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!

[thevat]

My physician just prescribed me Topamax to fight my ongoing headaches (not migraines but chronic sinus/tension headaches that have not even alleviated after surgery and nasal steroids), my generally high level of l moodiness and anxiety, and the negative (and related issue) of chronic insomnia.

I've read competing reports, however, regarding the effective use of
Topamax in the realms of the treatment of anxiety and insomnia--indeed, some patients report that Topamax actually increases rather markedly the experience of both, usually in diametric accordance with increases in medication.

While Topamax seems to be fantastic in terms of treating headaches-migraines as well as simultaneously granting most patients some weight-loss potential, it seems as though many patients also express concerns regarding 'brain fog/short-term memory loss' and mild-to-severe bouts of anxiety or paranoia. Physiological side-effects that appear to have caused intermittent cause for concern also include various levels of 'tingling' sinsations throughout the body, usually within the extremities, as well as worries over kidney stones, digestive system pain and associated problems, and reported cases of hair loss.

My doctor informed me I will only be only a very low dose, topping off at only 50 mg a day. Does anyone know what side effects I should expect to experience at this dosage? I typically have a very strong stomach but worry a great deal about any reports that Topamax exaggerates or causes anxiety or insomnia (as I am already accomplished in both arenas). I also do not have the patience to deal with the 'Stupimax'-Memory Fog effect or hair loss issues... so hope those who have taken Topamax might comment on their experiences so that I might have a more enlightened view of this medication and its effects (or non-effects) in these areas.

Thanks so much for your time. And thanks so much for this open dialogue--it's so much better than the crazy drug blogs I've stumbled across online... the supportive vibe is really positive... a great standard other websites should try to replicate.

J

[Domenica1972]

I've been taking 100mg/day for about 7 months and not only am I mostly headache free (occasionally a migraine can be triggered by a sinus headache) I have lost 22lbs.  I still experience the occasional tingling in my hands and feet but overall had very few negative side effects after the first month of slowly weaning onto the full dose.  I never had an issue with memory loss.  It's true soda tastes flat but I deal with it and I do notice that I still eat far less than I used too.  I'm just not as interested in food.  The only thing I didn't like was the way it effected my energy levels.  I used to work out 2 hrs/day (with minimal weight loss results, mind you) and within days of starting on topomax I could barely make 3 steps without feeling completely fatigued and to this day I have little motivation to do more than walk a few miles, but the weight came off and at least I am working my heart!  I love topomax.  It's given me my life back.  The migraines were debilitating, the weight loss was a pleasant side effect :)

[robertasgb]

Topomaz  I've slowly lost a few lbs. a month over the last few years. A total weight loss of 55 lbs I've been on 50mg morning and 100mg night. but I have not lost any weight for a year now and have a few breakthrough headaches maybe I need a dose increase? I have been so happy with the Topomax for severe headaches and neck pain after fusion of my neck I was in agony. The weight loss was an added blessing I'm in a wheelchair and can't exercise much. It does affect your appetite and interest in food it's a great side effect to a great medication.

[Steph52703]

I'm 24 and have been struggling with migraines since I was about 16 or 17.  They got much worse when i hit 20 (just like my mother) and then really really bad when I got pregnant (July of last year).  I had migraines for weeks at a time and there wasn't much I could take because I was pregnant.  My OB would prescribe me percocet because it was the only thing that would give me any kind of relief.  I gave birth March 21 of this year and since then they have gotten a little better but I still get them.  I've tried a few different things but nothing seemed to work.  I just started Topomax on 2 days ago (this evening will be my 3rd), just 25mg a day for the first week, then 50mg a day for a week, then I call the dr. and we'll either increase it or keep it the same depending on the effects.  I had a little bit of tingling but nothing major.  I'm excited to hear about the weight loss thing though because I gained 70lbs with my pregnancy!!!!  I'm 5'8'' and before i got pregnant i weighed 135lbs and when I gave birth I weighed 205lbs!!!!  I am down to 145 so I'd like to get rid of the last 10lbs.  I hope this works!!!!

[robertam]

I have Tourette's Syndrome and just started taking Topomax on top of Klonopin and immediately can tell the difference that it it helping with the sniffling and snorting from the Tourette's - I am at 25 mg and will go up from there soon - am also interested in losing weight -

My neurologist put me on it and told me if I get the tingling in my fingers that Gaterade will take it away - a TON of water MUST be drunk every day or it will cause kidney stones and for me, very SEVERE leg cramps at night - thought I was going to die the first night I took my first pill - couldn't straighten up even.

Hope I lose some weight, but noticed immediately that I have very little desire for sweets and am just generally in a much better mood with more energy!!  Love it!!

Roberta

[littlemoresunshine]

it has been a little over a week now since I started Topamax. I increased my dosage to 50mg daily a couple days early because I wasn't really having any bad side effects that other people were talking about. I have NO loss in appettite yet, so again, maybe that will come in the higher doses?? Who knows?

But, I haven't had any migraines. But, I have had headaches since I have started on Lexapro, since then I have tapered myself off and been off for a couple days now, and starting to feel good again. Still on my Wellbutrin, have no need to stop that.