Topamax and memory loss

I am a 39 year old white female in the nursing profession (RN). I was placed on Topamax at the age of 31 for new onset atypical complex seizures that were later diagnosed as migraine induced drop attacks. I took Topamax for 3 years. I took 100mg a day. My family and I had moved to another state and I had to find another Neurologist. During this time I had many side effects from the medication that I blamed on my "condition." To make a very long story short, while taking Topamax, I developed a kidney stone, severe restless leg syndrome, weight loss, feet tingling, blurred vision, mood swings, slurred speech and mental confusion that went into amnesia. I had to relearn how to drive a car, spell, do 2nd grade math, use a computer, etc...
I now have permanent memory loss. I struggle every day with my memory issues. I have learned tricks of how to deal with it but have not been able to recoup any previously lost cognition. After nearly 6 years of being off the medication I doubt I ever will. I feel inadequate and embarrased with my inability to remember people and things or form normal sentences during a conversation! I know the information is in my head but I can't always pull it forward. Some days are worse than others.
I also have a harder time learning new things. The information just doesn't want to stay "stored" in my brain. (Not a problem patients or doctors want to see in a critical care nurse!)
I hope my experience will save others from suffering the same fate. Use extreme caution taking this medication. It can drastically alter your life.

I was taking Topamax for about 4 years for chronic/daily migraines. It helped tremendously after I had taken almost everything else with no success. Then I had an episode where I ended up with 5 kidney stones. They passed but my neurologist wanted me off the Topamax in case that was the cause of them. I went off and my headaches came back with a vengeance. I had them daily until I begged my primary care doctor to put me back on Topamax. I honestly would rather have stones than daily headaches. I am a mother to four and have a husband and a job. I can't live with daily migraines. After being back on it for about two weeks the headaches have disappeared. I take 200 mg twice a day. I do have memory loss and loss of words big time. It is VERY frustrating. I feel stupid. But I can live with that. I have tingling cheeks , lips and hands. I'm sensitive to sun and have to wear my sunglasses a lot more now. I now talk in my sleep- a little nervous about that :) I lost weight last time around but haven't yet this time. I am very happy, not sure if that is the RX or just me reacting to not having headaches. I guess you have to weight the side effects with the benefits. The choice is ultimately up to you. Good luck everyone!

I am 16 years old and i have been taking topamax for about 5 months now. I am taking 200 mg a day as a mood stabilizer. I have experienced nothing but horrible things on this medication such as, memory loss, inability to considerate in school or anywhere for that matter, loss of word for example stropping in mid sentence a lot trying to figure out what in the heck i am talking about, also i lost weight on this when first taking it i was 130 lbs now i am 110 lbs, and not only does it not make me hungry but when i eat after i experience nausea. This medication is horrible.

My doctor put me on Topamax for ADD.... I am a 37 year old woman and I'm taking 100mg's of it. 50mg at night and 50 in the AM and have very quickly found that I have had memory LOSS very quickly. I have been on the med for 1 1/2 months. My vision is also getting worse and this medication is not helping me with the ADD. I am a Lab Rat to them... I am going OFF this medication. If anyone out there reads this... please do all the research you can. The side effects are not worth it! Today is Mother's Day and after 37 years.... I called her and could not remember her little sweet nic-name she has been calling me since I was born. My heart sank. IMHO.... This medication is very bad.

I am a 34 yr old woman who has suffered from migraines for 13 yrs and chronic head pain for most of my life. I have had sinus surgery, my vision checked, TMJ corrected and anything else I could think of to alleviate my headaches. I took various anti-depressants to treat for chronic pain. About 3 yrs ago I began taking Topamax after my grandmother & both my sisters went on it for migraines. We all have experienced success in treating the headaches and both sisters lost weight. Grandmother and I did not. We all still have migraines occasionally and my youngest sister cannot miss a dose w/out having a headache. My grandmother has had to discontinue Topamax because it was effecting her memory, speech, and concentration so badly. All of us experienced the "loss of words" problems at first, but learned to adapt and became used to it. But grandma is in her 70s and its not as easy for her. However, in the past month, I have been experiencing the same thing--memory loss, calling a place or object the wrong name, and poor concentration. I feel like I can't even read today. I was taking 150mg and thought I was pregnant so I started decreasing my dose down to 100mg to wean off. I'm not pregnant and I'm thinking of discontinuing the Topamax anyway. It's bad enough when I can't remember things at home, I can't work like this. I have always raved about how great Topamax is and that if it kept my head from hurting, I would take it forever. Now I feel like I'm in the early stages of dementia.

Have been taking topamax for 4 months and now have hand and feet tingling. major spelling and memory loss issues. My question is Does any one else have HIP PAIN??? I can't think of any reason why I have it now... except for the addition of the topamax.Thanks, TL

I'm almost 21 years old. I have been taking 100 mg of Topamax before bed since I was 17 for migraines. I did not have the weight loss that a lot of you had. I did have the tingling in the hands and feet for about the first two years. I have also had a lot of memory loss and a change in personality. I have become depressed and aggressive. I have also had extremely realistic nightmares while on Topamax that I did not have before I was on the drug. However, I don't think that I could go off the drug because I ran out of it once, and I know that you aren't supposed to stop cold turkey, but I had terrible headaches and could not go to work. I ended up in the ER because I had such a bad headache.

We learned about this drug in my Educational Psychology class. If you start taking it when you are younger and stay on it for an extended period of time, it can prevent your brain from developing. This would explain the memory loss, at least for me and other people that started taking it when they were young, but the memory loss and confusion is worth it to be able to keep a job and get good grades in college.

Like most of you all I am on Topamax 100mg. I am a 27 year old female that has suffered from severe migraines for over 20 years that would last up to 2-3 days and completely debilitated me. I would bleed from my tear ducts from the extreme pressure and I would need to be in a quiet, cold, closed off room to be left alone until the migraine was gone to continue on with my life. It was ruining my life and taking over my day to day routine. I could never really commit to anything without the constant worry in the back of my mind about a possible migraine until I found Topamax. Now on Topamax I went from 4-5 migraines weekly to 1-2 monthly, it is truly amazing, however there is a catch. Although the medication is wonderful and I will never get off of it at the rate of success that I am at, I do have side effects. I have extreme tingling in my extremities, (hands, feet) along with my face. It feels like they are constantly asleep. I also have noticed the poor tasting carbonating drinks along with my taste buds changing with certain foods that I use to be so fond of. I also have a very smokey haze where it almost feels euphoric if I wake up in the middle of the night. I have horrible nightmares of people that I have not seen in or thought of in years, memory loss and spelling issues-all goes away after 3-4 months of uses. I had shortness of breath, however that subsides as well with the use of the medications along with several other side effects. I have lost over 30lbs that is along with diet, so I can't say it is all Topamax. I have noticed little nodules that have been showing up on my hands since I stared taking the medication that I am in ? about I have a call in to my neurologist to see if he has heard of any such thing. Other than that I love the medication, because if not having migraines is one of the side effects-lol I can handle the side effects. I hope that this will help anyone that might have anything similar to what I am going through. If you can shed some light on my nodule situation please let me know. Thanks

Hello,
I'm a 38 yr old female who was prescribed Topamax about 8 weeks ago for Migraine prevention.
So far, the drug is working fabulously for it's purpose.
Here are the pros and cons that I have experienced:

PROS: No migraines. Yippee!, A small amount of weight loss. This did not happen until just in the last week or so. My mood has stabilized.

CONS: Flat tasting soda, Dry skin, Dry eyes, dry mouth, (drink LOTS of water to combat this). Blurred vision, bouts of memory loss and slurred speech, loss for words. Some of these improve as your body adjusts. Worst for me is that if I miss a dose or don't take it at the same time every day (50mg in the morning, 50 at night), I'll have middle of the night anxiety attacks or even amnesia.. short-lived attacks, but very terrifying.. I always think someone is out to kill me. But again, for me, it's short lived and it only happens when I'm not taking the meds on a schedule.

Overall, I am happy with the drug. I am not experiencing hair loss or tingling. I drink a TON of water because I hear kidney stones are common with this medication.
I will endure all of the above to prevent the wretched migraine....

I hope this helps someone...

Take care and remember, God can help in your healing.. ask Him for it.. :)

God Bless..

I have been on Topamax for about two years for migraines, and was very pleased that after the first month or two, most of the noticeable side effects (dizziness, flat-tasting soda, etc.) disappeared, and the Topamax has been very effective in cutting my migraines in half. However, I've recently begun to question whether other health problems I've been experiencing are actually Topamax side effects and I just didn't realize it.

The first is intermittent stomach troubles that have been ongoing for the last year. Starting last January, I started experiencing diarrhea, stomach pain, and other persistent gastrointestinal problems, and through online research, I decided that it was probably either a spastic colon or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I lost 15-20 lbs. in the spring and summer, but the problems would always recede before I took them to my doctor, then resurface just long enough to irritate me before disappearing again. It never occurred to me until recently that these could be Topamax side effects.

The other possible side effect that I assumed was an unrelated problem is interruptions to my sleep pattern. I have been experiencing some occasional bouts of sleep paralysis, and which researching this, read that in normal sleep patterns, one is supposed to enter REM sleep (when dreaming occurs) after about 90 minutes. I frequently enter into dream sleep in as short as a 20-30 minute nap, which does not seem to be normal. Again, researching this, the only two explanations that came up were narcolepsy, which I obviously do not have, and that my normal sleep patterns are being interrupted "by medication." So I'm back to wondering if it's the Topamax. Has anyone experienced similar sleep symptoms?

I recently increased my dosage from 25 mg to 50 mg and noticed my hair has been falling out. I just feel tired all the time. I thought I was going crazy until I read this site! I will talk to my doctor very soon. I did not think there would be problems with a "low" dose.

I've been on Topamax for 3 years for migraine and it works most of the time. I am currently having a hard time with the usual side effects of memory loss, hair loss, word recall problems, coldness, depression, no sex drive, and am developing a cough. BUT I had a side effect that has not been mentioned when I first started taking it (25 mg in am and pm -- I'm now on 50mg in am and pm).
For about 2 weeks, I would get in my car to go to work and miss my turns because they would cognitively come up too soon (this is after 15 years of going to work the same way everyday). I had to be extremely conscious of my surroundings when I drove or I'd miss all my normal turns. I got lost in my own neighborhood once going home. At work, I'd get up from my desk to go to a co-worker's desk and arrive there amazing fast to my mind. I was experiencing time/space/distance distortion. It became fascinating to me, but it passed.

I was on Topamax for about a year. I lost 50 Ibs because, I did not have an appetite. I decided to go off of it. Then I started to gain weight back and wanted to go back on it but, I had terrible itching and every time I got sweaty or in the sun I would start to itch. Now it has been about 9 months that I have been off of it. I have problems with migraines and I also would like to try it to help lose weight but, I am trying to weigh the risks because I don't want that itching problem to start back. Oh yeah...I did not have many problems with memory loss or anything. I liked how I could think everything out more slowly. Basically...I felt like I could concentrate better on stuff and not have racing thoughts. So that was a plus for me. Also had tingling in my toes for about the first 5 or 6 months on it.

I've been on topamax at 400mg 2x a day for about 8 years now. It is a great drug but it has HORRIBLE side effects! It ( along with lamictal) gives me WONDERFUL seizure control. And it is safe for pregnancy. BUT it has destroyed my memory. short term and long term I cant remember much of anything! The sexual side effects is just awful. It makes reaching an orgasm almost impossible! I am very scared that I may have full blown alzheimers by the time I am 30!

Has anyone gained they're memory back after stopping topamax?

Topamax makes things taste yucky!! things like soda, beer, etc. And I've typed a whole report before or listed something on ebay and only looked back later and called myself a STUPIDAS# because of all the misspelled words- should of used spell check- which if you take Topamax make sure your spellcheck is on! Don't know why but the med will slurr your speech and brain. I do still get the occasional migraines while taking it so I'll stop it, plus tired of the spelling probs I have while on it. But my doc says I should be persistent with it, just like everything else out there... there's always a price to pay! Other than that, no side effects like stomach pain or weight loss like I've heard in others. Oh but it will make you tired..especially at first..very tired!

I have been taking 300mg of Topamax BID for 4 years. I also am Taking 300mg of Lamictal BID. I have had all The same side effects that have been listed. I still get some numbness and tingling in my hands, feet or legs from time to time. The weight loss eventually leveled off for me. (My Dr. said that would happen). I lost 30lbs and gained 10lbs back. the confusion and memory loss was a big deal for me, but I had finally found a great combination of meds that controlled my seizures. I found B12 shots and no caffeine really helped keep my mind clear and gave me back my "verbal capacity" (you guys know what I mean).
Overall I think it's a great drug. It defiantly changed my life for the better.
I Tried 4 others before I tried Topamax.
Nothings gong to be perfect.
Jessica, Tampa,FL

I started right out 3 years ago on 100 mgs. and within a couple weeks migraines were virtually gone! I thought it was a miracle! Only slight side affects for a couple years and only an occasional migraine but not a three day long one. So, I figure, small price to pay for all that relief, right? Now, for the last 6 months or so I'm falling apart! My memory is just gone! Sometimes I'm afraid to leave my house because I'm afraid I'll forget my way back home! I can hardly concentrate long enough to put a meal together and it just took me 4 tries to remember how to spell concentrate! Thank Goodness for spellcheck! I've lost 42 lbs. that I can ill afford to lose and I now I have started to have these anxiety things that I've never had before. I feel scared and nervous and no idea why. I was on a couple of drugs for allergies, a couple for arthritis and a vitamin. I dropped everything except the Topamax and the DR. put me on a 1/2 mg. Zanax twice daily for anxiety which seems to do nothing except make me sleepy. Now it seems all these side affects have just bloomed and I have this constant ache over my right eye which isn't a migraine but never goes away. I'm afraid to just stop the topamax because of what I've read about suddenly stopping. Doctors are no help, they won't even admit there is a problem. They just wanted to check my thyroid.It was fine.

In August I started taking Topamax and every week i am to up the dosage now I am taking 50mg in the morning and and 50 mg at night because my headaches was so bad that I had to quit my job because I couldn't serve food and vomit at the same time. Now that my headaches have gone from everyday to about every other day I have noticed the indigestion. Because I had because sick so long the doctor suggested I had a reflux and it would correct itself.I started looking at all the medication I was on and the list from the pharmacy never indicated indigestion on as a side effect for Topamax.My appetite is non.Weight lost about 20 lbs but I could afford that and then some. I try not to use the upstairs of my home if no one is there because of the dizziness.And simple chores around the house go undone.I have bounce $130 in bank fees this month and can't figure out how and gave the finances over to my husband to keep up with and I am a math major in college this semester.This is how bad things have gotten some simple words i can't recall how to spell . I have to use the dictionary. It's bad.

Initially, numbness and tingling in extremities which subsided, but memory loss and loss for words is very uncomfortable, and my neurologist suggested caffeine every AM to compensate, which helps some, but not enough. Difficulty reaching orgasm has become very frustrating as a side effect, but is better than the horrible headaches every day. What a choice!!1

I'm 20 years old and take Topamax for migraines. It works miracles as far as reducing the number of migraines i get. I went from 4 to 5 debilitating migraines every week- to maybe 1 or none. I'm supposed to be taking 75 mg a day but sometimes i only take 50 b/c the lack of concentration holds me back from doing every day things. Instead of feeling awake during the day, i feel like i'm walking through a dream. The dizziness is bad too. Sometimes when i go to stand up i get so dizzy i will actually fall into a wall or all the way to the ground. The scariest thing is when i'm driving and forget that i'm supposed to be driving. It only happens for maybe 30 seconds at a time but it's sort of like falling asleep with your eyes open and very scary --and very dangerous. At first i had all the numbness and tingling and weight loss as well but TRUST ME, that is NOT what you will care about. The worst side effects are d/t to memory loss, lack of concentration and dizziness.

Try a very low dose of this drug at first and continue with that for a while-maybe even months to see if it helps. I think anything over 50 mg seems to produce side effects that are too dangerous and not worth it!

My psychiatrist started me on Topamax 2 yrs ago for depression from being 75 lbs overweight. Started at 25 mg/day up to 50/day for 2 yrs. Lost 70 lbs and kept off with only minor side effects. Also took 150/day Wellbutrin during this time. (For being kind of a neat freak and washing my hands a lot.- didn't affect my social or work life much) Have slowly started gaining the weight back (+12 lbs). Seem to have built up an immune to the 50/day dosage over the 2 yrs. So he added 25 in the am in addition to the 50 I've been taking in the evening. (1 mo. ago) Having some strange reactions. My memory seems to be taking a real hit. I am a CPA (passed these exams 15 yrs ago) and now I'm studying for the Cert.'d Internal Auditor exams. I am having a great deal of trouble trying to memorize for these 12 hour long tests! I feel fatigued every day. My blurred vision (that requires reading glasses) has gone crazy. I can't read the song book at church at all. And I'm only 47!. I've had acne like bumps all around my nose and face. How could such a slight increase cause so much change? Also sometimes my heart feels like it is going to beat out of my chest. And I'm losing patience w/my 13 yr old son who's pushing my buttons to see how much he can get away with. He seems to sense that I'm not at my best. But if I go off this Topamax and gain back my 70 plds I know I will plunge into a DEEP depression. Has any one talked to their doctor about the possibility of these side effects going away after time? My tingling hands and feet did and my slight hair loss did. And my weight loss is trying to go away but I don't want that. I'm majorly concerned about the memory loss and blurred vision eventually going away. DALIAL

ok i have been taking topomax for about roughly 7 years. at one time it got so bad with the memory loss they put me on the alzhimers med. that they proscribe for about everyone with alzhimers. i have had clumps of hair fall out so they put in a prescription for hair loss. i once weighed 100 lbs size 0 im 5 ft tall and i am usually about a 7-8 . the topomax i was taking it for my toruretts syndrome and every so often it causes a clich ill have face freezing that will last for and hour to 3 days or make it worse. ill get hives i get aggressive angerd very easily at the drop of a pin and wont eat at all because i forget i forget everything i once stared at a wall for 3 hours i couldn't move my body or eyes my mind went blank like someone shut off the electricity . plus bad acne ( um when i first took it it was like i was getting high with my entire body tingling like when ur foot has fallen asleep even my eyes felt like that) i have sufford some vision problems everyday and forget what and where i was going it has made me have some psychological problems increase
i have now recently stopped taking it i still get rashes i am always cold hair is still falling out still hear a ring in my ears i see things that aren't there like little firecrackers going off in my vision or blackouts like when u get a migraine i am always itching tingly all the time aggravated all the time
but now i eat i have gained like close to 20 lbs but i am more focussed in some things it helps when i am in class to stay focussed but not really because im not used to being so alert but i think i like not feeling foggy anymore

Ive suffered from migraines for about 5 years and never done anything about it until i seen a neurologist and found out i had a brain cyst. (not deadly) She prescribed me to topamax for migraines and immediately i started feeling change, i was moody and had no appetite, memory loss, chest/heart pain, short breath, paranoia, angry all the time, would cry at the drop of a hat, couldent concentrate, dizziness and it felt like a cloud was over my brain, i felt nothing all the time.

Ive never been suicidal and one day i lost it, i felt like everything out of me had been drained and it would just be such a relief to die right then. It was the worst 3 hours of my life, trying not to kill myself because i knew it was the topamax doing this. Definitely scared off it now, do not want that to happen again

I've been taking Topamax now for about 6 weeks, and my headaches are still just as bad as ever, except now I have headaches with the thrill of numb fingers, confusion, weight loss, memory loss, an absolute horrid taste in my mouth, and now the latest.... my hands feel dirty all the time. Has anyone experienced this?? I just feel like my hands are dirty. I wash them, and a half hour later, it almost feels like there's a film on them, and I have to wash them again. Almost ocd-ish. So 6 weeks in.... Anyone have any advise on how much longer I should give this topamax before I give up on it & try something else? My doc said it should have worked by now if it was gonna - but I have read on here, that it sometimes can take months...? I just don't know if I can take these side effects, AND the headaches for much longer without going NUTS! {grin}
Any advise?

I began reading all of the blogs about Topamax and was surprised. I have been taking Topamax as a mood stabilizer since February 2007 at 200 mg at bed time (I probably sleep off the fatigue). The only side effect I am concerned about is the weight loss. Short term memory is not an issue. As a matter of fact, I am attend college and am managing a 3.85 gpa. I wish all of you the best of luck and hope you find something that works for you.

Been taking Topamax 300 mg a day for the past 4 year. I also take 450 mg of Wellbutrin. This is to help with migraine. Although my total count of Zomig pills I took last year was 120 pills and some of those I broke in half so I wouldn't have to use a whole pill for a migraine. So that mean, with the Topamax and Wellbutrin combined, I still had at least 123 migraine this past year. Three months of migraines. That's insane. I can't stop the "Dopamax" because my doctor says it would be really bad with it. I have terrible memory loss, forgetfulness, and loss of words that is embarrassing. The nurses did not inform me of the side effects when I first started taking it and I thought I was going crazy. I started looking up ADHD on the computer thinking I had developed it as an adult. I was made at the nurse when she asked me how I was doing remembering things and and if I was stumbling for word......I wanted to slap her off her stool.........at that point it was NOT funny.

I take 200mg a day (100mg in the morning and 100mg at night) for seizures. It has been my miracle drug. Granted the side effects were awful. But I did my research before starting it again. I had taken it previously for migraines and couldn't tolerate it. If you take the appropriate vitamins while taking it you can help to alleviate a lot of the side effects that you may have. Topomax can absorb some critical vitamins out of your body which causes some of the side effects. The vitamins that I take are: a high dosage of a Super B Complex (tingling, numbness, fatigue, speech). L-Carnitine (memory loss), Biotin (hair and skin). There is another website with postings similar to this which is where I discovered other patients taking Topomax that had discovered using the vitamins helped. Once I got on a good regimen of vitamins it made a big difference. I still experienced and am experiencing weight loss (but I just had a baby) so I am not really upset about that. LOL Anyways, I hope that information helps someone out there. It sure did help me. If I can find the research link that had the vitamin listing that it depreciates I will post it.

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 on Topamax for four months for epilepsy and I love it. I do experience some of the above mentioned side effects but my seizures were not grand mal seizures they were absence seizures. so the memory loss thing is a non issue for me, as far as depression, didn't get that one, weight loss; glad to have it, tingling; not that bad; the coldness; really only bothersome at bedtime so I take a bath at night, a really hot bath. Confusion, I was confused a lot because of the seizures so, again don't know which is worse. For me I feel this is a miracle drug. I'm not sure about the abdominal issues that is my only concern right now, that is what I am dealing with constipation and maybe some menstrual issues??

I was doing just fine taking 50 mg of Topamax but I was still having minor headaches. My doctor said to go to a neurologist because there may be a tumor to worry about. He doubled my morning dosage and added an evening dosage so now I am taking 200 mg. a day. I started the insanity on Friday. By Monday i went grocery shopping and couldn't remember what I was shopping for. Thank God i brought my husband with me...when I could remember that he was with me. And then when I remembered to ask him what we came for I needed to remember where it was. Upon returning home I offered to help my 7 year old grand daughter with her spelling homework. Do you how embarrassing it is to not remember how to spell first grade spelling words? Tuesday was Mardi Gras and we went to the movies so I was saved any further mind questions. Then along comes Wednesday and I returned to work. Well, I tried to get to work. I got lost. Here I was at Walgreen's trying to figure out what I was doing out at 6:00 in the morning. What day was it? The looks on other's faces when you ask them these question is not something funny. So, I get back in my car and aim in the direction I hope is work. Luckily, I remember where I habitually stop for breakfast. My memory comes back again and I make it to work. I am on time and all is well. Now, the day begins.

I haven't had a period since December. Here it is February. And no, I am NOT pregnant. I can't concentrate. I ate 2 chicken nuggets for lunch and am full (now that is a healthy lunch, huh?). I was addicted to Dr. Pepper and now can't even stand the smell of it. I can't walk and chew gum at the same time. I found a note that I wrote sometime yesterday that really scares me because I don't remember writing it. It says, " Headache @ 1:55 no known trigger jut sudden movement to pick up papers from bin over desk. Nausea as well. Need to go to sleep forever." Good feeling to have? Depression is kicking in.

I just called my doctor and he says decrease the medication down to 100 mg. Ummmm...How about I decrease it down to 0 mg and I take a Imitrex or 2 and a hot bath with a nap when I get home and live to see my grandchildren grow old! I think living with a migraine or 50 is far better than what I have been feeling this past week.

If anyone can tell me that it gets better in less than 2 weeks I will stay with it but 1 more week of this and I will be a patient in a mental hospital. I can't even play Nintendo with my grandson...NOW THAT IS DEPRESSING!

I've been on Topamax about a month now for nerve pain. It really hasn't helped my pain much, but the side effects have been incredible. I've worked up to 150mg and have had side effects from the beginning. Unfortunately, I haven't lost weight, which I need to do and the Doctor said it was probably because I don't drink sodas.

Here are the side effects I've had:
memory loss, "can't find the right word", confusion, difficulty breathing, eyes burning when looking at computer and tv, trouble reading & spelling, slower movements, dry mouth and ears vibrating.

I forgot to fill my prescription and it's a Sunday morning, so I am cutting my dosage in half. I hope decreasing so rapidly doesn't cause any kind of reaction and I will have to see how I feel as to whether or not I continue at the lower dose. I probably will. My husband does not like me on this drug. It makes me quite stupid and slow, and it doesn't even help my pain.

The eye pain is what worries me the most. My Doctor warned me about glaucoma. I don't want to take a chance and over the last week or so my eyes have started hurting more and more.

Good luck to everyone.

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 have been on Topamax for a little over a year. I've had most of the side effects; tingling, numbness in the fingers, dry mouth, forgetfulness, and weight loss - love the weight loss. All the side effects have sort of slowed down as I've been on the medication longer. The weight loss has slowed and I've even began to get my appetite back- I'm afraid I'm going to start gaining weight now! I've lost about 40 pounds and I needed to lose it, so that was wonderful. I've had a very hard time losing weight all my life so this was wonderful.

I was addicted to Coca Cola and this med also helped me kick that habit because I lost my taste for the carbonation.

Does anyone know if the weight loss usually evens out after about a year or a year and a half? I need to lose about 30 more pounds and was hoping that I would continue losing weight!

Anyway, I was on the Topamax for headaches and it has completely helped that! It has truly been a God-send for me. Other than monthly hormone headaches, I don't get migraines hardly at all!

I am wondering about having my doc up my dosage for the weight loss aspect????

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 was put on Topamax around thanksgiving time 07 for Bipolar disorder. Over a week my dose was raised to 100mg/day. Immediately I began experiencing muscle cramps in my Legs that were intermittent. It wasn't too severe so I decided to give it time. Also, I was an inpatient at a Psych facility when I was put on Topamax and was also placed on a few other things at the same time. Recently, the pains in the legs have become severe and I have been getting pains in my arms as well. In addition to this I have been getting tingling in my face and hands and numbness in my throat. It has been difficult to breathe at time, especially if I really relax, then I suddenly realize that I am not breathing at times. My eyes feel like they are going to pop out of there sockets. I tried talking to my Psychiatrist and was told to go to the ER. At the ER I was told to goto my Psychiatrist. No one will listen to me!!! Finally yesterday I decided to take myself off of the Topamax. It's hard to tell if things are any better yet and I imagine it will take time. I have noticed what I believe to be improvements though. I guess the moral of this story is sometimes you have to use your own brain and do what you know is right for you.

I was on Topamax for 10 months at 100 mg twice a day. At first I experienced severe dizziness and actually passed out twice, so my doctor decreased the dose and had me increase it slowly, every two weeks instead of every week. The entire time I was taking Topamax, I was dizzy when standing, no matter how slowly I stood up, although I stopped passing out. I also experienced cognitive side effects such as memory loss, inability to 'find the right word' (I know everyone experiences this sometimes, but I was constantly having trouble speaking). I was in my first year of graduate school and had switched to Topamax, because I had been taking Depakote for over a year with little improvement in my migraines, and when I started my doctoral work I started having migraines daily. The Topamax did wonders for my migraines, reducing them to twice a month, but I had a severe decline in my academic performance due to its side effects. I had excellent grades as an undergraduate, but I had to take a leave of absence from grad school and switch to another medication and am now hoping that when I return to school I will be able to succeed. I actually considered changing my career choice and staying on the Topamax because it worked so well for my migraines, so if you aren't in school I would recommend you try it if nothing else has worked for you.

I've been on Topamax (150mg/a day) for 4 years for migraines. At the start I had some of the common side effects: dropping things, memory loss, mood swings, weight loss. The weight loss evened out in the first year or so, and the other side effects went away in the first few months-mainly after my Dr. had me take it as one dose only at night, and increase the amt. of water I drink. I am still on it, and they just increased my does to 300mg/ a day for chronic pain. So far, no weird side effects, but I'll wait and see. I'm sure anything is possible. But after trying everything before for migraines, this was the only thing that worked, and was worth riding out a few months of side effects. I was honest with family and coworkers when I did dumb stuff, or had off the wall mood swings and got through it. Guess I may have to do the same thing again. Reading on her some many bad experiences, I hope some of the people starting it or thinking about, will give it a chance to work. I was desperate and so out of options, I am so glad that I did.

Okay, my Dr. switched me to Topamax because I was taking my Relpax too often (3 x a week on average, but it actually stopped my headaches) which I did not realize meant that I had chronic migraines. So far I am less than impressed :(

I've experience a little tingling in one hand, the left, have no idea of why it hasn't occurred in the other. No weight loss. I am under great stress at work (I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder that's being treated with 40 mg Paxil and 150mg (?) Buspar. The side effect that's killing me is the confusion and memory loss. You have no idea of how long its taken me to write this post. My mind will think of one word, but my fingers will type another. I will go back to correct and the same thing will happen. I can't really afford to be stupid at work. At home no one really cares if I'm stupid. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least I have some place to be stupid.

The worst thing is I still have the freaking headaches. I want my Relpax back and they can keep these Topamax (and yes, I see why they call it that). I'm just to the point where I'm supposed to up my dosage to 25mg in the morning and 50 at night and I'm not sure if I'm going to do it or step the dosage back down. How long is this stupidness supposed to last, on average. At what dosage do you know if its working or not for your migraines? I'm very frustrated and about to toss in the towel.

Thanks for any help,
Just call me Dopey

I've been on Topamax since just Tuesday, 10/9/07. I find that I get very tired a couple hours after taking it and I have horrible nightmares and very dark thoughts, too. Diet coke tastes so HORRBILE which is bad because I loved my diet cokes, but then again I guess that's good b/c I need to stop drinking them anyway. My worst side effect is that I have horrible mood swings. Is this normal? Is this going to go away over time? Because if not, I'm going to stop taking it now. This is not like me and I am not going to subject my family to this - losing weight is not THAT important to me. Thanks for any help. :(

P. S. I'm taking 25 mg in the morning, afternoon and evening.

I have been on Topamax for about a month now. I take it b/c I have suffered from migraines since the age of three. I have not had a migraine since, and would normally have one five times a week. As for the side affects, the soda being flat was one that I noticed right away, and I had already done my research, so it was no surprise. Heartbreaking, yes, but expected. The tingling of the extremities is a big one for me, one of which I am slowly getting used to. I could stand to lose a few pounds, but have not seen if the weight loss thing really affects me; I think it really depends on the individual. Thankfully, I have not experienced any of the memory loss or blackouts. No major mood swings. My appetite has stayed the same. I have noticed that I seem to have some bumps on my lower leg that are not bug bites that I am going to ask the doctor about. I am a smoker, and wonder if this somehow could play a part with the Topamax and the bumps. Anyone? Overall, it's been a short time, but I have had amazing results for why I am taking it! I wish everyone well

Topamax has made my life a living hell for the last few weeks. I only started it three or four weeks ago but as of a week and a half ago (when I reached the dosage of 75/mg/day), I started getting anxiety attacks that lasted all day long. I've experienced mild anxiety before and this is nothing like it. I'm in college, and my parents finally got sick of the hours-long crying phone calls and drove in last night from 10 hours away to get me. Under this medicine, I get confused and have too much memory loss to take myself to the doctor. I'd rather have the daily pain of the headaches than the constant panic from this medicine. Did I mention that I weigh only a little more than 100 lbs before I started and I've been steadily losing weight from the alternating lack of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea?

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 started taking 100 mg. per day of Topamax a month ago and have ok results, I still have a dull headache everyday but it doesn't turn to a migraine but I have no desire for food and carbonated drinks taste flat and it has changed my mood also. I would like to stop taking it.

Hi Everyone,
I have been taking Topamax 25 mg for 1 week. I can't stand it. Today I am to up my dosage to 50 mg.I am not sure if I want to do that. The side effects suck.. I think I would rather just deal with my migraines, at least I know how to do that since I have had them for over 25 years. I have tried everything and nothing has worked so the Dr. and I thought we would give this a try.
I am trying to keep my place of employment happy with trying to cut down on the migraines but nothing works.
Most days I just want to give up.
Hopefully we will be able to figure something out.

I can't stand the pickhands and feet, the stumbling like I am drunk( and I dont' drink) nothing tastes right anymore, I have the shakes and I ache.
And all it does is makes me sleepy and like I am in another world.
I went to work today and made it half an hour before I came home because I stumbled and almost fell over. And when the boss talked to me it was like I wasn't there. So I came home. I don't know but I don't like it at all.

wow!
it sounds like everybody hates topamax from all the posts that i read... although i didnt read them all...

anyway, at first i had the memory loss thing but it seems to be ok now. i think i always had memory problems though, but it did get worse for the first couple months on topamax and then a little worse when my doc upped my dose. although now i think that my body may have gotten used to it, bc i feel a bit back to normal with my memory.

i also have the leg tingling. mainly i notice something like a slight throbbing if i put my foot down too suddenly, but it doesnt actually hurt. i notice the actual tingling in my legs/feet when i drink though, but only when i drink.

what else? oh, the hair loss. ALTHOUGH, this could also be from my dying my hair a lot... bc i have always had a hair loss problem, but i think the topamax accelerated it.

however, these side effects arent enough for me to get off the drug until my doc thinks so. i had migraines every week or more. horrible ones where i had to stop what i was doing and lie down. i missed a lot of school , missed a lot of work... sometimes they would last for more than a day. i needed help. now i only get migraines during that time of the month, and several docs have said its bc of the lack of estrogen... even when i get those migraines i only get the symptoms , not the pain. i dont even have to take anything. i have my life back... haha, i sound like a lifetime story or a commercial. anyway, i <3 my topamax and im just going to start taking a biotin supplement to prevent hair loss until i can get off this drug when it is time.

I have been on topomax for about 10 days(50 mg for first week and 100 mg since then). I have severe hair loss, loss of apetite, memory loss, loss of words, confusion, not able to think clearly, mood swings and depression. I am worried at all these side effects. I sometimes think, if I have to chose between severe headaches and all these, is it worthy to continue Topomax? My Doctor only warned me of tingling effect on fingers and toes and nothing else. Today I had been to another doctor for second opinion and he actually asked me a few question as part of check up and the it struck me that all these things are happening to me. I was kind of ignoring these effects so far thinking they are part of post partum depression.

Im 39 years old I have been on topamax for 3 months now on 50 mg a day first and now for the past month it was increaded to 75 mg a day. I have begun to have panic attacks/ nightmares. I also suffers from memory loss and inability form my words ( I guess thats the best way to describe it) my neuro gave me topomax for what he calls complicated migraines where my left sarm and leg became numg along with headaches and neck pain. The pain has decreased although the occurrrences have not subsided and Im not sure if Im going to saty on the Topomax. I have lost 8 pounds. The panic attacks and anxiety and debilitating.

I started taking Topamax Jan 07 while weaning off of Dilantin (for seizures) after brain tumor removal. Been having tingling in fingers and lips and I'm not yet up to full dosage (100 m.g. 2 x day). Memory Loss, about 20-30 minute attention span. After reaching and maintaining the maximum dosage I may report changes.

I have been on 100 mg of topamax twice a day now for over three years. Most of the early side effects have worn off like soda tasting bad and the memory loss. I never had any hair loss. Also the weight loss has stopped and I did gain it back which really stinks. Anyway, the reason I was looking, was that in the last several weeks, I have been suffering horrible body aches and joint pain. My hands and knees hurt very badly. I am 39 years old and hate to think that arthritis has set in so quickly. And I know that I can't have the flu with no other symptoms and so often. Does anyone else have these symptoms? Also I wonder why these could have started after so many years of taking it.I have tried to wean myself off in the past and the migrains came back full force.