TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

[Dolly Sunshine]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

It is a nasty word. I think the worst.

[loran]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Getting Topamax

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Hi There

I can totally understand your frustration about not getting a prescription for Topa. Most doctors have no clue what its like to battle with addiction and they stick to the same old prescriptions and treatments they've been giving to patients since they started practicing ages ago!

I gave my doctor a copy of the section on Topamax from Roberta's book and asked for a prescription. He had no idea that it could be used for alcohol abuse. Afterwards, he phoned me to thank me for the information and is now prescribing it to other patients!

Have you read the book? I can provide you with information to give to a doctor. Hopefully, his ego will not stand in the way of your desire to help yourself.

Hang in there. You're going to make it!

Loran

[Fresh Hope]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

7catsfortea,

Death threats and malevolent debasing terms...not what anyone needs to read or might find helpful.

I too have rage and irritation, but there is a line we all must try not cross.

I hope you get the help you want and soon.

I am very sorry for your pain and dissatisfaction.


FH

[Its a miracle]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

frustration obtaining Topamax via prescription

Why would you try in frustration for 19 months to obtain it via prescription when it is readily available on the Internet? Seems the logical course of action when they waste your time would be to circumvent the system. Sure its more expensive without insurance but probably no more so than what most hard core drinkers (like myself) spend on alcohol. Just my humble opinion.

[mikediesel]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

why be frustrated

have you tried another doc?
i was worried i went in with a copy of the book and asked and my doc never heard of it either so i showed in the the book where it had been used successfully to help those who want help. and he left the room for what seem like an hour with the book and came back with the script. when i moved i once again had to go in to a new doc and explain im a drunk this will fix me i need the script. and he gave it to me. don't go in and try to trick the doc into why you need it tell them you drink to much and this will help show him the book as the case studies. (damn One Run on Sentence) And if he dont play go to the next one.
like those other guys say kiss it (keep it simple stupid)

[myirishluck]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

This is my first post...hope I do it right! I plan to start my Topa in a few days. I have everything else the program calls for, and am wondering if Adrafinil is available @ local pharmacies? I'm worried about the fog/concentration issue as people's safety depend on my decisions at work.

[Larisa]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I wasn't able to find Adrafinil locally, but I get it in about 1.5 weeks when I order online. I get it from Home - Biogenesis AntiAging.

[shirazgirl]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

just started

On my 17th day of Topa. Up to 50 mg...afraid to take more. Makes me a little zombie like and have to double check my work (I'm in law). I'm very, very, irritable and I believe it is because the Topa washes away the excess dopamine that give us alcoholics the need to not have an off switch, so sometimes theres none left for us to be normal I have CRAZY dreams and have a hard time getting up ( I am taking 5mg of ambien at night or else I can't fall asleep). I got my meds online but have an appointment with my physician on Monday and decided to confess my little endeavor as a self appointed physician. I'm going to ask for some anti depress to maybe negate the effects of the topa so maybe me and my new husband of 5 weeks will like me better.

Now for the good news.. I have not been DRUNK in 16 days ( I had one slip in the beginning). I have had a few days of AF because I simply had no DESIRE to drink and on many nights I have had the same glass of wine for three hourse because the little bell in my head was not ringing to pick it up. Forget beer, it tastes like drinking liquid aluminum and thank goodness, I never hit the hard stuff. This stuff works, although the side effects are difficult. It is a struggle, but I prefer this to the mornings of self loathing and having to go through my phone the night before to see who I drunk dialed and the embarassment that followed. God Bless all of us.

[myirishluck]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I am on day 5 with Topa (50mg in AM 50 mg in PM) and sleeping like a baby. The brain fog & lack of concentration is bothersome, but I believe it is because I have not brought myself to complete abstinence yet. My taste for beer is certainly decreasing as the dosage increases though. I don't know if I will be able to handle the full 200mg dosage. Has anyone else continued to drink while taking Topa? I'm drinking much less, but still feel I shouldn't be. Please leave me a private message with your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

[Its a miracle]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Increased irritable on Topamax

Shirazgirl ? interesting observation on the increased irritable and decreased presence of dopamine because of the use of Topamax. I too noticed this side effect. I always chalked it up to the grieving process that accompanies giving up or reducing the use of alcohol. Jack Mumey wrote some good books where he draws that analogy ? we are losing are best friend in alcohol and need to go thru all the steps - including anger.

Fortunately many on this site have found most side effects like the increased irritability to lessen over time. Best of luck and please update us on your progress.

[juniperbelle]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

grieving over losing best friend

I am stunned, amazed, and relieved by this thought! I have been trying to give up alcohol for several months (with several significant backslides after extremely stressful periods in my life), and the resulting irritability has been driving me absolutely crazy. Thank you so very much for bringing this up. This explains my out of control anger this past month!

I take mood stabilizers for my bipolar disease and thought the things had just stopped working. :thanks: I can't thank you enough for this very helpful thought. :goodjob:

[juniperbelle]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Oh, PS. I am trying to stop drinking without taking Topo. I already spend so much money on medicine, so I don't want to add yet another one. Mixed results so far on going cold turkey. Thank God I just completely zonk out and don't call anyone, but I had a near miss picking up my husband at the airport several weeks ago. Did damage to the car and was lucky no one saw me trying to drive. Hubby can take a taxi home from the airport the next time he arrives at 2am.

[rightmind]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

This forum has been informative and motivating because I really didn't know what to expect, especially from the Topamax. It sounds like some people have early "off" switches, and others have later ones. So far, the Topamax just makes me really, really tired. Maybe I just have a dimmer switch. Dimmer would be okay, because I don't even want to go AF, but I'm starting to lose my enthusiasm for the program. The community support that I see on this forum, however, seems like it could make a difference and help keep up the momentum.

[julie001]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I have been taking the topa for about two weeks and agree with the whole fatigue aspect, but I think that I am willing to struggle through this phase to forego drinking on a daily basis. I hope the sedating affect will diminish as time passes. Don't give up on it yet. From what I have read, a lot of the side affects lesson as time goes on. I absolutely agree with you that this site is a great place. With or without the aid of Topamax, just the support, understanding, and sense of humor that you get here helps with the struggle. Good luck!

Julie

[lookingforfreedom]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I don't have a problem with counceling, because I feel it doesn't hurt to talk about the things that have hurt or that are unresolved but....I have done counceling, but it hasn't helped control the drinking. That's what I need now and debating taking Topa without a RX.