TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

[vino_grrl]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

so far, a week on and no effects at all (slightly reduced drinking ... no side effects). i didn't want it on my record either so bought from river pharmacy rather than through my pharmacy/insurance. but that was @ low dose (25 mg a day). i go up to 50 mg tomorrow. i'll let you know how it goes.

[living proof]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Today is Day 13 for me on Topa. Bought it from River Pharm. I started for 4 days at 25 mgs. then 4 days at 50 mgs. then 3 days at 100 mg. now I'm going to be on my 2nd day of 150 mgs. I have not had ONE SINGLE SIDE EFFECT YET. No tingling, no headaches, no lost words (and I've really been paranoid about that and watching myself), maybe a slight strange taste when I drink from a metal can as I usually treat myself to one diet soda a night. ANYWAY, what I have noticed is this. . . . I have noticed that my depression has been greatly relieved and is on a much lighter level than I can remember it being on since I can remember. I am not tired either. I am still exercising regularly. I am amazed. So far so good. I have a bit of a strange story as I have been AF for nearly six months. But I am taking NO changes with upcoming cravings that may arise during the holiday season. I have done so well and come so far, I am not going to trip up now. I am so determined. I am safeguarding and very pleasantly surprised at how Topa is making me feel. I am treated already with Lexapro daily on 20 mgs. the addition of the Topa seems to be a very magical blend for me. I am very pleased.

[surfjon1205]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Been on Campral about 3 months, but have been drinking anyway,

had started Topa about 6 months ago, but I got the typical side-effects and a general slow brain operation. I know why they call it "Dopamax".

Still have alot left so think I'll try it again with the Campral and see what happens.....

[Boots]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Hi! New to the site, I'm on my second week of topa. The anti cravings kicked in about
the third day but I upped my dosage this week and my cravings have come back the last
two nights. Any one experience this? Also, sorry, what is an AF?

[Fresh Hope]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

AF is alcohol free ...cannot speak to the Topa Good luck!

[vino_grrl]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

ok, up to 50 mg for nearly a week and whoa ... shedding hair like nutso (my brush is full daily) and my hair texture is super weird/dry no matter how much conditioner i use. but wow, hard to believe. drinking lost its interest already. i'm shocked! i had one (just one!) glass last night. then quit (me! i NEVER quit!) and changed to tea (me? i NEVER change to tea!!!) the wine just didn't taste that great and the topa made me feel a bit dehydrated, so tea just sounded better. there was no craving for more wine. there also was no craving for food either (no snacking into the night as i typically would do). i had read what others wrote but thought to myself 'hmmm ... somehow i just can't imagine feeling that way.' but i feel that way. i think i've decided that i'll wear a wig if it comes to that if it means i can feel this casual about wine.

[vino_grrl]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I seem to be the only one still posting on the survey, but here goes! Biotin and selenium really helped with the hair issue, so that's back under control it seems. I kept going up to 75 mgs (still managed to have a lapse at that level), then up to 100 mgs (50 mgs am, 50 mgs early pm). I have one drink with dinner, enjoy it. Think about having a second. Never get around to it. Sometimes I don't bother to have anything @ all. So strange. At holiday parties, I do have the second. That's fine by me ... and the behavior I was hoping to achieve. A far, far cry from where i was (a bottle of wine a night; at parties god knows what I'd consume!)

Aside from hair loss, I've had some dopa issues (had one awful night where I ran out of gas in a rainstorm with my toddler in the car when I KNEW i was out of gas and was on my way to the gas station then drove right past it because I forgot where I was going, then proceeded to lose my cell phone in my confused haze; don't want to repeat that night again!), but they seem to be improving. a little tingling in the feet but no big deal. i wish i'd lose some weight. ;-) i seem to be starting to lose a little now that i'm on 100 mgs ... down about 4 lbs. we'll see.

[mikediesel]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Well i still read most of the post on this branch and i'm om my way down from 300 mgs a day. I drink maybe a beer or a glass a wine every week or 2 either watching a game or with dinner and thats about it and thats down from a 12-pk aday (during the week 18 ore more a day on the weekend) so its way doable and i took the attitude that whatever the side affects were of topa they were not half as bad as the beer. you figure that each drink is roughly 100 calories useles calories so i cut out 1200 usless calories a day and lost 15 lbs not from the topa but simply from not drinking. i started working out out out again an i feel better i kicked this drinking thing im back down to 150 mgs of topa a day and no slips.
and that so far is over an 8 month adventure i had slips up to 200mgs. and that was my magical number i did 300 mgs a day for about 3 months.

Now i gotta deal with the reasons i drank in the first place has anybodyelse noticed the feelings that come rushing in memories and things that you havent thought about in years. i dont see how counseling would work its not going to change what happened in the past to cuase me to drink. i just want to know how to shut these memories off? any suggestions?

[MarinaBlue]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I have been following this thread for a while and it's been a very inspiring and hope-giving read. I'm a long term wine-lover, but it's been making me too sick and tired lately so it's time for me to cut down big time. Only it's soo hard to do specially at around 6.30 when that chilled white beckons from the fridge!!

I've now finally started topa, 25mg for four days, then 50mg four days, today is my first on 75mg. I've been taking it all in the afternoon. I have definately noticed a change in the cravings, a kind of subtle lessening of the amount I down in the evening and the time it takes to drink a glass of wine. Normally i could easily gulp one down in ten-fifteen minutes but the other evening i noticed i COULD not finish the glass in one hour. Had to leave it behind on the table as the movie was starting! But I still drink, and last night I drank more than I wanted, so I really really hope that the effect will increase as the dose goes up....

I have not had any side effects at all except perhaps a bit of a metallic taste, but nothing unpleasant so far.

Let's keep this thread going!!

Blue

[CaptJBean]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

This is a good thread and it should not just die off. It's taken me a long time to slowly increase the Topa. I would get depressed then I can get weepy. So I have slowed it down. I have only upped it to 125mg today. I could be up to 275... It's ok that I'm going up slow. I've only notice a little hair loss this past week. Sometime my memory gets a little forgetful. But who care. I still drink more than I want. I lost some weight, but put it back on. I was doing great until the last three week were stressful and it all went to hell in a hand basket. So the same things that made me drink and gain wt in the past... started again. So in that manner therapy is helpful. I might try to add another 25 this afternoon. I also do the supps. I might try to work harder on that.

[MarinaBlue]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Dear mikediesel

It sounds as if you're doing really really well on the topa and in general. When I read your post, it reminded me of these memories I was 'dealing' with up to a year ago which coincided with when i also first seriously confronted my drinking. Well the reasons for drinking in the first place had to do with something really traumatic that happened to me a long time ago. I saw an addiction specialist who treated me with something called EMDR which dealt with the root of the problem. It was great. Since then I haven't had any reoccuring memories or nightmares etc. EMDR stands for Eye movement desinsitisation reprogramming. You can look it up online if interested.

[MarinaBlue]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

Looks like I'm the only one posting on this thread at the moment but oh well...here goes..

Topa= good news for me so far!! been taking it in slowly titrating doses, am now on 100mg. I had no side effects up to 75mg at all but now there is definitely a buzz in my feet on and off - but not too bad. And I've lost loads of weight, which is very cool indeed!! The drinking has gone down but not gone. I'm still enjoying the taste of white wine but can't tolerate red for some reason!? very weird used to love it! Also hate the taste of beer now. Well, it all makes it a lot easier to drink less than I used to ( around 1-2 bottles of wine EVERY evening) now 3-4 glasses. Hoping to cut down further of course

Hope you all are having a great and peaceful christmas holiday!

Love Blue

[Deena]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I'm glad this thread is still "alive"...for one who has ordered Topamax, it's helpful to read about everyone else's experiences in preparation for my own experience.

Thanks to all who have posted here, it is very helpful!

[Fresh Hope]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I always read this thread too. I think about Topa, but wonder how it will combine with Zoloft and wellbutrin. I hope to be off the Zoloft by spring but want to take the topa sooner. I am afraid to speak with my Doc about it because I don?t want to be ?watched?.
I would love to hate the taste of beer and red wine, don?t like white for some reason. I read so much about the joy and freedom of being AF ...thanks for posting on this thread:thanks: it is getting me closer to AF and gives me much hope and optimism. Happy New year !! I built a snowman today with my college age children.

[rvm14136]

TOPAMAX SURVEY - DOSAGE/LENGTH OF TIME/SUCCESS

I was on Topa from August to November. It worked very well for me. I was able to sustain on 50 mg. 100 mg made me a zombie. I was a 10 plus beer a night man and went down to 2 a night. I also lost 12 pounds. At the end of November, I decided to go off Topa and it's been downhill since. I'm up to 6 drinks a night and have gained some weight back. I'm going back on Topa today and will probably take it forever.

Rob2