[cardsDR]

Hi,
about 3 weeks ago, I started a patient on Topamax for weight loss..... it is an off label use, but well known side effect. She came back today for a check up and had lost 15 pounds!

This female weighs 290 pounds now. At the most she weighed 340 pounds. She says that she just doesn't feel hungry anymore and has lost her cravings for food.

Anyone else been on Topamax before?

[sweetchikk05]

I have never been on it, but, vcamo, she needs it for her headaches every month but I guess its a couple hundred dollars every month so she can't afford it, I know there was someone else on here whos on it...

what mg's did you prescribe her?

Another question, your a dr right? What would I have to do . say to get a dr to prescribe me methadone every month?

I am so sick of driving 250 miles every monday to get my weekly take homes, gas is so expensive, not to mention its 70$ a week,
thankfully my insurance is still covering it for me!!
Anyhow, what could I say to a new doc to get him/her to prescribe it without them thinking I am "drug seeking"???

Thanks

By the way, where the hek have you been? I havent seen you here in a while, Miss Ya!!
How are you??

LIz Ann

[hatelove percs]

i was started on topomax for migraines, but while i don't think it does to much for them, it does surely help with my weight which i have had problems with all my life. i have never been able to eat normally without excercising excessively but now i can and it is really nice. probably not the smartest reason to keep taking it but hopefully it is helping for the migraines also. i haven't yet heard of anyone rx-ing it for weight loss though, but dang, it does work good for it!!

[cardsDR]

Yea, I placed the patient on 50mg qhs and after one week increased to 100 mg qhs, she denied any side effects, in fact, I spoke to her today and she is loving it, states she is at 16+ lbs lost.

[Moreenjh]

This is Vcamo but I had to change my username in order to register. Don't understand why because I see that a lot of of other people got to keep their same usernames.

Anyway, about the Topamax......it finally started helping my headaches on Sun.. My head still hurts some but not nearly as bad as it has during the past 8 weeks. I haven't lost any weight, darn it, and everything still tastes the same to me, darn it again,. As I mentioned before I won't be getting anymore after I take what I have left because it's too expensive.

[Vcamo]

I've been taking Topamax for almost 2 weeks. The first week I had to take 2 25 milligrams at bedtime for 7 days and I'm now taking 1 25 milligram in the morning and 2 at bedtime and will take that dosage for 7 days but can't remember how many I'm supposed to take a day the 3rd week.

I did finally get my password mailed to me so as you can see I have my regular username back.

[AmandaJane]

I don't know if any of you that previously posted on this thread check in here now or not, but I wanted to post. I just found this website and think it is wonderful.

I have been on Topamax for about 5 years (this Nov., I think). There have been some periods of time during the 5 years that I did not take the medicine. I am not sure how much difference it has made in my headaches, but I don't really want to try going without it unless something better comes along. My Drs. prescribed Topamax due to the migraines and some tremors I had started having.

I have been blessed to have the side effect of weight loss. As the Dr. posted about his patient being 290, I was about 290/295. I am now down to 218/220 and still loosing. I did gain about 20/30 lbs back that I previously lost and had to loose it again. I believe I was off the meds when I had the weight gain.

Someone else mentioned not being able to take the medicine due to cost. I am assuming that is because you do not or did not have insurance to cover most of the cost. For anyone that does not have insurance, please be aware that you may qualify for the Patient Assistance Program that the Drug Company offers. At the moment I cannot remember the company that makes Topamax, but go to their website and there should be something listed there about the Program. You can also ask your Dr's. office about it. Also, there are some states that have programs that have Prescription Programs to provide medicine for those that do not have insurance, but meet their qualification. This does not usually come through the Social Services office, it is usually a separate entity.

The programs do work because I was able to get my Topamax through the Drug Manufacturer for a few years after I lost my medical insurance.

Good luck!

[tori13vc]

I am on Topamax for Migraines, have been for 2 months. They have really helped with them. I still get them sometimes, hormonal mostly due to that time of the month but they have dramaticly changed from 6 a week to about 4 a month. I have had the tingling feet and hands and the change in taste with carbonation. As far as the weight loss, I was unaware that you could or would prescribe this drug as a weight loss tool. I have lost 6 pounds in a month which seems a healthier amount then 16 in 3 weeks. I know that weight loss is a side effect and i expect and look forward to losing more, however, it seems odd that the patient doesnt report any other side effects and maybe she isnt being completley honest because she is so happy with the results so far. I am also on 100 mgs aday and have had difficulty remembering things at times. These side effects are well worth it to me to avoid the pain and sickness of the migraines that were taking over my life. I just have to wonder if this is really a reaponsible way to lose weight. I am not judging, please dont feel that way, I just wouldnt want to live with these side effects if I did not have to. And before you say it, I am very overweight, so I do know how that feels as well. I have done alot of research and read alot of comments on Topamax and I have not come across one where they have not had any side effects. Good luck to you and to your patient.