Success with topamax

Hi, I am currently on an increasing dosage of topamax for suspected seizures - although the seizures are very mild and random.  I am not the type of person who likes to take medication and I have had a read on a couple of different forums about topamax and there seems to be a lot of negativity surrounding the drug with some pretty scary side effects.

Can anyone enlighten me with some success stories??

Thanks, from New Zealand!

[selmaS]

  Hi...I am on Topamax, on a very low dosage and the first 2 weeks were awful, but after that 2 weeks to adjust to the meds I felt better.

I am not on it for seizures, but as a provalactic for headaches....

SO it is going to be a personal thing as to what ur dosage is, and if u have reactions to the med...u do need to drink plenty of water to help avoid  kidney stones.....but, with the same note ur dr should be doing regular labs to keep tabs on all that.

   Drs RX meds knowing they have side effects, just as surgeries have risks, but the benefits must out weight the risk for the dr to suggest it....u have to have a trust in ur dr.

If not, get another opinion  or ask ur dr if there is another treatment that would not have the side effects this med has.

   Good luck

  "selma"

[twinjackie]

I think when there's alot of opinions about a certain drug that has had negative side effects, it worth questioning the safety of that drug. I needed up at the ER from a reaction to topamax. I was breathing so fast that it would wake me and had continued to get worst. By the time I went to the ER, I was not able to follow what was said to me.  My primary never wanted to put me on this drug. But the neurologist did for headaches. I started on 25mg, then 50mg. and stopped at 100mg. When I ended up in the ER, this doctor told me he didn't like this drug. Going off this drug brought on seizures for my friend.  Selma found that it does work for her and I know that it would have to work for others or it won't be prescribed. I think getting another opinion or asking for a different drug is good idea though because of topamax's record.