Topamax and stroke-like sysmptoms?

[Ready to Change45]

I am on Topa @ 300mg with great success. However, recently there have been two occasions where I woke from sleep (each time) did not know where I was, what day of the week it was, time, etc. No physical functioning problems. Has anyone else has a similar experience. It is scary.

[rottrod]

Topamax and stroke-like sysmptoms?

NO I haven't but I'm only at 150 and am not planning to go any higher.
Do you need to be at that high of a dosage?
Have you asked this question on the Topamax survey thread?

sorry I'm not much help.

Melissa

[Java]

Topamax and stroke-like sysmptoms?

I never had any symptoms like that, and I agree, you should look at your dosage, the 300Mg was just a max guidline int he study....you should really stay away form that high of a dosage, that is more for sieszures, my doctor actually told me the most effective dose for drinking are the lower doses, even as low as 25 mg, when I told the nuerologist i was on 100mg, she asked why my dosage was so high

[jimbo]

Topamax and stroke-like sysmptoms?

Obviously Topomax works for a lot of people, otherwise it wouldn't be such a huge topic of discussion. But my doctor took me off the med after 10 days because it reduced me to a blubbering, incoherent piece of mess. I felt like a sober "drunk". This could not continue, especially in my line of work.

Others have described similar hideous symtoms from using topa. Again, for other people it's the greatest alcohol inhibitor they've ever tried. To each his own!

jimbo

[Paddy]

Topamax and stroke-like sysmptoms?

Don't forget, Topa, as other medicines, is a drug, not a wonder potion. So it messes with your body's chemistry, the same way alcohol does. If I had the choice, I wouldn't take it, frankly. But as it is, Topa at this stage is a viable option for me to get away from alcohol until I have a grip on myself. But eventually, I plan to titrate down and not take it anymore.

So Jimbo, I understand your bitterness about it, and the way it resurfaces in your posts. And as for Ready, I would also consider titrating down, that's what I usually do when I feel side effects overpowering me.

[jimbo]

Topamax and stroke-like sysmptoms?

Paddy, you're right. Topa, along with Campral, Naltrexone, and other drugs affect your body's chemistry. And we all have different body chemistries. So, what works for one, may not work for another. And if you're a desperate alcoholic like me (I think in the end we all become desperate alcoholics) you try everything and stop what doesn't work. Hopefully, over time, we can stop all meds and just go the natural route. I'm not there yet, but it's what I'm aiming for!

jimbo

[Paddy]

Topamax and stroke-like sysmptoms?

But, Ready, when it comes to stroke-like symptoms, I must say last month when I hit 225 mgs, I woke up with heart palpitations and was short of breath. I put it down to my panic attacks coming back, which since a month they have been. But it could well be similar symptoms to what you have been experiencing ...

[Ready to Change45]

Topamax and stroke-like sysmptoms?

Thans for the thoughts

T went down to 250mg Topa two day ago. I have to travel internationally and i worry that I will have one of these "episodes" and get trapped somewhere far away. I was coming down from that killer Lexapro at the time. Maybe that was it or a combo (who ever knows?). I know that the Topa worked to stop my drinking - but at what price? Weight loss was a nice price. What what else? Topa + Wellbutrin - NEW TO ME = Potenthialy lethal? What to expect?

You guys and gals are so great - THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME.