TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

[rvm14136]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I wanted to share my Topa experience so far:

Male
6'1"
212 lbs
I'm currently on 150 mgs, having stayed on the recommended MWO schedule. I have never really felt any side effects other than a little fatigue. I started taking Topa on August 12 and have lost 8 pounds. I don't really notice a reduction in appetite but I was drinking 10 plus beers a night at least 6 nights a week for years. So far I have AF streaks of 16, 6 and my current one is 6. The only other days I drank were moderate. Prior to taking Topa I could go no more than one day AF. Every now an and then I get a desire to drink but it is not great. I am also taking the supps. I stopped the CD's.

[November]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I am in week three at 75mg. I was thinking at maxing there; no real side effects, but not sure whether I've lost cravings for anything as I'm just trying avoidance for now. Is the goal to reach 100mg or higher until it works for me? I'm female age 45; 135 lbs; walk two miles every day; drink at least 2 liters of water every day and try to live by weight watchers dieting habits. I take biotin milk thistle, kudzu, theragran, glutimate, etc. I also have two young children, so I take other meds for the sake of my sanity; since I've been drinking to take off the edge for over 20+ years, this is not so easy. It has only progressively worsened with age. I really need for this plan to work. It's been difficult to get time (with a 4 yo and 8 yo to have much time for the CDs but I usually fall asleep when I try to listen to them). I just need for someone with some lengthy experience with this to tell me that this works; please...

[rvm14136]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Just wanted to give my Topa update. I had to cut my dosage in half. I was up to 150 and was experiencing some alarming mental lapses when driving and just in day to day living. I originally was going to go AF but found that I have no desire for more than 2 beers at a time and sometimes 1 is just fine. It is a miracle! I was a 10 plus a night beer man for 30 years so this has been a dramatic improvement for me. I'm going to stay at 75 mg for the time being and see how this works. I have one more week on the supps and then will stay with All One. Thank you MWO!
Rob2

[Paddy]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

G'day Rob,

Just watch it when titrating down. 25 mgs over a period of a week. Cutting down too drastically can cause problems. Also, from experience, if you cut down the cravings will come back, so just be prepared.

I tried cutting down a couple of times, I've been on Topa since last February. Now, I'm on 175 mgs. That sort of seems to work for me. Though I added Naltrexone (50 mgs) to the drug diet. Also, make sure you cut off sugar from your diet, meaning no soft drinks, or snacks containing sugar ...

[Paddy]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Dear All,

Just an update, I dropped Naltrexone from my drug diet, as it didn't make a difference, really. The reason why I started drinking again on Topa was the high sugar intake, particularly the Coke intake and dessert intake on a near daily basis. So watch out! Best limit yourself to water .. Even juices have to be watched out for, unless you prepare them yourselves.

[mikediesel]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

May I ask why the high sugar foods/drinks counteracted the affected of the drug i am currently comming down from 300 mgs and down to 200 mg with some massive headaches and stuff my wife says it becuase i dont drink any caffine or sugars. Just want to know before my next drop to 175mgs. thnks for the help

[Paddy]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Mike, I PM'd you

[murphyblu]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I've just started. This is my third day. 25mg topa. I have had no side effects so far. My concern is, my entire life I have always had what most people call palpatations, skipped heart beats. I have them all the time, they don't really bother me, I don't get light headed or dizzy or anything. I afraid if I go up to 50 on the topa they will get worse. Does anyone else have this problem? Thanks.

[Paddy]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Dear Murphy,

I have. But they've gotten bad at 200 mgs. My whole system went bizerk above 200 mgs of Topa. I am now on 175 mgs. That's my ideal dose. I've been taking topa since Feb. 2007.

[Gardening Gal]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

This is a great idea!! I have been on Topa almost 6 mos. I felt all the side effects right away, tingling of extremeties, nausea, (but I ate to settle my stomach so didn't loose weight right away), memory loss, and cravings for alcohol went away. I followed the dosage as outlined in the book. Have just recently increased to 150mg from 100 mg because cravings seem to be increasing. But in the last 6 mos. have stopped at two drinks at social gatherings. The feeling of being "Drunk" is very much a turn off. I am 46 and have lost 30 pounds effortlessly. I still feel tired and am wondering if taking supplements might counteract that. Any thoughts on that?

[nerak]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

My topa experience

Hello, all. I know this thread has gone on a long time, but wanted to add my two cents because it may help someone. When I first started the program I read and reread these posts.

I was on 175 mg of topa, up 25 mg every 4-5 days at a time. I went to see a doctor who told me, at 175 mg. to go ahead and jump to 225 because going up so slowly was not necessary. That weekend, I ran 16 miles, drank two large Starbucks coffees, two Redbulls, three glasses of wine and only one bottle of water. That's when I posted wondering if any one else had ever experienced burning kidneys. By Monday, not only were my kidneys burning, all my organs were burning. I was completely dehydrated. I immediately began deluging myself with water. I dropped down to 175 mg (I had only been at 225 mg for two days).

Here's what I find on the Topa - I have no cravings. They lessened at 150 and are gone at 175. I can enjoy my one drink or no drink. I also am relieved of my OCD. I have even poured out whole glasses of wine (NEVER EVER WOULD HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE - would have drank the whole bottle and started the internal battle over whether to open the next one or not), that I poured out of habit, then didn't want to drink, refused drinks offered by my husband and looked at drinks in the fridge or cabinet with repulsion. The side effects only lasted for about three weeks, were manageable and were nothing compared to being a drunken fool (which I think we excuse ourselves for since we don't have to witness or remember most of). My cognitive abilities were impaired. I tried to stay at my desk more and limit conversations with strangers. My running slowed down for those three weeks. I had been training for a marathon prior to starting Topa - I was a 50 mile a week runner and slept a bit more and cut back to about 30 miles a week, but now that my hydration is back, my mileage is back up, too.

Also, as for supps. Here's a note for anyone with IBS/IBD. I tried them and they don't work. If you have any sort of IBS or IBD, the supps in any combination (and I have tried them in any and all variations) can be deadly. I finally just threw them all out and am sticking with the Topa and healthy diet that I am used to. The only thing that needs to be considered re: diet and Topa is that protein should be limited and Vitamin C and carbs should be increased which is a bummer for muscle mass maintenance and weight lifting programs, but we can't have everything! Somethings gotta give!

I have not lost a single pound on Topa. Now, there's an irony since I run 5-6 miles 5 days a week, one day off and 10 miles on one weekend day. I eat 1200 calories a day and take Allie, lift weights 3 times a week 175 mgs. of Topa. I am 5'5" and weigh 133 lbs., 39 years old female.

Hope this is helpful to someone because so many of you have been helpful to me in ways you don't realize with the information you have posted. Thank you for sharing!! God bless!

[Cinders]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Nerak,

Thank YOU for sharing. A really good post.

5'5" and 133 lbs is pretty damn good!! Especially if you are working out and lifting weights. I imagine a lot of that "poundage" is muscle. GO GIRL!!

I am so happy that the topa is helping you.

Stay strong, be happy and share with us more often,

Cindi

[ggirl]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I've worked up tpto 75 per day (today is the 1st 75 day) just a few side effects - forget a few words, feel a little dopey. But, I had what I think is a real set-back today. I drank 4 glasses of wine! Why? It came out of nowhere (it seemed). I am so bummed cause I was doing so well. It's only been 2 weeks but, maybe this ain't for me???

help

ggirl

[nerak]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

DON'T be bummed

I can't say if it is for you or not...only you and time can tell that. But, I can say that I was still sneaking drinks and telling my husband I had only had one glass up to about 150 mg. I craved up until then. I had control at 150, then could enjoy one or two and a complete lack of interest at 175. I really, really had to hold on tight to ride out the initial titrating up "syndrome" but it was worth it. People can't understand because I look like a health nut and am a sucessful wide-open active mom of 4 on the outside, but just a plain old nut on the inside when it comes to this stuff...LOL. Anyway, for me 75 would be like taking a sugar pill. So, don't be bummed. 75 mg may just not be enough for you. Chin up and hold on while you titrate up. It is so worth it!!

[nerak]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Cindi, thank you for your replies. You helped, saved, me. You were right. I needed AGUA! I wasn't berating my 133 lbs, by the way. Just wanted to let people know that they don't have to worry about losing weight if they don't want to. Some people do, some people don't. I'm not sure why. But, for me, appetite is consistent. Thanks for your kindness! Bottoms up...on the bottle of water, that is!!