How Long Do Topamax Side Effects Last? (Page 8)

I began Topamax a week and a half ago as a migraine prevention. I am experiencing random facial, hands, and feet numbness. Mental fogginess, dull headaches, and tiredness. For those of you who have had success with migraine prevention and have taken this medication for a long time: How long did your side effects last? I have heard only a few weeks. I'm not sure If I can deal with this constantly much longer. I am contemplating which is the lesser of the two evils side effects vs. migraines. I have lost 10 lbs. though. Any advice?

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I would rather have the headache instead of my side effects

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My daughter took Topamax/Dopamax for one month increasing to 100 mg, it was total hell, panic attacks, inability to concentrate, depression, drug from hell, it has taken several months to get the horrible side effects to begin clearing. Everyone is different, some are more sensitive than others. Her migraines have ruled her life, but better than Topamax that could have killed her. She is considering Botox next, never, ever, never Topamax, I feel for patients that physicians feel they are total crazy and it is the Topamax, each medication has a risk!!!!

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I was on Topamax for years and I started getting the pins, needles, and numbness in my hands. No one could figure out why? I'm not diabetic (it's a neuropathy type pain). I saw a neurologist for a year and he sent me for an assessment a a Top 10 University Medical School and they felt it was fibromyalgia. Both recommended pain managent to the point that in November 2011 I had a spinal cord stimulator placed to help with pain because nothing was working. In May 2013 I finallY went to a different neurologist and she immediately weaned off topamax. Most of the pain went away and then I had to have the stimulator removed in 2014. If you are having the parasthesia I would get off asap. The longer I was on it, the worse it got.

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Hi. I started the med with the same course of treatment. By the time I was on 100mg for about 2 weeks I felt like breathing was a chore. I didn't know what was wrong with me but I felt as if I belonged in a hospital. I am generally a very active person and workout on a consistent basis. I could barely get myself to work. My dose was cut in half to 50 and I immediately started feeling noticeably better. After about 2 weeks at 50, now 2 months on the med, I again started to feel sick. I was slower in everything I did and just felt a constant need to sleep, although I could not indulge. I just yesterday decided I've had enuf and am weaning off 50mg at the doctor's direction by cutting the pills in half. I'm supposed to take half a pill at bedtime for a week then I can stop completely. I would like to just stop now. Do you know if I can just stop without doing the whole week? I took one half last night which equals about 25mg.

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Thanks for everyone sharing their experience with Topamax. After my daughter trying and the most horrible side effects ever, panic attacks, memory loss, tremors, much like Nightmare on Elm Street, no kidding. So horrible. I would never recommend anyone take this. My brother in law was on this also at the age of 80 for headaches, his speech was impaired, dizziness, physicians adding meds to compensate but it was the Topamax, unreal. How many unnecessary meds have been added to patients that were only have side effects. To not take this med! Took 3 months to finally start clearing and I agree, I believe it does kill brain cells.

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Hi. I am weaning off of Topamax - I am truly sorry I ever started it. I posted a reply a couple of days earlier; you can see it above in the thread. There were many things I did not mention as there is only so much room (lol), but I will add I started out weighing 112 lbs. I am 5'4". I lost 9lbs in about a month. I was down to 103 which was alarming. I am recovering from an eating disorder but this even scared me. Drug from hell. I have an appointment this Wednesday with a different neurologist who administers botox inj's. as a form of treatment for migraines. I am hoping I am a candidate or they believe this will work for me. I will post after my appointment.

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When you are down that low, our Neuro said to stop, you will still have symptoms, side effects for possible 2-3 more months, just speaking from experience. Blessings.

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I took topimax for about 2 months & had a terrible experience with a long list of side affects. I finally called my doctor who got me off the meds & put me on nortriptalyne. I'd suggest trying another preventative but consult your doctor & do not stop cold turkey it is dangerous to your health. Depakote is another preventative I took for 8 years. It helped me & I had no side affects it. I'd also try changing your diet if you haven't already. Look at cutting out gluten for starters but needs to 100% out if your system. Cutting back I. Sugar & processed foods & additives helps me as well.

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I stopped cold turkey. I only took them for three months. I have thining hair and know i hardly have any. I was so depressed really just wanted to sleep couldn't talk couldnt even put a sentence together. .it has only been three days but i already feel better. It never helped my head at all. It is a wicked drug...

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I've been on Topiramate for 6 yrs now for fibromyalgia and nerve damage. It has damaged my kidneys and I have suffered from kidney stones not realizing it was from this drug. I am currently being weaned off of it. It's not worth it...yes it worked for the pain control, but now I am fearful for the damage that it has done to my kidneys...I also suffered hair loss and numerous other side effects but kept drudging on. I'm 54 lady and very concerned for my health at this point.

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You may have just saved my life. Several years ago I suffered from what was called a "thunderclap" headache. It felt like I had been shot in the back of the head. In the hospital I was given Butalbutal which was a miracle drug. As a result my doctor prescribed it for me for future headaches and I have been using it for about four years now. Recently I have been suffering from daily debilitating headaches and found I was using the meds every four hours but they were not helping. After a trip to the ER for the famous "cocktail" which only lasted 24 hours my doctor prescribed the Butalbutal with codeine. Long story short I now know my miracle drug is fiorinal and I am pretty sure that I in fact am suffering from rebound headaches which have been horrible beyond belief. I have been prescribed topamax which I have taken for three days with all of the terrible side effects described in this message board. The pain of the headaches is unbearable but there must be other options out there. My neurologists says because of my age (70) some of the other treatments put me at risk for heart attack. I am planning on a visit to the cardiologist to plan a strategy but I thank you for your insight and caring comments.

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I am stopping Topamax due to the memory and word finding issues. Did you find that being off it help? I have a fear this is permanent I pray not.

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Hi. I love Topamax! I asked my Dr to put me on it due to things I've heard about it and altho i get the pins and needles in my hands and feet, and cognitive impairment, I'm finally happy!!!! I've been on every damn antidepressant known to man...HAD they tried me on this years ago maybe i wouldn't have lost so many years to depression! Makes me mad and feeling cheated actually.
Yesterday i lost my SUV at walmart tho. It was embarrassing. I also forgot detergent and after i located my vehicle i had to run back in...took me about 2 hours to get to the laundromat because i was in la la land. I'd rather this tho. Now the big question is will it keep these horrid headaches away for the first full month I'm on it? I really hope it does because i can't deal with fioricet making me even more tired than i naturally am!

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Not a good medication. If your insurance will cover Botox, try it. This medication is horrible!

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Glad it is working for you. I pulled out in front of two cars in one day, could not count money at work. Depression, anxiety, definitely not a good fit for me, everyone is different.

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I've previously posted about this issue on this forum six months after I stopped taking this medication. Been off Topiramate for over a year now but still suffering the metal taste which I never had until I took this medication. I've given up asking the medics for help with this as they look at me as if I'm nuts (one even suggested counselling...). Nobody seems to get that this symptom only started after I took these pills & I've never suffered from it before. It's intrusive, unpleasant and confidence sapping but looks like I'm stuck with it. (Yes I drink plenty of water - you name it I've tried it to no avail). I wish I'd never taken the stuff. :(

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If you eat a piece of fruit(banana and apples is what I use) when u take it , it will help with the side effects, something to do with potassium in it. It counter acts the effects

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I started topamax 3 months ago for debilitating migraines. it has helped prevent. .although, few weeks now I've been getting them again. also I'm so tired I can't function. cannot work cook clean get up for long nothing... lower doses make the headaches worse.. higher doses brought on severe depression and scary thoughts... and crying... I've heard about botox. I'm at a loss. I'm so tired I can't keep my eyes open. I'm misserable.the imitrex prescribed for insets is beginning to not even work smh 8 had mri. they said it's fine. I'm only 35 misserable

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Same! 100mg (125 for a short time, went back down to 100) for 4 YRS...feel like my ability to FOCUS through things was just permanently affected. Took myself off it twice before this last time..would go back on after migraine took me to ER. But they are far enough apart, I have meds at home to take on the Train when it comes...I'm done with this medicine. I think it helped break the constant migraines...but the cognitive changes and the tinnitis...I'm hoping to recover from them.

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I still feel like I'm having those same issues and have been off topamax for several years after being on it for 4 years. I'd never take that drug again.

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