Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

[DizzyBee]

A friend of mine had to just go off Topa as she was simply losing too much weight. Now, although I know many women will kill to lose weight this is a serious problem for her and her health was taking a knock. The problem is that since being off the Topa she is depressed and drinking more.

Is there anyone out there that can offer advice on how she can reintroduce the Topa and yet keep her weight up? And yes, she is eating sufficiently and has tried eating a lot more, so it's not quite as simple as that.

Thanks,
DB

[StuckinLA]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

Oh rats, I really wanted to just say eat a ton of Subway sandwiches...

But seriously, maybe protein shakes? As in the hardcore ones for serious body builders?

Some of those can get into the several-thousand calorie range. 2 scoops of powder, milk, a banana, perhaps some frozen fruit (taste, fruit-goodness, and the frozen part turns the whole thing into a milkshake/smoothie consistency). I like to add a spoonful of peanut butter, and every once in a while even a scoop of raw oats--though that can get a little annoying sometimes. EDIT: throw all that in a blender...

Anyway, what you've got is a healthy, lean, calorically heavy drink that also tastes really, really good. There were days when the only reason I worked out was for the shake afterwards. (And what's truly funny is that my favorite part of the day was sitting post work-out with a shake and a cigarette.)

Might be worth a shot...

[WaitingToExhale]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

Diz ? Thank you for starting this thread! You are SUCH a love.

I am all ears to anyone that can help me! I was doing SO GOOD on Topa until this ?.

I take All-One every day with added fruits. I am eating as much as I possibly can ? but it seems to go ?POOF?.

Thanks for the input Stuck ? I need to shop for ?something more? I guess. I can?t get those drinks down such as Ensure to gain weight. UGH. I am still losing weight and stopped the Topa weeks ago now. I will take your advice. And you made me laugh with working out and then having a smoke.!

WTE

[Wildflowers]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

Did u try the vanilla flavor Ensure? I heard the chocolate one tastes yucky. What about adding water soulable fiber, like Metamucil to help with the "POOF" problem?

Oh & I don't know if this will help you, but when I go thru periods of not wanting ta eat, sometimes I eat soda crackers & it seems ta stimulate my appetite & also makes my tum tum feel better.

I e-mailed our Ins, agent friend yesterday, (Not licensed in Cali.) he only has his blackberry with him. I will be gone most of this wknd out hiking, fishing, maybe taking a dip, might even blow up the raft. I will try ta get on here, if he gets back into town & has anything relevant ta say, I will PM ya.

PS. My nephew lives in San Diego. Friends with JJ. Hope ya feel better soon!.... If ya don't, maybe go back on Topa low dose. Like I said yest, I think ya came off the Topa to fast, rebound effect, maybe just go back on low dose......

[StuckinLA]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

Oh, yeah that's the other thing. With protein powder/shakes only ever get the vanilla.

[baclofan]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

Hi Dizzy, she's depressed, wants to get back on topa without loosing anymore weight...actually to gain weight while on topa and quickly to overcome depression...

Just one word if I may...Remeron/ Mirtazapine all the way :happy:

Edit: Some people swear that it's not just super appetite booster, they say even if they watch their diet they still gain weight due to suspected slower metabolism caused by mirta.

[DfromCT]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

I've never been on Topa, b/c my doc, an addiction specialist, wouldn't give me the Rx. Said the "dope-a-max" SE's would be extremely detrimental to my job performance. I've been on Naltrexone for a week, along with the rest of the Vits/Supps that MWO program entails, minus the Magnesium (cant swallow the pills, even if I break them, they make me gag or worse.) I had about 48 hours of no appetite, but since then (and learning to take my "meds" after eating!) have been eating well. I'm losing some weight, which I can afford to lose, but that's primarily due to the calories my body was used to from an average of 10 Heineken's/day, plus the 1/2 pt. of tequilla 3x/week.

I think the Naltrexone, which is often used during moderation programs (I think there's one called the Sinclaire Method?) is better for the health of the brain. I've heard no complaints of withdrawl from the Naltrex, but I havent been looking, either.

Then again, I'm no expert, just someone that's 7 days into Naltrex treatment. My advice is to BE SURE TO HAVE A DOCTOR work with you. Internet advise, including what I offer in this post, should be taken with a grain of salt.

GOOD LUCk.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

Hey, WTE.
I have no idea how or where you are, in terms of the rest of the stuff, though I've read back a little on the topa thread and it looks like you've got your plate full! (No pun intended! :H)

If you really are ingesting enough calories to gain weight (say, the way a sumo wrestler might try to gain weight--two chickens, 6 pounds of bacon and 17 gallons of milk at a time) (why is that they never eat chocolate?) Anyway, if you are taking in enough calories and you are still actually losing weight, it might be a really good idea to see the doctor. Soon-ish.
If it's a matter of appetite or taking the time to eat, then please disregard! (Maybe. The appetite thing can be a quandary, too.) And I can relate! When I get stressed, food is really unappealing. Unless it's covered in chocolate.

[WaitingToExhale]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

Thnak you ALL for the info ...

Baclofan: I AM going to ask the DR about Mirta. Still have weeks to go before I can see him. Curious hor your "testing" ended up?

DfromCT: I tried TSM for over a year. And while my cravings/drinking dropped in about half, I finally gave up. You may want to visit the TSM site and stay in touchover there - lots having success. Many of left a long time ago and gave up. It makes sense in my head, I just don't think it works for "non-bingers" like me.

Hey Eva! Yep, have a DR appt but it got set back to the 30th. UGH. PART of it is not eating as much as I maybe should, but even doing so ... pounds are going poof. Trying hard and have done well the past couple of days. Yep - stess=no desire or energy for food. YES! I have a silly plate full right now.

Hugs to all. I may get the courage to weigh myself today. =)

[baclofan]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

oh well looks like my post somehow got lost :upset:

[baclofan]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

WTE,

:happy:

WaitingToExhale;1350386 wrote:

Baclofan: I AM going to ask the DR about Mirta. Still have weeks to go before I can see him. Curious hor your "testing" ended up

Actually it's a fabulous ongoing experience . I sincerely hope that you/ your dr give mirta a chance...!!!

BTW, mirta is not just a perfect solution for weight loss, it's the best antidepressant 'outthere'...with only one main SE: could (will) cause (rapid) weigth gain.

Edit: certain members of this forum (i.e.): Otter, Greg mentioned unique antidepressant qualities of mirta whithout mentioning SE, some other Space & Paula liked it with the exeption of weight gain.

Tons of positive info on net, with the exeption of sudden severe weight gain.

I guess it's time for me to stop pushing mirta even tho I had most sincere intentions :happy:

[baclofan]

Any advice for someone who just keeps losing too much weight on Topamax?

One more important thing WTE, if you interested in mirta script would be very 'wise' to mention sleep problems...
Once I added that to the depression anxiety & loss of appetite...an instant word of my Pdoc was mirta..with the explanation that it should help with all my symtoms including sleep problems and that he'd rather avoid prescribing me sleeping pills per se.