What dosage of Topamax causes weightloss?

[tiff423]

I just started Topamax.  I'm on 25mg/day and will increase by 25mg/week until I reach 100mg.  I heard the weightloss effect depends on the dose.  So, what dose did everyone here have their success?  And what type of diet/eating plan and exercise plan did you do to help it along?  I'm desperate to lose 40 lbs (half of which I gained on Zoloft-no longer taking).  PLEASE respond if you had any weightloss on this drug, I'm very curious.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!  :)

[heidivonh]

Hi! I have been on 100mg of Topamax since the end of April. I immediately experienced the loss of appetite. I seaked the advice of a naturopath to use it to my advantage because I had about 80 pounds to lose. I see him every Friday and since then, I have lost 43 pounds...:-) It has not been difficult. It seems like he weight is coming off on its own now. I don't crave anything. I'm hoping to reach my goal by January. I'm not worried about the holidays because I have been turned off all food and I don't think it will be difficult to continue following what the naturopath has told me to do. By the way...eat a lot of yogourt..it really facilitates weight loss. I eat about 500g of yogourt per day and drink 2-3 glasses of milk per day. Topamax alone won't make you lose the weight, it will just make it easier for you to do it on your own.



I hope this helps you!! Have a great week!!



Heidi

[tiff423]

Hi!  Thanks for the response!!  That was so encouraging!!!  I have noticed so far that I'm not craving the usual foods that I eat, mainly Taco Bell!! ;)  Did you start out on 100mg right away?  I have to make my way up to 100mg.  Great idea on the yogurt because it's great for getting rid of bloat caused by yeast overgrowth as many of us women have in our bodies.  Great tip!!!  Great job on your weightloss results!!!  Do you do any kind of exercise too?  If so, what kind?  I'm thinking about pilates and maybe taking up kickboxing as a stress reliever.  I am so excited that my DR has put me on this (for migraines), i PRAY I'll get the loss of appetite side effect!!!!!  I so badly need to lose 40 lbs!!  Thank you so much for responding!  Anyone else with any advice is greatly appreciated!!  Have a great week!

[heidivonh]

Hi! My doctor also put me on it for migraines. I was getting them 2 to 3 times per week. Now I get them once every 3 to 4 weeks. That is quite an improvement. He started me on 25mg last November and slowly increased it until the end of April when he had me on 100mg. I didn't experience any change in appetite until I hit 100mg. It seemed to happen over night. I should exercise more than I do because my father owns a health club (and I work there too..lol), but my mindset is not there yet. I will get there though. I'm sure if I did, the weight would come off faster. My naturopath checks my body fat percentage every Friday to be sure I am eating enough and not losing any muscle. So, be sure you eat the 75g of fat per day that your body needs. If you do, you won't crave the fatty foods. He also told me to eat lots of fibre. I could tell you all night what he has taught me, but it I'm too tired and you would probably get bored reading it...just be sure you eat 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day.



Take care...Heidi

[sallie1]

You have been on topamax since last november.I was wondering if you have had any trouble with hair loss ? Im on 200 mg a day for migrains.I'v lost 48lbs. now ,but I'm haveing major hair loss.The Dr. has blood work and says everything is normal.

[heidivonh]

Yes I have had some trouble with hair loss, but my hair is so thick and curly that I'm fine with it. 200mg is a high dose. Does it afect your appetite more is there no difference from 100mg? I never even thought of mentioning the hair loss to my doctor...maybe I should...but he'll probably come up with same results as your dotor did...

[sallie1]

I have no difference in the appetite loss with the 200 mg than I did  with the 100 mg.I also have ,well had very,very thick hair in june I donated to the locks of love for the 4th time in 6 years.Its so thick they got 2, 12" ponytails.now since aug 22 i have filled 3/4 of a gallon baggy with my hair .Its fallig out fast .Does your hair loss seem normal or like its more than normal after about 7 or 8 months on topamax? thanx

[heidivonh]

Hi, Well, this morning I really paid attention in the shower and I think that's when my hair falls out the most. It seems to fall out a lot when I run my fingers through my hair when I rinse it. I also noticed that the hair gets caught in my anklet. It's funny how you don't notice it quite as much until it's pointed out. I knew it was falling out, but didn't pay much attention to how much it was.



If you want to send me an e-mail, that would be fine. It would be easier to talk. ***@****



Have a nice weekend!



Heidi

[Anneeee]

I had horrible hair loss from taking topomax for only 2 weeks.  The sad part is, it didn't stop falling out when I discontinued it.  My daughter is a cosmetologist and she told me the topo causes the hair follicles to close.  What has fallen out, wont grow back, but the hair loss should stop when you discontinue the drug.  The Topo really messed up my cycle too. I think my  adrenals took a hard hit from just two weeks on the drug.  For me it was not worth it.  I was stupid, depressed and started having panic attacks on it.  I would loose blocks of time. Huge blocks.  I would get in the shower and when I got out look at the clock and realize I had been in there forever............was I just standing there? I would stare at the computer screen for long blocks of time and not realize it. It was scary. For migrain sufferers, if this works, its a wonder drug for those people, but to take it for weight loss alone, I would never do it again.  Just my experiance. Of course, everyone is differant.....

[sallie1]

i take topamax for migraines. if you read up on it most people start haveing hair loss after a couple of months . are you sure it was the topamax after only 2 weeks ,thats realy scary !i read in another post of yours that you are still haveing hair loss .is that still going on ?Im wondering what im up against because this med does help with the headaches so much .thank you and good luck. sallie

[Anneeee]

yes, still hair loss.  I started taking evening primrose oil about 10 days ago. I have some hope this will help.



My sister in law has had a great deal of hair loss w/topo also, but after living with a head ache everyday of her life, its worth it to her.  She cycles with the drug.  Works her way up, then starts decreasing dose again.  Seems to work for her ...

[tiff423]

Hi again!



Well, I'm at 50mg/day now and I will be at 75mg on Saturday.  I feel like I'm doped up on Benadryl all day-sooooo tired!!!  Hope this will pass!!  Also getting some pressure behind my right eye.  Almost feels like a bad muscle twitch, yet no twitch, just feels like it wants to lead up to a twitch.  Does that make sense?  I dont know myself b/c this med is making me not make any sense at all in a lot of stuff I say.  Which really sucks because I talk to customers all day long in person and on the phone and they are beginning to look at me strangely.  They probably think I've lost my mind or on drugs! Hope that will pass soon too!  Havent really noticed the hairloss side effect yet, because I lose a lot of hair each day anyway.  I actually have to run my fingers thru my hair in the shower to get the loose ones out-and there is a lot of them-so they dont clog the drain everyday.  Draino is our friend in my house! (sad, huh?) ;)  So, it probably wont be much of a difference to me. All in all, I hope these side effects are worth it!  I hope I see a difference in the migraines and maybe even the loss of appetite (hopefully)!  If not, I'm definitly stopping this.  I dont like feeling like I'm staring into space all day!!!  Have a great weekend!! :)  Tiff

[heidivonh]

Hi! The dopey clumsy feeling does go away. As long as you are increasing the med, you will feel it. Once you are on a dose that is stable, the feelings should subside after 2 to 3 weeks. I didn't notice a difference in the appetite and the migraines until I was at 100mg. Everyone of course is different...You have a great weekend too!!

[msvicky]

I have been on Topamax for 2.5 years now for Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD). The current dose is 400mg for more than half that time. Many years ago I was on Lithium and gained 200lbs during the 6 year period that I was taking it. But after I went off the drug