Contributing factors to depression - anybody take topamax?

[whiteraven]

I’m sorry to have assumed, @whiteraven.

Are you/doc looking at other seizure...

No, because he hasn't yet been convinced I'm doing everything I can to tackle the depression. He won't change it. My primary care is supposed to call and talk to him. We'll see...

 

[whiteraven]

I’ve been on topamax for over 10 years. It has been a life changer for me for migraine prevent...

Thanks. Yes, I've heard it's great for migraines. (Doesn't help mine, but as folks have said, meds are an individual thing. Work for some, not for others :-). It really works for my partial seizures, too, but I'm taking it as a primary. Have been for almost since it's been on the market. I started at 700mg, am now on 400mg.

Will just have to see what the docs say...

 

[DharmaGirl]

Maybe your doc needs changing. I am horrified that you have worked so hard and a medical professional could dismiss you like that. The comment about the med was only to state that when people get together on sites, such as a diabetic site, they they tend to find out that they share many side effects from say, metformin, making it a "bad" medicine. I was just saying that there are people that will get the side effects, and people that won't, but that there are side effects and you have to weigh the effects vs the healing. I can't take metformin because it causes horrible stomach pains. I lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks, which is nice, but it was horribly painful. My son takes it and does really well on it. So, if I made it any clearer what I was trying to say, I'd be shocked. I'm not making much sense. I'd like you to know I wasn't trying to say anything bad about you or the drug, and frankly I can't remember why I wrote it.

I feel like you are being dismissed and need an advocate who can step in for you. My doctor continued me on metformin after I told her it was causing pains, and I should have said no, but I was afraid. I hope you can get your point across to the Pdoc. I don't like Pdocs personally. I see a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She is much better and listens really well.

Also, are you seeing a pain specialist for your pain? If you used to enjoy things you can no longer do, that will contribute a lot to depression. A whole lot. I'm sorry I mis-read and it is your neurologist, not your Pdoc. I see a pain doc, and they say exercise, journal, meditate, etc. I do all these things but my pain still gets out of control when my spinal bones slip. She believes me though.

 

[whiteraven]

Thanks @DharmaGirl. I've had such a bad day and it really helped to read your reply. You made perfect sense.

You hit the nail on the head. I've been saying for a long time that I really need someone who will advocate for me - I'm so tired of having to be my own advocate. I've had to do it all my life, and I'm ready for someone to step in and help me. Thing is, the couple of times someone did that I was hurt worse and so I am so reluctant to even think about asking. Same about changing doctors. I did change family doctors recently, so I am trying to get adjusted to her. As for my neuro, that is something she recommended, but I really like this one (and he is fairly new, also) and I'm hoping we can work out the medication issue with him, because I just don't think I can go through another neuro. switch.

I don't see a pain specialist. I'm not on pain meds or any kind of therapy. Just pretty much dealing with it as best I can. I think the medical community has become a trigger for me - I've been through so many doctors, many who did something harmful that led to my having to move on to someone new. I've gotten to the point where I have near-panic attacks when I have to go to the doctor. I limit my visits to those that are absolutely necessary only.

 

[Kopykat]

I have been taking Topamax for partial seizures for several years at a pretty high dosage. A few mon...

I’m on a lower dose of Topomax for migraines and weight loss. I’m also on anti depressants and have a prn anti anxiety which all make me tired, I feel most meds make you tired which sucks when people say “be more active!” And you’re like “look it took 25 mins for me to put on pants”. It sucks, I’m sorry you’re dealing w this.

 

[whiteraven]

I’m on a lower dose of Topomax for migraines and weight loss. I’m also on anti depressants and have...

Thank you. Yes, this exactly. If you can't get up enough energy to brush your teeth or put on your shoes, how the heck are you going to climb the stairs to go outside and take an actual walk? LOL

 

[2Beachboxer]

I have been taking Topamax for partial seizures for several years at a pretty high dosage. A few mon...

I doubt my input is relevant to your situation, since I take it for mood stabilization w an antidepressant. I have been on it for years and don't think it has caused pry, but have bad similar issues and others That Don says are Stress Anxiety related.

 

[whiteraven]

I doubt my input is relevant to your situation, since I take it for mood stabilization w an antidep...

Thanks for responding, @2Beachboxer. I thought for a long time that my fatigue and low energy and unrelenting depression were "just"...well, the stress, the depression, and the trauma. I definitely know that the trauma and reactions to stress contribute to the depression, but everything I've done just doesn't help so I'm looking for other possible culprits.

If I ever get off the Topamax, I will report back and let folks know what I discover. Thanks again.

 

[DharmaGirl]

That would be great! I have tried to get off certain meds, ok, pain meds, but the pain is so overwhelming that I can't do anything. I take as little as possible, but I don't want meds to make me feel tired or confused. I've tried lots of things, as you have, and they don't work, so I would be really happy to hear that you feel better. It will help me feel stronger about being in pain. I'm not addicted, that has nothing to do with it, by the way. I had surgery and it cured my pain for a year, so I didn't have to take them and I felt so much better.

 

[EmilyR]

I've been on Topamax for several years for migraine prevention as well. The side effects were a lot to get used to at first, but for me, the benefits outweighed the cost. There's a lot of new things coming out about topamax still and the way it gets metabolized and how it can affect people individually. I recently found out that taking Topamax with an oral contraceptive makes the oral contraceptive less effective. NONE of my docs had mentioned that to me. The unfortunate bottom line is that we're still learning about it. if its not working for you, there are other options.

 

[whiteraven]

Ok, so my neuro's office called finally (after I called my family doc to remind her she was going to call them) and also called in a new Rx for Lamictal. He chose this one because it also have mood stabilizing properties. I've been on it before (they argued with me about that, because they didn't have it on their list, but I didn't take it for seizures; I was on it years ago for depression and it was so long ago the doctor is dead) and had problems with it but can't remember what. I also really don't want to be on *another* med for my mood (I'm already on Effexor) - I just want to be on something for the seizures.

They said that I don't have to try the Lamictal, but if I choose not to, I have to stay on the Topamax because that's all there is. Well, that's not true. But I'm sooo tired of fighting.

I started the Lamictal.

And I am sooo sad.

 

[whiteraven]

Ok, it's been almost 6 weeks. I'm now on 100mg of Lamictal and am slowly tapering off the Topamax. Still on the Effexor. I haven't had any seizures and I feel much better. I have a lot more energy, I'm not crying all the time (or at the drop of a hat like before), I'm not nearly as anxious and reactive as I was, I'm less depressed, and I'm finding it much easier to work in therapy.

I still have periods when I feel very sad or depressed. And I still get anxious. But generally, I am better. Why? Well, I suspect it's a combination of the Effexor and Lamictal, and a decrease of the Topamax. But I think it's mostly the Lamictal.