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!

[meikman]

I took tompamax for awhile to lose weight and to control migranes.  I only took 25mg though.  I did lose a little weight because I could no longer drink pops or eat anything that was sweet.  Things like that just had a horrible taste to it.  My appetite didn't seem to decrease but maybe because of the small dose.  I had a problem with balance and dizziness while on the med to the point that I could no longer that the medicine.  My balance would get so bad that it was hard to be in a sitting position let along walking.  Now I take Atenolol to control migranes it seems to work better than the tompamax.

[galantgirl]

I took topamax for a couple of months and I can honeslty say it was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I am 5'1 and i weighted 207; I now weigh 140.  But I only took topamax for I would say 5 months.  I was only 100 each day and it took everything away my appetite my sense of taste for any cola drink.  It was awesome and it took away all my headaches.  The remainder of the months I did by myself by exercising and just sticking with a 2000 calories intake.  My goal is 130.  Probably by next year in Feb.  But thats ok it was a long road to get where I am!  I Love it!

Erika

[jinglehead]

i have been on topamx(on and off) for two years for migrains.i had just had my third child and within 5 weeks i was down 40lbs-but i did have alot of side effects-tingling, throwing up and severe stomache pains-but i didnt have any migairns-over the years i have figured out how to take this without having as many side effects-1 make sure to drink alot of water w/ it 2take it at night 3.stay away from dairy products-4 take a topomax vacation(1-2 weeks) the one problem i can not get rid of is the fact that soda taste awful-so i just stay away from it

[raela]

I started Topamax in November of this year at 25mg a week and have been increasing the dose by 25mg per week and will reach 200mg next week to reach my limit.  My doctor prescribed it for my migraines as  I had requested it since all the other treatments seemed to have weight gain as a side effect while this one was the opposite with weight loss as a possibility.  A year ago I tried Sibelium for 3 months and it worked but I gained 12 pounds in a month and a year later those pounds have not budged.  I am now almost 6 weeks into topamax and as far as the migrains go nothing is happening yet, but it can take a few months to work so I will wait and see before I give up.  As far as weight loss,  I only have 10-15 pounds to lose, but I have not even lost a pound- yet my appetite has decreased significantly right from the start and my cravings are gone-go figure.  I see someone wrote that their doctor said that weight doesn't start to come off until they get into 150-200mg, well I just started 175 so maybe I'm not there yet, got my fingers crossed.
As far as side effects go, they are definitely there.  Tingly fingers and feet.  My memory SUCKS.  Just today someone asked me for my postal code (i'm canadian) and I became tongue tied and couldn't say it and I'm usually a somewhat intelligent person. I've read that the side effects can subside if you reach the correct dose for your body so I'm hoping that happens because giving up one's brains is really not worth anything!  But like I said I'll wait this out for a bit and see what happens, probably two more months I think.  

[raela]

I started Topamax in November of this year at 25mg a week and have been increasing the dose by 25mg per week and will reach 200mg next week to reach my limit.  My doctor prescribed it for my migraines as  I had requested it since all the other treatments seemed to have weight gain as a side effect while this one was the opposite with weight loss as a possibility.  A year ago I tried Sibelium for 3 months and it worked but I gained 12 pounds in a month and a year later those pounds have not budged.  I am now almost 6 weeks into topamax and as far as the migrains go nothing is happening yet, but it can take a few months to work so I will wait and see before I give up.  As far as weight loss,  I only have 10-15 pounds to lose, but I have not even lost a pound- yet my appetite has decreased significantly right from the start and my cravings are gone-go figure.  I see someone wrote that their doctor said that weight doesn't start to come off until they get into 150-200mg, well I just started 175 so maybe I'm not there yet, got my fingers crossed.
As far as side effects go, they are definitely there.  Tingly fingers and feet.  My memory SUCKS.  Just today someone asked me for my postal code (i'm canadian) and I became tongue tied and couldn't say it and I'm usually a somewhat intelligent person. I've read that the side effects can subside if you reach the correct dose for your body so I'm hoping that happens because giving up one's brains is really not worth anything!  But like I said I'll wait this out for a bit and see what happens, probably two more months I think.  

[sky74]

i just started topamax last month im taking 75 mg a day  i have noticed a decrease in my hunger i was having very bad headaces with meridia so the doc wanted to try this and i love it already im 5'4 and started at 189 i go to doc on the 9th im gointo see then how it has done good luck sallie

[Conjoe]

I have had a wild ride with Topamax.  I take it for depression as a mood stabilizer and started over a year ago, I am also quite obese and it immediately had a profound impact on my weight.  I am, myself, a Family Physician and had never prescribed Topamax so I was quite interested in its effects on me.  My psychiatrist rapidly increased my dose and I have to say that I also somewhat anxiously would occassionally take more than I was supposed to because I was hoping to lose more weight and I thought that if a little bit helped then a lot would help even more(I was being stupid). Last year at this time I was taking 100mg a day of Prozac and 600mg a day of Topamax and occassionally even more.  I started to become very manic, which I had never been before in my life, I was not sleeping and hardly eating anything and I was having magical thinking.  I started to think that I had a special understanding of the universe that only a few people shared and that I could heal people by merely laying my hands on them.  Then one night I completely flipped out, I went into a trance like state and I thought I was a messiah and the end of the world was coming and I was the savior, not Jesus mind you but on par with him. At first we didnt realize it was the topamax and thought I was just having a psychotic break. But eventually we realized that I was toxic on the topamax and that what had happened was that I had actually had a "Partial complex seizure" or a "temporal Lobe seizure", that what the trance was.  I stopped the topamax and all of that went away completely. I was back to normal-but slightly depressed. After several months I slowly started back on topamax at a lower dose(this time sticking strictly to my Doctors instruction).  I have occassionally had small episodes of partial complex seizures again usually after an increase in dose or if I forget a few doses and then start up again at the same dose. I also get the weird usual side effects of trouble with word finding and what not but I kind of get a kick out of those side effects, for the most part I really like Topamax, it has really helped me as long as I am careful with it but it can really pack a wallop.

[sky74]

i went to the doc this morning,and i'm down to 176 .thats 13 lbs gone i think thats great .i realy like topamax!plus no more headaces.is anyone else haveing luck?

[raela]

I reached my maximum dose of 200mg Jan.6 and just recently (it'll be 2 months since I started my initial dose of 25mg on Jan.18) I've noticed a decrease in my migraines which is great! As well, since 175mg and up, I've noticed a decrease in the "stupid" side effects, ie. my brain is functioning a little better which is nice as well!
Unfortunately for me, no weight loss to speak of as of yet, but maybe it's because I only have about 15lbs to lose and possibly it only works when there's more to lose??? Or maybe it will start to kick in soon I'm hoping!  Good luck to everyone else!

[abtsy]

I was placed on Topomax for severe migraines.  My migraines started when placed on Toprol Xl 75mg for a heart condition.  I am now at 275mg. and have not had ANY WEIGHT LOSS.  Everyone else that I have spoke to has had weight loss with the drug.  I had a series of blood tests done and of course everything has come back normal.  The only good that came from it, is I don't crave soda pop any more, but then again I hardly drank it anyway.  I am not severly overweight anyway, but it would have been nice to drop about 20lbs.  All my life I never had a problem with weight until I hit 25.  Now I am 35 and can't seem to shed any weight.  The topomax has done wonders for my migraines, and I am not that tired from it either, except for when I take it at bedtime.  Any suggestions?  Not complaining, but it sure would have been a nice little side effect.  I know others have had more severe, and I just can't say enough about what it has been like to be migraine free....

[anay2004]

Hi Sallie,
It's been 20 days since your previous post.  Anymore effects to share?  How about your weight loss progress?  I would love to hear an update.  Your post has me feeling hopeful about this medication.
Anna

[sky74]

yes im still lossing weight. im not checking my weight at home im going to wait tell i go to my doc. everyone can tell now. i realy like this med .it has taken my heahaces away, and my mood is so much better. i feel like myself for the first time in a year1/2. and loveing the weight loss .are you on the med.

[anay2004]

Hi Sallie,
I am not on the med (yet).  I have been on Cymbalta for a little over a year for depression.  I have since gained about 15 pounds (in addition to the other weight I had gained on prozac years earlier).  After complaining about this common side effect of antidepressants, my doctor said he normally recommends 1 of 2 meds to help combat the weight gain.  One is Glucophage (normally prescribed to diabetics to control sugar absorbtion) or Topomax.  He gave me Glucophage last month, but I've noticed no weight change.  I have another appointment this week, and I'm going to ask to try his second choice (the topomax).  Now, I must say that I am not majorly overweight, but the 25-30 pounds that I gained over these antidepressant years is miserable in it's own way.  I've even trained for and run a marathon and can't lose the weight!  I'm a bit afraid of the confusion that the drug may cause, but I'm willing to try it.  I do not have migraines or seizures.  I only have night time twitches that my doctor doesn't even know I about becasue I always forget to tell him.  
I like this site very much.  It is the best site that I have been on regarding ANY medication.  Everyone is full of great advice and the sharing of stories is so appreciated.

Anna

[raela]

seems like your experience is the same as mine...
it's working great for my migraines, but I have yet to shed an ounce and I have now accepted that that is the way it is going to be.  Like you, I only have 12-18 lbs to lose and I never did have a weight problem growing up, quite the opposite, just put the pounds on in this past year-I turn 30 in 2 weeks.  When the doctor and I were deciding which prophylactic to try next for my migraines topamax was the obvious choice since every other med had weight gain as a side effect (which is where I had gained my weight that I wanted to lose-such a viscious circle!!)  I have read that not everyone does lose weight so maybe we are two of the unlucky few...
One good thing for myself, though, is pretty much all of the side effects are gone and most days I don't even think about the fact that I'm on the med.

[sky74]

my mom is on a vaction in d.c. to see my new cousin.we are a family of 6 and could not all go . we sent her to a day and night to poplar spings inn and spa she is haveing a great time.my mom also owns her own daycare and preschool and runs it all she does not stop im sure she will get back to you when she come home on the 10th  im responding for my mother she asked me to watch some things Karisa.

[abtsy]

I think you may be right about us being the only two.  I have to say the side effects that I had with the tingling in my feet and stuff are gone!  And my migraines...well no more.  I have a follow with the neurologist in another month and I have had just a couple of break through headaches and some other people I know who are on it say he may bump me up to 300 which freaks me a little, because I don't feel so tired anymore on the 275 dose.  Anyway, the good news is at least I can eat what I want and just maintain where I am at, but it would have been nice to lose the pesky 18-20 I have gained in the last 5 yrs.  Good luck!  I am just so happy not to have the migraines!!!

[miketish]

Hi All!
i am a 5'1" 29 year old female who is 199lbs and currently takeing welbutrin. I have been for about 6mos. I was prevoiusly on effexor, and that med was a nightmare for me. I was very emotionless on effexor, and before i started effexor, i was a member of weight watchers and lost 40lbs, all of which i put on after starting effexor. (Before starting weight watchers i was 212lbs! can you imagine!!!!) Anyhow, i am very depressed most of the time. I have to be fake alot around family and co-workers. But every once-n-awhile how i truely feel cannot help but peek its ugly self out to display for all to see, and i look a fool. I come from a family with mental illnesses. My mom has ocd,ptsd,who knows what else, my dad is bi-polar... so i am bound to be effective somehow, right? (lol) My biggest issue in my life is my weight. I HATE HOW I LOOK!!! IT'S KILLING MY SOCIAL LIFE!!!! IT'S RUINING ME MENTALLY...along with other issues... so, my doctor took me off the effexor put me on the welbutrin, and i initially lost (over a year after being on no med at all, and 6 mos. of welbutrin)27lbs. NOTHING to be proud of. I tried every weight loss plan in the book.... I even tried to be a contestant on the television show called "The Biggest Looser".... (sent in a tape, must not have appealed to them as being needy enough)...nothing has helped. Welbutrin has curbed my appitite, but.. i do nothing in the form of diet...or exercise. so i am back up to 199lbs. I slowly crept back to that weight. I do not blame Welbutrin for that. I blame my depression for that. So, now i have been having these headaches lately, god awful ones... I go to see the doctor 2 days ago and she gave me this Topamax to start. I am kinda excited to hear about the weight loss side affect, although i will not hold my breath to it having that affect on me, my doctor put me on welbutrin for that reason, and look... i am still obease. Ha Ha ... The joke is on me, Right? Maybe i am just destined to remain fat all my life..... i don't know.  I read all these entries and see that it has helped most of you, but not all of you. Some of the side effects sound crappy, but... i am gonna give this med a shot. What have i got to loose? lets see......My mind, a few pounds, some headaches....(lol)  I just took my first 25mg. tablet last night, so we will see what this tiny little pill is gonna do for me.  Any words of support or advice are welcome.

[jeeperspeepers]

I am 61 yo female, heavy for many years.  I started taking topamax about five weeks ago.  I started with 25 mg one week, increased to 50mg second week, then 75mg third week, 100mg fourth week.  Visited the doctor after the 4th week.  I had lost 5 lbs by his scale.  
Then he increased my dosage to 200 mg.  He said to increase 100 mg each week, but stop increasing or drop back the dosage if side effects bothered me.  I have actually stayed at either 100 or 150 mg.  I think I've lost about ten to 12 lbs by my scale.  I don't know if this is going to work as well as the doctor seems to think.  He says most patients lose 10 lbs a month.  If I lose that it would be great.  I have not been exercising because I am recuperating from a double total knee replacement, but hope to start on a treadmill soon.  I am faithful about drinking the water each day to avoid the kidney stones that are a very real side effect.  I don't think I am going to be able to take a much larger dose than what I am presently taking.  Anyone else have a comment on their dosage.  I presently weight 218 lbs and I am 5'3".  I would like to get down to about 160 to be healthy.

[miketish]

Today is day two outta the way, on to third pill tonight. Can hardly believe that after only one dosage soda tastes like ****.
I just bought a bunch of diet soda too. (lol) Oh well, the family can have it. So far there is no change in how any of the foods i have consumed have tasted, and i have not had any weird side effects yet either. Yippie!!!!!  But, i wont hold my breath, i am sure i am not one of the lucky ones to not have any side effects at all. And if i experience any side effects, and then have some that i do not experience, well, my luck says it will be the weight loss side effect that i will not experience, and i will experience all of the wacky ones. Oh well, right? At least the headaches will be gone. (if i am lucky, which i am usually not.) Well, i like this web page here, and i like to hear what this drug has done, and is doing for others, so please continue to post!!!!! I will continue too!
I will continue to update. (not on a daily basis though, not to worry....lol....) Take care

[abtsy]

Its amazing how Drs prescribe the dosage differently.  My neurologist only did 15 mg increments because the side effects could be so dramatic for some people.  I know its a touchy drug for some.  As far as soda tasting like ****, it does.  However yesterday home with an upset stomach, I drank Coke just to calm it.  I did not care if tasted bad or not.  I have been on it for 7 months and I my weight is maintained.  I only go up and down between 5#'s.  I eat whatever I want.  I am sure if I tried to "diet" I could probably lose the pesky 20 that plague me.  I think its because I don't have that much to lose and that's why I don't.  I truly haven't seen that much of change in my appetite...anyone else?  I am actually more hungry which is strange.  I guess everyone is different.  LOL everyone.  I must be that weird percentile, all I know is not having headaches is worth it though.  Hope everyone had a good valentines day.

[1navymom]

I have been on Topamax for 18 mos. for migraine. I'm 57 y/o & have suffered from migraines for about 40 yrs. The Topamax has been amazing in the help it has given me: only 2 severe HA's since starting on the meds. But... side effects have begun. At first I was constipated. I solved that w/ stool softeners. I have lost about 30+ lbs. but my weight is now stable to within 1-2 lbs. It changes your metabolism as well as suppresses your appetite. (The weight loss was good as I needed to lose just about that much. My regular dr. is very happy.)
Now a new problem: In the last 2 mos. I have started tearing excessively to the point that my eyes stay very red. My ophthalmologist has no answer other than to stop the meds. For me, that is the last option. I am taking only 50mg bid so I am going to start decreasing to 25mg bid gradually to see if that will help.
Has anyone else had this problem and if so, how did you handle it?

[sky74]

hello everyone.im wondering about the pins and needles feeling that goes all my body every once and awhile . does any one  have side effects like that. im on 100 mg now.

[oltnmgrl03]

Yes, I get that in my hands, feet and face.

[jmack242]

RE:hello everyone.im wondering about the pins and needles feeling that goes all my body every once and awhile . does any one have side effects like that. im on 100 mg now.

Yes! I was given Topamax for migraine control after I stopped taking Nadolol.
I started taking Topamax a little more than 7 days ago, 25mg at night before bed.
I've had all sorts of side effects, some I tried to ignore and blame on the recent beta blocker withdrawal I had from Nadolol.
Now on my first day off of it.
What really convinced me to get off Topamax was the 7th day dose when I went to 50mg at night.
I woke up three hours later having a small anxiety attack and couldn't get back to sleep.
So the side effects for me are the light headiness, tight back/kidney, difficulty concentrating, lack of sleep, dizziness, shivers, and anxiety.
This medicine is not for everyone. Besides the Beta-Blocker withdrawals, Topamax is the only drug I

[abtsy]

Yes, I still get the pins & needles effect but only in my feet.  I notice it mostly if I sit for very long periods of time.  It used to be very noticeable when I first started it then it went away.  Now I only it get it when I am sitting around.  LOL.  I usually just get up and move around.  That is a very common side effect and the first thing I asked the dr. about.  Hope it gets tolerable for you.  Good luck.  This is a really good sounding board.  A lot of the questions and concerns I had with the drug seems to be what everyone else has.  I see my dr. in 3weeks.  I have tons of questions again for him.  Just glad the migraines are under control.  So people say it suppresses your appetite huh???  Gosh, why can't that happen to me????  Must be a mind thing for me.  I need to ask my dr. about that one too because I sure haven't had that happen.  Good luck all.