I dunno... I took it for 6 weeks and after 3 spent a week in the hospital because of an odd brain pain... then 2 more coming off the med. It definantly did something to my brain.... my nuro said that it was good for migrain control and seizures and it could increase mood (antidepressant wise) but is not an anti depressant... so mayby....

brain pain?? what was that like?

I can not tell if topamax helps me. I know it makes me a little dazed and I lost any interest in eating. That was not good, I lost 10 pounds that I didn't need to. It makes me very anxious. I have heard really great things and really bad things regarding it.

I've been on topamax for years and I love the drug. You r right, it has not been proven to help the bipolar brain, but my pdoc told me it is a moodstabilizer and he just upped my dose too. It is also used for migraines...the prevention of them. I like it....always have. good luck to you.

It was a SHARP pain eminanting from the center of my brain. I had to explain that one over and over. It wasnt a head ache... or a migraine... it was a PAIN. they kept me did some non narcotic pain treatments (they hurt more then the pain) and ran a crap load of tests to make sure that I was not very sick with something else including a spinal tap. Ultimately the only thing that helped was getting off the drug. THey swore it wasnt the drug. I get very very odd reactions to drugs alot of the time... eventually my nuro believed me

thanks for the replies, guys.... hey greeneyed.... what dosage are you on, if you don't mind me asking? my doc said people take up to 1000mg... i'm only up to 150

I've been on topamax for 4 months (currently on 200mg) and I love it! My moods are a LOT more stable . I was taking lamictal with my Lithium but was still constantly moody so my pdoc took me off the lamictal and put me on the topamax and it works perfectly! Killed my appetite a bit, but I just make sure I eat. I don't have any side effect with it like some people do...everyone is different.

Hi allison,
I take Topamax along with Lamictal & Seroquel (switching to Abilify tomorrow). Topamax is used as migraine preventative & back up mood stabilizer as I am a rapid cycler. I definitely think it helps, before I felt so dysphoric I was thinking I just needed to be hospitalized & I seriously contemplated suicide everyday. The moods are there, but much less severe now, I can think first before acting impulsively & no more migraines! Side effects are 20lb unneeded weight loss & tingly heels if I don't drink enough water. On 150mg of it now & seem to be doing much better by comparison. If you think it's helping, it probably is, go with it! Best of luck to you!

my daughter has been on it for three weeks and i am definitely starting to see a difference. she is also taking omega-3 fish oil and started both at the same time. great combination for her so far!!!

reply # 9 - are you going to be adding abilify to everything else?? i tried abilify and it gave me siezures. but best of luck to you on that!

allison,
I am on Lamictal and Topomax and I am very stable and feel less constrained than I did when I was on lithium. I like this a lot better! The Topamax has a side effect of weight loss so if you don't need to lose a few pounds. Unless you make a concious effort to eat and maintain your weight. Talk to your dr. about the side effects. I haven't had any weird side effects. I like the combination of the Lamictal and Topomax. I am also on Wellbutrin and Abilify and am doing great. This is the best I have felt since I diagnosed in 1996 and first put on meds. Good luck and I hope the dr. can help. Bee