Topamax and loss of appetite

I am on day 9 of Topamax. I have Depression and ADD the is controlled by 300 mg of Wellbutrin and 30 mg of Adderall daily. I always felt like this drug regimen was working but I was still having some days where I couldn't shake the blues. I saw my prescribing doc and he suggested Topamax. He started me on 25 mg and in a few days I will increase to 50 mg where it will stay if things go well. I am a 34 y/o woman, married and a preschool teacher.

So far, my side effects have been EXTREME thirst. It's so bad that my lips are actually a little chapped. As far as taste goes, things don't necessarily taste bad to me as much as I just don't have an appetite at all. I have lost 5 pounds in 9 days! However, all soda tastes flat to me. I have tried everything and it's all just flat. In the grand scheme of things, who NEEDS soda? My husband says that I have been a little sensitive lately but, I have always been an overly-sensitive person so, I don't know how much faith I put into that. But, as far as my cognitive abilities, balance issues, and energy? I feel more energetic than usual and I don't feel at a loss for words at all. I also feel even more patient with the children in my classroom. Oh, I have been nauseous off and on as well, which contributes to my loss of appetite.

Now, my dosage will increase in 5 days from 25 mg to 50 mg and I hope that I don't feel different after that increase. When and if I do, I will be right back here posting. I would like to thank those that have posted. It has given me so many good things to look for and has put my mind at ease a little. Good luck to all and best of health!

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?

I am on 25 mg of Topamax and on day 5 of it. Very slightly dopey, but this does not disturb me. The stranger symptom is that I do get hungry and then eat and then experience a significant nausea. I had anticipated a loss of appetite or general malaise, but this seems to hit only after I eat. In turn, I have to really moderate what I eat, not because of a lack of interest but what will hit on the other side. So it would seem the opposite of what others are experiencing...anyone else have this symptom?

I have had pins and needles feeling in my fingers and toes, pretty strong too, I've been on Topamax before so I knew what to expect, I've had the loss of appetite and the soda tasting flat, as well. Some confusion with words, not being able to put together a complete sentence, like you know what you are trying to say but it's not coming out correctly. There may be times where you are somewhat staring off into space. My neurologist explained all of the side effects to me before prescribing me drug but also gave it to me as sor of like a ladder, to where I could build up to it so the side effects are not as bad, I went from 25 mg 4 night to 50mg at night for 4 night, then 75mg for 4 nights now I'm on 100 mg at night, so I've gotten used to it again, I still get the pins and needles and the confusion but if someone is considering taking Topamax, ask your doctor about trying to build up to it first by doing 25, 50,75 then 100.

I am going on topamax for the second time. I think the drug is going to be the best choice for me, personally. I am on it to treat both, epilepsy and chronic migraines. The first time I went on it, I titrated partially to my dosage (400mg) and had to stop because my potassium dropped dangerously low and I was pregnant at the time. I have since had my daughter and am giving it another go. I am having the loss of appetite, redness and tingling of hands and feet, some irritability. I am up to 100mg now and am titrating up to 400mg. I hope that it will subside after a while. I already don't care for carbonated beverages and you are supposed to avoid stimulants if you have migraines and epilepsy anyways people! So figure it a blessing that you can't drink carbonated beverages that MOST contain CAFFEINE aka STIMULANT!!! HELLO!!! As for the other symptoms, i guess you have to weigh the benefits to the risks. I certainly hope it works for me and everyone else. Last time I took it, it could have caused heart failure. That was a biggie! So I would say, Get your routine labs and so long as you can withstand the side effects and the reason you went on the medication is being controlled...... Thank you topamax!

Ok so im 18 years old and I pass out frequently, I have been unsuccessfully diagnosed with several different theories over the past two years, Recently some doctors though that my passing out may be an aura to the headaches and migraines i receive after, my doctor just prescribed Topamax to me and Im really nervous about taking it after reading about these side effects, has anyone else been prescribed topamax who has similar symptoms?

Hello All,
I"m a 50 year old Mother and Grandma who takes Topamax as a Mood Stabilizer for Bipolar Disorder. I took it about 5 years ago and about 6 months after I started taking it I was struck down with debilitating diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, extreme weight loss ( 26 pounds in one month ). No one knew what was wrong with me. My psychiatrist actually upped my Topamax dose because I was becoming depressed and having severe mood swings. I was sick for 8 months. I saw a new psychiatrist and he stopped the Topamax because it just was too over medicating at that time and started a different mood stabilizer.

I didn't put 2 and 2 together. I just was happy that the diarrhea and nausea for the most part was gone. I still have nausea frequently but that is from a totally different cause.

In December we discussed that the new mood stabilizer was no longer working so we went back on the Topamax. In April the diarrhea and nausea this time accompanied by vomiting started. I was ready when it started tho even tho I didn't know the cause. I got hooked up with a GI doctor, started probiotics immediately, started eating organic yogurt with as many live active cultures in it as i could find. I would only eat plain boiled rice, boiled macaroni, toast, ripened organic bananas and drink lots of fluid. No gatorade but pedialyte because gatorade has citric acid in it which can be irritating. Pedialyte doesn't. I also drank decaf ice tea with small amounts of sugar.

Now today I read that Topamax can give you diarrhea and if you have a history of diarrhea tell your doctor. Great, just great. Trade my mental health for my physical health but having diarrhea at the most unopertune times does affect my mental health. What am I going to do?

I refuse to take a weight positive mood stabilizer and that is all I'm left with. Like Lithium, Depakote. they will make me as big as a cow. I'd rather have diarrhea to tell you the truth. I don't think I'm gonna tell him.

Missyk10atx

I only started Topamax three days ago (25 mgs, but it will be increased to 100 mgs over an eight week period to help me adjust), and I've already experienced the loss of appetite, crazy mood swings, insomnia, eye aches, and head aches. I haven't had a migraine, though, so that's nice, I guess.

I started taking Topamax 3 weeks ago, 25mg for the first week then up to 75mg starting week 2. I am also on Effexor,150mg 1 per day.. I feel good and have had a loss of appetite. My thinking is a little fogged and I must concentrate a bit harder. I started taking this as a pain medication and it works. I am also overweight and know for a fact I've lost. I find myself eating better choices and much smaller portions. My moods are good and I like this medication. Thanks for letting me share ! (:

Laurie

Okay, this is the comprehensive list
memory loss, cognitive damage, exhaustion, mood swings, suicidal ideation, paranoid ideation, auditory hallucinations, depression, daily weeping.

Dry mouth, enamel stripped off teeth, no sweating, constipation and resulting hemorrhoids, loss of appetite and extreme weight loss, tingling in extremities, trembling hands, twitching eye muscles, myoclonic jerks

I took it for severe epilepsy. I had two children on it fine, no problems. It put my epilepsy into complete remission, but for all the years I took it my life was destroyed by the emotional and mental side effects. Ended up homeless and in a domestic violence relationship, which I got out of when I stopped taking the poison pills. Coming off it felt like waking from a bad dream, but without epilepsy.

The effects which never went away were the dry mouth and no sweating, the enamal is stripped off my teeth. The mood swings and depression and exhaustion and memory loss and cognitive damage never went away. The loss of appetite and extreme weight loss(92lbs at 5'1" at first, 98lbs after tolerance) never stopped, nor did the constipation and resulting hemorrhoids.

Initial dose increases caused what I understand to be myoclonic spasms, which was a change in my seizure pattern, and other seizure pattern changes. The spasms came immediately after the final dose increase, were incapacitating in severity and lasted for about a half hour, and didn't fade for a week or two.

Did put epilepsy into complete remission.

I have been taking Epilim on and off over a period of many years now, the main side effects I have experienced are the following,
loss of appetite, confusion with words, short term memory problems., difficultly recalling long term memory data, eg, ppls. names etc., lack of all emotions, difficulty concentrating, restlessness.

I'm a 26 year old female and I've been on Topamax since March 2007. It has completely gotten rid of the debilitating headaches I experienced 3-6 times a week. It also got rid of my anxiety. I got my life back, my antidepressant kicked in at the same time. I experienced all the usual side-effects, tingling hands and feet, forgetting words, memory problems, loss of appetite, but was COMPLETELY pain-free. I still am. However, I never remember anything now, forget whether or not I did something, paid my bills, etc, lose things constantly, and I have lost about 20 lbs. Not good. I look anorexic. I have bones sticking out. Eating is hard. I forget to eat and drink all day and food is just unappealing. I feel fuzzy and stupid and slow. Not sharp like I used to be. It has killed my confidence and self-esteem. But I was wondering if any women out there got yeast infections while they were on Topamax. I've had one monthly since I started it, and my doc said it's a rare side effect. Oh yeah, I've had mild hair loss and mild to moderate acne now. This drug, it is such a 50-50. Living with chronic pain, those headaches were awful. But doubting yourself is awful too. Anyone have similar experiences?

I am a 32 y/o female that was put on Topamax 10 days ago for migraines. I am taking 25mg twice a day so far, and the side effects I have experienced are all carbonated drinks taste flat; including beer, and if I take it close to bed time, I cannot sleep. The medication actually revs me up! Nothing i cannot handle. I have not had any problems with loss of appetite, nausea or diarrhea. Sure, sometimes I feel a little spacey, but I did that even before I started the medication. My doctor did tell me that you do need to drink plenty of water and eat plenty of protein. Also, when I start to feel a little spacey, eating a small amount of sugar seems to help with that... I have had a few headaches since starting the medication, but I haven't had a full blown migraine!!! I will continue to keep you posted. So far, I haven't had any side effects that i can't live with and by reading the posts and talking with several other people on the medication, it seems like the side effects are temporary and improve as your body "adjusts" to the medication. I am a nurse and I guess I am at at advantage because I am educating people on daily basis about this very issue!

I have just recently started taking topamax as of 4 days ago for severe migraines. Today was the first day I have actually had a soda and I was convinced that the pop I bought was flat but after reading this I now know that I am not crazy. I have also already experienced tingling in my hands, fingers, and toes, tightness in my chest, loss of appetite, one night of extreme anger, difficulty concentrating, and some depression. I am trying to figure out if this pill is actually worth it for me if I am already experiencing this many side effects this early. I am only on 25mg right now and I am supposed to increase to 100mg of the next couple of weeks.

I am so glad I found this site! I had thought that all of the sodas I was buying were coming from the vendors flat, but now I realize it was the Topamax. I started taking this medication on September 15th, only 25mg at night and just moved up to 50mg a night after seven days. I've suffered migraines for five years and asked my doctor for a preventative rather than having to take something after the onset that knocked me out for two days. I can't work like that. I haven't experienced any of the tingling sensations, but I have definitely noticed the loss of appetite and severe nausea after taking the medication if I don't fall immediately asleep. No problems with depression, but I do feel like I am floating all the time. Neck feels heavy sometimes. Words seem to disappear out of my vocabulary on a daily basis, and it takes me three days to think of something, which is very frustrating. Haven't actually stepped on a scale yet but I can tell I've lost weight (which is okay) because my clothes are hanging on me. One side affect I haven't read about is anemia - I have noticed that I seem to be bruising very easily; my chihuahua sat in my lap and left little bruises where his feet were. Does anyone know if this is normal?

I've been on Topomax for about 3-4 months now. I've had memory loss, slurred speech, decreased concentration (I have to re-read something several times to understand it) tingling in the hands and feet, depression, increased anger, loss of appetite, weight loss. I'm now at the point where I have a rash on my leg, severe nausea, and abnormal bleeding. I going to follow up with my neuro and PCP to see what's going on so we'll see. My migraines have decreased from 3-4 a week to maybe 1 a week, so it has been worth it so far so I can function for work and for my kids as a single mother. I've suffered from migraines for about 10 years and can't take the pain no more!!! If anyone has experienced the nausea, rashes or bleeding please reply.

I have been on topamax for 2 months, just up to 100 MG. I am loosing my hearing, have blurred vision, still have headaches and have been told that they might be permanent. Lets just say I am not impressed. Not to mention all the other BS side affect, nausea, stomach pains, loss of appetite, Mental changes, confusion, Giving me ADD and cutting my IQ from 145 to 80, aphasia, headache, depression, too many to mention. I hate the stuff and am tapering off now.

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!

Well I have been taking Topamax for 3 weeks tomorrow and so far the side effects have not been that bad for me. I have experienced a little bit of most of the ones I have heard about: loss of appetite, weightloss, numbness/tingling in hands/feet, off tasting carbonated beverages, fatigue, mood swings, increased thirst, increased perspiration. But they haven't been that extreme for me. The pros have really outweighed the cons so far. I have only had 1 migraine since taking the Topamax, and it was a few days after starting it. I am upping to 75 mils tomorrow so we'll see how I feel about it after that, but so far so good. I think that it is really important to remember that everyone's body chemistry is sooo different and we are all going to react differently to this drug. I have pretty much found that people either love this drug or they hate it. But it is really nice to be able to get feedback from other people to see if the side effects we are experiencing are "normal". When 50 some odd other people are experiencing the same thing on this drug then I think it's a pretty safe assumption that it is related to the drug, whether or not the doctors want to claim it is or not.

I had a really bad time on this medication. Side effects included -

swelling of the feet and ankles, loss of memory including names of close friends, sleeplessness, psychosis, paranoia, loss of appetite. I lost my mind, in fact. Far from "taking the edge" off my highs, it magnified the high to a previously unreached level.

After reading these horrific side effects, I am not alone. I have only began taking topamax 25 mgs once a day and then I am suppose to increase it to 200 mgs. in a month which I am not sure I am ready to do that. I take it for migranes, I have had tingling in my feet and numbness in my hands, sleeplessness and loss of appetite. But I feel that I am getting better even though I am suppose to increase he dose next week, I am not so sure what I am going to do yet. Any siggestions?? I am going to call the doctor but then again it is not really his call , it is mine, do I want to live with the headaches? or can i stand the side effects until my body gets use to the medication?

appetite loss which is cool, cant drink soda only h2o, only i am only on 100 mg a day for migraines i dont have tingling the only side effects i have experienced is loss of appetite some weird dreams stomach pains, other wise cool i am happy with the loss of appetite and loss of sweets taste:)

I started taking Topamax for migraines about 7 months ago, and it took a few months for it to really start working well. My sleeping patterns changed, I found that I was hyper all the time (which probably affected the sleep pattern!) and I had short term memory loss. I couldn't give street directions if my life depended on it! Everything is getting better now...I can sleep past 5am, I am learning to relax a little more, and the memory thing is getting better too when I don't get flustered. The biggest side effect is my loss of appetite, which is great (so far!) because I have lost 50 pounds over the last 7 months! Hope it slows down soon though, because I don't have much more to lose!

I am having alot of side effects such as dry skin, shakes, lots and lots of energy, and loss of appetite, tingling. I was wondering if anyone was having the problem with dry skin and if they knew what to do with the dry skin and hair problem.