topamax is HARD to quit

[melee]

Hey there,

I'm a little frustrated with a recent experience on Topamax. I am horrified that this drug is pushed for so many things.

My psychiatrist tried to get me on all sorts of drugs. having not so great experiences with Lexapro- found it too strong- I felt confused.

My psychiatrist was concerned about Bipolar 3 being triggered by the anti-depressant- which I think is common with Lexapro because it is a strong anti-depressant.

My psych history is all over the place- once my doc labelled me Bipolar 2 "mixed type" which I think translates to very bad depression and PTSD- but you don't have insurance. I really hate psychiatrists. I have PTSD, social phobia. I had been also labelled with GAD, depression and dysthymia, and a dissociative disorder.

Another doctor took over from there, and was surprised I was labelled bipolar since I fall too much on the side of depressed.

The current doc I am seeing tried to see if I am ADD to bipolar- which I think is becoming an increasingly popular- and scary since I think too many people are being labelled incorrectly.

She confirmed that I am socially phobic, and that she wasn't seeing so much bipolar 2-3, but was concerned because I seem hyperactive. I found this odd as I remember sitting perfectly still in a chair as she said this to me.

My doc tried to prescribe a mood stabilizer+concerta combo which I refused- she said so many of her patients did well on it. She assured me I could get a really good job on this combo.

I have issues- I can't deny this. I notice I usually do well with a antidepressant+mood stabilizer combo- one episode responded very well to short term mood stabilizer treatment, and more long term anti-depressant treatment.

So eventually I allowed her to prescribe topamax. She assured me it was a very good drug. However she did not give me much info on the drug.

I had issues as soon as I got above 50mg- with my moods shooting up higher than they have ever before in my life. I felt great. My doc thought the drug was making me go manic.

Topamax is actually documented having done this to people who have no history of mania.

Then my bladder and kidneys seemed to start going within a month. I was at 100mg for only 2 weeks. I was urinating blood, and it was causing me issues at my job.

I started trying to cut my pills in half, and quarters so I could get off the drug slowly. After 4 days of titrating down something terrible happened.

I tried to sleep one night but I was woken by my limbs spasming out. I could not get it to stop. It was horrible. Then I think I actually had a seizure where I lost consciousness. I felt like my body was suddenly freezing, and my teeth would chatter.

I then became to afraid too continue cycling down. I have been taking it very easy since then. I have taken time off work to repair myself.

melee

[creakyneck]

Not quite sure why the doc is giving you Topamax for mood disorders. I'm long term Major Depressive, PTSD too, but never a mention for that purpose. I do take it to control Opthalmic Migraines (Visual Migraines without pain, lasting 20-30 mins.), but Topamax is an anti-seizure med.(used for Epilepsy too), which seems to explain why it works for Migraine related stuff too. It targets the Temporal Lobe, and strange side effects can occur. But off label use for mood disorders is a new one on me.

Creaky

[melee]

Except if you read more carefully- I wasn't properly diagnosed. I feel like my doctor was prescribing, then diagnosing.

[creakyneck]

I think I'm confused now too, but been that way for a long time. As for "on screen Dx"...no attempt made. However at say $100.00/hr, I'd be glad to make time available 24/7...;)

[gizmogirl]

topamax is a good anti epileptic for some people, but you need to have a blood test a few weeks after starting and then again a few months later because there is a not totally uncommon side effect for some people of liver toxicity.
If you need or want to go off of Topamax you have to reduce your dosages at a slow enough pace or you can have bad side effects and even seizures - your doctor can tell you how many days at which doses.
I have found that clonazepam is the mildest anti-anxiety drug I can take without dopiness. You need to take blood tests for it too, although problems are very rare, and only every 6 or 12 months, can't remember which.
Confusion is not a common side effect of lexapro which is a pretty straightforward ssri and 20 mg/day is I think a strong normal dose. You CAN get all kinds of problems with it if you don't titrate smoothly up and down or skip or double up doses.
Good luck and be careful

[melee]

topamax is a good anti epileptic for some people, but you need to have a blood test a few weeks after starting and then again a few months later because there is a not totally uncommon side effect for some people of liver toxicity.
If you need or want to go off of Topamax you have to reduce your dosages at a slow enough pace or you can have bad side effects and even seizures - your doctor can tell you how many days at which doses.


Are you kidding me? Isn't topamax eliminated through the kidneys though, and not the liver? If this is true then I was right to think my doctor was an asshat. Even if this is not true I am still not happy with her, and the whole psychiatry process (HA!). I think she prescribed Topa like candy. She said it was a 'nice' drug.

I am leery of all the off label prescribing too. My doc being as swift as she was prescribed Seroquel to me for anxiety (taken prn)- which can induce a coma like state- VERY BAD for my job. If I wanted I could've been on a stimulant+mood stabilizer combo. I could get a typical anti-psychotic for anxiety had I just said yes. I thought she was nuts.

I had a very bad time quitting. I was at 100mg, and when I tried to taper down I had some really bad side effects. Maybe I went too fast. I honestly don't trust my doctor, and was so frightened by the issues I was having, I just thought tapering off the drug to be best. I didn't have quick access to see her. Psych hospital won't give out information on how to taper either.

My sleep has been a bit wonky right now which is the only problem.

[melee]

creakyneck, I couldn't afford you anyways ;)

[Nana4&cntn]

Hi, Melee

I am also new here. I also am a psych patient, Chronic depression, PTSD, and social anxiety disorder. Hello, I probably have a whole host of other disorders I don't know about. I was a Social Worker prior to having a MVA in 1996 which gives me another bunch of diagnoses. I am very well versed in medications. I would enjoy talking with you in the future.

Kathy