episodes of memory loss. I know that this is a side effect but will it go away if I go off of Topamax?

Your experience is almost identical to mine. My 2 y/o currently takes Topamax for partial seizures and is experiencing extreme irritability, 45 min long tantrums, speech delays, violent behavior, etc. I would just like to know how your child is doing now? Was he diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Hope all is well.

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.

I had an ovary removed due to a large cyst a few years ago. I was also taking topamax for migraine prevention. Within a few months, a lost a tremendous amount of weight (I'm 5'8 annd went from 156 to 123) my hair was falling out in clumps (I had actual bald spots) I was twitching in my face, had muscle spasms, extreme fatigue, joint pain, night sweats, and more. After numerous tests and dr visits my parents sent me to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Hello.....I am a 42 y/o female who has had a tremor in both hands for several years. My tremors are not noticeable unless I have my wrists resting on a counter top or something similar. Then my hand(s) go to shaking. They do not shake while I am doing tedious tasks or are still at my side or in my lap. Just when my wrists are resting. And it happens just about every time! A little background info now......

Late Effects ALL chemo, Bipolar 1, Anxiety Tests: Brain MRI lesions white matter not active under contrast. Memory test 30% most areas, above 80% writing and direction. MS ruled out no bands, nerve/eye/brain wave tests fine. 30+ blood tests done including thyroid, blood sugar, etc... all normal.

do they help the manic state,,and mania thoughts?? i was on seraquil for 2 yrs it helped me sleep good but not really nothing threw the day on it..i cant take it anymore due to raise in heart rate..please help me in any way you can??

I have been dealing with medications for bipolar for twenty years now. Although everyone's bipolar is unique to them, I have bipolar I with psychotic features that only appear when I am medication free. I have been on a combo of lithium and geodon now for the good part of ten years, and a high dose of neurontin was added a while back to treat mania, anxiety and fibromyalgia.

I have been prescribed Topamax. Have you heard of the med call Topamax? Thanks.

but I am about to ask for it from my pdoc for bipolar disorder. It is supposed to help there as well. I asked him about it once and he agreed to give it once I stabilized....I hope this is what he means....he is a pharmacologist....so I tend to ask him questions and report back here...

Does it take 9 pills to get rid of your migraine? I mean why are you taking so many? I take topamax for bipolar disorder. I've never experienced anything that you described. Maybe your doc needs to up your mg. or something. Are you suppose to take so many?

Topamax for bipolar 2

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