what is better- topomax or depakote - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

hollybouchard · 10-25-2007, 12:40 PM

Why is doctor reluctant to give me topomax but keep me on Depakote- which makes me gain weight and make me more depressed and angry, and it also gives me diarreah- I feel like hes not listening- I dont like the way it makes me feel- does this sound familiar to anyone?

always smiling · 10-25-2007, 01:35 PM

My first pdoc was reluctant to put me on Topamax because I was on birth control pills. It messes with the effectiveness, so he wouln't prescribe it. I went to another pdoc and she prescribed it for me. I lost alot of weight from it. I have now developed an eating disorder. My therapist and her have mentioned taking it away from me because they feel the Topamax has caused my anorexia. Topamax has really helped my moods level out and helped my depression. I don't know what I would do without it.
There are some negative side effects, as with all drugs, but they all went away after a few months for me. The one I remember most is that soda tasted flat and I would get brain fog.
I don't know why docs insist on giving us meds that make us feel bad and make us fat. I switched docs after 2 or 3 attempts for Topamax.

Sunka · 10-25-2007, 04:30 PM

My pdoc doesn't want to give me the kind of meds I was asking for, to treat my anxiety - she feels I will get 'addicted' to them. However, she did prescribe Topamax right away when I asked for it! But I am so disappointed in Topamax! I was hearing all this about weight loss & etc, so I was all for it, but when I started taking it I was aching all over & got chest tightness which scared the hell out of me because I have heart disease. (I know you have to give meds a certain amount of time to work and you need a certain amount of time to adjust to them, but I was freaked!! LOL) So now I need to start all over & research on another kind of mood stabilizer. Darn. I hope you have an easier time than me. Keep after your doc about what kind of meds you want to try if you don't like the ones you're on - it's your body!!

teresa2007 · 10-25-2007, 04:47 PM

Im not familar with topomax but i had the same problem with depakote as you do it made me depressed and very angry

Im with you on the docs making you take meds whether you want to or not, i guess they feel they know best

hollybouchard · 10-30-2007, 04:49 AM

HI guys me again. I am still being told to take the damn Dep

!! I have F**% firewater coming out of me- and I cannot take it anymore!! I keep being told to take it take it- and wait to see pshy. in m,ed group- but- I am moving this weekend- well- I am almost done- but my med grp is Mondays- here it is Tues- so I anyway I was told to hold off till Wed to see him privately. Get this though- before I left session on Friday- I talked to Intake coordinator and she said if I am feeling that bad from Med- than I need to see a GI doctor- I looked at her like WHAT- it's the side effect of the pill!!! She just stared at me than said- well if you are feeling that depressed- than you need to check yourself into a hospital. I NEVER EVER have been more insulted or miunderstood in my life!! I left there BAWLING!!! I mean I go there for help- and I GET some- but as soon as I HOLLY have a legit concern or comment on something that would better suit me as far as RX- they run me ragged make me chase them all over. PLease god someone out there tell me that I should speak up to someone about how this "treatment" coordinator talked to me and made me feel on top of the meds that really have that nasty side effect!! Till than- I'll continue to ramble! LOL