TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

[stellar]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

hi,

i'm 43 and i did this program about a year ago and went on the topamax up to the 300 mg and now am on 200 mg. i lost 40 lbs and feel pretty good but am starting to drink more than i used to before. instead of having only 2 glasses of wine per night i am now having 4 and 5 glasses so now i am begining to worry and am wondering if i should try another drug like the chantix because of the side effects of the topomax. you get used to the side effects of the topomax eventually, but it gets old after awhile. i don't want my brain cells to die or anything like that....hahahhhaaaa.

i feel like there's no hope because of all the pressure in life sometimes, but i know there has to be something out there to curb the craving...

the topomax does work, but it did take the 300 mg for me.... just made me dopey that's all...

[maxi28]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Finally got my Topa in the mail two days ago, and am starting out with 25 mgs a day. So far, it doesn't reduce the craving too much, but beer does taste less "tastey". I get sleepy instead of that "fun" drunk feeling. Kinda wierd. Also, my meds came with no instruction whatsoever, no warnings, no possible drug interaction information. Well, I guess that's what you get when you order from Canada which orders from India, right?

No bad consequences so far anyways. Now, I increase by 25 mgs once a week now right? Just double checking.

Thanks.

[sunny58]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Update

Just started week 6. Was feeling pretty good on the 100 mgs of topa on week 4. Dosed up to 125 mgs of topa last week on week 5 and felt awful. Extremely tired, lethargic, finally felt the dopey effect i've read about from others on this site, just a feeling of overall not feeling good so i dosed back down to 100 mgs. and i'm going to stay here for awhile. I'm still drinking but never more than 2 glasses of wine a night, usually less. I drink much slower. Sometimes I think it's still more of a habit. I'm working out now, which is good for me. I went out on a date the other night and actually went wine tasting and then went for coffee afterwards. Normally I would have wanted to have gone for more wine. It's been a long time since I've been out on a date and not got drunk. It felt great. It was very empowering. This program has been a very big help for me. I never would have thought five weeks ago that I'd be where I am today. Just stick with it and listen to your body and tweek the program to fit your needs. And read alot of these threads. You'll get alot of information from them. I know i did.

:h

[BecomingMeAtLast]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I Am So Disappointed!

I ordered Topamax through the River Pharmacy which is recommended on this site. I'm very much looking forward to trying it after doing research on it, reading the MWO book, and reading posts on this site.

When I placed my order for Topamax, I was psyched to start the program and didn't notice that they take 5 days to process an order then another 18 to 25 days to ship. I didn't expect to wait a month.

What a bummer :damn:
BecomingMe

[juniperbelle]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Hi, Juniperbelle here. I haven't met with my doctor yet about the topo but fear she won't go for it because I'm on so many other meds. I can buy it on the 'net and wonder if anyone else is doing so.
I'm so anxious to get started. I don't drink much and don't have cravings, but I wake up about 2am and can't get back to sleep, so that's when I have a drink or two. So, my drinking isn't about drinking but about sleeping. Those drinks, however, really screw up my mornings. Oh, btw, I'm 62 yrs., 5'5" and weigh 150 and am desperate to weigh 125 or 130 again.

[Deena]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Way to go sunny 58!!! You sound so happy to have a "normal" date!
Juniperbell I sent you a private message with some suggestions for some herbal supplements that might help you sleep instead of alcohol.
Becoming Me - I was also disappointed in the delay in the arrival of the Topa. I ordered the supplements from MWO and they arrived within 3 days. The Kudzu really works for me, I would suggest you start with that!

In the spirit of this thread which has been so helpful to me, I thought I'd post another update.

I leveled out at 100 mgs because the side effects were influencing my performance at work. The "dopa" effect was pretty profound, and my hope was that it would wear off if I stopped increasing my dosage, since many people in this thread said the side effects wore off. While the side effects did decrease in intensity for awhile, then they seemed to increase again. Weird...sounds like livingfree and I must have similar body chemistry!

When my boss expressed that he was concerned, and several co-workers asked if I was OK, I decided I needed to titrate back down off the Topa. It was interesting to me, that all were worried that something was "wrong" with me, perhaps at home, or something was bothering me at work, because I wasn't "myself". My boss did note that I was making more mistakes than usual, and he noticed I wasn't up to par.

Prior to my decision to try Topa, I had already successfully cut back significantly on my alcohol intake using the CD's and the supplements that my body can tolerate. I have been pleased with my progress using this program since December.

I will say this, if I ever get to the point in this battle where I absolutely MUST stop altogether and go AF...I would go back on the Topa. If you are reading this and that is your situation, I would encourage you to try Topa.

If you have a demanding job, do not be discouraged by what I'm typing. I would say titrate up slowly and pay close attention to the side effects. You may have a totally different physical reaction than I did. Feel free to send me a private message, I don't post a lot in the forum, but I do exchange private messages pretty regularly.

This is a very informational thread, Paddy, if you ever stop back, I'd like to thank you for starting it.

[newgirl]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

:new:Just joined and am excited to begin. Your information is very helpful!

[gemmy1]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

How did you decide which meds to take? Been thinking of maybe taking topomax especially since I read about the weight loss. Do I have to get a script from my Dr 1st?
Thx
Bonnie

[CS04]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Easiest way to get prescription for Topamax?

Hello,
Has anyone gotten their Topa through the online/Canadian pharmacies? I checked out the link on the MWO homepage (River-something) -- this sounds stupid but do you still need a dr's prescription, or do you just place the order online? The shipping fees are exorbitant, though....I am also concerned/conflicted because I will most likely need to stop breastfeeding my son, not just becaise of the Topa but some of the supps are also not compatible with nursing.

I have been on these message boards on and off for several years, but never taken the plunge. I bought all the supps over 2 yrs ago, ready to begin the program, but then I got pregnant so returned them all to the vitamin store. My son is now 19 months old and I think I am drinking more now than before he was born. I feel terrible and I need to do something.

Thanks,
CS

[Fresh Hope]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Glad you asked about the Canadian shipping/prescription issue, I would also like to know

[Deena]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I just ordered mine online through RiverPharmacy without a prescription.

[Fresh Hope]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

HI Deena,
Are you in the US or Canada?

[Shaba]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Took topamax for three weeks, side effects were metalic taste, brain fog(which became so bad and embarassing especially when once I struggled to recall a close friend's name, and had to tell her husband, 'your wife' instead of using her name) My skin broke out too and I kept scratching. I had to stop and the scratching stopped, metalic taste gone, I am not so sure the brain fog has lifted, but it's only been a few days.

Age, 39 years old
Height, 5ft 5"
Weight, 55 kgs (120 Ibs)
Dosage, 100mgs a day

I am going back on Kudzu.

[Deena]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Fresh Hope;306534 wrote: HI Deena,
Are you in the US or Canada?

I'm in the US. It takes awhile for it to arrive if you order through RiverPharmacy.

Update: I'm off the topa completely now, and back on the Kudzu and other supplements. Feeling much better, back up to speed at work and my brain is functioning once again. Still drinking moderately, way better off than I was when I arrived in December.

I will say the topa did have a strong effect on my desire to drink, it's more "work" for me to control without it, but I couldn't deal with the side effects.

[bibi]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Just started Topa on Friday, 25mg and am wondering when most of you started noticing side effects? I'm new to MWO, female, 5'5, 142lbs, 63yrs old.