Topamax Forums (Page 3)

Hello, I've been taking Topiramate/Topamax for about 14 years. When is 'too long' as far as stopping the medication? I feel as though I have so much of the drug in my body already that it may need a break. ## Hello, Vicki! How are you? That's not actually how it works, your body doesn't keep storing more and more of the medication, that's why you have to take regular doses. Our bodies process stuff out, after a certain period of time. As to how long is too long, that is entirely up to your and your doctor. Only the two of you can decide how long you should continue taking it. Have you discussed your concerns with them? The FDA lists the typical side effects of this medication as possibly including nausea, clumsiness, drowsiness, red eyes and memory problems. ## T...

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My son use topamax,tegratol for epelepsy and took 4 x urbenol now act strange is sleepy ..... ## Hello, Clei! How is your son? Did he suffer any other adverse affects? Taking that many of them could cause some dangerous overdose symptoms, which the U.S. FDA lists as possibly including nausea, vomiting, severe drowsiness, severe dizziness and shallow breathing, which could potentially be fatal.

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Everything I've read has said to taper off of Topamax at 25mg. increments weekly. I'm on 200mg. My doctor told me to decrease by 100mg. every two weeks, that will be fine. However, after everything I've read I'm really nervous tapering at such a high dose. I would really appreciate any advice anyone could offer me on this matter. Thanks so much! ## Hello, Kelly! How are you? You are right to be concerned, stopping it too fast can create the risk of seizures, even in people that have never had seizures in the past and who do not have epilepsy, as warned by the FDA. The recommendation from the NIH is that it be tapered and yes, it's usually done by lowering 25mgs a week. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Thanks so much Verwon, I really appreciate it! I do have...

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Hello, I have been taking Topamax since November 6, 2015, and for the past 3 weeks have been at 200 mg a day. I was getting over 15 "incapacitating" migraines a month, with somewhere between 5-7 of those being so bad I could not get out of bed or even had to go to the ER. My triggers are mainly food and airborne allergies. Right now, I am pretty much housebound and on a very restricted diet. Migraines are not my only reaction. In the past 2 months, I've had 14 "incapacitating" migraines, of which 6 were bad enough to keep me in bed and 2 sent me to the ER. It sounds like a 50% reduction in migraines, but I've been housebound mostly, and use a mask when I go out most of the time. So I'm wondering, is a 50% reduction of migraines while still being housebound go...

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I first started on Topamax in 1999; no titration (which was hell) at something like 150 mg twice a day. It was wonderful, a miracle - for my Bipolar. I stayed on it for over 10 years, only going off because of new a Dr, new insurance. Then, last year in 2015 I started back on it. I can't even tolerate 100 mg A DAY in 2 doses. I become a raging B****! (Or cry in the middle of a crowded mall). I stopped it for months, then tried again. 25 mg twice a day did nothing. The Bipolar in me rather enjoys being a b**** except every body I know; all my family is pissed at me. People really need to watch for meds like this - you never know what'll happen. ## It isn't the medication that's different, it's you! Our bodies change as we age, and a medication that worked great for us...

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I started using Topamax in 2012 for migraine, but now I am basically rid of it. I am still using the Topamax, but when I take them, I get an intense migraine. When I don´t take them, my head is ok. This annoys me quite a lot and now I wonder if this is normal or if the side effects has been reversed? Can this happen? ## Hello, Becca! How are you? Yes, that is possible. Our bodies change with time, so it's always possible to suddenly develop an odd reaction to a medication that we've successfully taken, before. It is sometimes annoying, but there really isn't anything that can be done to prevent it. The FDA lists the typical side effects of this medication as including nausea, dizziness, drowsiness and weight changes. Is there anything else I can help with?

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My therapist and psychiatrist worked together to prescribe the most effective treatment for my anxiety and alcohol abuse. I have been taking Zoloft for the past six years, and for the past two weeks I have been taking Topamax. I started with 50 mg at night the first week and increased to 100 mg at night the second week. I have been sober for 40 days, but my sugar cravings have not declined! I am eating bubble gum, Oreo cookies, candy ... mad sweets, sweets, sweets. Has anyone else had experience with this course of treatment with Topamax? How long does it take to kick in? Was it effective? Thoughts? Suggestions? ## Hello, Ricki! How are you? I'm sorry about the problem that you're having. It may take about 4 to 6 weeks for the Topomax to reach its full level of effectiveness in ...

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I been taking topamax for over a month now as a mood stabilizer and it's been working great. One problem I been having is the frequent everyday diaherra. Will this ever stop? Is there anything I can take to make it stop? I can't even make it through a meal without running to the bathroom. ## Hello, Jason! How are you? The FDA lists diarrhea as being a frequent side effect, along with nausea, dizziness and weight loss. However, most side effects usually clear up and improve about 4 to 5 weeks in, once your body gets used to a medication, if there has been no improvement, then you should consult your doctor as it may not be the right medication for you. Is there anything else I can help with? ## My doctor took me off the topamax and the side effects all went away within a few days...

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I was prescribed 50 mg of topamax a day for migraines. I took it for one day before I realized that I shouldn't take it because of my history of kidney stones. However, from that one dose, I have had the annoying side effect of cokes and anything carbonated tastes flat. I took the dose Tuesday - it is now Friday and cokes still taste flat. How long does this last? Rebecca ## For me this lasted as long as I was increasing (titrating) up to where the Doctors wanted me to be.( about 30 days) As we realized, in my case, we overshot the necessary dosage, the taste gradually returned.Although, I still think some drinks still don't taste exactly right after several months. ## There is really no way to say how long any side effect will last, for any given person, because it can vary dep...

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Since October 2013 I took Topamax because I have severe nightmares due to childhood trauma. My psychiatrist upped the dose to 200 mg in the morning and 200 mg in the evening. Now I have hair loss but since the last time she upped the dose I feel really weird. It is like my thoughts live their own life. Sometimes I think this is how it must feel like when you are close to a psychosis. I know that what I am thinking is weird (no, no suicidal thoughts) but I can't stop it. Can't even give an example. There is a lot of chaos in my head and not about my childhood. I have been in therapy for that. This is very weird and I am sort of tired of it. My family and friends notice it too. Here in The Netherlands the doctors are kind of: "It will pass like" with side effects. But I am...

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Hi. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience entering Dubai with Topamax and not having a prescription for it? I can't see that it's on their restricted drugs list but can't be sure. Alternatively is it possible to buy Topamax over the counter at pharmacies in Dubai? Any help would be much appreciated. And before anyone starts having a go at me about not having a prescription please please don't because it's a long story. Any help would be great thank you. Jay.

I am currently on 300 mg of Topamax for seizures and have tingling/numbness from the waist down. I was on Topamax before and never had this side effect. Will this get better or is there a vitamin I could take to maybe help with it? I have been on it for about a month now. My doctor has adjusted the dose and switched me to the extended medicine to try that. The dose was just lowered last week so fingers crossed this will get better. Thanks for any info. ## Hello, Susie! How are you? Has there been any improvement, yet? Our bodies do change with time, so it is always possible to start experiencing new side effects to a medication or to have new reactions to one. However, these sensations are listed among the common side effects of it, according to the FDA. You may also experience nausea, ...

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Started topamax 6 yrs ago for migrainew then got fatigue and kidney stones, need a new drug? Also fighting seizures. ## Hello, David! How are you? Yes, kidney stones can be a risk of taking Topamax, as listed by the FDA, along with nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. Have you consulted your doctor? There are several other medications that you can try. Have they ever evaluated the kidney stones to make sure they are due to the medication and not some other issue?

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Since starting topomax in February, I have been experiencing the tingling in my fingers almost constantly. I also tingle on my scalp and my face. And when I get hot it feels like the front of my neck gets really tight. Not quite the same tingly feeling, but similiar. I talked to the neuro about it and he said it wasn't a side effect if the topomax that it must be anxiety. Has anyone else experienced this? And if it's anxiety whh would it only happen when I'm hot and why did it start the same time as the other symptoms. ## Hello, Kimberly! How are you? I'm sorry about the problem that you're having. I really can't explain why it's happening this way, but if it is due to anxiety, that could be caused by the Topamax, it has been known to cause anxiety, depressio...

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Since I started taking Topamax a few weeks ago, I feel great but also manic which is dangerous for me. Anyone else experiencing mania while on Topamax? ## Hello, Lisa! How are you? It is actually well known that most of the anti consultant medications, such as this one, can cause mental health issues in some people that take them, even going as far as resulting in a total personality change. Have you spoken to your doctor? You will most likely need to switch to a different medication. Other side effects, as listed by the FDA, may include nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and weight gain.

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Hey all, I'm very new to taking topamax and wondered how long it'd be until I'd notice a weight loss? Any answer would be appreciated. ## Hello, MomV7! How are you? Since this isn't actually a straight weight loss medication, which means that weight loss is just a side effect, it may take about 4 to 6 weeks for you to start seeing a difference, if it works for you. Typical side effects of this medication, as listed by the FDA, may possibly include nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, indigestion and rapid back and forth eye movements. Is there anything else I can help with? ## I was wondering the same thing. 4 years ago I weighed between 110-120 lbs at 5'3, but then while working as a nurse I was attacked by a patient. Over the past 4 years I've had 7 surgeries and gaine...

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I JUST stopped taken 200mg of Topamax 2 times a day. i was experiencing swollen ankles. SO swollen i could barely walk. did anyone else have that bad of swelling? Taste was changed. My left eye went an changed on me. OVER NIGHT! i took a nap an woke up an my left eye was not wanting to focus with glasses on. I had my eyes checked. they said my left eye was dramatically changed. So took a nap, woke up, eye changed.. am i the only one this happened too? I experienced so many BAD side effects i stopped taking Topamax. i know im taking the chance of seizures and migraines but i couldnt handle the swelling, it was just unbearable!! pain would shoot through my body and many other things. Who else had a bad experience with Topamax? ## I am very sorry about the problems you've had. Accordin...

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I was on Topamax years ago under a doctor that is no longer practicing. I lost a great amount of weight. I am wanting to get back on it but don't know of a doctor that prescribes it for weight loss in the Dallas area. Does anybody know one? ## Hello, Stephanie! How are you? Any doctor can prescribe it, there aren't any special "Topamax doctors" that you have to see. Do you currently have a PCP that you see regularly? If so, you could discuss it with them to see if they will prescribe it, or refer you to someone that will help. Topamax is classified by the FDA as being an antiseizure medication that is also approved to prevent migraines. It wasn't originally intended to be used for weight loss, that turned out to be an unexpected side effect that's been of great b...

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Just started Topamax this week (50mg 1X at bedtime) for migraine prevention. It's making me dizzy in a addition to side effects others have noted here like tingling fingers, low grade headache, thirst, upset stomach and mood swings. I've searched but I haven't been able to find any references to "dizziness". Has anyone else had this? My migraines leave me dizzy for days/weeks which is why my doctor decided to try me on Topamax. I don't need any ADDITIONAL issues with balance!! Probably just "my brain" but it would be nice to know if anyone else has this with migraines. ## Side effects are from the topomax. Let your dr. Know you may need to lower your dose or wean off of of them. They are known for many sie effects, numbness forgething things. Slurred spea...

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hi im not taking topomax but my wife recently started taking it for migraine. 3 weeks in she has decided to leave me after 10 years together and 2 kids. She has different reasons for every time we talk. I don't know her anymore and this all started when she started taking the drug. could my suspicion that topomax has altered her mind. its like she has no emotion anymore. I don't want her to leave. she is saying she loves me but not in love with me. this is not a broken love story but im concerned about maybe this drug is altering her thoughts. has this happened to any other users of topomax? ## I hope things have gotten better with your wife! I took Topamax for about 6 months and can definitely say that it changes the brain drastically and could really be the cause of her snappi...

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