Topamax and shortness of breath

This is not a medication that should be given to asthmatics. My son was started on this medicine for frequent migraines, >2 per week. He has asthma and is very small for his age 100lbs. He was taking the smallest dose of 25mg per day. He only took the pill twice and was already having shortness of breath and beginnings of sinus infection and upper respiratory issues. I really don't think this medicine should be prescribed to anyone with asthma.

I lasted a whole week with Topamax! Side effects I experienced were flat, bitter tasting soft drinks, minor tingling in hands and forearms, some dizziness, and some decreased sensation during sex. But on day 6, shortness of breath set in. I wasn't aware that this was a side effect of topamax until I searched the internet. I'm so grateful for all of the posts here. On day 7, I took my last 25mg topamax and expected my breath to return to me. That was 6 days ago and I'm still waiting.... I've read that it takes 6 days for topamax to clear your system, but I'm eager to hear of accounts as to how long it took for side effects to disappear. Can anyone throw me a bone?? I keep telling myself that tomorrow it will be better, but "tomorrow" hasn't come. All other side effects are gone.

I am a 42 year old woman. I started taking Topamax in March of 2008 for severe migraines. The migraines often caused vomiting and for my body to jerk similar to having seizure. I have had migraines for the last 15 years, but prior to starting Topamax I was having migraines almost every day (for about 6 months). My life had come to a stop. I had been through all of the neurological tests, and CT scans, etc. with no results. Topamax has nearly halted my migraines. I have a severe "head-ache" about every 6 weeks now that last 3 days. A huge improvement! However, my doctor had said that I should not be on Topamax long term so I have tried going off of it twice in the last year, each time on the 5th day to be hit with an all consuming migraine. I had come to this website to find out why I should not be on Topamax long-term to discover that many of the other health problems that I have been complaining about in the last year are probably a result of Topamax and the doctor did not ever suggest that was the case. I have TINGLING IN MY HANDS AND LIPS...the doctor thought this might be my thyroid, but that test was normal. I have had REDUCED VISION, the doctor said it is due to age and working on a computer all day. I have had JOINT PAIN which they are treating with an anti-inflammatory and suggested it’s probably the onset of arthritis. I have had WEIGHT LOSS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, and the PAIN IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD. These are all things that I see others describe as symptoms of Topamax! Wow! I wish my doctor would have told me this so I didn't think there was something else wrong. I WILL NOT STOP TAKING TOPAMAX. Even if taking Topamax meant that my life would be 2 years shorter or something like that, there is no living in that kind of daily pain. But I am grateful to know that the symptoms are normal. Topamax has giving me back my life.

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

I was prescribed Topamax on 10/22/08. Since then, I have lost 25 lbs and am now down to 91 lbs. I am only taking 50mg at night. However, I had a horrible adjustment phase. That has scared me from getting off of this and trying something new. What if that doesn’t work and I have to go back on this. Going thru that phase again is not an option.

I had zero energy, I often nodded off at my desk. I had a very blank feeling, no emotions. No suicidal thoughts, no happy thoughts… I just existed. I did become snappy with some of my co-workers and said things that were so out of character for me. I found another message board that explained so much. I knew I wasn't going insane, it gave me some clarity. When I sent it to them, they understood. I don’t stay focused, I get very flustered when trying to have a conversation & the words that I want to say won’t come out. I feel stupid.

I had tingles in my feet, fingers & face. Shortness of breath, high anxiety, trouble sleeping. During the months of November & December my weight really dropped. There wasn’t a day that 2 people did not comment on how skinny I was getting. So that added to my stress. Mid-January I weighed 97, I went to my doctor when I got to 91. I have little interest in food. I usually order a variety of stuff that way I will have a few bites of something, then a few bites of something else.

When people comment about taking this for weight loss or for migraines, I tell them that it isn’t worth it. I suggest that they do research and really think about if their life can handle being forgetful & stupid. Had I done research on this before taking it, I am not so sure I would have. Although, you always think… “It won’t happen to me.” I am wanting to go back to school in the fall and know that I can’t be on this when I do. I need to know what I learn.

First I want to say, after reading several posts, that it seems a lot of you are taking Topamax without food, which may be causing your "spaciness." My doctor suggested always taking it with food, even though it says with or without food, and I only experienced spaciness the few times I took it at bedtime without food. Once I started taking it with breakfast and dinner, that never happened again.

I am a 48 year old woman, prescribed Topamax in September of 08 for migraine associated vertigo without headaches, with facial numbness. The first thing I noticed was I immediately had headaches, which to me indicated it was dehydrating me as that is the only time I get a "normal" headache. So I knew I had to drink a lot of water. Soon after starting Topamax I developed a dry cough that lasted the entire time I was on the med. I did not relate it to the drug at the time, however. It never even occurred to me. After about two months on the drug I started having trouble breathing with extreme dryness in my airways. I was prescribed an albuterol inhaler which did not help. I was then prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler which also did not help. I thought the trouble breathing was from taking Nadolol which I was prescribed for occasional heart fluttering - the neurologist said this was a normal side effect of Topamax. I stopped taking the Nadolol but the trouble breathing continued. I also had more migraines with vertigo and facial numbness than before I started taking the drug. I hoped it would eventually stop and the drug would kick in to help the vertigo, so I stayed on the drug. I had very minor tingling in my feet, but it was tolerable. I became very stressed out, had trouble sleeping, depression, my face started breaking out in November (and still is), I lost interest in everything that I normally enjoy - reading, photography, following politics in the news (sort of an obsession of mine). In December I was so depressed that for the first time in my 11 year career I started canceling appointments and eventually took three weeks off from work to "re-group." In January the neurologist decided that we would increase the dose from 100 mg to 150 mg for one more month, and if it did not get rid of my migraines with vertigo, we would discontinue the drug. The first day on the increased dose I had a killer headache, and I drank 150 ounces of water before it went away. That night I did not have to go to the bathroom during the night, unheard of for me. That's a lot of water to drink and not have to pee. Within two days of increasing the dose, my cough became much worse, and within three days, the breathing became more difficult. Within five days, I was having trouble speaking because my airways felt so dry. I called the doctor the next morning and he said it was not the drug, but if I wanted to, stop taking it. So I went off it cold turkey, per his instructions. I had rebound migraines every day for a week or two and my heart was pounding, sometimes for three or four hours at a time. Eventually the cough and trouble breathing went away, however, I had to continue drinking lots of water or I would notice that I didn't have to urinate, sometimes not at all. Again, unheard of for me. I saw a cardiologist at the neurologist's urging and they said the heart pounding was just anxiety. I disagree, as did another doctor of mine. We both believe it was withdrawal. I have now found out (by getting copies of my medical records) that the neurologist is now attributing all of my side effects from the Topamax to "somatization." In other words, psychosomatic - not a side effect, but just a way of getting medical attention. I am seeing a few people on this board who have also experienced a dry cough and trouble breathing. Can I have the same side effects as other people and have them still be psychosomatic, even though I had no idea those side effects could occur? I don't think so.

I have a theory that Topamax interferes with hormones which causes a lot of the side effects like lack of concentration, memory loss, anxiety, depression, insomnia, acne, and hair loss - all symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause. Ask any woman in her 40's or 50's if she has these symptoms and most of them will say yes. My face has not been this broken out since high school! My hair is falling out at a rapid rate. I won't even bother mentioning these to the neurologist. He'll just say it's not the drug.

I'm very frustrated and not sure what to do at this point. The neurologist has me taking a supplement called Migrelief now, but I think it takes three months to kick in, so I have no relief at this point.

Has anyone else experienced the trouble breathing with dry cough? I don't believe for a moment that it was psychosomatic.

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

I posted this on Mar 15th regarding my experience with Topamax...

I took Topamax for only 4 days. I ended up in the ER on Feb 22nd because I felt like I was going to pass out, getting dizzy, couldn't concentrate or think, numbness, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath and this was intensified by anxiety from all this stuff going on. I stopped taking it immediately. I have had episodes of these same side effects since then. I had these side effects last week and missed 3.5 days of work. I have been doing pretty good this week but today I had to leave work because the same side effects came back. I had to have someone come pick me up form the side of the interstate half way on my way home because it got so intense I could not drive. My doctors have done blood work and I am waiting for the results.

Since then, here is an updated on my side effects and what has been found by my doctors. I really hope this helps someone since this was very devastating for me. It got so bad I had to go on Medical Leave from work due to the side effects.

I had 10 tests run on my blood and tests and pictures done on my heart and everything checked out to be normal. Apparently since this medicine messes with the chemicals in your brain, it also has the capability of turning on anxiety, depression, panic attacks, etc. My primary care doctor, my neurologist, my cardiologist and a stated licensed counselor/therapist all have diagnosed me with anxiety leading up to panic attacks. Basically what I was told by my counselor was that my level of anxiety in my brain was turned on so high, it didn't know to come back down after I stopped the medicine. Now anything can set it off and it's quickly escalates into a panic attack without control. I was so bad that I was having anxiety/panic attacks about merging into traffic, going to work, going through the drive thru at McDonald's, going to WalMart and just anything in general. I started a medicine that controls anxiety and I have been on it for a week. Although I still get anxiety, I am able to control it and it's not escalating into the panic attacks. The best thing is with this type of medicine is that it can take "a couple of weeks" before it's built up into my system, so this should take care of it. I was advised with some counseling to learn how to control my anxiety and some medicine, this can be taken care of. I just have to allow my brain to get the levels of anxiety back down to normal levels and then I can eventually stop taking the medicine.

I took Topamax for only 4 days. I ended up in the ER on Feb 22nd because I felt like I was going to pass out, getting dizzy, couldn't concentrate or think, numbness, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath and this was intensified by anxiety from all this stuff going on. I stopped taking it immediately. I have had episodes of these same side effects since then. I had these side effects last week and missed 3.5 days of work. I have been doing pretty good this week but today I had to leave work because the same side effects came back. I had to have someone come pick me up form the side of the interstate half way on my way home because it got so intense I could not drive. My doctors have done blood work and I am waiting for the results.

I had been dealing with numbness in my hands and feet for about a month (I've been on Topamax for maybe 2 months now, maybe 1.5 months...) and I am happy to deal with that. Anything is better than the migraines that I had, and anything is better than waiting for the next migraine to start.

But for the past few days, I have been dealing with a total shortness of breath. It's like I can't catch my breath, in a way... or, as my mom put it, can't really get a "fulfilling" breath. I am constantly yawning, but that's how I am getting to that deep breath, although it takes me 3 or 4 tries to get there. It's frustrating, and SCARY!

I called the Topamax number today, and the nurse said that the side effects should only last 3 months total, but 1.5 more months of this?! I can barely imagine 1.5 more hours!!!!!

Haven't seen anyone mention any sexual SE's but I know I'm not imagining this. It's not a lack of libido but, it's as if my wiring has been disconnected.
A lack of sensation. Major bummer. I can live without sodas but not this!
That was my major reason for getting off the Topamax. My doctor was very incredulous about this being a SE of the Topamax but he didn't argue with me. I came across this site just looking to see if anyone else had experienced this. After getting here I can not believe all the things I have been brushing aside as due to something else. Stomach pain and diarrhea, severe GERD, depression and morbid thinking, oh and my gosh the trouble searching for words and connecting thoughts--I thought I was loosing it, shortness of breath and weakness that I was attributing to weight gain! I have only been on 25 mg a day for 6 months. The migraines did improve and the paresthesia in my hands subsided over time. But all this other crap that has slipped in and I have been passing off as aging or just wondering what else was up with my body and mind. Sheese! Thank goodness for this site! I am tapering off this crap-- and I feel like crap. Weakness and fatigue and a weird pain in the side of my head that is not a headache exactly. I hope I'm back to normal soon, this is awful!

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 can't believe all of these posts, wow. I was starting to feel as though I was alone with all of the symptoms I was experiencing. I started this drug 2 1/2 weeks ago at 25mg am/pm and am currently up to 75mg am/am. I have really bad chest pain/tightness and mild shortness of breath. As someone else had mentioned, pop is enhanced not dulled, seems as though its like pins on my tongue. I have been forgetting words but not too bad, just for a couple of seconds. The anxiety is the worst, sometimes I lay in bed and the chest pain will increase and I get so axious it feels as though I'm going to die. I went to the ER last night but they did an EKG and told me my heart was fine that the chest pain most likely was not related to my heart. (I'm a 22 year old male and have never had problems with my heart) These chest pains only started after starting this drug. I'm ready to try something else. This was the first drug I was put on for my seizures, my doctor said it could possibly help the seizures/headaches/weight. These side effects are just too much.

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 am taking topamax and am suffering from shortness of breath. Does anyone else have the same side effect?

I started topamax on 6/28/06, building from 25mg's to 100mg's for simple partial seizures and migraines. I'll have to say it has helped tremendously. I woke up every single day with a headache! Not anymore. All I have now, is a mild sinus headache here and there. I will say on the negative side, I have absolutely no appetite (although i stand to lose 30 lbs), numbness, tingling, memory dullness, bowel changes(yuck with bowel cramping) and my menstral flow is well off track! Has anyone else had any of these problems too? Oh and I definitely have shortness of breath. And I'm making sure to drink plenty of H2O!!!PLEASE RESPONDE!!!

I took topamax for about a year. I was slowly up to 200mg a day.I had a period for 28 days. I was 44 than, my normal cycle last 1 to 2 days.I ask my nero about it and he said it couldn't be the medicine. I talk to my family doctor, we lowered the does by 25 mg and my periods went back to normal. During this time, looking back now at what others saw I went through many personality changes. But I figured my headaches were gone, I was losing weight life was great. And than I started getting shortness of breath it was gradual and than it became severe. I seen so many doctors for almost a year. I had several test done was told I had pulmonary hypertension, told I had a Paient foreman ovale.
This was all new, I had an echo 3 years prior. I ask every doctor I seen could topamax cause this they said no. I finally got sick of going to the doctors , I quit going ,I also stopped taking topamax and guess what I can breath again. I have no pulmonary hypertension but the PFO remains. I am now afraid to take any new medicine. I would rather have headaches, my friends and family say I am back to myself and I feel so much better. I wish I would have listen to myself when I started questioning could it be the medicine. This medicine may work great for some, but my family and I went through hell. I truely thought I would not see my kids grow up.

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!