Topamax and sleeping problems

I have been on Topamax for about two years for migraines, and was very pleased that after the first month or two, most of the noticeable side effects (dizziness, flat-tasting soda, etc.) disappeared, and the Topamax has been very effective in cutting my migraines in half. However, I've recently begun to question whether other health problems I've been experiencing are actually Topamax side effects and I just didn't realize it.

The first is intermittent stomach troubles that have been ongoing for the last year. Starting last January, I started experiencing diarrhea, stomach pain, and other persistent gastrointestinal problems, and through online research, I decided that it was probably either a spastic colon or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I lost 15-20 lbs. in the spring and summer, but the problems would always recede before I took them to my doctor, then resurface just long enough to irritate me before disappearing again. It never occurred to me until recently that these could be Topamax side effects.

The other possible side effect that I assumed was an unrelated problem is interruptions to my sleep pattern. I have been experiencing some occasional bouts of sleep paralysis, and which researching this, read that in normal sleep patterns, one is supposed to enter REM sleep (when dreaming occurs) after about 90 minutes. I frequently enter into dream sleep in as short as a 20-30 minute nap, which does not seem to be normal. Again, researching this, the only two explanations that came up were narcolepsy, which I obviously do not have, and that my normal sleep patterns are being interrupted "by medication." So I'm back to wondering if it's the Topamax. Has anyone experienced similar sleep symptoms?

I am on topomax for bulimia. it has been amazing considering the fact that i have no appetite and diahhrea all the timeand my menstrual cycle is off. also, i have the tingling sensation in my hands and feet, which hasn't gone away in a month-isn't horrible, though. i wake up in the middle of the night and very early in the morning. (never had sleeping problems like this before). also, very thirsty all the time, dry mouth, but can't seem to drink enough fluids. however, this has medication seems to help my eating disorder like nothing else. i'm going to half my dosage and see if this continues to work. although the side effects are there, until i'm comfortable enough to do this on my own and not binge, this medication has been a a life saver for me! it's worth it b/c of the appetite suppressant issue. i have no urge to use symptoms at all.

Migraines don't seem to be any better. I've been taking topamax for almost 3 weeks now and am up to 75mg. I was wondering if the nausea I was having was from my migraines or the topamax but no one mentioned that. I have noticed that I crave water more than coke now and have hearburn a lot. Also not much of an appetite so maybe I will make it into my size 4 pants by summer! No tingling anywhere, no sleeping problems. I thought my crying spells were because of my migraines. Maybe it's the topamax...this is a good web site - although I think we all sound like we're crazy :)