Topamax and losing my mind

I am going to begin taking 25 mg of Topamax at bedtime tonight. After reading all of these posts I am a scared. I was prescribed Topamax for bipolar disorder. I am currently taking Lamictal as well. I always gain weight on psychotropic drugs and need to lose about 15 lbs (all of which I have gained over the course of being on Lamictal). Any who-my psychiatrist said that this medication may help counteract the weight gain I have experienced. Although I do not consider my self an overeater now. I do hope that it helps me to not like the taste of sodas though. I am addicted to Mt. Dew and caffeine, which I wouldn't mind stopping. Anyway, I am supposed to increase my dosage by 25mg per week until I reach 75mg per day. I am also supposed to go back and see my doctor before I increase the dosage beyond 75mg. I just hope I do not have the horrible side effects I have read here. Some of them I know I can deal with especially if they are temporary but the anxiety/depression/shortness of breath/lack of energy/morbid thoughts are the main ones that concern me. My psychiatrist said that with this medication I should drink plenty of water. He said that it could cause headaches and other side effects if I'm not sure to drink plenty of fluids with this medication. So, I am planning on hydrating myself really well today before taking it this evening. I'll post back and let you know how the side effects are going. Is anyone else on a combination of Lamictal and Topamax or on it for bipolar disorder? I'd like to hear more of your experiences.

I took Topamax about 6 years ago for migraines, and experienced no side effects. Just started it up again 3 days ago, and I feel like I am totally drugged and my head is spinning, can not drive, can barely hold a conversation, only started with 25mg, and can say that each day I feel a little better, but the only difference this time is that I am on Lexapro and my Dr. said the side effects could be worse till I get used to it..anyone else take this combination? And how long till I can function again?

Topamax is w/out a doubt the WORST drug I've ever been on. It made me brain dead. I couldn't find a job on Topamax. I would be in interviews and would space out and couldnt' answer questions. People looked at me like I was crazy. I felt like I had Alzheimer's at 38, especially when my neuro prescribed Exelon, the drug for Alzheimer's to counteract the cognitive side effects. As I said, couldn't find a job, had no insurance. My topa-lovin' neuro was giving it to me and getting me on the patient=ass program through Johnson/Johnson, the maker's of TM. She didn't want to help me get on another anticonvulsant PA program. Finally, I had to charge another med on my credit card because I couldn't take this toxic gunk in my body anymore. The decay of my mind has escalated to the point that I don't know if I will ever be back to myself again. BEWARE of this drug. I haven't even covered the eye pain, insomnia, headaches, leg cramps (i can go on).

I started Topamax over 2 years ago. First 25mg then 50 mg, now 100mg. I was put on Topamax for migraine headaches. I never recieved any information about the side effect hair lose in any of my paperwork. I would have never started taking it if I had, I am a Pentecostal woman and my hair is very important to me. I just found out about this side effect recently in a medical dictionary on my own.I have lost so much hair, it comes out by the handfulls.The doctor said if I dont stop this med I will go bald. I also stay very weak in my legs and arms, and cant even hold my grandchildren much anymore without having pains.I have double vision and recently had to get glasses.I hav'nt had a good glass of pepsi in over a year. I stay sad alot like no one cares feeling very depressed. I never use to feel this way before getting on Topamax.I have so much trouble with my memory I even forget how to get home sometimes. I am only 43 years old I feel like I am losing my mind sometimes.I have lost alot of weight I only weigh 95 pounds and cant seem to gain any back. My family and friends have even noticed the changes. This is a very bad drug and needs to be takin off the market. I cant even stop taking it yet because the doctor said I will start having seziers. I hav'nt had migraines, but look at what else I have gained instead. Just give my a Tylonol and let me keep my hair and mind.

I have been using topomax 100mg daily for 6 months now. I started at that dose immediately, as I was having occular migraines on a daily basis. I experienced terrible side effects of memory lapses, tingling in my face and hands, & speech issues for about 6 weeks. It was about that time that I also realized carbonated beverages were tasting like liquid tin. I also have decreased appetite, and have lost 35 lbs. The side effects were awful in the beginning, but I was told they would subside after my body adjusted to the medication. So, I kept telling myself the effects were due to the medication, and would eventually go away, and they did. I have to admit, those 6 weeks were awful. My kids, hubby and I would joke, because Mom just had a "loopy" topomax moment. As of today, the only side effects are the liquid tin taste of carbonated beverages and loss of appetite, and I am now experiencing difficulties sleeping, which could be caused by something else. For me, the 6 weeks of feeling like I was losing my mind were worth going through, as I am continuing to lose some needed poundage, and most importantly, I am headache free!

I have been on T-Max for a little over 3 weeks. Started at 25 mg per day and am up to 75. Have experienced all of the general side effects but the one I have been experiencing in the past few days has been a feeling of insects crawling on my head and neck and in and out of my ears and on my feet and lower legs. (hallucinations) I should mention that I am taking the medication for a closed head injury I suffered in April. And NO I am not on any other meds I don't even drink alcohol or caffeine for that matter. Am I losing my mind or has anyone else experienced this side effect too?

Been taking topamax two weeks now. Dr. strted me on 25mg then after month I will go up to 50mg. He belives in the lowest dosage while getting benefits. Headaches have gone down. Only had twoand that was on days i worked 16 hours and was majorly stressed. one side effect I seemto be having and am questioning if it is the med or I am losing my mind is that I am getting dizzy alot, almost feel upside down or high.It seems to only happen if I am sitting for long or have my head laying horizontal. It is weird balance gets thrown off alot