Any luck with Topamax?

[NashvilleChick]

My dr. put me on Topamax... for migranes, but also for weightloss... He says it will really kick in and start helping me shed weight once I get up to the 150-200mg mark. I am currently on 100mg's/day and will increase to 150mgs by the weeks end...then 200mg's by the following week...
Anyone else use this drug and what are your experiances at the different dosage levels? I have no headaches at all which I love... no side effects except for an occasional slight tingly feeling in my heels of my foot... but its very very mild and very unnoticable.(may not even be related...who knows)
But anyway, if anyone has any input to offer, that would be awesome.
Anyone lose any good amount of weight? If so, how much and in what time frame?
I notice a big decrese in my appetite already... pretty much have to force myself to eat cause i am never hungry which is nice.... wonder what will happen as the dosage goes up even more?

Thanks!

[Jennyjune]

I have been on Topamax for about 10 weeks. It has been kind of a crazy ride for me. I am attempting to stick it out however. I am having quite a few side effects from it and still waiting for the migraines to improve more. I have to put one warning out there though. For those of you that do experience the loss of appetite from it. PLEASE...make yourself eat. I am starting out very obese myself. I started 10 weeks ago at 264 pounds. I am one person that is very greatful for the weightloss. As of this morning, i am down to 222. Yes, that is 42 pounds. BUT, let me warn you, my body is starving itself. Even if you don't feel like eating, force yourself! If you don't feel like drinking, force yourself! This is a wee bit scarey! Weight loss is nice, but don't sacrifice yourself and your health!  

[Jenny1893]

Hi, I'm Jenny. Just had my third dose of 50mg Topamax last night and tonight will be number four. I'll increase to 100mg in 2 weeks. Started on it for both bipolar disorder and bulimia. So far I've got pins and needles in my fingers and face and trouble sleeping. A little tired during the day. Havent tried soda. Food tastes ok, but I just don't want to eat. I'm physically hungry but no appetite. According to the scale I'm down about 3 pounds. Started at 132 so my weight really isnt a problem either way. Have had a tiny bit of memory loss but it hasnt been bad. Just hope the side effects (not the weight loss) don't get worse. I'll keep ya updated.
Jenny N,

[Heavenshade]

I started taking Topamax 50mg twice daily then moved up to 100mg to control seizures. I have to say that the difficulty concentrating did play a big part in my reluctance to try the drug. Im a college student and I really didnt want to have anything hindering my chances of me finishing school. I suffered from depression and had gained quite a bit of weight since highschool. I was up to around 200 lbs which isnt extremely bad, but when I looked at the BMI calculator and I saw that I was officially classified as obese I just sortof lost it. Its hard to lose that weight when you are already doing everything that you think you are able to do. Im not some health nut that can run a marathon every morning before work and still be okay to do everything else too.

Ive been on Topamax now for about two school semester now. To be honest it was a slow start and then it picked ut. But I didnt change anything extra. I havent had time to hit the gym because all my time has been used up at work or at school. People have said that they arent as hungry on topamax, but Im actually hungrier... Somehow Im still losing weight. The only thing that changed is I dont drink soda now. Only because I cant taste the carbonation. Now I just drink water, because frankly I might as well. It kindof urks me when my friends are around me and they all drink sodas and they they order me a water like Im too good for a soda, because god, sometimes I REALLY want one... but yeah thats the way the cookie crumbles I guess. I've lost 60 pounds since the fall. Thats not some inflated number to give people hope. I have lost over 10 inches off my waist. Ive gone from wearing a 40" waistline to having a 28" waistline.

The weightloss is great, but I will warn you that it went really really quick... like the skin has no where to go... and although I feel lighter and a bit less ashamed about my weight. I still wont go off showing my body because I think my skin looks gross. Once I noticed how quickly I was losing weight I started using lotion that pregnant women use for their skin, but still. Its something to watch out for...

[pattynpito]

I am now on 150 mg twice a day = 300 mg a day. because of summer approaching the migraines seems to be getting a bit stronger so doctor increased it. Weight loss has been about nomore than 15 lbs in total. nothing major and its been what? 3 months I've been on it. So I decided to go back to the gym which is helping a great deal. pins & needles I still experience frequently but the mental fogness is wearing off a lot. I do loss the word I am about to say quite a lot, but it comes to me. "concentrate" is the key word people!!!
I love this medication and after years and years of every over the counter migraine medication and every prescription given to me - this has been the only relieve I've had. Since I was 6 years old I've been having migraine headaches. Im a 35 year woman now and I can finally live a normal life. I will live thorugh the side effects before going back to migraine headaches anyday

[uthmk]

It sounds like I'm having a situation similiar to yours. I've taken topamax 100 (50 twice a day) for 3 and a half weeks and haven't lost a pound. I feel as hungry as usual. Guess that means the drug doesn't give me that great side effect. Do you agree? Oh well.

uthmk

[pattynpito]

I have been using topamax starting at 50 mg first week then 100 mg 2nd week (my orders not doctors LOL) tomorrow I go to doctor appt for follow up - he needs to increase me as the migraines are coming back slowly. Had a big one yesterday. Weight loss??? I know a week ago I had lost 10 lbs. this week I dont know yet.
but yes I feel alot of pins and needles and mental fogness. My husband calls it "my dummy pill" lol... you just have to stop and concentrate a little harder, but the bad side effects do fade away little by little,week 2 is better than week 1, so I assume it gets better. I am looking to lose 40 unwanted lbs I gained on anti-depressants, NEVER AGAIN will I take that junk-o-pills..waste of time and I can't take the weight off for my life, so this not only will help, it will take away 25 years of migraine suffering. My doctor calls it MY MIRACLE PILL....I will check in tomorrow with weight results. I started at 171 lbs 5'5 FT tall