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.

[Beth916]

Hi everyone.  I took Topomax about 4 years ago for 1 year.  My neurologist prescribed it because I have migrains and chronic headaches.  It was a MIRACLE.  The headaches I have had my whole life were gone, AND I lost about 30 lbs in that year.  My dosage was around 175mg/ day.  Side effects: no side effects except loss of appetite.  Although, my mood was different- and some people noticed I was "different".  Emotionally I think it made me a little nuts, and that's the reason I stopped taking it.  Well, it's been about 3 or 4 years and I have GAINED 50lbs, and my headaches are back.  It's time to get back on Topomax, but I have no health insurance!!  

I also took Cymbalta at the same time and quit it at the same time as Topomax.  Getting off Cymbalta (an antidepressant) was a NIGHTMARE.  I was dizzy, sweaty, and had painful "electrical zapps" feelings in my brain!!  It was pretty much impossible for me to do anything for 2 months until these symptoms subsided.  Although, LOTS of Dramamine helped lessen these effects.  DO NOT TAKE CYMBALTA EVER.

[AlleysMommy]

Hi everyone! I am a migraine sufferer too! I have been for about 4 years now..i've tried taking topomax before 25mg and it just made my migraines worst then they were before so after about 4 days i took myself off of it..i took myself off all pain meds for migraines completley and i started to learn how to cope with them because i just kept getting prescribed different medications for different side effects and it was horrible. So i controlled them with 800mg advil or tylenol and lots of fountain soda ( i dunno why it just had to be a fountain soda) aleve and midol both work also with a fountain soda..but the first thing you have to realize when you are a migraine sufferer that it's a sickness you have to cope with just like any deadly sickness out there..and the more you stop worrying and learning how to cope the easier they will get..you got to learn them...for example i know i get blurred vision,mood swings,depression,flashing lights (feeling like a hang over) before i get my migraines and my migraines always last for 3 days. No more no less..on that fourth day when i wake up i feel much better. Panic atress anxiety and depression cause tension headahes witch can and most likely will lead to a full blown migraine attack in migraine sufferers..so i know its better said then done but try not to sweat the small stuff...

But what i was trying to get at was..get a vitamin book on what vitamins can help with certain sickness's and symptoms...vitamins and herbs DO work..the reason why doctors and pharmacists dont prescribe them is because they can't make any profit off them...they cant patent them because you cant patent mother nature.

SKULL CAP..is a good natural way to help with a migraine it has sedating power.
seriously try it.

and i take B complex and Magnesium calcium complex for a preventitive way to help with my migraines and panic disorder..and i've had a migraine twice a month when i use to have them 5 or 6 a month since i have been taking these vitamins/minerals. they have worked wonders..

If topomax works for you DONT just stop taking it talk to your doctor about all this..because i am not a doctor..i just want to try and help because i know how it feels..and i know what's helped me. And i want to also help everyone who is thinking about trying topomax but isnt sure to see if maybe this can help them before they go on something with such harsh side effects. because i know i'm a whimp and i hate side effects and i freak out when i get them lol

Also for restless leg a side effect of topomax..the magnesium calcium will stop it dead in it's tracks because this medicine works together to help relax your muscles. 1,500mg you can go to a vitamin store and get it they will tell you what you should get..just like a pharmacist would do.

and also you can try some tonic water with quenine in it..that also REALLY helps i know tonic water is disgusting..but it works..

I HOPE EVERYONE FEELS BETTER! AND HANG IN THERE!

[weasel1219]

I was put on Topomax about three weeks ago due to migranes caused by my Manier's Disease of which I have had for over ten years.  I also am of course over weight of which it does not help my problem.  The Doc has had me on a combination on of BP med, diaretics and motion pills, not she added the topomax and a B2 vitamin.  She also warned me about the weight loss, of which I am looking forward to (lost 6 pounds so far).  She also asked me if I drank soft drinks and I do, too much 5 to 6 a day and she laughed and said be prepared to quite them, sure enough don't drink anymore cokes, instead drink water, tea or orange juice.  
I have not gotten any tingling fingers or tingling face events, but have noticed I am tired more, but have also noticed I am getting over my tired moods as time goes on.  The Doc also took me off of salt, and that has also helped.
My headaches have subsided quite a bit since my dosage was double from 25 mg to 50 mg in the second week of the treatment.  I also smoke and have also started to note a distaste for smoking as time goes on, and that is also one very favorable side affect.
I have read several of thee postings and have been amazed and also excited about the progress I hope to have on this med.
I will keep checking back on this postings to learn more.

Thanks to all
The Weasel...............

[Bogie5068]

I am having a CT Scan tomorrow to see if my "new"migraines are from my sinuses or something else.  If not my doctor has suggested putting me on this Topomax.  He has warned me of the side effects including the weight loss (by the way,,,I would love to lose 40#) and the tingling in hands and feet but that the tingling will go away.  MY biggest concern is that I am mucho many other medicines for BP. Depression, Warfarin because of Lupus Antibody and Mechanical Heart Valve.  I had severe migraines over 10 years ago but found the reason was the Lupus.  I have not had anymore until a couple of months ago.  Doctor thinks they are breaking thru the antidepressants.  anyone with any advice...please respond.  Thank You.

[sweetlamb]

I have been on Topamax for migraines for almost a year now, I lost 45 lbs then, but now the weight is coming back on which really stinks, but also the headaches are starting to come back more often, so I am thinking about asking my Dr to up my dosage I am currently at 100. So just to let you know, that the weight does come back!

[pamslaff]

Just started Topomax 25mg in January, after a long 6month debate if I should actually take it.  December was a bad migraine month.  This is what I noticed about me when I take it:  With in 20min of taking it at night I have to fall asleep.  I have loss most of my taste, especially for sweet things-they taste like yuk!  I can eat only natural foods-absolutely no chemicals/preservatives-again taste like yuk!  I have tingling in my facial cheeks.  I find that my mouth tends to be dry.  I try to drink at least 1-2 liters/day h20.  interesting reading, because I have always drank water w/ lemon.  I will keep doing so.  I do feel tired at times and lack the normal frantic energy that I normally have.  I dont like that at all.  I do feel dull.  The benefits still outweigh the risks.  I dont mind losing a bit of weight.  I can handle the tingling in my face.  I will need to exercise more to off-set the effects of topomax.  but most of all...I havent had any severe headaches in 3 months.  I had to take Excedrine Migraine maybe 3 times total since starting in January.  I lived off the stuff before.  I was greatful for it.  But now I can actually have agood time and enjoy a glass of wine without the side effects of a severe HA.
It has helped reading everyones effects of taking topomax.  Thanks for all the good advice and not making me feel so alarmed about the tingling and lack of taste (taste buds, that is-ha).  hope the best for all those out there who take meds for whatever reason and wish you success.