I have been on Topamax since January 2005. Currently on 200mg pe...

I have been on Topamax since January 2005. Currently on 200mg per day, being moved up to 400 soon. I do experience the numbness of face, which in the beginning I would take an odd childish delight in, pushing and pulling on my face (tending to be somewhat high at those times) and telling people "feel this, it's so cool" because it feels to me at those times like my face is made of silly putty. The high part is mostly gone now, and I behave like a rational adult (mostly). I still have more fun that I used to, but that is a good thing. I was one of those people who took life way to seriously before. I was prescribed Topamax for several reasons, none of them typical. I suffer severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and have been taking Celexa and Wellbutrin to treat it. Over the course of two months I gained 20 pounds on these meds. In addition, I suffer chronic fatigue and fairly severe mood swings (though nothing like what I had had prior to the medication). In light of all of those circumstances, and Topmax's reputation for causing weight loss, raising energy levels, and behaving as a mood stabilizer, I was prescribed this medication essentially for its side effects. I found out afterwards that it is benificial for chronic pain and migraines. I have had only one migraine since I began taking Topamax, and my lower back and neck problems (due do a broken coccyx and whiplash from two separate accidents) are vastly improved as well. My craving for sweets is significantly decreased, as is my appetite, though both return with a vengeance when I get royally outraged, as I learned two weeks ago. I, also, no longer care for cola, but I don't understand why everyone complains about that, considering how it leaches the calcium out of our bones and puts us all at such great risk for Osteoporosis. I have lost 11 pounds to date. I'm sure it would be more if I would work out more or eat more than 1000 Calories per day, because I know eating so little slows my metabolism. I do suffer from dry mouth. I haven't noticed and of the blurred vision or memory loss, but despite the fact that I am very intelligent, I have always been a very myopic ditz so I wouldn't anyhow. My blood pressure, which was always low before, causing head rushes and dizziness, has stabilized at 120/60, so for the first time in my life it's normal and I no longer have to worry about falling over or having my vision black out if I stand up too suddenly. For me, I love the things this drug has done, and I am sorry to see that it is not a miracle drug for everyone else too.