Topa Dopa

[Cinders]

Part of my going AF was to start back on the topa.

I just realized this morning that yesterday and today (I have titrated up to 50 mg), I am unable to type well and words are coming out wrong.

Not only that but my skin is also starting to have the same reaction as before, so it is definitely the topa that is doing it.

Oh well. I guess I'll titrate back off of it and just stick with the Campral.

I can't afford to mess up my reports, etc, with my clients. The good news is, I don't think I was at a high enough level that the topa was doing me any good anyway. I was just trying to use all the weapons available to get AF for good.

I thought I'd share though, in case others had similar issues, especially the weird skin thing, dry rashy skin on neck and arms. It is definitely the topa.

The word stuff everyone knows but I was hoping low dosage wouldn't cause it.

Cindi

[bootcampbarbie]

Topa Dopa

you know my md is on topamax for migranes and is on 100 mg a day and has been for years. i am up to about 200 or 175 a day and that is about the max i can go now. i once was up to 300 and was so dumb i could barely drive. lol congrats on a new day cindi. love you bootsie with the double hips

[Blondie_grrrl]

Topa Dopa

Hi Cindi and Bootsie
I am very new to MWO -- just started "the program" on Sunday. Was hoping to also start Topa -- had an anxious but hopeful meeting with my doc last week, who agreed to prescribe. Don't you know now my insurance is balking at paying? There are prescription reasons (e.g. migraine) that they will pay for, but others (perhaps problem drinking) that they won't. I don't want to put all my eggs in the Topa basket but I am soooo hoping it will help my cravings. I'm thinking of biting the bullet and paying out of pocket -- I think the pharm said $130. Did you feel an impact from Topa right away? Did you feel an impact from the kudzu (etc.) right away?
Thanks and good luck to all!

[Cinders]

Topa Dopa

Blondie,

Quite honestly, the topa has never given me a real impact. The Campral has helped more than anything at all. But I did have to go AF before I noticed it. (kind of a hard thing to do when you are an alcoholic, huh?) but it is helping me a lot.

However, other people really do well on the topa. I think all of us are different.

My doctor prescribed my topa as a solution for "migraines" so it was not off label. God Bless Her!!!

I pay for the Campral "out of pocket" and it is really expensive.

It is all worth it, though.

Good luck,
Cindi

[julie001]

Topa Dopa

I"ve been taking Topa for two and a half weeks. I'm up to 75 mg. I struggled with headaches when I first started taking it. I determined the headaches were because of another prescription I had started for menopause, or because of caffeine withdrawal (I couldn't tolerate my Mountain Dew because it tasted like vinegar) or because my seasonal allergies had kicked in. I haven't had any other bad side affects (knock on wood). I still drink almost nightly, but I have definitely noticed that I am drinking much slower and less overall. I'm hoping as I up my dose I will desire to drink even less. I wouldn't beat myself up over one glass of wine a night. I'm going to order again from River Pharmacy and continue with Topa for awhile longer to see if there is legitimate change in my physical and emotional need to drink. It's not a magic pill. I know that I have to make changes in my in my thinking and lifestyle, which I have been working on through counseling, reading, and by logging on here, but I figure people are willing to accept prescription help for mental health issues, smoking cessation, pain management...why not for alcohol addiction? I'm willing to be a guinea pig. I hope it help in the process of healing. Good luck, everyone.

Julie

[rvm14136]

Topa Dopa

I am on my 6th week of Topa. I was up to 150 mg but just could not handle that dosage mentally, was acting like a space cadet. Now am back to 75 mg and hope to stay there. I have no desire for more than one or 2 beers a night. I drank 10 plus beers a night for many years. I have lost weight and feel much better. Topa was a godsend for me. Good luck to all of you who are giving it a try.
Rob2

[InnerStrength]

Topa Dopa

I went off the topa because I felt it just made me feel really funny....
But i know its worked wonders for some people! Best of luck,
Jenneh

[MyOwnWoman]

Topa Dopa

I took 25 mgs for a couple weeks then 50 mgs for several - during that time I moderated well and had most AF days ever. It did help I'm sure. It made me very dopey only the first 3-4 days. I went to 75mgs but was too weird. Then I stopped and the drinking increased.

I just started 50 again today - and you should have seen me just now trying to clean the kitchen!! You woulda thought it was brain surgery! I'm sure I was hilarious to watch. didn't knw what the heck was going on but then remembered and chuckled. Topadopa! But hey - I'm not drinking, 3rd AF day in a row!

[boycie]

Topa Dopa

I'm on 300mg a day now first couple of weeks were so funny forgot stuff all the time, going shopping was just the funniest thing usually shop once for about two weeks. Had to go three or four times a week as forgot to get so much stuff but remained sober think i just forgot to drink lol. Usual side effects, tingles etc.. but pretty much o.k now still mix words up on occassion or can't find the right word for a situation but think i had that before the topa, but still sober and cravings pretty good. Cheers Kimbo

[Paddy]

Topa Dopa

Dear Cindi,

I wouldn't titrate down so easily. My doctor said I should put up with it for at least 3 - 4 weeks. The body gets used to it. If this period of time you can't handle it, then titrate down. If you look at my journal on the TOPAMAX STUDY/DOSAGE/ --- I had exactly the same experiences. I nowadays I still have memory lapses, but frankly, it's something I'm willing to put up with in exchange to stay off the bottle.

175 mgs is my dosage. Anymore, will give me heart palpitations and panic attacks, I've tried it out several times, just to make sure that I'm not imagining things. Usually those symptoms will appear within one week after upping the dose.

[missCDJ]

Topa Dopa

For me the moodswings and the itching skin made the Topamax a no no for me, but everyone's different. Because I was itching so much I couldn't do the hypno, and that's part of the program that really helps!