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Hello to All I'm 33 yr old female who began taking Topamax 2 yea...

Posted at 12:31 AM on May 17, 2009 by lopez3339, #41530
Hello to All I'm 33 yr old female who began taking Topamax 2 years ago, after diagnose with Pseudotumor Cerebri,(elevated intracranial pressure),doctors still don't know why i have PTC, it is common overweight women, certain medications, secondary to disease, which all did not connect with me as I was not overweight, have never taken any medication, other than OTC allergy or pain relievers, and all secondary diseases I was tested, and nothing, with a history of migraines headaches, that suddenly became unstable, with vision disturbance I was put on diamax, it lowers elevated intracranial pressure, finally help for this horrible headaches, , I had a side effect it elevated my glucose levels to dangerous levels, due to elevated intracranial pressure I was hospitalize, undergoing several lumbar punctures and eye surgery for decompression of my optic nerve, doctors still unsure of my diagnosis, but telling me I must have surgery for a spinal fluid shunt, I was terrified, I decided to try and consulted with another neuro ophthalmology who had a totally different opinion, I switch doctors and this is when I was prescribe TOPAMAX 25MG to start, now I'm taking 250mg daily, at first the fact that I was going to be OK, that I can continue my life without shunt, no more lumbar punctures, the fact I was not loosing my eye sight, I can go running, rock climbing, after been told I couldn't, I was convinced TOPAMAX was a miracle. The 1st side effects constipation; decreased sweating, drowsiness, dry mouth, loss of appetite I lost about 20 pounds, family friends were really concern, after a while I gain it back, numbness, tingling, I was ok with it, because I no longer had debilitating headaches, had perfect vision, surgery was out the question. and I was stable, but then I suddenly experience seizure, 3 different occasion, no explanation, severe joint leg pain, trouble with speech, bruising, light sensitivity, severe acne, irregular menstrual cycle, vaginal issues, anxiety, heart palpitations, and the worst one yet, the reason I began to search on line mood swings, I'm in the medical field and the people that I work with tells me I'm just getting older, depression, 1st sings of menopause, I'm very active healthy women, with normal daily stress 2 children and 16 years marriage, I have seen my family doctor, had blood work done, and all normal. I have told my neuro about my experiences, and he says is not topamax, my ob says take birth controls it might help, im just lost any one suggestions?
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Reply 5 months ago on May 19, 2009 by smaashley, #19951

I have been on Topamax for four months and have a lot of side effects as well. The worst ones being feeling really stupid ALL the time and the horrible mood swings. I have just learned to lock myself in my bedroom so I won't say things that I shouldn't. It's no way to live,...but the migraines are horrible without the Topamax. I still have them with the drug but not quite as often. I was having them almost every day without medication. I am currently on three different drugs (taken daily) for prevention and a couple of others to stop them if they start. They just control every part of my life. I am a single parent and my kids have had to grow up fast because I am sick sooo often.

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Reply 4 months ago on Jun 13, 2009 by howefam44, #20579

Hello,

I am sorry you are having difficulty. Just a thought, has your physician tested you for Acidosis? Google it. Topomax can cause metobolic acidosis and some of your symptoms fit the bill.

Don't give up when they brush you off. You know when you're not feeling right.

Good luck!

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