How Long Do Topamax Side Effects Last? (Page 2) (Top voted first)

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 am happy to say that the side effects of Topamax are almost gone after 2 months since the last dose. So two months of side effects for only two weeks of use! That's horrible! When I get anxious or excited or angry - my words still get jumbled and I feel like they won't come out my mouth the way I want. I've only had two migraines but I take the Relpax immediately. For me - the migraine is easier to deal with than the Topimax. I may or may not have a migraine but I had to deal with the side effects everyday.

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I have been on topamax for over a year I think closer to two years and was placed on it due to a back injury that involves nerve damage to my leg and foot that already gives me tingling, swelling and numbness. I've been out on a whole list of different medicines and with a combination of two medicines topamax is working the best so far. yes I got the tingling in the face and hands but compared to what I was getting before it is so little in comparison I'll take that trade.... I was wanting to bang my leg on things before... I have had the weight lost too but after gaining 35 lbs+ from steroids shots I'll take the weight loss initially but what I don't like is hat I have to almost constantly remind myself to eat and eat a high calorie diet or eat things that I wouldn't eat just to keep weight on, I have finally leveled off I believe but I lost over 60 lbs and weight 125 on a good day at 5'8. as some have said you need to research and weigh the pros and cons of every medicine you put in your body, I really wish I could afford lyrica but that was 300 a month without Imsurance! my concerns now are my moods swings but I've also been diagnosed with PTSD and its hard to know if the sadness or angry comes from the medication or the PTSD or both and on which day. good luck to you each, I hope you a speedy recovery.

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I have just take myself off Topomax (generic) after being on it for about 5-6 years for chronic migraines. I have been really worried about how the cognitive and memory aspects of this drug were affecting me. I was feeling worse as time went on, and began to worry I was heading into early dementia (at age 55). My job requires high level written and verbal skills, so I have tried to keep my mouth shut at work as much as possible because I always looked like an i**** as I could not think quickly or grasp the necessary words. Other side effects I didn't mind - the weight loss stabilised over time, I just had to force myself to eat, although I hated the bad taste in my mouth and went completely off soft drinks, (which is a health benefit I suppose). I already had a bit of parathesia due to bad circulation so I put up with that. The last straw for me was a migraine that lasted a week, I thought this drug doesn't help much at all and I am so sick of the brain side effects. I couldn't up my dosage (100mg) because I sometimes fall asleep at my desk, although my pain specialist said that was probably my only option left, after trying nerve blocks, botox and cortisone shots. What I noticed immediately after coming off Topomax was a return of strength, I haven't been able to do any proper gardening all this time and when going on a holiday my GP prescribed cortisone meds (wish I could stay on them forever!) so I can cope with the activity all day and night. I went on a break last weekend (without meds) to another city and I walked the streets for 2 days straight - I haven't been able to do that in years. I also did some gardening and felt like I could have continued all day! I am now off Topomax completely. First day totally off I got my libido back in a big way, after being celibate for about 3 years because I couldn't feel a thing. Last year I came down with non-specific hepatitis and was hospitalized for 10 days, and although they ruled out Topomax as the casue I have to wonder if it was a contributing factor as they never identified the cause. I have also now been diagnosed with bad osteoporosis after suffering two broken bones in less than a year - with no family history is Topomax the cause or just my poor diet all these years I have been on it (everyone always comments on how thin I am). I have slept better since off the drug, and haven't suffered an increase in migraines - yet. It did help reduce the frequency and severity of my migraines when I first started taking it, which was a blessing. I am disappointed to find that not many people get their memory back, I can only hope I suppose, and try and hang on to my job until I retire.

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Same here. I was prescribed Topamax and Elavil for a few months while I was finishing my teaching degree. It was horrendous. I forgot how to get around my college campus, I couldn't find my car or remember where I parked, and I almost burned my apartment down because I forgot I was cooking. I didn't care as long as I could keep teaching and finish my degree. Then it got worse.
I would be teaching and forget my lesson plan. It would take everything I had to give a lesson half as good as before. Finally I pulled out of the program when I couldn't remember my kids' names anymore. My college couldn't grant a medical withdrawal and my vocation ended before it even began.
It's been two years, and my cognitive function has improved a lot, but it's nowhere near what it was. I blank out on words, names, and numbers sometimes. And if I'm tired, it goes right back to forgetting my car and having panic attacks because I can't remember anything.

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I was on 100 mg of Topomax since mid-March. Experienced chronic fatigue, tingling in arms and legs and depression. Doctor thinks it's the Topomax, so last week I was on 50 mg a day and this week 25 mg a day. Today is my last day. Any idea on how long the side effects might last until they go away?

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I was on topamax for weight loss for 10 months. I have been off since 01/11. I have ALWAYS been in great health but over the past couple years I had put on 30 lbs, due to the loss of my brother. Even with a 30 lb weight gain I remained very healthy. Yes, I lost the weight but it wasn't worth the trade! I went from being a happy go lucky,very busy person who could do anything that I set my mind to. So for the past two years, my life has been a nightmare! I cannot remember big chunks of either of my daughter's childhood. I can no longer volunteer at their school. I cannot comprehend more than a sentence while reading. I cannot read. Can't talk to people because my brain won't give me the words. I cry all the time because now,my husband has to read to me. I get agitated very easily and can no longer hold down a job because I can't stay on any task for more than 10 minutes. I can't even help 4 year old children with their work. For 20 years, I was a teacher and a tutor. The doctor's say that these effects are from topamax should have gone away within 2 weeks. I have not taken any other medications before or after topamax. The clinic I went to, they give you the meds.so you don't get the label. Look on the label " what you should know/ need to know." That is enought to let you know that YOU WILL loose your memory. If I had any idea that memory loss was a side effect, I would have NEVER taken topamax. It took me over two hours to write this. Good luck and God Bless!

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I have been on topiramate 100mg I take 4 pills in the morning. I lost a total of 130 lbs in a 2 mthy span 3 years ago. Also I am mantaining it. I'm on a cocktail of pills due to ptsd . An it works migrains are a big part. I will allways be on topiramate. I swear by it.

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Wow. Heidi that whole comment was uncalled for. If you do not like what you are reading DONOT comment because you don't have to. Every single medicine has side effects the majority have lists a mile long. So you making that comment helps no one! Doctors out their patients on medicines because the benefits outweigh the risks!! So you do your research!

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I must say topamax saved my life! I am a chronic migraine sufferer. Three migraines a week or more. Tried all traditional migraine medications and non of them worked for me. Ive lived in pain almost all my life and went to see a migraine specialist a couple years ago amd he suggested topamax. Im on 150 mg a day. I take 100mg when i wake up in the am ans 50mg before bed. I find i am very tired all of the time but to live migraine free is a godsend. Id have them in my sleep dureing the day, lose my vision... and now i can live a normal life. Wish id have the weight loss side effect though like some of the rest of u but im pretty happy with results and they outway the side effects for me.

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Stick with fioricet ! Topamax will give you a lot more tingling and swelling of the feet, toes ,hands,face,and will make you feel crap.Besides all of those side effects it felt like i had weights on my ankles and it made me feel like i was carrying an extra 50lbs which of course made it hard for me to walk and i was on Topamax for 3mo.

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Took topamax for a 4-5 months slowly increasing dosage due to constant headaches and 10-12 migraines a month. Developed a complete disinterest with everyone and everything including intercourse. Didn't even think about it. Also started to stutter to the point where I opened my mouth and nothing came out at all. Even the neurologist was shocked at my condition. A nightmare. Had to get off it real bad as I was a compete zombie. My wife was crying saying she wanted her husband back. It did almost completely stop the migraines but not worth it for me. I came good 7-10 after stopping.i know it's been fine for some people but wow, what a ride. On low doses of epilim now to soon to tell...

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I've been on topomax for 11 yrs now for seizures. I am completely controlled...( i used to take dilantin...i had swollen gums called dilantin hyperplasia and a 75lb weight gain but switched neurologists) .... I take 600mg a day! I do get the fatigue, memory loss, and loss of words sometimes, it usually happens when im stressed or tired. My oldest son passed away 10 yrs ago so i blame some of it on the pts. I try to eat clean, take vitamins, go to accupuncture and exercise. I was very worried about taking this drug, everything you read is negative. My neurologist is one of the top 4 in northern ca. I asked him when voicing my concerns, if this drug was going to shorten my life or kill me ? To which he responded " no, but a seizure can ". Considering ive wrapped my car around a pole THANK GOD IM THE ONLY ONE WHO GOT HURT...broke out my teeth.. injured neck.....but now have been seizure free for 6 yrs once we got the right dose, I can drive, run my dayspa, swim etc. Im grateful for topiramate and will deal with its side effects.

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Topamax is such a horrible drug! My neurologist put me on it for migraines. I was taking 150mg daily. It actually caused me to have Aura migraines, which I had never had before. I had almost every single side effect from it, tingling in my hands and feet, Brain fog, memory loss, cognitive impairment, slurred speech, problems spelling, anxiety, visual disturbances. My hair was falling out in clumps! It causes irreversible alopecia. I did some research on it and found out what a horrible drug it is and how people were having withdrawals after trying to stop and ended up back on the medication because of the withdrawals. I decided right then and there to wean myself off the medication after being on it for 9 months. I have now been off of Topamax for 6 months and while my hair is no longer falling out, it is not going back either.

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wow the memory loss part scares me. but i am soooo desperate for weight loss. and it is helping soooo much with my anger, where as the other like 14 drugs they have tried havent.

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I take Topamax and have now for several years for migraines. It is scaring me because I am doing exactly what you did. I can't remember anything, can't think of words. I was beginning to think I was coming down with early Alzheimer's. I was just on 100 mg. lowered it to 50mg. and since reading this I am going to come off of it. Are you still experiencing memory loss, etc. now?

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I took this drug for about two years, and had horrible side effects that won't complete go away. I used to be a straight A student, but on this drug I couldn't think or understand anything. I continued to tell my doctors, who did nothing, and acted like it wasn't the drug. No one told me the side effects, so I didn't really understand when I was experiencing them, or in other words, I didn't understand these things were from the medication. Doctors should not be giving this if they aren't going to explain it to you and give you real warnings.

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I have been on Topamax for 7 years. I stopped taking it during a pregnancy but resumed taking it as soon as I was able afterwards. The side effects while bothersome do go away. They lasted about 6 weeks. I was having headaches 5 out of 7 day a week. I could not function in daily life. The side effects were nothing in comparison. I now may get 2-3 migraines a month. The severity is not a bad or a long on most occasions.The weight gain slows down also. Hang in there! It's worth it.

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I have taken Topamax on and off for 7 years. Yes it does cause hair loss or thinning. After dealing with this for 6 years as a hairstylist myself. Through research i found that magnesium supplements reduce the inflammation around the hair follicle which may cause hair loss. I also take 10,000 mg of biotin daily. Use a reconstructing conditioner every 1-2 weeks and moisturizer in between. Depending on how fast your hair grows, you should see a difference within a couple of months. Good luck!

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I took this drug for 6 wks and over a year and ahalf later I am still have most of the side effect you have listed. The memory loss is the worst. I have read this drug is a god-send for some and I only see it as a nightmare that never ends. I wish you the best.

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Dear LAW,
I am so sorry to hear you now have more / additional kinds of headaches. My symptoms have almost gone away. I still have trouble typing as fast as I did without a ton of mistakes. And when I get excited that's when I notice I have trouble finding the words.
My migraines have mostly been related to smells and dramatic weather changes. One I can avoid, the other (the weather) I can be prepared for. I also think the migraines have increased in frequency due to the hormone changes with menopause. When I meet God I will ask him about this rather annoying design defect women have!
I am back to using Relpax PRN for migraines at onset and I must have it on me when the headache starts. After the awful experience taking Topomax as a prophylactic I think I will stick with just taking medicine as a relief.
I wish you the best.

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