Topamax and overweight

I have been on Topamax 4 weeks. I see why they call it Dopamax and Stupamax. Fortunately I work with some pretty stupid people so no one has noticed yet that I am not on top of my game. I am no longer practicing as a nurse, therefore I don't endanger people in my job, so its safe to be dumb and ride out these side effects. I have read lots of the experiences of others and have noticed over the past 4 weeks as I have increased my dose gradually from 25 mg to 100 mg that the side effects have A) changed in quality and intensity and B) been transient and some are wearing off altogether. At first, on 25mg, I couldn't hold my eyes open and I could barely make a sentence. At 50mg I had to call into work one day because I was so gorked. By the time I got to 75mg I was hyped up, charging around the house cleaning, just a little dingy and forgetful, but a powerhouse of energy and no headache at all. Something I didn't expect was the very pleasant side effect of it making me feel as if I had taken an antianxiety medication all the time. This is great because I have a high stress occupation. I overeat and am a little overweight, I need to lose about 40lbs. Now food looks larger and I don't want to clean my plate. I miss diet Pepsi but I am going to group therapy for that (j/k). Granted the dizziness, forgetfulness and word finding problems really stink, but I have seen such an improvement in the side effects in such a short period of time its worth it to me to stick it out. I was having severe, incapacitating migraines about twice a week and less severe ones the other five days of the week. I haven't had a headache in over 2 weeks. My experience over the past 4 weeks is that having patience with the side effects and depending on others to be understanding and supportive, swallowing my pride and being ok with looking a little or a lot goofy for a few weeks while this med has gotten into my system has really started to pay off!

I love topamax.
I've been taking topamax for depression for 5 months. I started on 25 mgs a day, than worked my way up to 25 in the am and 25 in the pm, and now my doctor is moving me up to 50 in the am and 50 in the pm. I'm 31 years old, and have tried antidepressants since I was 17. I've struggled with depression since I was a kid. Antidepressants always made my depression worse, and caused me to get brain shivers because I don't tolerate serotonin drugs well. Antipsychotics for depression cause me to want to kill myself. Topamax was the only relief I have ever found.
The biggest side effect is sometimes I feel high or stoned like I smoked pot, especially if I am tired from not eating or pushing myself too hard. Most people don't get this, I just have a very strange brain chemistry.
Topamax works in the temporal lobe of your brain and can cause serious cognitive side effects if you do not already have damage in that part of your brain. That's why some people love it and some people hate it.
Weight loss isn't something I have experienced either, which sucks because I am overweight. I actually gained 10 pounds since being on topamax and I love carbonated beverages. But I am also the kind of person that quits smoking and loses 20 pounds, so I don't know if that will be true for you. I've also been way more thirsty since starting topamax, and my feet do fall asleep easier. But circulation improves if I practice a little yoga every day.
Don't be scared of this medication. It could really save your life.

minor tingling in feet, appetite suppression (which for me is good since I'm about 100lbs overweight as it is and gained weight on Seroquel), minor boughts of memory confusion/loss), TERRIBLE tastes with carbonated beverages (which again, for me, is a GREAT thing)..