Fresh fruits symptoms and conditions

I've been taking Topamax now for about 6 weeks, and my headaches are still just as bad as ever, except now I have headaches with the thrill of numb fingers, confusion, weight loss, memory loss, an absolute horrid taste in my mouth, and now the latest.... my hands feel dirty all the time. Has anyone experienced this?? I just feel like my hands are dirty. I wash them, and a half hour later, it almost feels like there's a film on them, and I have to wash them again. Almost ocd-ish. So 6 weeks in.... Anyone have any advise on how much longer I should give this topamax before I give up on it & try something else? My doc said it should have worked by now if it was gonna - but I have read on here, that it sometimes can take months...? I just don't know if I can take these side effects, AND the headaches for much longer without going NUTS! {grin}
Any advise?

Hi all. Thank you for the posts-- this helps put my own symptoms in perspective. I'm a 28-yr old female and have had severe asthma since I was a toddler--which resulted in a childhood full of long hospital stays and all kinds of toxic drugs which aren't even prescribed anymore. I've been taking advair for about 3 months and have noticed that my mood has been off. I'm normally a peaceful person, not easily rocked, practicioner of yoga, etc. But for the last 3 months I've had sleeping problems (very severe in the 1st month-- to the point that I couldn't sleep at all) and have been experiencing anxiety, with heightened awareness of my breathing patterns and the occasional racing heartbeat. I've *never* had anxiety before. I went in for an EKG and they found that my heart is normal. Since I'm not a worrier or a person who is prone to anxiety, this was very disturbing for me-- I couldn't understand what the underlying cause was. This has had negative effects on my work life and my personal relationships--I'm just not as energetic as I used to be. I'm going to go off the drug and will report back to this website if I notice an improvement in my anxiety levels and sleep patterns. If so, then the cause will be obvious.

I wanted to make one more post just to raise awareness about another asthma drug I've tried. I took singulair in the past (about 5-6 years ago). At first it was a wonder drug-- totally clearing up all symptoms allergy and asthma related. But it did a number on my digestive track for the first 3-6 months of use-- I could not digest anything (and I eat very healthily--lots of fresh fruits and veggies everyday and little meat). I eventually went off that drug and tried it again this past year after a bad bout of the flu and some consequent sinus infections. I only took it 3 times and each night I had a horribly violent nightmare. Normally, I'm what you might call a happy dreamer-- maybe an average of 1 nightmare per year, if even. I stopped taking singulair on the 3rd night, and on the 4th night my dreams went back to normal. This was truly a disturbing experience, and I feel sure that singulair was responsible-- all the dreams were of a paranoid nature. I haven't had a dream like that since, and it's been more than a year since I stopped taking that. Asthma medication seems to have the potential for psychological side effects that everyone should be aware of. It is only fair that doctors warn their patients so that they know what any possible changes in their moods might be from. I really wish my doctor would have mentioned something to me. I'm sure I would have tried both drugs anyway, since I also know that people react different to different medications. But I certainly wouldn't have stayed with Advair as long as I have, knowing what I know now.

I wish all of you health, peace and happiness. I hope you are able to get well and live normal lives.

38y.o F taking toprol 100mg once a day for hypertension x 15mths History of Hypothyroidism which is controlled w/ synthroid and closley monitored w/ lab work.
Experience weight gain, unable to lose weight w/ diet and exercise including w/ a nutrionist and personal trainer. Hairloss, lack of libido, chronic joint pain, swelling in hands and ankles/feet, back pain and/or muscle aches, lack of interest in everything, no energy. Major swelling after high sodium intake. Ear drainage, tingling of extremities especially in feet and fingers, visual disturbances. Blood Pressure is okay.
Has anyone experienced an improvement since they've stopped using toprol?

I was actually looking for side effect info. on some of the current BP meds I am taking. My dentist has suggested some problems w/ staining & rotting be be related to a beta-blocker or from depending on lifesavers to bring my blood sugar up on a regular basis. While they don't want to advise me against something that works, I am trying to move back toward fresh fruits for low sugar instead. But, I have been taking Toprol for a little over a yr. and am reasonably pleased w/it. The dr. initially prescribed 50mg, but gave me samples in the 25mg - since i have had a lot of problems w/side effects w/several meds, I started the first few days w/this dose and was satisfied, feeling better and the BP was normal. So I inquire w/them about staying at that dose and their nurse recommended I do what the dr. said to do - so, I bump my dose up to the 50mg and start getting low pressure and feel sick all over, cold feet - it was awful (I have my own BP meter at home too, the ones in the pharmacy are not always accurate). But, called the dr. office again and the actual dr. me back and when I explained the difference in the effects between the two doses, she said to stick w/the 25mg. Had I not tried this out at a lower dose I would not have been willing to continue w/this med had it made me feel that bad on the first day or a few days after.

I also have Type I Diabetes and was a smoker for 17.5 yrs. I became more motivated when I was diagnosed w/COPD of the emphasema type and my breathing was restricted for a couple of days as a result. I found an online group called (I think if i remember correctly) Smoke No More and I also took an herbal supplement (a sleep aid) called Valerian every 4-6 hours to releive the axiety of the withdrawel. Otherwise, I had tried the Zyban and/or Wellebutrin, but could not take it, it eventually made me very short of breath w/chest discomfort.

Best Wishes, I have otherwise also tried several ACE Inhibitors with not a whole lot of luck - but Endocrinologist are very big on these for the kidney protection - but if that is what you are taking, there are quite a few different types out there.