topamax instead of lamictil?
 

anybody switched from lamictil to topamax? I have been in an out-of-control mixed state, and my dr just boosted up my dose of topamax from 150 to 200mg. i don't think the topamax works very well.
i used to take lamictil instead of the topamax, which worked MUCH better but it made my skin unbearably itchy.
Does topamax work for anybody out there to stabilize mood? i'm feeling so discouraged. :(

I am sorry that you are feeling unstabel...I hate that feeling.
I am on lamictal and am doing well.
sorry I don't have any news about topamx...others here weren't happy with it if I remember correctly.
You sure the lamictal was the cause of your itchy skin?
Have you checked your thyroid lately?
jsut curious...could be hormonal.
I hope you get some other feed back from somebody here.
bizi

Hi,
Most of the time, Topamax is used as the second mood stabilizer. It is generally not a good drug to rely on as the main/only mood stabilizer.

How long have you been at 200? Call your dpoc and tell him/her you need something else right now.

I hope that you find some relief.
M.

I have been on topamax for almost six years now. two hundred was too much for me. I am on 100 but probably could go up to 150. I have times where I am unstable. Depakote did nothing except gain weight. Lithium did nothing but gain weight. Lamictal imflamed my gums.
Bobby

I have only been on Lamictal and it works fine for me. I don't know anything about topamax.

I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs, Nikko:hug:

How is the topamax doing for you these days?
You said you were more stable now?
That is great!
bizi:)

I take topamax for migraine control but not for anxiety I take something else for that. So I would agree with the others to really ask your doctor
if there is something else you can try.

I also would see if maybe you could go back to the lamictal and try it again.

It might have been something else causing the itchness, or maybe you could find something else to help at the same time with that.

Donna

My son on topamax
 

My son was on topamax for about 6 months to help with seizures...it didn't do much for him. It actually seemed to make him very moody and he lost weight. (He's already too skinny, so this wasn't a good thing.) I'm sure it's different for everyone, but that was our experience. He's doing better on Keppra.

Increased Topamax Dose Helped Hugely!
 

:) Thanks for following up. I am doing so much better now! It's such a relief after messing around with meds for years with no real progress.
July 20th I increased the topamax from 200mg to 400 mg (gradually!) and WOW ! I'd almost forgotten this person that I used to be... she is creeping back into my brain.
I've also started using the "Wellness Toolkit" on the http://www.ndmda.org website, especially the Personal Calendar, and this has helped my stability so much.
My doctor and I are discussing whether lithium would be a better substitute. I like the idea of ditching all my meds (I'm on Effexor, Wellbutrin, topamax and trazedone) and just taking 1 drug, but my baseline labs showed my kidneys aren't functioning very well right now (don't know why), so lithium probably not a good idea. Still have lunatic swings the week before my period, but we'll tackle that next.
Still: I'm doing much better, and my parents and best friend have 6 thumbs up! :)

Great news! Glad the increase has helped you.


Hugs, Nikko:hug: