Honesty sometimes is the best policy
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3063512/
Improvement of physical health and quality o... [Arch Intern Med. 2008] - PubMed - NCBI
Oral topiramate for treatment of alcohol dependence: a randomised controlled trial : The Lancet
The Topamax Trip. A Forum for everyone including Alcohol cessation. The Topamax Trip Forums There's discussions about alcohol a few pgs back.
Crazy Meds: The Good, The Bad, & The Funny of: Topamax Complete Page If you re-word your google search you will find old forums at crazymeds where peeps discuss the schedule, however imo it's too fast of a titration up.
Topamax to treat alcohol dependence
Hi Winning,
I included some links to Topa if you want or have time to read, but no biggie if you don't. Also a forum just for Topa peeps.
Back in 07-08 my PDr. (same one I have today) started me out on 50mg for two wks at bedtime, then increase to 50mg during day. I too was very scared of Topa. I did follow his RX, but couldn't do the 2nd increase for more then a wk. Just did 25 mg in am. This was my maintenance dose at 75mg. Today about the same.
I'd reached a point I was more scared of dieing, being wet brained, possibly prison. I have two beautiful daughters in their twenties, long time marriage, daughter, sister, grandaughter, friend, worked at diff times outside of home, home owner, blah ~ blah ~ blah. You can't tell by looking at me, or talking to me f2f, well most the time speaking of the later that there's anything diff about me then every body else. I was drinking way too much & had heard scary stories from recovery groups. Yep they are true too!... I was shedding SOME of my denial layers back then. Also times of modding, harm reduction, sipping, gulping, hiding. Tried it all. Life is so much better out of the hamster wheel now!
This time around with Topa I did closer to the MWO titration schedule. Week # 1. 25 mg for two wks . Week # 2. Add another 25 mg. for another 1-2 wks your now at 50 mg. Your now at wk 3 or 4. The slower titration up the better. If you notice tingling in your hands or feet this is generally a good sign. Don't go up to fast with Topa. The most common SE beside tingling is a bit of brain fog, but most of us are used to this from drinking, hahaha or really
((( You can keep increasing at between 15 -25 mg every 1-2 wks. I keep a journal of how it makes me feel. Oh, & the brain fog, or forgetful word here & there for myself tends to go away after about 3-4 wks after ea increase. I just had to go back down to 75 mg. But, I'm 50 so I attribute some of my forgetfulness to this, along with all my drinking days & just plain life. I have no tingling anymore. Pop taste funny, except 7-up, but I rarely drink it. The benefits far outweigh the risks. Drink lost of water with fresh lemon if you can. Helps to detox & return your body back to a state of alkalinity.
There is a Topamax board here under this forum. SunshineDaisy is like the Mother there. She & the other ladies may be of help to you, are all very nice. I thought I had the titration schedule in my e-mail, but I couldn't find it. Its a mess right now. I think it's 25mg increase once per wk up to 300 mg. I'm thankful I never had to go that high. Scares me.
As I said the other day I still crave some days, but it's manageable. My PDr who's board certified in addiction discussed going up to 200mg with me. He's been practicing for 40 yrs. Also on staff at a leading teaching Uni. in USA. I trust him!!!... There will always be differing opinions that's good!!! Science wouldn't be science without thinking outside the box. I'm a big advocate for science & research. Except my drinking LOL.
Also I have this written down in my office drawer so I can find. Here at MWO. Under Our Message Board History ~ Best of Boards ~ Medication. It's 4 pgs I think. It talks about changing dosing times around as Topa can effect peoples neuro transmitters diff. It gives me energy. But, I have thyroid issues. Plus peoples work schedules are diff to. Some people it may make them tired. You just have to try it to know if it's going to work for you. I think 3 months is a fair amount of time. Please don't stop taking it just over a few little side effects, unless its really intolerable & making your life miserable!!!... After all the SE's are minimal for most compared to the harmful consequences of drinking!!!.... Stick it out!!!! From the things I've read it doesn't work as well after starts & stops, unless there's a lengthy quit in between like myself. Were tough people!!!....
Oh & I just found my calendar. Started out taking 25 mg pm to lessen SE's on 3/7/12. Titrated down with beer during this time. Increased another 25 mg am on 3/14 so that was only one wk. I noticed the switch in my brain at 50 mg two days later. On 3/17 had one beer. Increased two wks later 50 am & 25 pm. Was sober almost two months, then had to experiment & do more research. As if I hadn't already done enough of that in my drinking career. Sigh!!!!...................... I drank for ten days, last two heavy again, stopped.
Now sober almost 6 months. But, like I said in my previous post I'm an alkie & one of my problems is I think too much!.... I was afraid of many things, including topa. Look how well it's treated me!!!! Hope it does the same for you!!! I also learned some behavior enhancement survival ~ coping skills along the way from various places. In general for many of us to be successful in AF sobriety, we have to tackle this using many diff approaches. My Topa helps with the physiological part so that I can work on other areas in my life. I protect my sobriety carefully!!! I don't drink today " No Matter What ~ No Matter Who" I can tell you that I think better, I'm happier & healthier than I've been in years. Oh & my family is to. Previously was only able to get short stints without topa after 07-08 when I was on it b4. Longest times were around 103 days. My brain needs the Topa to help re-wire it.
I don't know what your switch dose will be? It's diff for everyone. Keep reg ck ups with your Dr. But, I do definitely understand the fears, the endless ~ repeated torture, the embarrassment to self & family for the gazillionth time!!!! Sigh!!!................ I absolutely know that when I start drinking almost always I can't control my consumption, it controls me. I never know when something bad will happen either, or if I would remember. It's reoccurring & progressive. As we age it wrecks havoc on our bodies even if it's not stealing our souls & spirits. The stupid brain fog on Topa imo go's away as I already said!!! Frankly, I'd rather have that then all the other negatives that coming with drinking poison!!!!
Think of your new journey as an exciting new life, one of where you won't have to live the negative way you lived in the dark abyss of alcohol poison hun. How wonderful your ~ your families lives are going to become. Healthier, happier, contented. Cultivate a positive attitude. Your doing great Winning. If you have any ? you can Pm. PS. Your not a bore!!! It's those other crazy peeps. :H
Good Luck & You Can Do This!!!! Stay Close To MWO. This Place Is Fabulous!!!.......
Take Care,
Wildflowers :h
Winning!;1413050 wrote: At the risk of being a bore, what dose of Topa are you taking and how long have you been taking it? I was NOT able to go longer than four tortured days without wine without Topa. I tried the program for more than a year. I bought the Topa and kept it in my cabinet for more than a month cause I was scared to use it. I went on a huge bender and after embarrassing myself in front of my 13-year-old daughter and husband for the umpteenth time, I woke the next morning, apologized and secretly cut the 25 mg pill and half and took it. No SE but felt "stupid." I did 15 mg for a week and to "celebrate" my sobriety, had so many drinks of wine, I don't remember what I did so, the next morning I upped it to 25 mg and that is where I am at right now. I still have the urge to drink...so am thinking of upping it. I can't have one drink or I'm out of control. Wonder what the "magic" dose is? I see some are successful at 75 mg. Some at 100 mg. Some take more.... Wow, I would have never guess this this would be my journey. I so admire everyone on this site and hope that I can someday be among the senior members and others who are really taking charge of their lives and getting a handle on this. Even if they fail, they are still getting up and starting again. Wow. I'm so impressed. Take care.
Improvement of physical health and quality o... [Arch Intern Med. 2008] - PubMed - NCBI
Oral topiramate for treatment of alcohol dependence: a randomised controlled trial : The Lancet
The Topamax Trip. A Forum for everyone including Alcohol cessation. The Topamax Trip Forums There's discussions about alcohol a few pgs back.
Crazy Meds: The Good, The Bad, & The Funny of: Topamax Complete Page If you re-word your google search you will find old forums at crazymeds where peeps discuss the schedule, however imo it's too fast of a titration up.
Topamax to treat alcohol dependence
Hi Winning,
I included some links to Topa if you want or have time to read, but no biggie if you don't. Also a forum just for Topa peeps.
Back in 07-08 my PDr. (same one I have today) started me out on 50mg for two wks at bedtime, then increase to 50mg during day. I too was very scared of Topa. I did follow his RX, but couldn't do the 2nd increase for more then a wk. Just did 25 mg in am. This was my maintenance dose at 75mg. Today about the same.
I'd reached a point I was more scared of dieing, being wet brained, possibly prison. I have two beautiful daughters in their twenties, long time marriage, daughter, sister, grandaughter, friend, worked at diff times outside of home, home owner, blah ~ blah ~ blah. You can't tell by looking at me, or talking to me f2f, well most the time speaking of the later that there's anything diff about me then every body else. I was drinking way too much & had heard scary stories from recovery groups. Yep they are true too!... I was shedding SOME of my denial layers back then. Also times of modding, harm reduction, sipping, gulping, hiding. Tried it all. Life is so much better out of the hamster wheel now!
This time around with Topa I did closer to the MWO titration schedule. Week # 1. 25 mg for two wks . Week # 2. Add another 25 mg. for another 1-2 wks your now at 50 mg. Your now at wk 3 or 4. The slower titration up the better. If you notice tingling in your hands or feet this is generally a good sign. Don't go up to fast with Topa. The most common SE beside tingling is a bit of brain fog, but most of us are used to this from drinking, hahaha or really
((( You can keep increasing at between 15 -25 mg every 1-2 wks. I keep a journal of how it makes me feel. Oh, & the brain fog, or forgetful word here & there for myself tends to go away after about 3-4 wks after ea increase. I just had to go back down to 75 mg. But, I'm 50 so I attribute some of my forgetfulness to this, along with all my drinking days & just plain life. I have no tingling anymore. Pop taste funny, except 7-up, but I rarely drink it. The benefits far outweigh the risks. Drink lost of water with fresh lemon if you can. Helps to detox & return your body back to a state of alkalinity.There is a Topamax board here under this forum. SunshineDaisy is like the Mother there. She & the other ladies may be of help to you, are all very nice. I thought I had the titration schedule in my e-mail, but I couldn't find it. Its a mess right now. I think it's 25mg increase once per wk up to 300 mg. I'm thankful I never had to go that high. Scares me.
As I said the other day I still crave some days, but it's manageable. My PDr who's board certified in addiction discussed going up to 200mg with me. He's been practicing for 40 yrs. Also on staff at a leading teaching Uni. in USA. I trust him!!!... There will always be differing opinions that's good!!! Science wouldn't be science without thinking outside the box. I'm a big advocate for science & research. Except my drinking LOL.
Also I have this written down in my office drawer so I can find. Here at MWO. Under Our Message Board History ~ Best of Boards ~ Medication. It's 4 pgs I think. It talks about changing dosing times around as Topa can effect peoples neuro transmitters diff. It gives me energy. But, I have thyroid issues. Plus peoples work schedules are diff to. Some people it may make them tired. You just have to try it to know if it's going to work for you. I think 3 months is a fair amount of time. Please don't stop taking it just over a few little side effects, unless its really intolerable & making your life miserable!!!... After all the SE's are minimal for most compared to the harmful consequences of drinking!!!.... Stick it out!!!! From the things I've read it doesn't work as well after starts & stops, unless there's a lengthy quit in between like myself. Were tough people!!!....
Oh & I just found my calendar. Started out taking 25 mg pm to lessen SE's on 3/7/12. Titrated down with beer during this time. Increased another 25 mg am on 3/14 so that was only one wk. I noticed the switch in my brain at 50 mg two days later. On 3/17 had one beer. Increased two wks later 50 am & 25 pm. Was sober almost two months, then had to experiment & do more research. As if I hadn't already done enough of that in my drinking career. Sigh!!!!...................... I drank for ten days, last two heavy again, stopped.
Now sober almost 6 months. But, like I said in my previous post I'm an alkie & one of my problems is I think too much!.... I was afraid of many things, including topa. Look how well it's treated me!!!! Hope it does the same for you!!! I also learned some behavior enhancement survival ~ coping skills along the way from various places. In general for many of us to be successful in AF sobriety, we have to tackle this using many diff approaches. My Topa helps with the physiological part so that I can work on other areas in my life. I protect my sobriety carefully!!! I don't drink today " No Matter What ~ No Matter Who" I can tell you that I think better, I'm happier & healthier than I've been in years. Oh & my family is to. Previously was only able to get short stints without topa after 07-08 when I was on it b4. Longest times were around 103 days. My brain needs the Topa to help re-wire it.
I don't know what your switch dose will be? It's diff for everyone. Keep reg ck ups with your Dr. But, I do definitely understand the fears, the endless ~ repeated torture, the embarrassment to self & family for the gazillionth time!!!! Sigh!!!................ I absolutely know that when I start drinking almost always I can't control my consumption, it controls me. I never know when something bad will happen either, or if I would remember. It's reoccurring & progressive. As we age it wrecks havoc on our bodies even if it's not stealing our souls & spirits. The stupid brain fog on Topa imo go's away as I already said!!! Frankly, I'd rather have that then all the other negatives that coming with drinking poison!!!!
Think of your new journey as an exciting new life, one of where you won't have to live the negative way you lived in the dark abyss of alcohol poison hun. How wonderful your ~ your families lives are going to become. Healthier, happier, contented. Cultivate a positive attitude. Your doing great Winning. If you have any ? you can Pm. PS. Your not a bore!!! It's those other crazy peeps. :H
Good Luck & You Can Do This!!!! Stay Close To MWO. This Place Is Fabulous!!!.......
Take Care,
Wildflowers :h
) To look in the mirror & have regained self respect & renewed confidence in ourselves. All of us together can get thru the hard times to. :l 
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