Has anyone had good results with Topamax?

[leelee88]

I was just wondering if anyone with IC has been put on Topamax.. I know a few of you on here have I was just wondering if anyone else has and what was the results? Thanks Ronda

[sphinx]

I take Topamax for bipolar disorder, have been for a few years (150mg total daily). Although I take it for a different reason, I guess I'd say I don't see it helps bladder symptoms? Although who knows, maybe without it I'd be worse off. I can't recall back when I was off it. I was such an emotional wreck that frequency was the least of my problems!

[SrMaggie]

I take topamax for sciatica and on the side - for weight loss. It happened that I was first prescribed Lyrica for the sciatica. Lyrica took away some of the pain from IC also. I was pleased with that but I gained a whole bunch of weight. To make a very long story short, I went to a different doctor by mistake for another problemand she noticed the weight gain. She told me that it was from the Lyria and that topamax would do the same thing, but as an added benefit would help with weight loss. So for me Topamax has been a triple whammee. I've lost all of the weight I gained with Lyrica and more. I'm down 12 lbs in 6 weeks.

[stac7_8]

I have never been on Topamax. I used to work in the Mental Health field and I will say this just by looking at the patients.

Topamax is different for each person, but in most of the paitents that we had they gained weight. Now there were some that didn't, but most did.

Sorry I couldn't help more. Just wanted to let you know. Good luck

[Lenee]

Leelee,

I see you are on Cymbalta, are you trying to switch to Topomax? I was just curious if you have side effects, I just increased the dosage of Cymbalta I take to 60 mg, I had slight headaches before but now they are worse. I have also had to start taking Ambien to sleep because it gave me insomnia so bad. I am going to post about the headaches to see who else has had problems but was curious about your situation.

Two years ago, the pain specialist I saw wanted me to start Topomax for pain. At that time, he thought it might be my solution for replacing Elavil since I gained weight on that and I might still get the pain relief. I didn't try it at the time because I was on a mission to get a diagnosis for why I was in pain. I have since been dxed with IC and started the Cymbalta (I read an article from a different pain specialist that mentioned it as one of the anti-depressants that could be used in IC treatment). I have done well in not gaining weight with it especially compared to Elavil which I gained 8 lbs quickly and was hungry all the time. I was a little concerned about the side effects of Topomax too and wasn't sure if I could handle my full time job while trying to see if I would adjust to them. I've even heard it called Dopomax as a slur because of the side effects which really scared me. I might still have to try it if the Cymbalta doesn't work out but I am still on the fence. Please keep us posted what you decide, it's such a hard decision every time we have to switch or start meds.

[feresp497]

Is topamax for pain? I have vv and nerves from my bladder are sending signals to my livia and they are strong and sharp. Does anyone else have this problem?

[leelee88]

Lenee,
Yes I am still on Cymbalta.. I know its helping with the nerve pain because that has almost gone away. I was having severe nerve pain in the clitoris area, like a throbbing feeling sorry to be so blunt and Cymbalta has worked wonders for my depression I am on 60mg.. As far as the Topomax it seems also to be working for the bladder pain. I am on 25my right now but suppose to be upping the dose this week.. As far as the doppy feeling I am not having that with the low dose as a matter of fact since I got off the elavil my energy level has went through the roof.. and the weight is coming off:woohoo: .. I will keep you posted...

[Moonheart]

Hi Ronda hon,

How much weight have you lost?

Do you think you need to stay on the Cymbalta then since Topamax is a mood stabilizer? Or can you wean off of it gradually with your doctor's help?
That would probably help with the weight also.

So glad you are doing well with it also!

HUGS!!!
Moonheart

[feresp497]

Hi I was just put on topamax today I am only only only on 25 mg will go to 50 in to weeks. Thats twice a day. S0 far no help with the pain I still had to take a lortab. But it is only my first day on a low dose. LeeLee what is sciatica? I hope this low dose helps me lose some weight too. Do you have to go on a diet or does it come off by itself? I will keep you posted.

[leelee88]

feresp,

Maybe this will explain it .. Also it takes a while for Topomax to start kicking in.. Good luck and keep me updated..


Sciatica
If you suddenly start feeling pain in your lower back or hip that radiates down from your buttock to the back of one thigh and into your leg, your problem may be a protruding disk in your lower spinal column pressing on the roots to your sciatic nerve. Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy) may feel like a bad leg cramp that lasts for weeks before it goes away. You may have pain, especially when you sit, sneeze or cough. You may also feel weakness, "pins and needles" numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation down your leg. See a doctor to have your condition diagnosed and start a course of treatment.

[Berkshire Road]

I had horrible side effects while on Topomax -- I started to be unable to remember ordinary words (in both French and English), I forgot commitments, I had mood problems. It was really bad. I lost a bit of weight when I started taking it, but it leveled off. By the time I got to a dosage that helped with my pain, I could no longer tolerate it. That was my experience.

[A.J.]

Topomax never did a thing for me .

As for Cymbalta, my doc just upped my dose to 60mg from 30mg and he said it should help with the IC pain as well. I take it first and foremost for depression. Leelee, I'm glad to see it's helping with your pain. I've been in remission so I'm not sure it will do anything for me, but it couldn't hurt, right?