Topamax. Worth the SE?

[briseus]

Nothing seems to be sticking.
I wake up in the morning and regret the drinking I did the night before but as soon as 5pm rolls around I am back in the fridge grabbing that bottle of wine.
I just saw my doctor the other day and he said Antabuse might have worked but they don't make it where I am anymore. He also cautioned me about getting it online.
I asked him about topamax and thought he didn't know a whole lot about it he said we could give it a shot. I have heard on here that it has helped some people and have read that it's off label use is used for alcoholism.
I obviously want to stop but these cravings are what kill me and lead me back to the bottle. I do know there is no magic pill here.
I just want to know if you've tried it before and if it helped.
I have heard of so many terrible side effects too. But I really want this quit to stick.
Also, what if you do end up drinking on it. What happens?
Anyways...I am considering filling this prescription along with reading the Allen Carr book.
Any thoughts on topa?

~Bri

[Xadrian]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

briseus;1534896 wrote: I do know there is no magic pill here.

I wouldn't say that too loud. But I'm not referring to topamax, although it seems to work for a lot of people too.

Did you also check out the baclofen threads?

[briseus]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

Sorry Xadrian, what do you mean?

I haven't checked out baclofen, no. Right now I have a script for the topamax. Weight loss as an SE would help me out too that's why I am somewhat drawn to it now. I didn't know this at first.

[Xadrian]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

briseus;1534908 wrote: Sorry Xadrian, what do you mean?

I mean that baclofen has shown some remarkable results in suppressing alcohol cravings effortless.

I did it and it worked for me. Effortless completely indifferent to alcohol.

Regarding the weight loss: I lost 20 lbs in 6 months, but other people on baclofen have gained some weight.

[spacebebe01]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

Hi briseus, siceyou have the script and doctors help to try topamax it would seem to me it makes sense to try that first rather than baclofen I dont see what you have to loose by giving it a go.

What are the awful side effects you have heard about ahving tried both topa and bac in my experience the topa has way less side effects in higher doses there may be some topa dopa which is a loss of words and memory but its not enough to worry about unless it effects your job. There may well be other side effects but I havent heard much about them so dont think they are that common. Heavy drinking has way more side effects to worry about.

The my way out book has info on topa and it also has a recommended dosing schedule for its use for alcohol which is good to stick to the main thing is to start low and not to rush it it is worth spending a few weeks building up to the dose you need because thats the way it seems to work best it doesnt seem to have the same effect if you just jump in at a higher dose.

I was having some success with topa and stopped takingit because of confusion of side effects with the other meds I was taking but it turned out to be a different med that caused it for me anyway so I could have stuck to the topa.

There is a thread called starting topa with a question that is probably the longest thread on MWO, it does have a lot of info and experience4s from people who have used it but also takes quite a while to get through, also it does tend to go from a chat thread as a good few of us have been on there quite a while and then back to a topa/drinking help thread when someone comes in looking for help and support so I think the best thing you could do is go on there and others will chime in to help. It is pretty qiete at the moment tho with people being away or working long hours so try to be patient but I will look out for you anyway.

Good luck

space

[Colin]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

A large majority of the active members in this medecine section are taking baclofen. Of the people taking baclofen most are reporting an easy absence of cravings and almost zero alcohol consumption.
The most commonly reported adverse side-effects are sleepiness during the day and paradoxically, sleeplessness at night.

As another MWO member has written - baclofen is absolutely fucking miraculous. I second that.

There is a ton of information on this site. Begin by looking at the currently active threads.

Here are two papers for you and your doctor:-
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/59463672/Prescribing-Guide-for-Baclofen-in-the-Treatment-of-Alcoholism-Don.pdf
Suppression of Alcohol Dependence Using Baclofen: A 2-Year Observational Study of 100 Patients

[blondie]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

Hi bris

I took Topa a few years ago and I would say it was a magic pill! No cravings - complete indifference to al and no side effects. Also curbed my hunger, so lost weight too. Unfortunately, I started drinking again due to some upsets in life. Second time I tried it, it did cause me to have headaches and a little bit of blurry vision, so I stopped taking it (but my abstinence remained!) I'd certainly give it a go, particularly under doctor. Good Luck!

[spacebebe01]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

Blondie its great that topamax had such brilliant results for you I know it has for others as well and you are right it can be a majic pill.

Bris have you decided what to do yet, have you put the script in. You are very lucky too have the help of a doctor many of us dont, my doctor wont prescribe anything for me for off label use.

Let me know what you decide.

Space xx

[briseus]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

Thank you for everyone's input on this.
I understand that a lot of people swear by Baclofen, but as Spacebebe said, I have the script for the Topa from my doc so will give that a go.
What do you mean though Spacebebe when you said your doc won't perscribe anything for off label use? Do you think it's a wise decision to give this a shot? My boyfriend doesn't agree...he thinks that if I really wanted to quit that I could just do it, but it isn't as simple as that, I don't think.
Thanks for your experience with Topa Blondie, I am excited but scared at the same time. I will be going to fill this script out and give it a chance.
And I agree...there may be SE with Topa, but there are also SE with excessive alcohol use...I already get brain fog from that and all I can think about half the time is my next drink....
Wish me luck. I am optimistic about it. I really hope it helps me out with my cravings.
Thanks!! xo

[Xadrian]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

briseus;1535282 wrote: My boyfriend doesn't agree...he thinks that if I really wanted to quit that I could just do it, but it isn't as simple as that, I don't think.

How ignorant of the boyfriend.
Alcoholism is not a moral lack, but is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Sure you have to give the topamax a try. What spacebebe means is that a lot of doctors are not open-minded enough to prescribe off-label drugs.
You are very lucky to have a doctor that does.

Keep us informed on the progress.
I don't have any experience with topa, but I'm very curious.
Wishing you a lot of success.

[Cinders]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

Bris,

By all means, try the Topa. If it works for you, as it has others, that would be wonderful.

Topa has been prescribed off label for years as a treatment for migraines, so you doctor probably does not need to worry about prescribing it for you off label.

Unfortunately, Baclofen has not been prescribed off label so much and that is a cause of concern for many doctors.

I am allergic to Topa so could not use it. However, while I was taking it, I did notice the Topa Dopa affect but managed to work around it. I also had the lack of appetite, which back then was a bad thing, it would be a good thing today. :-)

Some people experience hair loss from Topa. Try taking a Biotin supplement as you begin your Topa regimen and if that is a side effect for you, it will minimize it. If it isn't an SE for you, you will just grow luxurious nails and hair.

Baclofen has a much higher rate of success than Topamax, and that is why others are suggesting it. But, Baclofen, too, has a plethora of SEs that many of us cannot tolerate.

Take this one step at a time. If the Topa doesn't help, after following the titration, etc, then talk to your doctor about Baclofen.

One other thing I want to add is this: While Topa or Baclofen may help you stop drinking, that is not the only piece of this puzzle. You also have to figure out how to fill the void of not drinking with fulfilling activities, etc, that will allow you to stay sober.

Antabuse has helped me get and stay sober, but I am using AA, Counseling, self-help, etc, to make a life I enjoy leading more than the life I had with alcohol.

Good luck, honey. We all wish happy sobriety for you.

Cindi

[briseus]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

I guess some people such as my boyfriend don't understand that you can't just quit at the drop of a hat. Some people don't get addiction. I also don't think he wants to believe that I have a problem because maybe in a way that hurts him? I don't know.

I filled the script and will start with my dosage tomorrow. I know that this isn't the only peice of the puzzle but there is more to it then that. Trust me. I know. This isn't my first rodeo with trying to quit drinking.
I am optimistic about it. And I will read and educate myself on addiction and fill my time. You're right Cinders.
I did try AA. That didn't work for me. Counselling didn't either and I also couldn't get away from work for it once a week. And I don't drive myself so getting there and back would be a real bitch.
I am highly functioning but I also realize that this is robbing me of my life. I don't remember half of my nights and don't do anything productive except work, drink, sleep over and over again.
Anyways, I will go to the topa as many suggested and check out what's going on there.
Oh, and baclofen isn't my first choice because of the SE and how it'll affect other health problems that I already have. I haven't written it off though.
But I will start with Topa first.
Thanks everyone for th advice and encouraging words. I will keep you posted. )

~Bri*

[zampa75]

Topamax. Worth the SE?

When will people ever understand it is NOT a matter of willpower??? You can have all the willpower you want, but you just can't beat your brain! There's just no contest there!
As for the Topa SEs, it only made me very sleepy in the afternoon, but after two weeks, that disappeared. It also curbed my appetite the first time around - for a while. None of it the second.