Topamax and memory loss

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.

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.

I've been on Topamax (for seizures) for almost 2 years now, gradually increasing my dosage from 150 mg/day to 400 mg/day when I learned that 150mg is a migraine sufferer's dosage and not a Epilepsy dosage. I mention that because at 150mg, the side effects were present, but tolerable. I had the tingling fingers, eye twitching that was only behind my right eye (seems everyone only has it behind their right eye...why is that?), I can't find the right words in conversation, memory loss , constant sleepiness, backaches, depression, etc. At 400mg, I was an emotional wreck...I could not handle my emotions anymore. I would cry hysterically when talking for no reason, I couldn't concentrate on my work as an analyst, I had to read and re-read instructions in order to understand them, and sometimes read them out loud....and this is the kicker...sometimes when I'm buying something and at the check-out, it'll take forever to do something as simple to count out change. I have given the wrong change to cashiers a few times and then told them something to cover up my embarrassment like "Oh, I thought I gave you a quarter!", when in all actuality, I thought I gave them the correct change.
I feel like a moron pretty much all of the time. I used to pride myself on my intelligence and speaking ability but on Topamax, that is seriously diminished.
I don't know if this is related, but because of my inability to concentrate, I lost my job in Nov. '06. I thought I lost my insurance too, so I made the decision to stop my seizure meds, thinking that I was "cured". Well, I had another seizure in Jan '07 and am back on Topamax...depressed, twitching eye, the whole gamut. But you know what? The entire month of January, before my seizure...before Topamax...was the happiest I've been in sooo long. It's not worth losing a few pounds for.

28 year old male. Seems like a lot of users of topamax are woman. I think i started using this pill about 6 months ago but im not really sure. Dr. Fox in the Bay Area of California prescribed me 200mg right away from day one for migraines and said to also to continue taking 550mg of Dilatin for my epilepsy at the same time.

Since then I have only lost like 5 pounds. I have that bad tatse in my mouth when I drink soda so I think thats where my weight loss came from. The memory loss was minimal and loss of was as well in the beginning.

Recently I have noticed the patchy hairy on the top and sides of my head as well as in my facial hair, no where else, not yet. But now I cant remember if I put a whole chicken in the oven or chicken legs to cook 20 minutes later. I cant remember work and talk to anyone without sounding stupid, luckily ive been there 10 years. I cant think of the words to say and i stutter trying to think of the words to say. Ive just started noticing when i try to drink out of a cup how i dont always get in my mouth but laugh it off but now i realize its seriously a problem. i cant even drink out of a damn cup. I forget to eat and loose track of time, hours pass all the time and I cant figure out where they went, if i wasnt awake id think i was abducted or something. I put things off and then forget to do them constantly to the point where I got my 15 day notice on my electric bill.

Im so tired because of this pill a friend told me to use hydroxycut to get some energy but even that barely keeps me going. When I dont take the hydroxycut to make me feel like I use to fel with decent energy, and I feel like I would just topamax alone on the weekends i dont even get out of bed.

BIG QUESTION! HAS ANYONE GOT OFF THIS PILL AND ONTO ANOTHER TO STOP THE MIGRAINES WITH DECENT SIDE EFFECTS? E-MAIL ME SO I CAN SUGGEST THE NAME TO MY DR, TELL ******

I have been on Topamax for two weeks now. I am currently taking 50 mg per day. I am experiencing lack of concentration, memory loss, and irregular bowels. I have been put on Topamax to treat my migraines, but I do not think I will be able to continue taking this medication!!!

I've been on Topamax for almost a year and a half now. I'm up to 300mg a day. My worst side effects are extreme tiredness, aches and pains, memory loss, poor concentration, tingling, and numbness in my face. I take it for migraine prevention, only it doesn't prevent them, it just keeps them from happening so often. I'd hate to see what would happen if I came off of it now. Depression is an issue too. I take Zoloft for that. Just hang in there and try to stay healthy. Shel

I have been on Topamax since December 5, 2005 and I have experienced the following: tingling in my feet and my fingers, sleeping is more deep, horrible loss of words when trying to talk/complete sentences while talking; kind of like a stuttering problem. Memory loss. Even though I have had these side affects this is the best medicine I have ever been on for the treament of bipolar. I feel great, I never want to fight with anyone, yet i also don't feel doped up on medication. I will continue searching for another medicine while staying on topamax.

I have been on Topamax since 5/2004 for depression. Currently down to 100mg/day

Negative side effects:
Memory loss
Aphasia
Weight gain (I actually began binge eating and gained 60 pounds on Topamax after having lost 120 pounds on atkins -pre topamax)
Sleep irregularity
Irritability
Leg cramps, stomach pain
Lethargy

Positive side effects
No more migraines, but I am not sure I have a brain left that can feel pain!
The depression is not crippling, but certainly not cured.

severe weakness, unable to read bloodpressure it is so low, blacking out, unable to lift any weight at all, heart pounding, itching, unable to lay still, involuntary twitching during the night requiring tranquilizer doses during the night, eventually during the day as well while tapering off the meds. Memory loss, loss of balance, falling down, diziness, eye pain and burning, unable to eat, severe naseau if faced with food, have lost almost 10 pounds in 3 weeks. Unfortunately it actually made my migraines go away, but I cannot live like this. Horrible side effects.

I have been taking 25mg of topamax since Feburary 2005, it has been great for me. However, the side effect has been confusion, slight memory loss, stomach cramps, diarreah, crankiness, tingling in my habds and feet began the same day I started taking topamax, and blurred vision. This is of concern to me because of my profession as a preschool teacher. However, I am grateful because of the drecrease in the amount of migranes that I now suffer. This is an very interesting drug, I hope doctors know what they are doing.

I am amazed reading these side effects. they sound just like me. I have been on Topamax for years. I started out on 25 mg and now I am taking 200mg daily. I have had migraines for 14 yrs.

I have had most of the side effects, i have lost weight, in fact I cannot to this day put on weight! I am 5'3 and only weigh 105 lbs. I have experienced the numbness in my hand, but it was only in my right hand. In fact it use to cause such bad tremors I could not write at times. I had to eventually get a check card, because I would be in public at times and not be able to write out a check. I would never know when it was going to hit.

I have also had memory loss and confusion. I have had to quit my job and I am tired all the time.

I have also had blurred vision, and now I am having problems driving at night.

I have been experiencing multible side effects loss of speech, word loss, memory loss, twitching of facial muscles around mouth, eyes, nose itching, facial skin feeling like it is moving and crawling. I need people to repeat information to me several times before I get things yet some other senses seem to be improving. I having serious problem with blurring vision I see no one has noted this problem and was wondering if it would go away too or would it do permanent damage? I am not losing weight from taking this medication either but I only take 100mgs afraid of an increase because of the blurred vision.

What drives me crazy are the things that involve my brain. This includes speeking, thinking and comprehending, and memory loss. When I go to talk, instead of saying "vinegar" it comes out "vigenar" for example. People have to tell me things over and over and most of the times very slowly until I have it correctly in my head. It frustrates me so. However, the memory loss is the worst. It as if I have become an amnesia patient. I am currently dating a man that I dated a few years ago. We go places that I think we have never been before. So I start telling him about the place and what I like about the place and I go on and on and then it dawns on me that we have been there together and I feel like an idiot and become so embarrased. Or I start to say something like, "Did we ever go to such and such a place?" and he might say, "No, why?" Now, in my head I'm thinking it was him and actually it might have been another guy, but I can't remember so I have to cover for myself so I say, "Oh, it must have been a dream I had of you." Now the doctor who checked me in for my last hospitalization said, "Well, if you can stand the confusion for a little bit longer and lose some more weight, why not stay on it?" I don't know if it's worth it....