I haven't visited this thread in a few days, and haven't contributed as many of what I would suggest has been covered. However, I do want to address Topamax.
I have always had a low siezure threshold, and going through benzo withdrawal and PAWS I had to be on antisiezure meds a lot longer than most coming off of Xanax. Antisiezure meds suck imo, as they usually make me feel like crap. I tried the usual Dilantin and Depakote, and then transitioned to Topamax. I am not against Topamax, but I want to list some very real and serious side effects that the medication can produce, especially since it is being used for many off label purposes such as weightloss and migraines, and is being prescribed much more frequently.
Topamax will cause extreme weightloss. When I got on it, I lost 35 lbs in the first month. Topamax kills the appetite and makes many foods taste bad. Most people complain about it making carbonated beverages taste gross, though I don't drink them I can't say, but I found it made most food almost unbearable. Between no appetite and gross food, eating was a chore that had to be planned. I actually had to set notifications on my phone to remind myself to eat. A lot of the weight I lost was lean body mass, as I essentially starved. At first I was very happy to lose the weight - I was a teen in the 90's and have always found a slightly underweight frame attractive, however, losing muscle is not healthy, and it ultimately lowers your metabolism until you can build that muscle back, which is hard work.
Another side effect from Topamax that is pretty serious is drinking enough water. You must drink additional water while on this medication, however, like with food I found consuming anything to be unappealing, so drinking more water was also a chore. I had to set hourly reminders to drink water as if you don't drink enough water you get kidney stones. This is a very real and very painful side effect. I developed kidney stones the first month I was on it, and it was a constant battle for the four months I took it. I had to have my kidney function tested every two weeks, not to mention I had to live with kidney stones, the pain from that can be debilitating at times.
Another feature of Topamax is the inability to regulate your own body temperature. Of course it may not be as dangerous to everyone depending on where and when you take it, but I was on it in the summer and I live on the ocean in Eastern North Carolina, where the days can be 98 degrees out with 99% humidity. I blacked out twice while working in the yard because I could not regulate my temperature and failed to notice that I had stopped sweating. Ironically, the humidity wasn't enough lol. Had my husband not been with me, there was a very real possibility I would have died.
Other side effects include a strange tingling/electrical sensation in your feet - kind of like they fell asleep but it doesn't do away. It would wake me up at night, and there was nothing I found to alleviate that sensation, which almost drove me over the edge on a few occasions.
The last thing I will mention is that Topamax rendered me stupid while I was on it. My thoughts were cloudy and I had extreme difficulty speaking. There were times I couldn't tell someone I just met my own name, which is humbling. I couldn't focus on complex tasks, and I could articulately carry on a conversation. I could barely function.
I wanted to mention these side effects for you to consider as Topamax is a very serious drug, and it is important to be aware of potential side effects before starting something like this. Not everyone has the same experience, there are several other side effects that I didn't get and don't remember what they are that other people got, however, some are life threatening. I'm not saying to dismiss it as a potential treatment, just be aware of what can happen. Fortunately, none of the side effects I experienced were long lasting, and stopped in a few weeks after I quit taking the medication. It did take me a few months to clear the kidney stones, but no permenant damage was done.
I have always had a low siezure threshold, and going through benzo withdrawal and PAWS I had to be on antisiezure meds a lot longer than most coming off of Xanax. Antisiezure meds suck imo, as they usually make me feel like crap. I tried the usual Dilantin and Depakote, and then transitioned to Topamax. I am not against Topamax, but I want to list some very real and serious side effects that the medication can produce, especially since it is being used for many off label purposes such as weightloss and migraines, and is being prescribed much more frequently.
Topamax will cause extreme weightloss. When I got on it, I lost 35 lbs in the first month. Topamax kills the appetite and makes many foods taste bad. Most people complain about it making carbonated beverages taste gross, though I don't drink them I can't say, but I found it made most food almost unbearable. Between no appetite and gross food, eating was a chore that had to be planned. I actually had to set notifications on my phone to remind myself to eat. A lot of the weight I lost was lean body mass, as I essentially starved. At first I was very happy to lose the weight - I was a teen in the 90's and have always found a slightly underweight frame attractive, however, losing muscle is not healthy, and it ultimately lowers your metabolism until you can build that muscle back, which is hard work.
Another side effect from Topamax that is pretty serious is drinking enough water. You must drink additional water while on this medication, however, like with food I found consuming anything to be unappealing, so drinking more water was also a chore. I had to set hourly reminders to drink water as if you don't drink enough water you get kidney stones. This is a very real and very painful side effect. I developed kidney stones the first month I was on it, and it was a constant battle for the four months I took it. I had to have my kidney function tested every two weeks, not to mention I had to live with kidney stones, the pain from that can be debilitating at times.
Another feature of Topamax is the inability to regulate your own body temperature. Of course it may not be as dangerous to everyone depending on where and when you take it, but I was on it in the summer and I live on the ocean in Eastern North Carolina, where the days can be 98 degrees out with 99% humidity. I blacked out twice while working in the yard because I could not regulate my temperature and failed to notice that I had stopped sweating. Ironically, the humidity wasn't enough lol. Had my husband not been with me, there was a very real possibility I would have died.
Other side effects include a strange tingling/electrical sensation in your feet - kind of like they fell asleep but it doesn't do away. It would wake me up at night, and there was nothing I found to alleviate that sensation, which almost drove me over the edge on a few occasions.
The last thing I will mention is that Topamax rendered me stupid while I was on it. My thoughts were cloudy and I had extreme difficulty speaking. There were times I couldn't tell someone I just met my own name, which is humbling. I couldn't focus on complex tasks, and I could articulately carry on a conversation. I could barely function.
I wanted to mention these side effects for you to consider as Topamax is a very serious drug, and it is important to be aware of potential side effects before starting something like this. Not everyone has the same experience, there are several other side effects that I didn't get and don't remember what they are that other people got, however, some are life threatening. I'm not saying to dismiss it as a potential treatment, just be aware of what can happen. Fortunately, none of the side effects I experienced were long lasting, and stopped in a few weeks after I quit taking the medication. It did take me a few months to clear the kidney stones, but no permenant damage was done.
