Topamax and short term memory

I've been on Topamax (100 mg 2x per day) for 5 years as mono therapy for epilepsy. I switched over from Depakote which was a *nightmare* and it has been great, no seizures. I've had the pins and needles, diminished vocabulary and memory, and intermittent eye twitching but this week my right eye (why is it always the right eye?) has started twitching almost constantly. It is frightening and embarrassing and I am not sure what I should do.. I guess it's back to the neurological drawing for me because I am not sure why it's happening now. Has anyone else had the eye twitching occur after long term use?

Hi...I've been on Topamax since October of last year. I take 50mg. in the morning and again at night. I haven't noticed any real significant decrease in the migraine frequency, just in the duration. Whereas sometimes I'd be in bed for an entire day, sometimes 2, now they only last until the early afternoon. A big plus. However, there are some side effects that I just can't live with. The dry mouth is a pain in the butt but that I can deal with. What I can't deal with is the almost complete loss of my short term memory. It's so bad that I will ask a person the same question numerous times in a 5 minute time period and have absolutely NO recollection of having asked the question previously. I have found myself walking down the street and not known where I am. I dial the telephone and not remember who is going to pick up on the other end. And I'm dazed and confused on a good day. On a bad day it's worse. I can't live like this. So...I was wondering if others had the same awful symptom that I'm experiencing. I have others that bother me but that one is the worst. Also, how do I wean myself off of this medication? Thanks for listening.....D.

Nov 5 2008
I have been taking topamax since april of 2008, about 6 months now. Just recently I was increased from 50mg to 75mg for my migraines. I have short term memory loss, nausea, no appetite at all, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, and all of a sudden terrible anxiety and panic attacks which started out of no where. I feel like my heart is beating out of my chest and I am going to die. It is horrible I cant stand it. I went to the ER and got the standard tests and they said my heart was fine and to follow up with my regular Doctor. No matter what I do I cant calm my self down it is just aweful. I am not sure I can live with these side effects, its too muc

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!

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 have been on Topamax for 2 1/2 years at 250mg for migraines and have decided to get off because of side effects. I have had all mentioned: mood swings, dehydration, not sweating,tingling, dizziness, loss for words, short term memory loss,numbness, fatigue, GI problems, anorexic weight loss,rage... And this all began from the starting 25mg dose!
The migraines decreased from 24 a month to 12, at best down to 6 or 7, but I seemed to hit a plateau then back to 15.
I saw three different doctors and all wanted to simply increase the Topamax or add another med (Depakote, beta blocker, etc.)
Finally, I found that a problem with my neck may be causing the headaches and treating that has reduced them enough for me to try and get off the Topamax. I still rely on the Relpax to get me through the bad days, but I'm hoping I can get free of the Topamax for good!
I just encourage anyone thinking of starting Topamax to investigate all possible migraine causes before starting!! Topamax doesn't cure the migraine, it only blocks the pain! And the side effects are not worth it if you can find another way to alleviate the problem!

My doctor put me on topamax for daily chronic headaches. I worked my way up to 200mg and had all the symptoms, tingling in my hands and toes, short term memory loss, hard time putting sentences together, etc. I backed myself down to 100mg. and the side effects lessoned up significantly. I stayed on 100mg for almost a year (lost 10 lbs.) One day I decided that I was going to ween myself off and started going down 25mg every week until I stopped altogether. Since I have stopped, I do get headaches, usually 1 or 2 per week, nothing like when I started out on the topamax. I have gained 20lbs since stopping the topamax but no longer have a memory problem or putting together a complete sentence. In my opinion, you should try to take the lowest dose possible that gives you the greatest relieve from your pain.

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.

I have been taking Topamax for 3 years. I started out at 25 mg, ramped up slowly to 75 mg and have been on 100 mg for 1 year. Over the past 2-3 months, though, I've been feeling very weird, almost like I'm not here sometimes. It's hard to explain. Sometimes I'll get all the way to work and I can't even remember getting ready for work. My short term memory is shot, and that's bad for me. I used to remember everything. I just don't feel like me anymore. I did lose about 30 pounds when I started taking it, but I've gained that all back. I also had tingling and the carbonation in sodas went away for about 6 months. It did take away my headaches for the most part. Axert alleviates any that I do get now.

I took Topamax for 6 months. I am a control freak by nature and really liked the drug at the start when I took 25 mg.; however, like most people who take Topamax know, you increase the dosage until you get to 100 mg. By the time I got to 75 mg. I was a basket case. I did lose weight and I was really calm; however, I thought I had Alzheimer's. My short term memory was shot and was slowly effecting my long term memory. I was constantly at a loss for words and stuttering all the time. For someone like me who is extreme control freak this was very debilitating. I also had constant tingling on my nose (I know weird) and my fingers. My husband begged me to stop taking Topamax because he could see the difference in me. Like everyone else my Migraines completely went away and so I thought the benefits outweighed the side effects.. The doctor said that maybe 75 mg. was to high so he put me back to 50 mg. It didn't change. Finally after 6 months I was almost a vegetable. I stopped talking which is extremely unusual for me. I stopped hanging around my friends and family and wouldn't deal with my kids. My daughter finally came up to me and said I don't know who you are, but I want my mommy back. That was all I needed. I weened myself off and within 2 months was back to normal. Unfortunately, my migraines came back full force 4 days a week. The good news is that about a year later I was having a physical and the doctor said that my thyroid was off and needed to start taking Synthroid. I have to say I couldn't believe it, but ever since I started taking Synthroid my migraines have completely gone away. From having them 4 days a week to maybe have 1 or 2 a year since being on Synthroid. I have been basically Migraine free for almost 2 years. I highly recommend that people, especially women, talk to their doctor to see if their thyroid could possibly be causing migraines. I have had migraines since I was in college 20 years ago.

One thing I do have to say is that the company that manuf. Topamax listed all the side effects. It did say that Topamax could possibly cause Neuropathy, loss of memory, weight loss, etc... It also stated that the symptoms should disappear after 6 weeks; however, it some cases they didn't. I respect that they were honest with their research and were very clear in the side-effects. I have many friends who use Topamax and thank g-d for it everyday. They had no side effects from the drug and have been living happy lives.

Hi, Reading all of your posts. I have been 100mg of Topamax for three years now and my side effects consist of tingle of the fingers/hands/feet,
oily T zone (face), short term memory loss, extreme fatigue, loss of taste. which I don't think is necessary a bad thing. haven't drank soda in three years due to the carbonation. Anything to sweet I can eat or drink. I have to water down my juices otherwise there to sweet. and I experience far less
migraines. from 2-4 a week or week long migraines where I would go to ER to get a shot of morphine and I was still feeling the pain. to only maybe 1 a month. But if I spot it fast enough a couple Tylenol will help before I have to take a Zomig to knock me out. It sucks being on meds for the rest of your life being young, this started for me age 30 I will be on migraine meds for life so my neurosurgeon says, and they don't think its related but I also ended up with 5 ulcers and a broken esophageal sphincter which now gave me GERD and requires life long meds which oh yeah I have constipation but is that from the GERD or the Topamax? So I don't take anything unless I absolutely have to. which includes my asthma inhaler or nebs. last thing I need is steroids on top of everything else. I drink coffee all day just to keep me awake but at the same time the min I stop I sleep hard and sound. Go figure.

hi started my topamax 25 mg at bedtime i take it for migranes been top for 3 weeks now i have noticed side effects however iam taking other meds and im having trouble distinguishing which side effect goes with what lol ..e.g.. paxil for anxiety , panic attacks and HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE for borderline blood pressure , i have experienced the tingling in the hands and the feet ..lack of appt,i wouldn't say my desire for sex is gone but im experiencing vaginal dryness and itching and numbness as well as problems climaxing sorry tmi lol ... thought it was a yeast infection but its kinda different? any girls ever exp that before while on top? im getting scared now reading the post about loss of hair im already very thin and have little hair as it is any help or suggestions would be great thx ...

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

For my bipolar mood disorder it has worked great. My life has never been this stable on any other psyche med. However, the loss of concentration and short-term memory loss, and difficulty with word-finding ability has been the impairment.

I took Topamax about 6 years ago for migraines, and experienced no side effects. Just started it up again 3 days ago, and I feel like I am totally drugged and my head is spinning, can not drive, can barely hold a conversation, only started with 25mg, and can say that each day I feel a little better, but the only difference this time is that I am on Lexapro and my Dr. said the side effects could be worse till I get used to it..anyone else take this combination? And how long till I can function again?

Taking Topamax for 2 years started out at 25 mgs 3 times a day for a mood stabalizer (bi-polar). Had tingling in hands and feet sometimes in face. Lost waight, pop tasts nasty, sleepy, short term memory loss, slurred speach. Now I take 100mg at bed time have no symptoms except I still am able to controll my eating (had a problem with over eating) no more road rage but I still felf a little depressed and did cry so I was not to stable until Citalopram 10mg at bedtime and Adderall XL 10mg in the morning was added. Now I finally feel like a totaly normal person. No more anxiety, mood swings, crying, paranoia,or any other weird stuff. I feel pretty good. Rarely I get pins and needles in my hands or feet or I forget where I put something.

I am on now 400mg of Topamax a day. I take it for epilepsy. I have some halluciations but I ignore them. I lost over 30 lbs. The weight loss was needed because of a seond medication I am still currently on that made me gain weight. The Topamax gives my legs and neck the worst pain and mucsle achs... I get blurred vision. I will be trying to talk and my speech will start to slur or I forget words that I will need help remembering that are right on the tip of my tongue. My short term memory, that is not so good, I forget things most of the time. The medicine is for migrane relief but since I have been on it I have had the worst headaches ever! Along with the rest of you I do have gas problems also......The only reason I do not get off this stuff is that I have tried over 10 different medicines that didn't control my seizures, this does. I have had all the tests, Just went in for an MRI, what else can we do?

Hey there! I haven't checked in for a few months, but everything has been going so well that I haven't had time! I thought that I would let you all know that I have now been on Topamax (100mg) for almost 1 year, and the side effects have leveled off almost competely. I lost 60 pounds in total, but the weight loss seems to have minimialized...I still lose a little each month, but I do have to work at it now like the rest of the general public! The hyper feeling has gone away, and I am able to sleep better too. The short term memory loss is getting better (I do have my moments!) but I practice my "words" by doing crossword puzzles! I can even enjoy a glass of wine now and then!

I hope this helps everyone just starting out with Topamax...I really had a tough go for the first few months and almost gave it up, even though it was working on the migraines!

I just had one question for anyone...I am experiencing a strange "post nasal drip" that I am hoping is not caused by an allergic reaction to the Topamax (it started a couple of months after I started the Topamax). Does anyone else have this side effect too?

200 mg a day since April 2002, dont know if my visual problems have anything to do with Topamax or not. my visual field is effected. Will know more after further testing. Pressure is great. Tremors under both eyes now. Tingling in hands once in awhile now. Nothing like at first. Headaches much better once a month or every two months. Weight loss was great. Keeping it off. taste buds changed. Couldn't taste much at first. Over salted everything. I can drink soda now. Diet soda doesn't taste good at all. I drink juice now. Water it down. Short term memory lost still is a problem.

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

I am taking 100 mg at bedtime for bipolar type II, I was on 50 mg for 2 weeks. I told the doctor of the tingling in my hands feet and face and she did not even know that was a side effect of the med. I also have been having some pretty bad anxiety soon after I take my dosage at bedtime. I feel like I am seeing little black bugs every now and then. Other side effects...some short term memory loss, sometimes cant think of the right words, general scatterbrained..but alot of these things i had before I was on the Topamax ...they were just intesified when I started taking it. Well, one good thing has come from it, i have lost 6 pounds in the past 2 1/2 weeks. But that is the only positive thing. I am seriously starting to think it is beginning to trigger a mood swing. (not a good thing) If it doesn't start to improve soon I will discontinue this med.