Topamax Coping mechanism, mg 2, wean, watching tv, moron

I too have had bad side effects from Topamax. I have had diarrahea, chest pains, and my head feels really funny. I had to be taken off from it because of the side effects..I have such bad headaches even being on Topamax. I have only been on it for 2 weeks. I wish I knew what I could take without having really bad side effects. Any Suggestions??????

I earn a very high salary by being smart. After getting to a full dose (50 mg, 2 x day) of Topamax I have become a moron and am trying to wean off asap (down to 50 mg, 1 x day and seeing my dr. today). I noticed a signficant decrease in my work output and quality since I started taking this drug. I started "spacing out" and losing time, but thought it would get better if I could stick with it so the migraines (1-5/month) would stop. The first weekend on a full dose, I spent 10 hours watching tv and crying. I got myself together enough to figure out that (1) this was disordered thinking; (2) not my usual coping mechanism for anything; and (3) the only major life change in 6+ months was the Topamax.

I assume you have gotten weaned off the Topamax now. Have you had any after effects from the drug? If so, how long did they last before you got back to normal and what if anything did you take to help you through this time?

I am really surprised about the depression side effect that you have experienced from Topamax. Maybe you should have insisted taking it. I must tell you that I was on anti-depressant medication before I started taking Topamax (6-7 months ago) and for financial reasons I had to give up one for the other (the migraines were more painful than the depression!) To my surprise, I am perfectly all right and don't need any anti-depressant now. And not only that: I lost 10 pounds, and I have no more migraines. The only side effects that I noticed are a little forgetfulness and a decrease in the sex drive, but none of them are too severe to counteract the positive effects of the medication.