Topomax, Weightloss,SideEffects,Pros

[Davetterrr]

Please share on how you have been effected by using Topamax.How long have you used it?Why?Have you had any side effects?And if so to what extreem.What other medications do you take along with Topomax.Has you family noticed any differences in you?

On that note let me introduce myself.My name is Davette.I have been on Topomax about 31/2months.I have migrains and seizures.I have been extremely effected by the side effects.Mostly memory and spelling.I have tingling in the fingers and toes.I also have little appetite and have lost 17lbs.Witch is great for me. I am over weight.I am tired more than normal,but i did sleep alot due to migrains.I do have more side effects and stuff,but I wont over load you all at once.I know this sounds like alot, but it has gotten better as time goes on. I have started to level off and become more normal.I dont feel the tingles as much and i have more of an appetite (darn)he he.I have less migrains down from 18 days a month to about 7 or 8 at the most.I am happy about that.Please feel free to ask any questions and talk about your self. we can help each other out.

[SShylady]

It took a long time, maybe 7 months for me to start getting relief from using topomax, and it helped me to go from 158 to 132, but it took time and I also exercised. I stopped taking it in August cuz me n hubby are trying to have a baby, but if I am not pregnant this month, we are gonna stop trying for a while til I get my weight under control. I was on 400mg and had to wean myself off of it before we could start trying. I decreased one pill every two weeks, then had to be off of it for a full month before we could start. I was unable to control my cravings and appetite during all this time and have gone from 135 to 162 in a very short period of time. I have started back exercising now. So topomax did help with weightloss  and eventually helped with pain by decreasing the amount of migranes I had per month. I may start taking it again if we are not pregnant this month, then wean myself off again when I reach my goal. This time I will do better with my appetite and cravings because I know what happened last time. Lots of luck to you and I hope this helped you in some way.

[socialanxiety]

I did ALOT of research before starting on Topamax and rarely did I read about the side effect that I am experiencing. It is mentioned on most medical sites as a common side effect but not one discussed in forums, it may help others experiencing it also - upper respiratory infection. I came down with a nasty "cold "on day 7 of taking Topamax ( I take 50mg twice a day), went to my psych on day 9 - he had told me that since I do not have a sore throat or fever it is the Topamax that is causing the symptoms of the cold (stuffy, runny nose and sneezing) and that it should go away. I am to take cold medication in the meantime to battle the symptoms if it persists I should go see the doctor to rule out an actual cold. If I do not have a cold and it still does not go away after 2 weeks he will lower my dose.

I also am writing a journal of my topamax journey:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/index/1512520?personal_page_id=1890286

[Storm44]

Just started the Tmax last week. I have been prescribed it for Migraine prevention and have had them pretty much my entire life or as far back as i can remember.
So far my concerns are the loosing my train of thought mid-way through my sentence. I mean it is so irritating! Plus is anyone experiencing numbness and tingling in their arms and face? Let me know I dont know if it is something I should be worried about or not.
The carbonated beverage thing has also been noticed but that doesnt bother me because it has made me stop drinking pepsi! lol

[littlemoresunshine]

Thanks so much for your response. I also take Relpax, about 3 times per week and they are SO SO SO expensive. They are like $26 per pill!! So I HATE taking them, I end up taking tons of ibuprofen, excedrin and other pills before resorting to Relpax because they are so costly - which is no good for your body! So, I'm very happy to be on Topamax. I haven't had any real migraines yet, though I have had headaches everyday up  for the past 10 days until three days ago - I had just recently tapered off Lexapro. Ever since Lexapro has been out of my system the headaches have been gone. But, I have had migraines since I was a teenager and they dramatically increased during my 20's and only gotten worse in my 30's.

Thanks so much for your advice about the Topamax, its good to know that i just need to be a little more patient, and I'll likely get past the rough patches and maybe loose some weigh if I give it time, although I know everyone's body responds differently.

Thanks again!

[PhillyRose65]

The effect of the taste will take two weeks and it is only on carbonated beverages so you will not notice since you don't drink them.  The weight loss is gradual. You will skip meals / snacks and not be hungry - that will take about two weeks also.  It takes awhile to build up in your system first.  I have been on it since January for severe Migraines and my dose is 50mg twice a day which it is keeping it at bay.  I also take Relpax 40mg for a sudden onset of a migraine.  I used to use them like candy until I started on Topamax.  I would go through 3 pills a week but now about 3 pills a month if that.  

With the topamax it will cause you to forget simple words that you use daily but after you hit your level - you will learn to control it.  It doesnt effect me anymore.


Good luck in your migraine control.

Rose

[littlemoresunshine]

Been on Topamax for only three evenings. I also take Wellbutrin and have taken Wellbutrin since I quit smoking in 2006. Wellbutrin helped keep me from gaining weight during my battle with quitting smoking, which is amazing and made cigarettes taste horrible. The side effects were minimal but the shakiness was by far the most annoying and continues to be. I lost a significant amount of hair in late 2007 & early 2008 and continue to loose quite a bit because I had lost 50lbs being on a hardcore exercise & nutrition plan. I don't think it was Wellbutrin that cause weight loss. I have really thin hair already, I went to my dermatologist, endocarnalogist, gynacalogist, PCP, you name it - to address the issue and no luck. **I take biotin and evening primrose oil and that seems to help some with the hair loss** both are available over the counter at most grocery stores and all health stores/vitamin stores.

I am on 25mg Topamax for extreme migraines and will be on 50mg after 7 days, then after a month or two up to 75mg then eventually 100mg. I haven't noticed a difference in anything yet. I'm really tired now but I am still taking antibotics from having a sinus infection, so that may have something to do with it. Plus, I am a full-time college student, full-time employee and full-time mother - so I'm pretty much always exhausted. I noticed it has been a little more difficult to spell when taking notes over the past two days, or maybe its a coincidence.

I would like to benefit from the weight loss of Topamax as I have been recently started Lexapro a month ago (in addition to my Wellbutrin) and I've already gained weight. I'm going to talk to my Dr. about stopping the Lexapro and just staying on the Topamax once I get to a high enough dose. I haven't noticed any difference in smells or the taste of foods so far with Topamax like many have, but maybe its too early in the process. Plus, I do not drink any carbonated beverages (ever). It would be nice to loose about 20lbs, to get me in the "safe" category for my size, age, and frame.

How long did it take before people noticed a reduced appetite? I haven't noticed it yet, but its only been two days, and I'm only taking 25mg. I have been getting some stomach pains and cramps (but sometimes my stomach acts out for no apparent reason, I'm lactose intolerant, so my indigestion system is very touchy). Please advise. Thanks. Oh, and I promise to keep this post up to date to let you know if I have lost any weight or had any unwanted side effects