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Mental Health (Expert Forum)

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Topamax (Reposting)

Answered by

Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness

Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.

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MedHelp Member's Question

Topamax (Reposting)

by RodF1966, May 04, 2007 12:00AM

Tags: Depression, mental, Health, Mental Health, migraines, weight

Reposting due to typo. lol Has anyone been perscribed the drug topamax to help with their depression? My wife and I were just started on it a couple of days ago. I'm also on Zoloft. I've read up on it and see that it has so many different possible reactions. I'd be interested in hearing others talk about the effects it's had on them good or bad.

Thanks.
Rod.

Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D.

, May 04, 2007 12:00AM

I think this is for the members to respond too, and since you have already read about it, doesn't make sense for me to add that kind of information. Just be aware that everyone responds differently, dosages may be different, and the underlying tensions within you may not be the same as your respondents...

Member Comments (1)

by Carey01, May 07, 2007 12:00AM

To: All

I thought Topamax was for migraines???

by Christy H, May 14, 2007 12:00AM

topamax is used for all sorts of things not just migrains. I am on topamax for migraines and seizures. Topamax is also used for weight loss because loss of appeitite is one of side effects. I do occisionaly get some tigglely sensation in my hands and feet but that usually going away in a hour or so after taking the med.
Good Luck!
Christy

by derm_nyc, May 26, 2007 12:00AM

To: topamax the answer to everything? maybe.

I'm on topamax right now -also for off label. I suffer from dermatillomania - I pick at my skin. it hasn't helped, but topamax has an incredible side effect - it makes you almost completely lose your appetite. I've been on and off of it for years and the first time I was on it, I lost a massive amount of weight. I couldn't even face food. and certain foods in particular became absolutely repulsive to me. the second and third time I went on it, the effect was way less severe, but remains. the other side effect you can get is tingling in your extremeties. it's annoying, but compared to other anti-drepressents, anti-psychotics, etc. this is a dream side effect. Dr.'s have been experimenting with off-label for tompamax for some time now. I've read about studies where dr.'s are using it to treat gambelers, over-eaters (I have a friend who's struggled with her weight her WHOLE life and has finally been successful in losing weigh with a very small dose), and OCD. I've never heard of anyone using it for depression, but who knows....perhaps Topamax is the wonder drug of the millenium. good luck to you! one warning, though. I have read personal accounts of people who have been on high doses who say it makes them feel dumb. like in a fog. so that seems to be a watchout.

by luvbeingmom, Jun 04, 2007 12:00AM

I've been on Topamax for several months now. I too experience the tingling in my extremities. I also find myself searching for words now and then. My dr. said this is a common side-effect and one that some people really, really dislike for obvious reasons! I will be talking to someone and just can't think of the word that I want to say. It's kind of frustrating sometimes.

I started on the Topamax slowly, just 25 mg once a day and finally got up to 50 mg twice a day, but now I'm weaning back off of it and am back at 25 mg once a day (although I'm not sure if that's working, I may have to go back up to 25 mg twice a day). I was/am taking it for migraines.

by laurakate, Jun 15, 2007 12:00AM

I've been on Topamax for 5 years. I take 150mg. per day (worked up to that amount). At first food and soda tasted funny, and I lost 10 pounds, but since then there haven't been any side effects.

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