Topa question...

[out]

I am getting a script this week...yay. My question is this...I have read on some other sites that one of the ways Topa works is by increasing the effects of the alcohol that you do drink, keeping you from drinking too much. Has anyone noticed that the effects of alcohol are amplified or that hangovers are awful after just a few? These are things that scare me, I don't want to be sh**faced and have a wretched hangover if I have a couple of glasses. Thanks

[lushy]

Topa question...

Kudzu has more of the effect of making you feel as if you have drank more (for some people). That is why people drink less on it, because they feel they have had enough and do not want anymore, even after a smaller amount. I have not heard topa having the same effect.

I was only on a small dosage of topa for a short while so do not have much experience, but I have heard hangovers on topa are not good. But that would not occur from two glasses I am pretty sure.

Good luck!

[whalewatcher]

Topa question...

I have absolutely noticed this. I have one glass of wine and I feel like I did when I used to have 3. I also about 3 weeks ago over did it on wine 3 glasses and had the worse headache I have ever had, worse than even a hangover after 2 bottles of wine. For me this is a really good thing. I do not think I will have more than a glass ever while I am on topa again. I have terrible memories about that night/next morning. I am actually glad you brought that up. I hadn't heard that before and thought I was the weirdo. WW

[julie001]

Topa question...

I'm glad you brought it up too. I haven't noticed a decreased desire to drink yet (I took 25mg the first week and just finished my second week of 50 mg. of Topa). As of right now, I am actually drinking somewhat less, but it's more because of the killer headaches that I've been having the day after drinking a few glasses up to a bottle of wine. At first I thought I was going through caffiene withdrawal because I had recently cut that out of my life. Then I thought it was because of hayfever season, and I have major allergies. Now I have to wonder if alcohol and Topamax mixed together create these tremendous headaches. They are the worst headaches I've ever had, but what a great reason not to drink. I'm still going to give the Topa my best effort. My hope is that at a higher dose the desire to drink will fade. Other people here who have taken Topamax have had months of abstinence. Don't let the fear of what might happen if you take it scare out of trying it. Worse case scenario, you stop taking it. Same for me. I don't know what I will feel like as I up the dose. Time will tell. Anything that can break the cycle of alcohol abuse ultimately will be a benefit (even if it cause headaches and brain fog). I look forward to hearing from you again. Let us know how you're doing.

Julie