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I tried zonisamide. Yes, I lost weight on it, but not in a good way. Appetite suppressant plus painfully sour stomach led to chronic low blood sugar which eventually triggered a seizure. I was trying to eat, but my stomach hurt too much.
They call it the "Supermodel Drug" because it makes you "thin and dumb" (no offense to any supermodels out there). I did have cognitive side effects with it, problems with word-finding, etc. It also made me depressed and cranky (probably because I was starving), two things I've rarely been in my life before or since. I was a few weeks away from my 6-month check-up with my neuro, at which point I was planning to ask for a medication switch -- instead I had a massive seizure, and that got the switch started sooner.
I had a bad experience -- yours may be better. Make sure your neuro measures your serum bicarbonate before and after you go on the drug, in order to check for metabolic acidosis. (See http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety...mationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm095251.htm). And make sure to drink plenty of water on it.
wow, I was just about to start a thread about zonisamide. My neuro dr prescribed it for me today after I shared with him that I gained about 30lbs in 4 months taking Depakote, that I was extremely depressed but also I get extremely over joyed in a matter of minutes. So Im with you, I'll give it a try, keeping in mind all that I have read in regards to side effects and blood chemical levels etc... This is third med trial..... somethings gotta give!
Oh, and Im only taking it once a day (evenings) for a month, then I go back to see him.
Oops sorry!! I went into that long, drawn out post, and didn't answer your question!
Appetite loss was immediate. He also didn't want to drink anything (which was dangerous because of the acidosis thing).
booboo -- if one of your seizures is coming back, don't wait til August to inform your neurologist. Call or email your doc with this info, and maybe even see if you can get an earlier appointment.
Azusa -- now that Jon has been on Zonegran for over 7 months, his appetite is back to normal. However, he gets the complete dose after supper.
For me the appetite loss was gradual. I think it didn't start happening until I was at the full dose and completely off my prior med (Dilantin).