Well, I started Topamax!

[born2swim]

I added Topamax to my routine last night. I took it a few hours before bed because Moonheart said it could be sedating or energizing...

Verdict... boy was it energizing. I felt like I was on a caffeine rush. My heart was racing a bit and I was flying around my apartment doing stuff. I was able to fall asleep around 1:30am and got a phone call around 9:30am that woke me up. So, it didn't give me insomnia or anything... but I woke up and am still on that same "rush". It feels dangerously close to an anxiety attack, so I have to be careful to not let my mind trick itself into thinking that. I wanted to feel less fatigue, but I don't want this caffeine buzz permanently! I wonder how many days until it calms down...

They started me on 25mg and in 2 weeks I have an appointment with lab work.

I sure hope this helps me! So far, no concentration or memory issues. If anything, I am more intense at doing things, focusing harder than I have been the last several months with all these IC meds. My Atarax may have that benefit to calm me down a bit. I have a liquid form that I take 3 times per day but cut it back to bed time because it was making me groggy during the day. I took it this morning for sure! LOL!

Wish me luck on Topamax!

[leelee88]

It did the same for me at first at 25mg then it calmed down..Then when I went to 50mg well there I went again, but it subsided to, thats why I am glad I am going up slowly. I could not of handled it all at once..Glad you are going up slow to. GOOD LUCK! ..

Ronda

[born2swim]

I'm glad to hear it calmed down for you! I have had anxiety attacks before (due to overloading my body with caffine... 8 cups of coffee every day in high school) and this isn't a good feeling per say. It's not quite the same feeling, but the rapid heart rate and faster breathing made it feel like anxiety. Again, glad to hear it doesn't last! I'll be on 25mg for 2 weeks then discuss increasing it if need be!

[leelee88]

If possible when you get like this just relax.. I would just sit down for a few min and take a few deep breaths..Take a deep breath through your nose and exhale through your mouth slowly..Thats if it gets to bad..That only happened once for me, but that was because I was cleaning so much and would not stop..lol.. I learned my lesson on that one...Take care

Ronda

[LeeAnn]

...

Yeah it kind of gives me this weird quivering feeling in my abdomen and chest but it doesn't bother me. I sometimes put my husband's hand on me and say, "Can you feel me shaking?" He can never feel it. So it's either subtle or it's just my imagination. LOL.

[born2swim]

Well, the second night was not nearly as energizing!

[LeeAnn]

that's good

That's good Alyssa,
I'm crossing my fingers that it will work just as good for you as has for me. And that we don't build up a tolerance to it..........

[leelee88]

well i am glad its not as bad tonight

[Moonheart]

If possible when you get like this just relax.. I would just sit down for a few min and take a few deep breaths..Take a deep breath through your nose and exhale through your mouth slowly..Thats if it gets to bad..That only happened once for me, but that was because I was cleaning so much and would not stop..lol.. I learned my lesson on that one...Take care

Ronda

ROFL!!! Remember the post where I was gardening and you were like "Slow down Moonheart, your making me tired!!!" ROFLMBO!!! :woohoo:

[born2swim]

Ok... so you said that Topamax can be a diuretic? My frequency/urgency is worse. It's been 3 days. Is it a temporary thing? I'm going as often as before, but the volume has increased drastically and so the urge has increased drastically.

I'm scared to keep taking this... each day has been worse...

[LeeAnn]

Oh no! This didn't happen to me. I didn't know it was a diuretic. Is it really? I never heard that. Topamax doesn't do this to me. When I first started taking it I had my doubt but it turns out I had eaten a soup that had an ingredient in it I was reacting badly to. I just looked it up in my 2002 PDR and "micturition frequency" and "retention" are listed as side effects so it's possible that it is causing this. I'd call your doctor if I were you. Oh man, I was really hoping it would help you.

[born2swim]

Yeah, Moonheart was telling me it can be a diuretic. It makes me have to go the same amout, but the urge is stronger because the volume is larger...

I just don't know if it is temporary...

It has been noticeable the last 3 days... and today was the worst, but I did try ranch dressing last night. But even so, I have noticed it being a bit "worse" the first 2 days and each night I haven't been able to sleep through like I have been able to with my Atarax (still on it BTW).

[leelee88]

Born2swim,
How is your pain level?
Mine is gone so far with the Topamax and yes my frequency and urge was very high at the beginning just as Tig-gal and Moonheart. I was about to call it quits but they both said all medicines take time.. So I stuck it out.. The urge has gone down. the frequency is about the same as before the Topamax, but the biggest plus is when I went to 50mg and the pain decreased so much...If I was you I would try it a little longer but if you keep haveing the same affects then give up and you can say you gave it your best shot..((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))

Ronda

[born2swim]

Ronda,

Honestly, I don't have pain outside my period or running. I just have to pee all the time. My urge to go is so bad right now because the volume of my urine is higher. They say to drink more with Topamax, but I'm not drinking THAT much! Geeze! I feel like I could cry today because it is driving me nuts. Also, I can tell I'm "feeling" the drug a bit in that my eyes feel heavy and when I move them, they move slowly to the object I move them to. That's it in terms of side effects so far (that and I feel warm, but that could be Florida heat too!).

I just need this urge to go away! I'm on 25mg for 2 weeks then I see my doctor in 2 weeks for bloodwork and to talk about the med. I just read that Topamax can lead to B12 deficiency, which is bad because I am already deficient and on shots. So... I have to be careful with that on top of the other side effects.

What vitamins do you take... sorry off topic... but I'm trying to find something to take. I have been doing a Flintstone vitamin here and there to just give my body a boost, but I can't do that when I'm having a bad day like this!

[leelee88]

ok so you are just trying the Topamax for urgency? you dont have pain with IC? And I am not on any vitamins because except calcium..