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New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

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    New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

    Hello all. My drinking problem escalated big time about 5 years ago while going through menopause. I'm sneaking up on age 54 in a month. I simply could NOT SLEEP! So I drank myself to sleep every night regardless of the quantity required. Getting to sleep is no longer a problem but drinking sure is. Before starting this program I averaged 6 oversized glasses of wine every night. Now I am down to 2 wine glasses several times a week.

    Great progress right! So what's the problem?

    I ordered the book and tapes late last year but kept procrastinating starting the program. In early April I hurt my arm playing golf and went to see my Dr. He said it was tendonitis and put me on some mild prednisone. At that appt I finally got up the nerve to ask him to prescribe Topomax and was thrilled that he agreed. So I started the supps and topa right away and they are working for me. I have torn the house upside down but still cannot find the hypno tapes! Will keep looking.

    Six days later I woke up with the joints in my hands and feet swollen and sore. My fingers looked like little sausages and I could hardly walk. Went back to see him 2 days later when this did not subside and he did blood work and put me on a stronger dose of prednisone. The Prednisone worked and the blood test showed extremely high liver enzyme levels. I was told to drink no alchohol and was sent for a ultrasound of the liver. This test came back normal. More blood work was done which ruled out viral forms of hepatitis but indicated inflammation of the liver, hepatitis (possibly brought on by alchohol use).

    The stiffness and pain in my joints has returned (no swelling), including my elbows. I feel so exhausted I have stopped going to the gym or exercising at all. I have even cancelled some of my golf outings recently and I love golf, it is my passion. I have an appt with a Rhematologist next Friday, 5-19 and an Upper GI Dr 5-23. We leave on a golf vacation to the NW (planned a year ago) on 5-24. I hope I can even move! It just takes so long to get appts with specialists.

    I know you are not medical specialists but I am really feeling down right now. I do not want to give up on Topamax since it is helping me but has anyone experienced side effects even remotely similar to these? I could not find any like this listed anywhere I searched. Also, has anyone dealt with liver problems brought on by drinking? I understand the next step is a liver biopsy which sounds a little scary to me.

    #2
    New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

    Hi Wine lover,

    Welcome to MWO. I am happy to hear of the success you are having, but sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing of course!!

    I have not experienced anything like you are describing at all so I really do not know what to say. I do know that it can seem like an eternity to wait for doctor appoitments though!! I did experience that when my husband fell ill.

    Please come here often and talk to us when you are feeling down. At the very least we can help suuport you while you wait. Did your doctor recommend that you stop the topa for now, or are you still taking it? I do hope you are able to find you cds. They are really so helpful!!

    Hang in There!!

    Donna

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      #3
      New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

      Winelover - Can't help you on the topa issue because I'm not on it. I went to my doctor in December for topa and I had elevated liver enzymes. After further tests I did find out I have hepatitis C. However after I stopped drinking my liver enzyme counts returned to normal in about a month. It's not really the same situation as yours though. My ultrasound was normal as well even with the heavy drinking. I know what you mean about the biopsy sounding scary. I have to get one soon myelf. Have you had bloodwork done again since you cut back your drinking? If not I would suggest it. If you are having any liver issues it is very important not to drink at all, cutting back is not enough. I know not easy to do, I have been abs the past 2 weeks, but drinking up until then and I found out in December.

      Stay strong, you've come a long way. Hopefully someone else can give you insight into the topa.

      Marcie

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        #4
        New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

        Thanks Donna.

        My Dr never mentioned it could be the problem so I am continuing to take topa at dose of 150mg. In fact he thinks it is a very good drug but has never used it for cravings before and is following the progress closely.

        However my husband suspects it since it is the only new drug I have taken since these symtoms started.

        I don't know what to think. It is possible that these conditions just happened to occur at the time I began the program or I could have brought them on by drinking. I guess time will tell but I hope it does not take to long...my patience it wearing thin already.

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          #5
          New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

          Appreciate the info Marcie.

          I did have a second blood test run about 10 days after the first and my enzyme levels were just slightly elevated. I had cut back but not stopped drinking. My Dr says the same thing as you - stop all alchohol! I hear it, yet I don't want to believe it is necesary or do it.

          Apparantly I still have a lot of work to do in my head and on my heart.

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            #6
            New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

            Well WL,

            It is suspicious that the symptoms occurred shortly after the topa use began, but you are right, it could be simple coincindence as well. It is good that you have your appoitments for the speclialists in place so it won't be long now before you have some real answers!!

            How are you managing with the drinking? Marcie brought up some good points with that. Stay with with us, I know this must be a frightening time for you!!

            Donna

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              #7
              New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

              Well, you beat me to the Marcie question!

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                #8
                New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

                I was the same way. I've only been abs for 2 weeks, so I have a long way to go. I had forgotten what my GI doc said when I saw him in January, until there were a couple posts about journalling and I looked up in my journal what he told me at my appt in January. He said if I continue to drink I will die. I don't think it was an exaggeration. Of course it would happen over time, but the sooner you stop the less damage you will cause you liver. Google alcohol and liver or alcoholic hepatitis and you can get some more info on the subject.

                You're not alone, we all have to reteach our minds that it is not ok to drink, or drink so much in the case of those who can moderate.

                Good luck and stick around the boards you will get alot of support!

                Marcie

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                  #9
                  New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

                  Winelover, just curious, but how high were your liver enzymes when you say "extremely high". Mine were in the 400's when I first had them tested in December. After I stopped drinking for a month they were back in the normal range < 40. Kind of scary to think that was all caused by alcohol. The only positive thing was I found out about the Hep many years sooner than I would have if my enzymes were not elevated.


                  Marcie

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                    #10
                    New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

                    If you go to webmd.com and search for topamax and then look at side effects there are a bunch but nothing about joint pain. The side effects are listed as either common, infrequent or rare. Under infrequent, listed is infection caused by a virus.

                    DUG

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                      #11
                      New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

                      Marcie,

                      Levels on first blood tests were: Alkaline Phosphatase: 382, AST: 189 and ALT: 377. Were reduced to: 115, 26, and 47 respectively.

                      I am really hoping that these other symtoms I'm feeling are not related to liver damage. I guess I never realized how serious this could be.

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                        #12
                        New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

                        That should tell you right there how much damage alcohol does to your liver. If just cutting back reduced the levels that much. Do you know much about what elevated enzymes mean?

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                          #13
                          New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

                          No. But my Dr seemed plenty disturbed by it.

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                            #14
                            New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

                            I can tell you that the topa is most likely responsible for you being tired. I as tired big time until I got up to 300 mg for a while and my body got used to it. As for your other symptoms, no offense to your husband, but I would rely on your doctor for the medical advice.

                            It is tough I am sure going through all of this and then the topa is wiping you out. Could you consider going on campral until you get your other issues worked out. I haven't used it, but I hear it is phenomenal for cravings and this is what it is prescribed for and your doc should have no problem. Plus, it could really helping you be abstinent for a while since your doctor feels this is necessary.

                            Great job on cutting back. This is big. I cut back slowly as well and am doing abs right now. It doesn't have to be an overnight thing. Sorry, I don't know what your ultimate goals is abs or moderation.

                            Anyway, you may want to grill your doctor about this. There is also naltraxone. I am not sure it this spelling is correct, but I hear it has had some success as well.

                            The topa does drain you, but this does get better.


                            -Nina

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                              #15
                              New to Communtiy - Problems 5 weeks into MWO

                              Funny how things work, I knew nothing about what alcohol does to the liver until I found this site, went to get topa and found out I have Hep C. This is all information I found out from doing research on my condition.

                              AST and ALT are enzymes in your liver, normal range is

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