Coping mechanism symptoms and conditions

Be careful, do your research before taking Topamax. I took Topamax for 5 weeks for severe migraines. The first 2 weeks were fine, a slight decrease in my appetite. The third week, my memory suddenly got really bad, really scary. By the 4th week, my memory was non-existant and I felt slightly depressed. My Dr. assured me these side effects would soon pass. By the 5th week of Topamax, I plunged into a horrendous, suicidal depression. I cried all the time, I woke at 4 am with irregular heart beats. I have never been so uncomfortable in my own skin. I became a stranger to myself.

I much prefer my migraines over the side effects I suffered from Topamax.

My husband takes prednisone for bronchiolitis obliterans residual from two bone marrow transplants for leukemia. On and off this steroid for nearly a decade now. The emotional roller coaster; the poor management by some of his previous doctors; the easy bruising; the effect on his sleep and his mood stability. This is a horrible medication that saved his life. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Before his last crisis where he had to go back on it, he actually told me that he'd rather die than start it all over again. He changed his mind, but what a toll it takes! Weight gain and the devastating effect on his body, his self image and his self esteem is the absolute worst. Before the leukemia hit, my husband lived in the gym lifting weights and staying trim effortlessly. He missed the exercise as a coping mechanism during his treatments. When he was physically able to exercise again after two hip replacements, two shoulder replacements and leukemia in remission - he developed the lung problems and started thsi prednisone cycle of submission. He is still trim but lives with this globe of abdominal fluid and weight that seems to have migrated from the rest of his body to his navel. Years ago all of this abdominal girth seemed to resorb back into his body leaving just stretch marks when his steroid use decreased. Now despite a decrease, it remains stubbornly in place and seems to be growing. It profoundly affects his breathing as well. If he eats too much at all, he can't breathe well. He has tried calorie reduction, Atkins, glycemic index diets and nothing seems to work. He can't get aerobic enough to tackle the weight. I have searched for a personal trainer or a nutritionist or anyone who might help my husband with an indvidiualized plan. Any ideas how best to xupport him?