I'm the 'Newbie' that introduced herself this afternoon. Hi all.
I was wondering if any of you are, or know about taking anti-siezure meds for neuropathic pain.
I was on Neurontin (Gabapentin)for years, a drug that makes us all gain a lot of weight. Recently, they switched me to Topramax (Topramine)and voila! 25 lbs gone. So now I'm back to thin but still in great pain *sigh*.
I hear this will soon be released by the FDA as the new weight loss sensation drug and that many Drs are already off label prescribing it for that. Any insight? Thanks Kate

Hi, I took Neurontin for 2 years and although it helped with my Neuro. symptoms, it felt really funny on it. So i went to a new doc, and he started me on Topamax. I felt REAL wierd the first 2 weeks and he said give it 2 weeks and the wierd feeling will go away. I take Vitamin C everyday with the Topamax b/c it causes my face to tingle and he started me on a low dose and gradually bumped me up to 75 mg's in the am and 75 in the pm. I dont have any "bad" side effects from the drug. Just a supressed appetite, but no weight loss so far that I can tell. I have only been on it almost a month though. The only complaint I have is I am in pain alot now. I also take 30mg of Avinza every night, which is a morphine sulphate, but am still in pain. Go figure.
Sincerely,
Amy

I guess I'm the odd one out of the posts so far. Topamax helps me immensely. I have been on it for a month so far and the only side affect I have is that I get a little fruity (sort of like the "dumb blond" affect) for the first day when I have an increase in doseage, sometimes it lasts two days but thats about it. I'm currently up to 200 mg (100mg in morning, 100mg at night) going up by 25/25 per week and I haven't really noticed a weight loss yet. I've never taken Neurontin but it sounds like I don't want to! They have me on muscle relaxers at night ( I think they are 4g each... Zanaflex is what I take) and I take 1-3 depending how I feel. They are great for easing everything so you can get some sleep!