Topamax and migranes

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

My 6 year old daughter is taking topamax. Since the time she been taking it she has forgotten who she was and everyone around her, she went for an excellent student to not be able to do simple things like reading writing and math. She does even seem like the same child. She is very emotional and I just want my little girl back.

I have been taking this for about two weeks and have just ramped up to 50 mg. I had a closed head injury last November and have been suffering from balance, headache and memory issues since. Doctor put me on Topamax for headaches and I have had the eye checks after experiencing eye pain but I was fine. Have had slight tingling in my feet and my right eye has been red off and on since starting. My right eye has also been constantly hard to focus.

I have read over and over that the side effects usually go away after about 8 weeks, so I'll see how it does till then. I'm still waiting to see if it helps my headaches, it hasn't yet.

It seems to have made my balance issues worse, and I am constantly dizzy now, although in Topamax's defense, I have been having more dizziness since my injury.

The spinny thingies that used to be there when I close my eyes are gone now, at least they have been since I started at 50 mg.

I'd say the most disconcerting issue I'm having is a feeling of being doped up and becoming more afraid of doing things, like driving a car.

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.

My doctor put me on Topamax for migraines, but I can not handle the effects. I just started the 75 mg dose just as I was moving into a new college apartment with new roommates, and I felt like I was going crazy! I couldn't eat anything without feeling completely ill, I was spacing out, and I couldn't remember words.. for three whole days I couldn't remember the word 'tapestry.' I finally had to look it up in the dictionary.. not a good sign for a college student. The worst, though, was the overwhelming sense of panic that was getting worse by the day. I was no longer myself! The last straw was a panic attack, complete with hypernentilating. I have never felt so scared in my life. I actually had to go the ER to get something to calm myself down.

So, I decided to stop taking it. My parents talked to my pharmacist, and she told them that Topamax IS the type of drug you can stop "cold turkey." But after a week, I feel almost as bad as I did when I was on the drug! I still can't eat anything. Also, I wake up hours before my alarm goes off, completely sick at my stomach. I feel panicky and nervous. I have several bouts of diarrhea and this morning I almost didn't make it. I share a bathroom with three (normal!) girls, and it is getting to be embarrasing and annoying. Please, can anyone tell me.. when do the side effects go away?? I want to be a normal 19 year old again!

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.

Topamax is TERRIBLE... works great for migranes, but losing SOO much hair. I have been off of it for 4 1/2 months ... hair loss is slowing, but still going. My gorgeous hair turned to brittle straw... Also T affected my liver and nervouse system. It is AWFUL... not worth it.

Is loss of sex drive a problem when you are on Topamax? Also, does the weight loss stop?

My wife is getting really skinny. She pops off at me when I ask her a question....and I have given up on sex.

She's free of migranes though and I guess that is all that matters. She's been on it for about a year.

I started taking Topamax for migranes, 220mg daily, and could not tolerate it. I have had all the common problems, including ringing in my ears, right eye pain, and yes for the first time in my life, vison problems. I had no idea this drug could cause all that. I have had back and joint pain as well. I took myself off of it recently. The side effects are not worth it.

I had been taking topamax for 4 years for complex migranes and then stopped cold turkey after feeling like there was a tight band across my waist and watery diahrea and soreness in lower back , burning itchy pain..... went to the emergency room 14 times for them to tell me that I was crazy. I had a feeling like water was running in my head, normal cat scan of brain. water feelings throughout body... they still come and go but last a couple of seconds.... feels like sensory or nerve damage of some kind.... don't know if this is a side affect or not..... Doctor finally is getting something done. she checked my heart becasue I have MVP... and I am shedualed to get a mri of brain... I have a herniated disk in lower back, scoliosis, degenerative disk disease.... nuerologist checked for nerve damage due to herniation. won't hear back anything on that till after mri of brain. won't hear back about the heart till april.... Just found out that I am borderline hyperthyroidism... and the doc is sending me to a specialist. thyroid is inflammed and big.... My bones are crackly and pop alot and sore.... The water feeling and burning and tingling hands and feet scare me alot but I try to not think about it... Try to stay positive.. I am only 29.... I feel like I am 70 sometimes...... Does anyone have these symptoms after taking topamax...????? Yes I do have the thinning hair but that could also be the thyroid... and fatigue... problems sleeping and hot flashes. palpatations..... any help would be nice... Thank you,,,, love and light to all, jess

Wow, I was looking to see if Topamax and sun had any reactions and I found this site. I have noticed my hair getting thin, but never would have thought it was because of the medication. Am I enlightened. Thank you. I have been on various dosages of topamax for my migranes, which I must say helped from the start. The dosaged has been less as stressers in my life lessoned and more as headached appeared and migraned were to, so the dosaged went up. The tingles in my feet and hand have been there when the dosage changed, weight changed didn't happen, food tasted didn't happen. But now I am getting a tingle in my left lower head, I will ask my Dr. about. Oh, and the ringing in the head seems constant. AHeadinMontana

I have been taking Topamaz spinkles (30mg a day) for 3 months. I can't tolerate higher doasages. Migranes have lessened in intensity, although I still have a least 2 a week. I have toruble with my memory and hair loss. I have had a slight wt loss. I have no sex drive. Food does not interest me.
I started taking topamax because migranes were interferring with school. Catch 22 - I failed last semister due poor recall. I am taking myself off topamax. I may have migranes, but at least I will enjoy sex.

I've been on Topamax 3 weeks now, and I've read all you side effect comments and I agree with all soda taste terrible! I have not experienced any hair loss as of yet, very little tingling in my hands or feet, my biggest problem is aching legs, it's literally waking me up in the early morning hours and can last a couple of hours, has anyone experienced this? It has started since I've started 75 mg on my 3rd week. But my migranes are completely gone and my appetite has lessened which is another plus! Thanks for any feedback.

I started taking 25 mg of Topamax in March 2006, slight reduction in migranes. July 1 neurologist increased meds to decrease migranes weekly to max of 100 mg, 2 weeks later and until this day, my problems have been horrendous. It has taken me 6 weeks to realize that they are due to the topamax. Extreme pain in lower left side, bladder infection like symptoms without an infection; walking around in a stupor; feel flu like, unable to think clearly; naseau; can not get out of bed; missed a week of work because I felt so unwell. I am slowly going off the topamax, although the urologist states "there is no correlation between your pain and the meds"; and it took two calls to the neurologist before anyone would listen to my plight. How long will it take to get this poison out of my system. I would rather have migranes every day than feel like I have been changed into an entirely different person emotionally and so unwell physically that nothing else matters. I was working two high pressure jobs, ready to complete another degree, and functioning a completely normal pleasant life with my family and friends. Topamax has taken care of diminishing all of this for me. My credibility in a position where I must think clearly and responsibility in my family where I am depended upon for much are sorely effected by this horrid medication. I believe it is very interesting that the side effects for migrane patients vs. those who take it for epilepsy and seizure are as different as night and day -- but it's the same medication. Kind of like me pre and post Topamax medication!!!!!

I would like to find out if anyone has had similar problems as my wife. My wife has been taking Topamax for 4 to 5 years for migrane relief. During this time she has had a series of problems that list out as side effects (IE: weight loss, difficulty with memory, depression, psychomotor slowing, mood problems, confusion, decreased libido). But the biggest and most problematic is paranoia. We have been married for 29 years and are in our mid 50's. About at the same time she started taking Topamax she went into metaphase. Initially I thought her paranoia was a symptom of metaphase, but she is through that and her paranoia has accelerated. She accuses me constantly of being unfaithful, having another job, investing in things she is not aware of and literally hundreds of accusations. All of wcich are untrue and I have proven that to her time and time again to no avail. Her doctors say no she is on too low of a dose to have these problems, but I dissagree. She went off the medicine in December and January, but started to get frquent migranes in late January so she went back on the medicine. When she was off the medicine her demeanor was like the wife I have had for 25 yaers. When she went back on it she had a significant demeanor and the accusations started up again. She can't get the negative thoughts out of her mind, which is causing her incredible turmoil, and me too as I am the fucus of her paranoia. My next door neighbor was on this very med and developed awful thoughts about her husband and got off the med. It took her about a year to get her mind right. My wife doesn't believe she has this problem. But believe me she does. DO you have or know of others who have had these problems that are on Topax? Please let me know. Thank you! Engineer-guy

hi, i seem to have a lot of the less common side effects: hair loss, itchy, acne, back ache, frequent urination, yeast infection (started with vaginal bacterial infection when i first started and now have yeast infection around arrival of cycle each month and now doing preventative measures, but not sure of effectiveness yet), irritability, restlessness, inability to focus, sore throat, change in taste, and hot flushes, though sometimes tingling and coldness in my feet.
my dosage is low, 25mg, for migrane prevention. was supposed to work up, but will not. spoken to dr. and am now taking 25mg every other night before bed. i was very drowsey at first and had seemingly adjusted, but will only take it before bed. it does help curb my migranes, and with the relpax to kick them when i do get them things are manageable.
what i would like to know is if i finally get to the lowest possible effective dosage, does anyone know if over time will the side effects become manageable or will i continue to have them or worse get more of them. to be honest hair loss, acne, and yeast infections are not a girls best friends, then add aggression and aggitation and i am not sure if i even want to be around me, yet i have less migranes. ANY replies will be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sandy*

I think this is due to Topamax....I have been taking it for four months and my stomach has not been the same since. I have lost 13 lbs. due to diahrea. I thought I had Giardia a parasite but the doctor thinks it may be the meds. So I am being weaned off the Topamax. For me I have cut out refined sugar and coffee all together and my migranes have been almost nil. I hope they stay that way once I am off the meds. I have had migraines since childhood and sugar has been a huge part of my diet. So cutting it out has been hard but I have done it. GOOD LUCK.

After 2+ years on Topamax for migranes (25 mg am/pm) I started to have shortness of breath. Couldn't even walk a flight of stairs, and I am distance walker in great shape. After lot's of tests Dr.'s said it couldn't be a side effect since I had been on it so long. They were WRONG!. Quit and now a week later I am about back to normal. After quiting also feel no neck/back pain. Irritability gone also. I hope my migranes don't come back. So far no problem. But the side effects are worse than the migranes. Especially the SHORTNESS OF BREATH!

I was starting on Topramax for migranes and unfortunately it gave me excessive menstral bleeding - and I mean excessive - it would be hard to estimate the amount of blood loss, but I was bed ridden for 48 hours. All you can do is hope - but I would rather have migranes than bleed to death.

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

it has been quit a ride with this drug, the mood swings are qite a trip for my kids but they are adjusting and always willing to help no matter what. The stomach cramps are a bit much at times feel like i may have an accident out side, like i can't hold it. The confusion and not able to get my words out right is also fustrating at times. I hve lots of energy, like i am on some kind of uppers almost feel like i jhve to let my doctor write a letter to my job explain my new found energy level. My tingling also began the very same day it freaked me out, but i am dealing with it my migranes are now two in about three weeks as opposed to four to five in one week, for me that is great!

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.

Have been on topamax 6 weeks for migranes. No migranes but very tired, no weight loss, can't drink diet cokes anymore, only water or koolaid. Biggest problem is my eyes always hurt and I see spots sometimes.