Anyone ever been on Topamax?

[willow542000]

I began taking Topamax for headaches and also to help with the weight gain from Effexor. About a month later, I realized the side effects were much greater than the help I was getting from the med so I began tapering off.

I had read on the net from posters how horrible a med this is to get off and how long it takes to do it. I've been tapering off for about 20 days and just stopped 3 nights ago. Sick of that silly pill.

The med caused me to turn into some kind of monster. I didn't have as bad of a time getting of any of the major drugs I had taken while in active addiction. Anyway, hoping that this stuff is all out of my system. I took 25 mg for 25 days and that's all. From the reaction, you would thought I had taken 300 mg for 10 years!!! Thanks

[Tuckamore]

Hey Willow,

Topamax is actually an anticonvulsant that is chemically unrelated to any other anticonvulsant or mood regulating medication. The mechanism of action is unknown. It is used off label for a number of other disorders including migraines, PTSD and for patients with mood and eating disorders.

I'm glad you were able to taper off this med without any serious side effects. I have read some of the posts on the net also. Everyone responds differently to medications. Some pp; have no problems with proper tapering, indeed I think that is the majority. A select few seem to have more troublesome symptoms.

Peace,
Tuck

[willow542000]

Glad you're off that stuff!  I'm sorry about your having RSD.

I didn't see any benefit it was supposed to give that outweighed the side effects it was causing. for one thing, I don't have Migraines, I just have bad headaches caused by Cervical Dystoni.   However I have lost 10 lbs as it is supposed to curb the appetite. I was losing my hair, felt very strange all the time(not that I'm not strange anyway...lol), and I had nightmares while on the stuff. So glad I'm off too. Willow

[willow542000]

Hi, well after having some horrible reactions from mixing drugs, I knew this drug was not for me. I really do my research now and try to be well informed as to what I'm taking and I knew it was really a strong med, but thought it would be OK.     I also knew it was a drug that cannot just be stopped without tapering off, so that's what I've done and I feel better allready now that I've finally tapered off enough I guess. Willow

[willow542000]

Oh I know it affected my psyche....ask my next door neighbor!!!  Didn't know it was for BiPolar too though. Actually I had listened to my neice who swore by it that it has helped her appetite and too lose weight and that's basically why I took it. But goodness, as you say, it is far too heavy of a drug to mess with to just lose weight. Thanks, Willow

[tresa47]

I was on topomax for a very short time..dr thought it would help with rsd pain...only thing it made me was extremely irritable and my hands, where rsd is became much more sensitive and painful..needless to say I am no longer on it. Feel better ! :)

[sandee1818]

I was prescibed this drug years ago but never filled it. So I really don't have any experience with it. I am glad you see there is a problem and are dealing with it though.
That takes alot of courage and without sounding condescending I am proud of you:)
I hope you are feeling better very soon.

[worried878]

topamx is also used for bipolar disease...so it may have really affected ur psyche..inn fact i would almost be sure it did...that is a heavy duty drug for headaches for sure...have u asked ur dr for sumpin else?