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Topomax and Weight Loss
Wed, 02/02/2005 - 21:24Topic: Medication Issues
I am quite worried at this point. We moved to Nevada about 6 months ago. My wife has been trying to get into a neurologist for 2 1/2 to 3 months. She has been diagnosed with JME since 1996 (took 3 years to diagnose, previous doctors didnt believe us). The neuro center our PCP has referred us to wont accept her as a patient until they get her records from Boulder, CO. This is the only neurologist our PCP trusts in this area. We have had difficulty in getting this done and have been trying extremely hard.My wife eats normally as she always has, but still continues to lose weight. Currently she takes Dilantin and Topomax for Seizures, Inderol for benign tremors, Synthroid, Prozac for the depression caused by dilantin. She has been on the topomax for about a 1 1/2 years. Since moving to Nevada, she has gone from 195lbs to less than 140lbs. The 8 months on the topomax while in Colorado, she lost 15-20 lbs. I am extremely worried at this point. The neuro's at this center wont even talk to her about it. Our neuro in boulder is no longer covered on our plan, but is trying to expedite the records dept for the transfer of records.At this point, my wife wants to cut her dose in half or even wean herself off the topomax. Does anyone have any advice on what we can do? Similar problems?
Comments
RE: Topomax and Weight Loss
Submitted by chewy on Wed, 2005-01-12 - 15:13
She takes 3 dilantin's and 2 Topomax(200mg) per day. Our PCP checked her levels at the end of october and they all came back within tolerance.She had a number of blackouts last week, and one grand-mal. First set of seizures in months. But when this happens it puts her down for a few days. She got the flu after this round, so has been down for even longer than normal.The topomax has really helped stop the migranes she was getting, which were quite frequent. It also seemed to help with most other break-thru sz's. Topomax also gave her more energy and livened her up quite a bit. The move to a lower elevation has helped her metabolism as well.She wouldnt stop taking Topo altogether, and does know how to wean herself off. She has talked to the PCP, and our last PCP about it, but they want her to see a specialist first. The PCP has tried to get her into this neuro center also, and gotten the same results as us.She cant lose much more weight, as she is 5'11, and just skin and bone at this point.
RE: RE: Topomax and Weight Loss
Submitted by pongosmommy on Wed, 2005-01-12 - 15:39
I wish I had some advise to give you. Best of luck to you and your lovely wife. I know what it feels like to lose weight unintentionally.When I was pregnant with my daughter my Diabetes got real bad and I was developing Ketosis - my ob kept accusing me of dieting- I just couldn't keep my body from eating up all my fat storage. I was spilling ketones at every visit. I was eating more to keep up- and my body fought harder. Someone told me to try to drink "ensure" drinks. It helped somewhat. I still ended up weighing alot less when I delivered then when I conceived. You might want to ask the PCP if she can drink protein drinks like that to help keep the weight on. Make sure no drug interactions.
RE: Topomax and Weight Loss
Submitted by pongosmommy on Wed, 2005-01-12 - 14:56
Hi chewy,What dosage is she on? I have lost 35 pounds since I started Topamax in late September...And I am only taking 100 mg. I haven't seen a Neurologist in 2 months to up my dosage and no one has checked my levels- so I have seizures at least 3-4 times a week- if not daily.Tell her not to mess with her meds without discussing with PCP first. The side effects can be nasty.Dayna