Pros:
Weight loss. Average loss over one year is 6 kgs.
Mood stabilized (hopefully)
Cons:
Memory loss
Word recall diminished
Affectionally referred to on the web as "Stupimax" or "Dopomax"
The obvious problem here is that I think I need a working brain to stay in my doctoral program. Academics always came easily to me, and now I find myself struggling to get through a reading. Re-reading papers several times over to get their meaning. I can ill afford to have my mind function any less than it already is!
What should I do???
I have tried just about every combo and augmentation available. I have scanned PubMed articles until my eyes are crossed. I am out of ideas. Do I dare risk my frontal lobe?
Any thoughts or experiences would be gladly welcomed.
This is not a decision I can help you with, but I can only remind you of the fact that according to a previous post depression is already affecting your academics.
ReplyDeleteTrue, true. I am certainly not doing as well as I hoped, but I'm at least getting through. I'm scared that if I take this drug, it will require that I take a leave for a few terms. School is just about all I have left outside of my house, so I'm not anxious to let it go entirely. (of course that might not be the outcome, I guess that's the hard part, isn't it?) Thanks for weighing in.
ReplyDeleteHi Penelope,
ReplyDeleteI just got your comment over at I'm Listening and wanted to come by and say HI! I'll subscribe to your blog so I can keep in the loop.
As for the Topomax...Tough decision. There are other alternatives out there, though. I say research, research, research and have a good honest talk with your doctor about your concerns.
Take care!
I've been on topomax for years. It's helped significantly - weight loss in particular.
ReplyDeleteBut, yes, I'm significantly 'dumber' than before I started on it. My brain just doesn't find the words the way it used to. I sit there trying to grab for them, and they are just beyond my reach. I installed a thesaurus on my computer and on my blackberry, and made arrangements with the university to have access to a thesaurus and dictionary for all non-language based courses.
Good luck.
I have been on 500mg Topamax for 4 yrs now.
ReplyDeleteInitially, I experienced quite a bit of fatigue which escalated with titration (and subsequently wore off again) and minor cognitive problems which did disappear with time (matter of weeks). I was studying at the time - neither Topamax nor ECT affected my brain functioning in the immediate through to long term whatsoever.
Sorry to say, even the weight loss s/e has begun to wear off as well...although in my case, not a bad thing - I went from 56kg to 43kg.
FSL