Topamax - no ketogenic diets - now what?

[sk8mommy]

I was rolling along on my 2 week induction and had actually lost over 8 pounds. In my continuing saga of trying to find the right migraine medication, my doctor prescribed me Topamax and I started this week. The medication warnings strictly warn against ketogenic diets.

I have read up extensively on this med and know all the side effects, etc. I also know to drink LOTS of water, which I am doing. I've heard that also helps for the side effects.

So it sounds like at least Atkins induction is out. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with Topamax and low carb eating? What has worked for you? Right now, I'm leaning toward South Beach Diet or something like that, but I need to do some further reading to see what might be the best plan of action. The potential upside is that one of the possible side effects of Topamax is weight loss....I can only hope. So far no real side effects for me...it's early in the titration though but I am staying positive and hopeful. I have tried so many meds and approaches to deal with my migraines and they only seem to be getting worse and more frequent as I approach the big M(enopause)!

[pennink]

i dunno, but my migraines (used to last for weeks) are now gone after low carb... i think it was a sensitivity to something in the crap diet.

[Wifezilla]

What about the barry Groves plan? It allows up to 60g of carbs a day. I never did any kind of induction and still lost 35lbs.

[cnmLisa]

The first thing I would want to know is why? Yes, I'm the why person. Why? because you'll grow horns in the middle of your head? your kidneys explode? it turns you into a man? I'd do some research and find out the reasoning behind that statement--it could be something really serious OR something really stupid.

You may want to read "The Brain Trust" (I can't remember the author right now). He goes into detail about ketogenic diets, menopause, hot flashes, migranes etc (along with ALZ and brain fucntion). He highly advocates ketogenic diets and even has a recipe for a ketogenic cocktail. I am anxiously awaiting my copy from amazon.

[Dodger]

The concern with Topamax seems to be a possible side effect of metabolic acidosis. I'm assuming that the fear is that being in ketosis could increase the risk.

http://www.drugs.com/pdr/topamax.html
Topamax has been known to cause a potentially serious condition known as metabolic acidosis (an increase of acid in the blood). In children, chronic metabolic acidosis may affect growth or cause rickets (a softening or weakness of the bones that can lead to bone deformities). Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of metabolic acidosis such as rapid breathing, an irregular heartbeat, confusion, lethargy, fatigue, or loss of appetite. Your doctor will decide if you should discontinue taking Topamax. Do not abruptly stop taking Topamax on your own; your doctor will gradually taper the dosage to avoid an increase in seizures.

[southbel]

I take Topamax, but for my seizure disorder. I eat LC and have been taking Topamax for over a year now and I seem to be doing okay. Now, I have other aggravating medical conditions as well. However, my doctor actually advocates my LC eating because of my othe rmedical conditions. She does, however, want me to keep my carb level just a little higher (I do around 40g) because of this possible complication and she said that the biggest thing to watch against with this medication was getting PLENTY of water intake. You will need to get much, much more water than the average person but believe me, you will want it. This medication dehydrates you like nobody's business.

She told me that as long as I stay very well hydrated that I should not have complications with eating LC and taking Topamax. Since LC eating is so beneficial for my health, she felt I needed to continue to eat LC even with these warnings and she's a GREAT doctor who I trust with my life!!

[gonwtwindo]

I have to wonder if they mean the Ketogenic Diet as is prescribed for epileptic patients.

This is a standard term - Ketogenic Diet - and consists of a diet that is 80% fat, 10% protein, 10% carbohydrate...and 75% of the calories normally prescribed for an individual.

I'm not entirely sure that the Atkins or general low carb diet is what the Topamax manufacturers mean by "Ketogenic Diet"...i would contact the manufacturer directly and ask.

[kelly77]

I have taken Topamax in the past along with a low carb diet and didnt have any problems that I knew about. I was aware of the issues and just watched for problems. None occured for me.