Topamax Side effects!!!

[admin]

Hi,
I am currently interested in taking topamax. It seems like it would be good for me because I also get migrains, am taking other meds for depression, have trouble sleeping, and really needs to loose weight. But I am getting turned off by all of the ugly side effects everyone is talking about. It the memory loss that bad? I'm a collage student and could not afford to 'loose my mind' so to speak! Please give me your honest opinion!
Thanks

[admin]

I recently have discontinued taking Topamax. The side effects i had were: When i first started taking and these lasted for a month: Pop/soda tasted wierd, i would get intermittent tingling in my feet/hands, and i had nooooo appetite and i was able to lose some weight. BUT, all of that did change and i went back to normal after a month. I was taking Topamax for migraine's. I did experience a decrease in headache's for that first month...THEN- I would get a headache everyday. That was a new thing. They were almost like spinal headache's too. Like after a spinal tap. Bizarre, i only noticed it was the topamax because when i forgot to take it one day, i didn't have a headache that day. I weaned myself off of it. It just wasn't for me.

[admin]

I went to the doctor today regarding the side effects and for my nerve blocks. It seems that I am one of the very few that have an allergy to Topamax. I have since been taken off the drug. When my tongue swelled up the other night after taking two pills, I knew something was wrong. I wish you all success with this medication, should you all pursue it.

God bless you all.

Nancy

[admin]

I'm currently on Topamax 1/day x 75mg for chronic daily headaches and have minor side-effects so far (i.e., dry mouth, thirsty, no appetite, itchy, word-finding issues). My pain is just now starting to subside in 30 - 60 min. windows throughout the day (thank goodness!!!) so for now I'm pretty happy.

I've ready the history of this topic and one thing I haven't seen posted is whether or not some of the more psychological side-effects could be generated by severe malnutrition caused by the anorexia generated by the lack of appetite? I know there are periods of multiple days where I don't remember to eat at all...in essence I'm committing accidental anorexia. I wonder though if that's not part of what could be contributing to some the side-effects that are more along psychological lines?

Any thoughts? So far, I haven't had any such side effects, but wanted to get some input.

Also, my doc recommends taking magnesium, B2, and LOTS OF WATER to help cope with the side effects

I'm looking forward to everyone's input - thanks!

[admin]

I'm currently on Topamax 1/day x 75mg for chronic daily headaches and have minor side-effects so far (i.e., dry mouth, thirsty, no appetite, itchy, word-finding issues). My pain is just now starting to subside in 30 - 60 min. windows throughout the day (thank goodness!!!) so for now I'm pretty happy.

I've ready the history of this topic and one thing I haven't seen posted is whether or not some of the more psychological side-effects could be generated by severe malnutrition caused by the anorexia generated by the lack of appetite? I know there are periods of multiple days where I don't remember to eat at all...in essence I'm committing accidental anorexia. I wonder though if that's not part of what could be contributing to some the side-effects that are more along psychological lines?

Any thoughts? So far, I haven't had any such side effects, but wanted to get some input.

Also, my doc recommends taking magnesium, B2, and LOTS OF WATER to help cope with the side effects

I'm looking forward to everyone's input - thanks!

[admin]

My neurologist put me on 200 mg. of Topamax daily for migraine headache "control".After only 4 and 1/2 months, I noticed some VERY subtle vision blurring (on and off),so I went to my eye doctor. Sure enough, I was developing increased intra-occular pressure which would have lead to blindness from glaucoma!There was nothing wrong with my eyeglasses,but as soon as my eye Dr. reported to me that I had increased pressure in my eyes I knew it was this drug.(Thank God I'm a nurse,or I may not have known of this possible side effect,and made the "connection")My vision was fine.....the blurring was caused from the drug.
After a lab test of my urine, it was also discovered that I was developing kidney stones from Topamax,too
I went off the medication immediately,and am so grateful that I caught these symptoms in time before they caused a horrible change in my life.
NO headache is worth going blind for!These side effects took only a few weeks to present themselves. Be VERY careful with your vision if you take this med.The blurring is SO subtle, that if I had not been "sharp",I would have just continued the med and, put off an eye doctor appt.,and not gotten immediate intervention. BE CAREFUL FOLKS! I was very lucky.

[admin]

what dosage were you on when you started losing the weight?

[admin]

my neurologist suggests calcium fortified oj and a banana every morning. this is a pretty common side effect. after about six months on 100 mg a day, i still get some tingles in my feet and nose. I am extremely happy with this med as treatment for cluster headaches.

[admin]

I have been taking Topomax for approximately 8 months now for migraines and Fibromyalgia. The migraines have decreased tremendously but I am extremely tired. I have also lost approximately 15 lbs since starting on it and have started to loose my hair. However my doctor said that I would not loose all of my hair it would just make it thinner. I am also a Diet Coke person and have noticed that it tastes like metal. At times I have noticed a little bit of blurred vision but not too often nor have I had memory loss. As of yet I haven't had any kidney problems but I have noticed that my IBS has been a lot worse. I am not sure if that is from taking the Topomax or just effects from the Fibromyalgia. In the beginning I noticed a lot of numbness and tingling in my feet and hands but that has gone away after time. I am going to continue taking the Topomax as long as I can, it is wonderful not having the migraines anymore.

[P.J.]

I have been taking Topomax for approximately 8 months now for migraines and Fibromyalgia. I am currently taking 75 mg at night. The migraines have decreased tremendously but I am extremely tired. I have also lost approximately 15 lbs since starting on it and have started to loose my hair. However my doctor said that I would not loose all of my hair it would just make it thinner. I am also a Diet Coke person and have noticed that it tastes like metal. At times I have noticed a little bit of blurred vision but not too often nor have I had memory loss. As of yet I haven't had any kidney problems but I have noticed that my IBS has been a lot worse. I am not sure if that is from taking the Topomax or just effects from the Fibromyalgia. In the beginning I noticed a lot of numbness and tingling in my feet and hands but that has gone away after time. I am going to continue taking the Topomax as long as I can, it is wonderful not having the migraines anymore.