Has anybody tried Topamax to help the cravings?

[nomoredrinking]

Hi, Im 30 years old and have two children, a 2 and 3 yr old. I have always been a drinker but since the birth of my daughter in Dec 06 I have just lost control.
I have been to 4 detox and one rehab but I never stuck the days out, I always left early.
My question is, have anyone of you ever been on Tomamax to help curving the cravings?
What I have read up on about topamax is that it is usualy prescribed to lose weight and or to decrease ones migrans.
I also read that it eventually makes any carbenated drink soda/beer taste awful.
Please tell me that somebody has used it or knows of somebody that does.
Thanks so much.

[boogieman]

hi. i've not heard of topamax being used for this purpose. however, there is a drug called campral that is specifically for alcohol cravings that has been tried through many years of research in the real world. campral is most effective when combined with some type of aftercare such as therapy or 12 step recovery programs. topamax was used in a study of 371 alcoholics at the medical university of sc which was published less than a year ago. at that time it was not fda approved for such therapies. in my opinion, there has not been enough research to merit such use if it has been approved. the fda approves all kinds of drugs that end up getting recalled after adverse reactions including fatalities in real world use. i would recommend campral instead. best wishes,  gm

[ibizan]

Topamax has been widely used in the treatment of epilepsy.There was a study several years ago that was written in Newsweek using it with very late stage alcoholics to curb cravings.Many doctors do not like to use it with early or middle stage alcoholics or drug addicts due to side effects hence earning i t the nickname Dopamax!.I worked with a lady who was bi-polar depressed type who was addicted to percosets...she would eat them by the handful and her doctor used Topamax on her with success.I am with boogie....Campral a support group and 12 step can help..have seen it done so!

[nomoredrinking]

Thanks so much :)
About the Campral,AA. I have been on Campral for 6 or months now, and attended AA everyday for almost a year, while attending a IOP (intense outpatient Program),, but I was still activly drinking :(
I am on a bed check schedule w/ one of the newer detox facilities here, this will be my 4 or 5, and Im wanting to atleast start this topamax before I leave for detox in hopes that it does curve cravings, I can cut down, therefore making the detox proccess less intense.
Thank you for input, I really do appreciate it.
Personal ? Are you guys recovering or active?
xoxoxoxoxo

[ibizan]

Topamax is worth a try and to be monitored for any side effects with u!glad ur giving treatment a go again....i am 53 and have been sober/clean for 25 years......i used AA NA Rational Recovery SOS...i took what i could use and left the rest!Changed my ppl places and things 2!:) and ur very welcome!!!!!!

[boogieman]

hi there. glad to hear you're going back to treatment, and don't worry about it not being the first time. i've been at least 13 times over 18 years, and it just takes what it takes. you are doing the right thing. just be careful as ibizan said with the topamax, and try to build on the experience you already have. i've been sober now for 20 months, and i pray i never go back to the hell i came from. glad you're here, keep us posted and ask if you have any questions or just want to talk. hang in there and take care, gm

[nomoredrinking]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! On your success of staying sober one dat at a time.
You are great influences and I hope and pray to be able to  be on the same sober boat as you :)
I am on a waiting list for a bed (go figure) so Im thinking about 1-2 weeks Ill be getting a call. Thank GOD for my mamma, without her I would NEVER EVER have been able to go to any meetings or programs in the past, including this one coming up.
With a 2 and a 3 yr old its hard to just get up and go away for a week without knowing if you have anybody to nurture your children when your gone. My mother has always been there for me and my children.
It would be my great pleasure to have my mom live the rest of our lives with me being sober. She hasnt seen that since I was prego and breastfeeding w/ both my babies.
I will be in touch up until I leave for detox.
Much Luv Em

[ibizan]

So glad ur mom is there for u....i've been blessed with a good one as well.....she is 90 has Lewy Body dementia and is in assisted living for Alzheimers ppl....but still in so many ways on the ball......she has always been there for me..like urs has been for u..and i will always b there 4 her!I will put u on my prayers list...in the early morn when it is quiet..it is me a cup of STRONG coffee..and my big loverboy greyhound on the sofa having quiet time.Boogie and i did this one hour atta time...one day atta time...with focus and determination it is possible!:)

[boogieman]

ya, my mom has definitely shown me what unconditional love is, from being there for me, to doing things that at the time i didn't like, but were for my own good. we are fortunate to have such angels in our lives. sometimes when things get really bad, just having her will be about the only thing between me and doing something stupid, even if she's just on the telephone. and ya if the coffee isn't strong, well, for me it's like drinking o'douls when i was still out in the lower ozone, it just doesn't do the trick ;)

[ibizan]

i just got done with quiet time and MY coffee and am smiling at ur post!:)i know many who haven't had good moms....and yes we indeed r blessed..i cannot carry on good phone conversations with my mom anymore due to the dementia but she is still sharp on so much and tries to connect and succeeds even when her aged brain misfires!she is indeed a good role model.....i admire her strength for what she has been thru in life!

[nomoredrinking]

:):):):) It is sooooooo refreshing to see/hear people with such issues (sorry if that sounds inconsiderate,) like myslef and you plus millions of more, have such great sense of humors.
I have always had a great sense of humor, but after 12-18+ beers that tends to turn into angry sense of humor.
Beside my two beautiful,precious children, my mother (Mamma dukes) has been the only thing I have had to help me kick myself in the A** to wake up and smell that REALLY strong hot coffee.
I lost my marriage for whom I have known since 3rd grade due to drinking, and almost lost my children. Not bc I have/had ever neglected or abused them, but bc my husband was always on my *** to quite drinking and was mad under the circumstances of you seperation(Alcohol related) .
But anyways speaking of mothers, if I dont ******* due something NOW ASAP! I know that this disease will have no probs into making me one of the statisicial drunk moms who drive drunk w/thier kids in the car,dont make din-din(dinner)  ya know, we have all seen,heard or feared it before.
This is my last chance in saving not only myself but the future of my children who I fought so hard to have(infertility issues right after marriage).
I am DETERMINED not to take them for granted anymore and stop being so goda*** selfish.
Feeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow!  I guess its (has) started to be real and right in my face, just counting down the days until I have a bed. You know ive been there done that but im praying,praying,praying that I will not fail this time at staying sober.
You know how it is, you r determed, and then the days go by & its goes back to the sam o'l same o'l. I have more faith in myself this time bc this time I, ME knows and wants to stop, Im soooo ******* tired, I just want to be normal again.
Alright,,yaddaYaddaYadda LOL
Luv you guys already.
Luv Em

[boogieman]

hi there. sounds like you are in good shape-----you want it as opposed to needing it. i went to rehab more times than i can remember accurately, and the message never changed, i had to. the same stuff i heard back in 1991 was what i had to apply some 20 months ago, and try to stick with. for me, it really amounts to just doing the next right thing in front of me and not picking up. it's simple---not always easy---but simple. funny you should say you want to be normal---i told one of my inpatient counselors that, and she said "what is that?" i tried to explain it and found i didn't even know what normal was. in fact i still don't know. i know what abnormal is, i know that i qualify as such, and i will always be that way. i just have to adapt to being that way without the booze. anyhoo, best of luck on getting a bed (i know how that waiting game can be too) and keep us posted. take care,  gm

[ibizan]

normal is that cycle on ur washing machine!normal is what doesn't harm u or another human as i was once told by a psych professor at OSU!Em- u were in my prayers this morn....sobriety will help u in dealing with the curveballs life will send u as u get older.....in 2 years i lost my dad,mom dx'd with dementia,guy i loved relapsed and i had to put him out of my life and some medical issues.......drinking/drugs never crossed my mind....what would that help?nada damn thing!and ur children r young enuf now if u sober up they won't remember u drunk...but when these kids get into 6 on up they do!i had to wait 8 days for a bed back in 1983 a short time....seemed like an eternity but i hung and made it....and 25 years for me has gone FAST!the new you awaits.....it is so worth the work my dear!:)

[nomoredrinking]

"Normal"

"what is that?" i tried to explain it and found i didn't even know what normal was. in fact i still don't know. i know what abnormal is, i know that i qualify as such, and i will always be that way

I'm pretty sure I remember what "normal" means/meant to me, and that was when I was in early elementary school and I had never took a puff off of a Marlboro before LOL, from that day all "normal" quickly flew right out the ******* back door, quicker then I could ever see it it go, along with it, went my innocence,my opptomisme ect.ect.ect BUT my INQUERY grew larger and larger.
Dont have enough space to fill in ALL of the **** I have done,did,had,have,took etc.etc But I do know that I have conquored 2 eating disorders at the same time(doesnt take a pro to know what 2 im talking about), with the thanks of my very own heard head and reality that if I didnt stop then I would die. Same w/ coke/crack almost died then,but knew I had to stop, something inside me both times just told me to STOP! The eating disorder took a couple years, but the crack and stuff took me only 4-6 months, while working full time(medical) and making good money living on my own. :NOTE:This all was WAY B4 being married and having my munchkins.
I guess what im trying to say is, that alcohol is the only ONE ******* substance that I seem to be struggleing with.
I have already aditted to the very first step that I am helpless over alcohol, but godamn it, does tht **** me right the **** off.
Pardon my tone, I am Portugeuse and a Capricorn, I have that little cork of an attitude/temper working for me too.
Alrighty, I gotta reply to ibizan
Talk soon.
Luv Em

[nomoredrinking]

Hey you,
WOW!! That one tiny quote
"normal "
normal is that cycle on ur washing machine! normal is what doesn't harm u or another human.
HOLLY ******* ****, ALL said ALL done!!!!!!!!!! NO words more TRUE!!
Only true to all of us in all different ways, but TRUE in all WAYS ever,and wherever!!
Im actually writing this **** down, from you and boogieman. :):):):)
Luv ya guys
Em

[ibizan]

Em just got done with coffee and quiet time..and u were in my thoughts and prayers!so when do u get to go to treatment?bed date yet?

[nomoredrinking]

WOW!!!
Wel today is the 2nd day being on Topamax and ill tel ya, they were right about giving a bad taste in your friggin mouth. I can see why my phyc doc wanted to try it for cravings, and i can see why docs use it for weight loss.
EVERYTHING, I mean EVERYTHING taste like **** right now, even carrot stix, never mind beer.
This is soooooo trippy, I was told this would happen but I guess I wasnt really expecting it to be as fearse as this.
Well, this is what I wanted and what I need to quit, so Im going to deal w it.
I have to give the center a call for my bed check, keep your fingers crossed.
Talk to you soon.
Luv
Em

[ibizan]

well that is good!most important ur desire for the drink is eyyuck....thats what matters!u keep hanging in there Em!:)

[boogieman]

glad you're still with us! i was on topamax for a while as a migraine preventative so i can relate. hope you get a bed soon----gm

[baadtoad]

i took it 1.5 years and drank very heavily while on it only my experience though