Quitting topamax

[Justjode]

I have been on 25mg of topamax for a few weeks for migraines. I decided to stop taking it. Migraines are worse and I can't sleep.how long after I stop taking to topamax until I can take Tylenol PM? My last dose was last night. Thanks!!

[Tammy2009]

I tried topomax - not the drug for me.  I was fine and could handle the slight drowsiness on 50mg once a day but no change in the migraines - went up to 75mg and everything changed.  Weight poured off me (talking a pound every day or two and when you are only 90 pounds that is not good - I dropped from 98 pounds to 82 pounds due to this drug in 2 months, 5' 1").  Also NO appetite or thirst, anything more than a month full physically hurt and something would come back up if I pushed and tried more so I became dehydrated as well, constant extreme nausea as well.  And all the typical cognitive fuzziness, trouble with memory, talking, tingling fingers.  I lasted two weeks on that dose until I was so sick I barely could get off the couch and said no more and stop - oh and the no change in the migraines.  

So one of those drugs, works extremely well on some people and not so much on others - I do tend to react oddly to medications though.  Tylenol 3s (I can take up to 2) and not even feel tired at all and get NO side effects off them.  Advil makes me sick to my stomach but ketorolac with its massive list of side effects I tolerate extremely well and if it wasn't for the lactose in the pills would be using for all my aches and pains - used it for almost 3 months daily before my food allergies showed up with no problems.

[Demyan111]

I've been taking Topamax for about 2 Weeks. I've taken Depakote before, but stopped because of weight gain and hair loss. I am 22 years old. Just about 2 days ago I started noticing some Topamax side effects... Like "i can't find the right words to say" or "finish my sentences" Have you ever experienced this? and do these side effects go away?

[Southergirl49]

I was put on Topamax in 2006 For Migraines/Stress Headaches. I lost my Mother,Father,Husband all within a 16 month period. But migraines also run in the family. I was also type 2 Diabetic sometime my sugar was so high it wouldn't register on my meter. But taking the Topamax starting at 200mg at night then going to 400mg . Put my migraines under control . For a short time. They started back in 2008 so he booted my dose to 600mg

I lost over 155 pounds that meaning of stress to having lost my family. But I seem to be loosing hair now days. Not enough to where I'm going bald but its more than 100 strands a day.
I'm in remission with the diabetes no more medications for that but still half to check it to keep an eye out.
It could return at any time. But as for the headaches Topamax has really helped. I'm at a hault on the weight loss issue I guess once you have taken this drug for so long it don't work as good for the weight .

But i'am worried about the hair loss thing here.. Is anyone eles out there had this type of problem while taking Topamax?

I have read some but they all take very low doses .But if you read this and can help me out on the issue I thank you much...

[daffodil48]

Hi,
I have been on Topamax for menstrual migraine since 2009. I was put on Topamax because my migraines had me bedridden twice a month and I couldn't lead a normal life. I started low on 25mg and ended up on 2 x 50mg daily. The early side effects do go away. I had tingling in my hands and feet and I did still get some nasty headaches (no longer migraines) in the initial stages. The cognitive side effects also went away after a couple of months. After about 3 months on Topamax and getting to my maximum dose, I was getting minor headaches and virtually no side effects. The best thing about Topamax as opposed to other migraine drugs is that it doesn't make you gain weight. Topamax gave me my life back.  

[Eddie1994]

Jode,

Your dosage is on the light side.  My wife tapered off Topamax but her symptoms and triggers are different then most.  I'd suggest that maybe keep trying it until you get leveled off for a little while at 75mg then if you don't notice any changes then you might want to ask your Doctor to taper off.  Be well and God Bless.
Eddie

[Justjode]

It has been making my migraines A LOT worse and I am lucky is I get 3 hrs of sleep a night. I have only been taking it since the 3rd of July, so almost 2 weeks. My doc put me on 25 mg to start and wants me to keep upping my dosage. I have always had weird reactions to meds so I have kept myself on the 25mgs for longer than she wanted and am afraid to go up in dosage due to the severity of the migraines I am getting. Any advice!? Thanks!!!

[selmaS]

  Hi may I ask why you stopped this medication?.... And did you inform your Dr of this change?

TOPAMAX will change your HA's and come back full force when you stop the meds,...it is not something to just stop taking without the advice and guidance of your Dr.