TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

[Croft]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Man the BEER tastes horrible on Topo!!!!!

[dj0062]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Got my Topa today and will start tonight. Am a little apprehensive about the side effects but maybe trying this very slowly, I have got my fingers crossed and my battle plans at hand (lol). Dr. said to do 25mg for 1 week at bedtime (which might help some with the sleeping problems, then the next week I will stuff two pills in DH's nose and that will help my sleeping as well :H ) then 50 mg for another week, then we will see if it is helping or not. She did give me more though (so giving me more liberty on the titrating?) She is a new dr. for me. (Note: I am just kidding, DH won't go back to Dr. for his problem)
I don't take any other meds, just some of the supps recommended from this site. I ran out of the milk thistle (forgot to ask Doc about!), when I went shopping last week at Wallyworld, they were completely out?? hmmm. I asked about the GABA supp. and she said probably should stop that while taking the Topa. I don't think it was helping anyway. I do not think the Kudzu was helping me either.
Stats. female, 46 (gulp), and (these pants are getting too tight) 150 lbs.

[Deena]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Good luck! I lost a total of 7 lbs on the Topa, and haven't gained any back since going off it. I think your idea of going slowly is a good one.

Interesting that your Dr. didn't think the Gaba was a good idea...I took it for awhile, but I'm not taking it anymore, I got some kind of "RUSH" when I took it that I didn't like. I'm now just taking the Kudzu (it does help me) Milk Thistle, Calmes Forte and the All One every other day, not daily.

[Cinders]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

DJ,

then the next week I will stuff two pills in DH's nose and that will help my sleeping as well

Oh, that was so funny!!! I can totally relate.

Thank you for a good laugh. It was so welcome.

Cindi

[dj0062]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Thanks Deena and Cyndi,

I am not sure why the GABA or Kudzu is not helping me. I am a bit confused at this point. Doc said she did not have much experience treating AL. I think I stay on the low side of dosages ( chickensh*t that I am - lol ). Anyway, will keep the stats posted, esp. on the side effects. I think it will be a short ride to topa dopa for me - :H. Oh I forgot, height is 5'6".

OMG, middle of the night I will wake and wonder it that a human next to me??!!
And he always says "why don't you wake me?". (yeah right)

[Im Almost There]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Hey everyone! I just thought I would post my experience with topa thus far.

I started my topa a week ago. I was sitting outside drinking a beer when my mail came. I took my first 25 mg dose right then and there. I literally could not finish my beer. It was amazing to me that it changed the taste of beer that fast. I was, however, able to drink a goodly quantity of wine that night. I didn't seem to notice any other side effects until the 5th night. We had a friend over and I drank 3 glasses of wine. When I woke up I felt like I had been drugged. Not hung over(headache, dehydration) - drugged. It took awhile to snap out of it, but I did. I am starting to notice that I am not nearly as interested in when I can pour that first glass of wine. I'm taking the kudzu, and vitamins. At this point I am very hopeful.

[dj0062]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Hi IAT,

Thanks for the update! Are you still at the 25 mg?

Also, I would like to say thanks to everyone who has posted on this site - because I have learned a lot (although may not posted much) and wish everyone the best.

[CW]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Happy Orthodox Easter

I just discovered this site. I've heard that Varenicline, initially used to quit smoking, has also a 50% success rate with alcohol addiction. I came to Beirut from China via India and it is not available yet in these countries. Topamax is, so my doctor prescribed it along with neurobion, concentrated B vitamins, and valium. I took 25 mg. twice daily the first week, then 50 mg. for a month. I did not lose my appetite or my craving for wine, but the valium did reduce my desire to drink during the day, though I primarily drink in the evening. I still drank over a bottle a night, and got up to two. I was told that I couldn't drink while taking Topamax or it wouldn't work. But when I returned I was prescribed another month's supply. It is very expensive here. The doctor said nothing about increasing the dosage. I have yet to buy them again, since they had no effect last month.

I find that the valium still helps, though it is addictive. Beta blockers also help by reducing benign tremors in my hands and generally have a calming effect. I stocked up in India because they are very cheap there, so I've just started taking them again instead of valium.

I'm considering going back to Asia to teach, and wouldn't be able to get any of these aids there, so I'm staying in Beirut for now. I'm wondering if I should give Topamax another try. :new::new:

[Jaded]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Welcome CW...:welcome:

I have never herd of Varemicline so I can't help you there as far as the Topamax I have not recieved mine in the mail yet but from what I've read here it's a try and see...there seams to be so many different views and reactions to it.

Can someone tell me about Adrafinil..can I get that on line? :thanks:

[Paddy]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Hi CW,

I had been on Topa for a year and it helped me kick the habit. I've been off the booze for 5 mnths now. I also (gradually!) stopped Topa and am back to my usual self. At times, I feel the craving for a glass of bubly but it's getting rarer and rarer. So Topa's the way to go, but at the same time psychological treatment should be added.

Paddy

[Suburbmom]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Liver Damage

Does anyone know how Topa effects someone with liver damage? My husband was told by his doc that his liver enzymes were pretty elevated, so we are concerned about it and he doesn't want to go to the doc. I myself, am. We are both bad alcoholics and need to do something. I have ordered starter kits for both of us.

[Bambi]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Hi SuburbMom and welcome,

I am not a doctor, just a regular person on this site like you. But I don't think topa is recommended for people with liver damage. Topamax side effects can do damage to the liver...but again, you might want to do some further research on this. Search topamax on this site and google it for more info if you don't want to contact you Doctor. Many of us do order off line....myself included without even going to the Doc...yikes! The topa does help but it is not a magic pill, even with the topa it takes alot of willpower, determination and strength! There are other anti craving meds...campral being one of them and I am not sure how that one effects the liver.

However, good job on ordering the supplements. That is a great first step! They really do help! The milk thistle alone can start repairing the liver damage. That along with the other supps help with depression, anxiety (which drinking just causes even more...) and over all health benefits that the drinking took away from our systems. Those together with the L-glut and Kudzu will help with some of the cravings but remember this just like a diet is a LIFE STYLE CHANGE so you both have to be willing and ready to stop!

Best wishes to you both. This is a great web site full of information and support!
Keep reading and posting....
Best Wishes and Hugs,
Bambi

[Larisa]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

This thread gives me such hope! I ordered my topa from River last Sunday. I'm going to die of impatience before it gets here!!!!

[Larisa]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Most people seem to get the foggy head when going on Topa - can anyone tell me if they tried the Adrafinil and if it helped?

Thanks!

[sidney]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I haven't tried it but the Topa doesn't make me as stupid and foggy as a hangover and the booze did when drunk. I find the side effects get less the longer I am on it. And I am 32 days AL free a miracle.