Topamax as a mood stabilizer? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

mother of six · 10-10-2004, 01:23 PM

I just read a few postings about Topamax being a mood stabilizer. I was prescribed Topamax by my neurologist, to help with my migraine headaches. I've never heard of it as a mood stabilizer. I take Lamictal as a mood stabilizer. It's works great for me. I actually stopped taking the Topamax because I was getting more headaches, I was very tired and extremely forgetful. I would talk to your doctors about this "cocktail" of yours. Doesn't sound quite right.

mudhound · 10-10-2004, 03:10 PM

The wife took (dope a max) as a help for mood. As I understand lots of the drugs have other uses. ex. depakote is for the headaches too

animalluvr77 · 10-10-2004, 05:56 PM

I am taking Topamax right now for bipolar and it has really helped me out a lot!!

Now I have known some other people whom this has not helped with. I guess it is a trial and error process. For some of us it works and for some of us it doesn't!! My pdoc. didn't say it was a mood stabilizer for me, she upped my dose of Effexor XR to 225 mg from 75 mg, gradually of course, for the mood stabalizing. So I don't know about using the Topamax for that or maybe it is for that and I just don't know it! Who knows!!

Take Care,
Beth

whatamess@35 · 10-16-2004, 02:21 PM

I actually started taking topomax for nerve pain..I found at 200 milligrams a day . I dont have a very big appetite and my mood is great compared to before taking it!! I dont want to have this burning pain forever but wish i could conitnue taking it just for my mood..

needmylifeback · 10-16-2004, 03:45 PM

I was put on topamax for a mood stabilizer but it didn't take long at all for it to send me into the worst depression almost of my life. So I'm no longer on it, however I am on Effexor XR 150mg for my depression. I'm still not sure the dr. that diagnosed me as bipolar II has a clue what he is doing (long story)... I saw someone a year ago that had me diagnosed as major depression recurrent without psychotic featurs. Since you comment on using the effexor for a mood stabilizer, I'm wondering if maybe I could just try upping my doseage. That would be wonderful if I could try it and have it work. It helped my depression really well when I first began it 4 years ago at only 75mg. It just seemed to lose it's effect. I do not want to try another mood stabilizer as now I'm scared to death of being sent to the stenches of hell again by them. This gives me some hope. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by animalluvr77

I am taking Topamax right now for bipolar and it has really helped me out a lot!!

Now I have known some other people whom this has not helped with. I guess it is a trial and error process. For some of us it works and for some of us it doesn't!! My pdoc. didn't say it was a mood stabilizer for me, she upped my dose of Effexor XR to 225 mg from 75 mg, gradually of course, for the mood stabalizing. So I don't know about using the Topamax for that or maybe it is for that and I just don't know it! Who knows!!

Take Care,
Beth