Mommy, this Coke tastes like butt!

My doctor recently prescribed 50mg of Topamax as a mood stabilizer for me. Topamax is FDA approved for migraines and epileptic seizures. However, it has also long since been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Side effects of Topamax include a tingling sensation in hands and feet, memory loss, confusion with words, weight loss, appetite suppression. However, there is one side effect that I don't think doctors really make patients aware of though it is extremely prominent. My doctor only told me about the tingling sensation, possible leg pains and the weight loss. As with any medication I start taking, I research it on the Internet because let's face it the Internet is a goldmine of information -- unless of course you're reading Bubba Ray's theory of relativity on Wikapedia. Anyhoo . . . all the websites that were coming up were only stating the treatment for migraines and epileptic seizures. Even the official Topamax site mentioned nothing about the drug treating mood disorders, but I suppose this is because it's not FDA approved to do so. I finally found this site called crazymeds.org run by this guy who is bipolar with a touch of autism and he had a wealth of information on just about every antidepressant, mood stabilizer, stimulants, etc out there. Here Topamax was listed as a mood stabilizer and he had listed the pros and cons, side effects, etc. What I found interesting is this: "Sodas and other carbonated beverages will utterly taste like ass, so you may as well give them up now if you're considering Topamax."

And people. THEY DO. It took about two days of taking the drug for me to notice this effect. Now I have never tasted ass before but if I'm sure it would taste like a Coke does to me now that I'm on Topamax. Once that carbonation hits my tongue, this bitterness just expunges from my mouth and my face draws up like I just sucked the juice from a lemon. BLEEEECH. It's no different if it's regular or diet -- it's all the same bitter taste. It's sad for me cause I love Diet Sprite and Diet Pepsi -- especially with buttered popcorn. I can still manage to drink them but it's certainly not with the same enjoyment. ::burp::