Hi I'm new to the site. I have a question about Topirmate.

[Rickyd123]

For those that haven't heard of Topirmate. It is the new prescription weight loss drug that is on the market. Actually it has been around over 20 years, but the drug companies changed it a little, so they could charge more for it. Originally it was for seizures. Its patent has expired so there is a generic out now. The new weight loss drug has a stimulant added to it, so it isn't the same as the original. POOF New patent. I'll take the generic and drink some coffee.
Actually I've been taking the generic for many years for another reason. It also helps drunks. I happen to be a terrible drunk. I take Topiramate and that super charged craving for booze goes away and I lost about forty pounds.
Here's my question: Over the years of taking the medicine the weight loss side has seemed to have warn off. I'm about 25LBS. over weight right now. I was wondering if anyone knows how I might get it to start working again. I tried increasing the dose once. I was thinking about stopping taking it for a few months and then going back on it. Do you think I should go longer with out taking it. Its been three years since I've drank, so I'm not worried about doing that. Just like everyone else I'd like to lose the weight. If you haven't heard about Topirmate, you should look into it.

 

[The Heretic]

I'm always extremely wary of those weight loss drugs. If you wanna lose the weight, I strongly advise you to start working out more and changing your eating habits. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but for long term wieght loss, that would be your best bet. All the best to you.

 

[Guideon]

I'm with Heretic on this one, I just don't trust pills and potions (and the companies who make them)
To me weight loss is hard, there's no magic pill which you take and live happily ever after.
Real glad the medicine helped you with your drinking problem but I'd look elsewehere for weightloss, preferably the old fashioned way: working out (hard) and think about what you're eating.

 

[Omega]

I agree with the others. It is great that the medication worked regarding the drinking problem - but such medication really isnt the best way of addressing a weight problem.

People tend to gain weight because they are not doing the amount of exercise that balances out the amount of calories that they eat and drink. They need to readjust the equation so that they maybe exercise more and / or eat or drink differently so that they burn as many calories (in the case of weight maintenance) or burn more calories (in the case of weight loss) than they take in.

Eventually - people come off medication - and if they have not learnt new eating / drinking habits they will gain weight in exactly the same way that they did initially.

It may be that some of your weight loss came because you reduced the calories that you were drinking. Alcohol brings empty calories just like sugar and a lot of other tempting things that many of us have been over-indulging with. Obviously this is no longer relevant now that you have kicked the drinking habit - which may be one reason why the weight loss has dried up...