Just starting Topamax

[bjor88ste]

Just starting Topamax

Sailor, just like you I started Topamax this past Sunday - 25 mg. - along with some of the supps. I have gone from at least 2 bottles of wine per day/evening (I work from home and at the moment my husband lives in an other state for work, so it was easy) in the last 2 years to less than a glass tonight - never thought it could happen this easily! And I have been drinking my entire adult life to various degrees, as I work in an industry that has a lot of drinking involved.
I really built up motivation for the program and a belief in Topamax before starting, maybe this helps.
Going thru major stress right now, great excuse for drinking - even so, I do not feel the craving, and am focused on becoming healthy again. I hear that eventually you will be able to get off Topamax the same way you got on, and if it is working so well for you at only 25 mg. you may never have to go to 300 mg. On this site, I have read many people that find that 50 mg/100 mg work well for them, and eventually they taper off.
Good luck to us all!

[Its a miracle]

Just starting Topamax

Just starting on Topa

I came to Topamax with high expectations and a lot of motivation. To this point I have not been disappointed. I almost backed out after reading some of the horror stories on the Internet about ?stupidmax? but I think the Nation Public Radio article on Topamax (I will post the link seperately) is very convincing. Society needs to see alcoholism as the brain chemical imbalance that it is and not a ?character? issue. I am admittedly very new to the Topamax experience but it has been a revelation. The glutamate ? gaba imbalance in the alchoholic?s brain creates such an unbelievably dopamine high that it becomes all you can think about ending the day with. With topamax alcohol loses its punch and its grip on your soul. This story needs to get out. This will be bad news for the ?recovery? industry that has been built up around the problem in this country (the U.S) ? millions will be lost - but so be it. So far this drug appears to me to be a live saver. I am ramping from 25 to 50 mg next week.

[Its a miracle]

Just starting Topamax

Great Nation Public Radio article on Topamax

I encourage all on the fence like I was to listen to this Webcast - especially the alcoholic gentleman and the scientific explanation behind the drug. These studys have been out there for years and it took me stumbling around on the Internet to find it ? it?s a shame its not better published.

NPR: Medication Shows Promise in Treating Alcoholism

[writeit]

Just starting Topamax

campral anyone?

I'm on Campral and have done better with drinking, don't drink as often or as much, but does anyone know if Topa would be better, as far as the cravings go, or Zolo somethng? What about that? I can go AF like two-three days, then have to have a glass or two of wine. I want somehting that will at least take away the cravings.

[skygal12]

Just starting Topamax

I took Campral and it didn't work for me - I kept drinking. I am on 150mg of Topa and have gone from being a 1.5 - 2 bottle of wine binger to drinking virtually no alcohol (I indulge in a glass once a week) in a little over a month - mostly because I took a long time to up my dosage to the 150mgs. The topa works, I don't care what anyone else says. This is the only thing that has worked for me - I have been asking for years for something to treat the chemical imbalance - I believe the "behavioral" treatment is a sham as well. Stick with the topamax and don't go up on the dosage if you don't have to - everyone is different.

[free bird]

Just starting Topamax

Thanks for the link It's a Miricle. I especially liked what the 62 year-old gentleman who had been drinking most of his life said at the end "I "can't change what I did yesterday, but I can change tomorrow". And something else about all those wasted years.

I have to admit when I first started this program I was all guns out and was looking for a quick fix, only to realize it is a lot of work, but surely worth it....I've once again committed to topo because of all the positive things I read on threads like this. Thank you all. It's not easy, but it is surely not impossible.

[Cinders]

Just starting Topamax

Hi, all.

I have just titrated to 75 mg of topa.

25 mg a.m. 50 mg p.m.

So far on day 11 and doing okay. (Titrated up a little faster than should've but kinda desperate...)

Dealing with depression but not topa related.

I do have skin issues from the topa, little bumps, but well worth it. Hopefully they will go away.

Otherwise, so far so good.

Others, chime in and keep us informed how it is working and what dosage it seemed to "click," okay?

Love,
Cindi

[Its a miracle]

Just starting Topamax

Roberta?s book should be your guide

My experience with Topamax is very early but for what its worth here are a couple points:

1. I really believe it works- I am almost 50 years old and have been a heavy binge drinker for almost 30 years and now the desire to drink is just gone - totally

2. Download or buy Roberta?s book and use it as your guide ? I really think that Topamax may add years to my life and save my failing marriage ? but it is still a very powerful brain chemistry altering drug.

I titrated to 50mg this weekend and went into major depressed zombie mode on Saturday. Fortunately I had fallback positions based on Roberta?s sage advise ? though that the All One Active Seniors would help ? but its not enough. I will continue to use the All One because I need to get my health back after years of neglect.

What really is helping today is a little Adrafinil which I bought and held in reserve. Doing the program right is not cheap - but neather was drinking a sixpack of craft IPA most every night.

At this point I can?t say how thankful I am that I stumbled across this site ? just think that it?s a shame that this program is not being better embraced by mainstream healthcare.

[livingfree]

Just starting Topamax

just adding my experience here - since it's new experience!! I've been on topa for almost 2 weeks - so am at 50 mg 1 x day. (Female, Mid 40's 5'5 - 130 pounds) I had my first missed word event today. A simple word! It was funny (to me anyway). I have NO NO NO alcohol cravings. I drank EVERYDAY for 20 years. The biggest side effect right now seems to be that I am an emotional wreck! I cry and am as fragile as an egg shell. (which I have to say - was as tough as nails before. Don't know if it's the meds - or stopping the al (I also quit smoking) Could be all 3 -- YA THINK??????????? Just thought I'd throw in my early experience! I think I really like the topa. It makes me ... well I can't describe it. I hope the emotions are NOT coming from the topa, but just from coming into reality. Time will tell.

Liv (I'm really Liv - but hoping to Live Free)

[Cinders]

Just starting Topamax

Wow,

I am doing well on the topa, too.

I am not taking the Adrnafil and am finding myself missing words and such but not too bad yet. 75 mg of top after 12 days is probably not too fast, anyway. I'll stick with that for now.

I am pretty excited myself, except that my vits are all on an airplane somewhere. However, I was smart enough to keep my topa with me. heh heh.

Love,
Cindi

I am in my 50s, too, and have been drinking since 16 or so but HEAVY for about two years...

[livingfree]

Just starting Topamax

Question
I have to travel (flying) next month about the time I should be titrating up around 250 (or above if I go that high). Have you noticed any effects when you fly of the topa getting stronger? The only reason I ask is that about 10 years ago I was on Zyban (Welbutan) to quit smoking (the last time I quit smoking) and traveling to the dessert South West made the meds very concentrated in my blood. It was awful. I've been a little nervous about flying with the topa. I would love your thoughts and anyone else who has travel experience with these meds!

[Cinders]

Just starting Topamax

Living,

So far, nothing. Since I travel almost constantly, I'll let you know!!

I think this week St. Louis and next week Columbus. I'll keep you informed.

Cindi

[livingfree]

Just starting Topamax

Thx

Thanks Cindi - PM me if you notice anything unusual - I just looked at the calender and if I go all the way up to 300 - that's the week I go up to 300 - I fly to Fla. Thanks
Liv

[Cinders]

Just starting Topamax

Liv,

I realized last night I was really loopy, so I am going to titrate back to 50 mg for this week -- I was titrating up too fast and will stick with RJ's plan.

(It could easily have been lack of sleep, too, but skin problems have also been bothering me - bumps and extra dry skin may well be related to dehydration, though, remember, when we fly we get dehydrated - remember to ask for WATER instead of anything else when you fly)

However, the topa is helping me HUGELY, guys. I am so excited.

Last time I tried it I did keep drinking, so I can tell you that you can drink through it, BUT if you want to quit, it helps you quit. Does that make sense?

Going back to 50 mg for this week, then 75 mg next week.

Also, remember, drink lots of water!!

Love,
Cindi

[Cinders]

Just starting Topamax

Also, Liv, if you read the literature and the posts around here, you do not need to go all the way up to 300 mg if a lower dosage works.

I believe YoungAtHeart went to 200 mg when she was able to quit, then she titrated back to 100 mg as maintenance.

Paddy did similarly.

Google and read posts. Less is better, if you know what I mean!!

Cindi