Topamax Numbness in the Fingers, Carbonation, Gaining Weight, Forgetfulness, Losing Weight
Posted over a year ago
I have been on Topamax for a little over a year. I've had most of the side effects; tingling, numbness in the fingers, dry mouth, forgetfulness, and weight loss - love the weight loss. All the side effects have sort of slowed down as I've been on the medication longer. The weight loss has slowed and I've even began to get my appetite back- I'm afraid I'm going to start gaining weight now! I've lost about 40 pounds and I needed to lose it, so that was wonderful. I've had a very hard time losing weight all my life so this was wonderful. ... more »
I have been on Topamax for a little over a year. I've had most of the side effects; tingling, numbness in the fingers, dry mouth, forgetfulness, and weight loss - love the weight loss. All the side effects have sort of slowed down as I've been on the medication longer. The weight loss has slowed and I've even began to get my appetite back- I'm afraid I'm going to start gaining weight now! I've lost about 40 pounds and I needed to lose it, so that was wonderful. I've had a very hard time losing weight all my life so this was wonderful.
I was addicted to Coca Cola and this med also helped me kick that habit because I lost my taste for the carbonation.
Does anyone know if the weight loss usually evens out after about a year or a year and a half? I need to lose about 30 more pounds and was hoping that I would continue losing weight!
Anyway, I was on the Topamax for headaches and it has completely helped that! It has truly been a God-send for me. Other than monthly hormone headaches, I don't get migraines hardly at all!
I am wondering about having my doc up my dosage for the weight loss aspect????
Topomax4me - Hello, I just found your question by accident and thought I would comment! I have been on Topomax for almost 3 years, and agree with most everything you have said. I too am cold a a great deal of the time and can never warm up. Weird! I have lost soo much weight is is not funny any more, and I am only on 25 mg a day. I am down to a size 2 now from a size 9 to begin with so for me it is a big deal! I do not want to lose anymore! The worse side effect I have is HIVES!! It it awful! It started about 9 months ago. I did not realize what it was and thought I was just itchy. But it has been getting worse, especially at night. When i east certain foods it is worse, but sometimes I do not eat anything and I break out into horrible hives everywhere! My face, chest, legs, arms! and then it goes away on it's own about 1 hour later, or if i can't stand it I take Benedryl! This is the most annoying part of it all for me, but considering how sick I used to get, I will take it!
I also get flu like symptoms every so often that may be associated with Topomax but they are not sure yet. It is listed as a possible side effect but who knows. Still, I will take the flu every once in a while over my migraines!
As for memory loss.. I definitly have expereicned a decline in my ability here! I am very forgetful and it only gets worse as time goes on. MY word recall is aweful too, and I find myself searching for words all the time!
I do not have the energy I used to have, but again, I have to outweigh the pros and cons. I feel overall healthier now than I did before!
I almost forgot, Soft drinks do taste funny to me, and before i ealized that it was a side effect I remember asking restaurants for my money back. lol! Now I know better!
If you have any questions about Topomax for Migraines, feel free to ask me, as I have been getting headaches for 15 years now! Good luck!
Mzcheryl - Thanks for your reply. That is funny about the soft drinks...I remember about two days after starting the med I was drinking a Coke and told my husband there was something wrong with the soda we had bought. Then, the next time I had one, I said there was something wrong with it, etc...then I got online and checked out the side effects, and there it was! No one beleived me until I showed them. But, I was really glad about this effect as it released me from a horrible addiction to CocaCola - no kidding- I drank 6 or so sodas per day or 2 or so 32 oz Cokes from McDonald's! per day for years and years....which probably explains why I needed to lose so much weight.....this has been a wonderful breakthrough for me. Best wishes to you with your meds and the side effects as well.
Mzcheryl - I almost forgot, I also had the hives symptoms, but only one time.....weird! I thought I was going to go insane.....I was lying in bed and my legs were itching so bad that I couldn't stand it. I hadn't eaten/used anything unusual, so I'm sure it was the med. I had to take my pants off and put on lotion, and finally took Benadryl. I was up for over an hour scratching. my husband thought I was just exxagerating....I really thought I was crazy too!
Also, another effect I have is being very tired.....I was already tired a lot and this has made it worse I think. BUT,. I don't have headaches 3-4 times per week like I used to and that is wonderful....so I can handle the effects for now.
Meghanmarie - You know, I never even thought about it until this moment, I had some horrible itching issues all over my body, and I chalked it up to soap, and switched to body gel (the bath & body works stuff that you put on a loofah). It's subsided a little, so I thought that it must have been the soap, but I wonder if it was the medication!? Sheesh, this stuff really HAS done a number on me!!!! But like you said, Cheryl, it has taken away my headaches, and to me, that's worth pretty much any side effect that can be thrown my way.
Jorlex - Hello!
I'm new to topamax and I like what it does for my pain and such. I had brain surgery in 06 and started having headaches and blacking out. Since the topamax I'm feeling better. HOWEVER I'm having stomach issues of diarrhea and rash issues, looks like hives with eczema and I don't want to tell the doctors. The month I've been on it I've lost 8lbs, and yeah I'm not going to complain about that either.
The eczema looking rash is on my wrists/arms. I use hydrocortisone to keep the redness down. Oh I don't want to get bounced around on meds! Anyone else have that!
OH I miss my pop, however I did want to break my pop drinking habits, I'm calling it the Topamax Flat pop syndrome!
J
Cmbandrwb - I have quit drinking sodas altogether. I am very disappointed that topamax hasn't done more for me in the weight loss category. I have been on it for a month and a half and have only lost four lbs. I thought I would have lost more than that simply from not drinking soda anymore at all. I mean that in itself should have made me lose more weight than that by now I would imagine. Not including that I don't feel like I eat as much. I don't think I have that much weight to lose. If I wanted to get down to my high school weight which was super skinny I could lose up to 25 lbs, but at this point I would settle for losing just 15lbs. That's all I want to lose an I feel like I am not losing weight rapidly enough. As a matter of fact I gained 2lbs this week. I am very discouraged.
Mzcheryl - I wouldn't get discouraged about the weight loss - it really isn't a "weight loss" pill. I didn't lose a lot of weight at first, either...I didn't notice it until a few months into taking the med.
Also, I would commend you on not drinking the soda just because it isn't healthy anyway! Best wishes to you.
Mzcheryl - When I first went on Topamax, I had diarrhea a LOT....for several months, probably...that went away and now I don't have that problem anymore. It was quite a problem for a while, though...after I ate, I would have diarrhea almost immediately...might explain the wonderful weight loss:)
Sonicgal - i have been on topamax for the second time for about 4 months now (had a break for pregnancy and breastfeeding) and in that time I have lost all my baby weight which I think was about 25lbs although I generally avoid scales, but can tell you that I went from a size 12 down to a 6 and I seem to still be shrinking and people telling me I look great and slimmer each time they see me which is odd as I feel like I am eating loads of sweet and fatty foods all the time. I don't want to eat large portions, it's true, but I don't hold back on the type of foods. I don't drink carbonated drinks although champagne has been spared the weird soda taste (TG!) and I do have "topamax moments' where I forget words, or dates or people's names (or mine!) but as I'm blonde nobody seems to notice much. I usually substitute some elegant cussing and this seems to gloss over it, especially in the playground amongst a group of preschool moms.. They're too tired to notice, just like me. It has worked wonders with my migraines. I've gone from 3 a week to perhaps 1 a month, controllable by Imitrex, and the 'fizzy feet' syndrome is much better than it was, as is the dumbness. I am hoping the weight loss is going to slow down now. I don't really want to be much thinner than I am now or I'll start looking scrawny. A woman of my age needs a little fat to cover the bones or it gets ugly, or at least uncomfortable for her spouse. Good luck to everyone on their quest.
Rmtucker - Try taking daily vitamin C to decrease the Topamax side effect of tingling in hands, feet and face. This also helps with the bad taste from sodas. I found that the weight loss evened out after the first year.
Jckat - Reply 5 months ago on August 9, 2008 by njcriddle, #5349
I have been on 200mg topamax twice daily now for 4 months. I am experiencing all of the above, pins and needles, chilled to the bone, flat sodas, not so much weight loss because I am also on seroquel for bipolar which makes you gain weight. However, the topamax is making me forget things and I am having a hard time saying what I want to say. I know what I want to say but I cannot get the words out. This is very frustrating and this is enough to think about coming off of the drug until I think about the headaches. I haven't had a bad headache now for 4 weeks. I cannot think about having a headache because my headaches last for 3-4 days and I am in bed the whole time so I guess not talking is worth it. The pins and needles aren't that bad but the diarrhea can make travelling difficult. I have never been cold before and this takes getting used to bus isn't something that I cannot live with. I haven't had hives yet but I do itch. I do not care for soda and I can do without the Beer. I am experiencing urinary tract infections and high blood sugar and not sure if this is from the topamax or the seroquel. Also, I have a horrible taste in my mouth all the time. I have to chew gum all day. This is annoying. I am sneezing and I looked this up and this is a side affect of topamax. I am beginning to wonder if you looked up anything and topamax if it would be related to topamax. This is a strong and strange drug. I don't think I have ever seen a drug that causes so many side affects and what are the side affects that have not been reported. The side affects need to be reported by those that are taking it even if they have not been associated with the drug. Hang in there. I am not quitting yet.
Molliemae - Topamax almost ruined my life and as nice as it was to use for weight loss i would be dead today if I had kept taking it. You don't realize how much the drug really affects you until you are off it and look back and realize how much your personality changed during use.
Please do not take this drug just because it helps you lose weight. Long term effects are not worht it.
As far as migraines I had for years and there were times I'd want to blow my brains out because of the pain but after thousands of dollars and medicine including topamax I finally admitted my diet had 95 % responsibility for my problems. Yes we don't understand why we can't eat what we want and why others can but that is just the way it is. You want to feel better eat properly.
I still crave topamax all the time but I know it's posion to me.
Maskid40 - I have been on and off this drug for about two years. I have had all the side effects. When I am on it I start to feel like I'm not myself anymore and like I'm going in circles not getting anything done. I'm in sales and I feel like the drug takes my confidence, persistence and focus away so it's been detrimental to my job. I have social anxiety and lately, not sure if it's do to the drug, but I have been getting very flushed and nervous speaking to clients and co-workers and paranoid. I break out into splotchy hives for about 30 seconds and then it goes away.
The first 6 mos or so I was on the drug was awesome. I lost some weight, which I really didn't need to since I've been an athlete all my life... but I went from being muscular and fit to gaunt, so I enjoyed having the body-type I always pined after. Friends were jealous and pretended to be 'concerned'... life was good. But really only because of the appetite loss. I think a lot of people that take this drug for migraines really have food allergies. And since the drug makes you lose your appetite and taste for soda--which is like poison... the allergies are suppressed.
I am on it for bipolar disorder, which can also be controlled by exercise and diet, but the easier way seems to be a pill sometimes. Especially when a doctor tells you it's OK. If you want to be completely honest with yourself you should completely celan up your diet and exercise 4 times a week. I bet all your symptoms that you were taking the pill for in the first place would go away.
I think the drug may have done permanent damage after on/off for 3 years. I feel like my heart is fluttering, i feel weaker and foggy all the time. My skin is still splotchy and I feel my blood rushing. it definitely frazzles your nerves in some way. At the ripe age of 28 I feel shot.
Kristincmc - I was on Topamax for about a year, up to 200 mg for headaches. It helped the headaches alot so I tried to ignore the itching. But the itching has gotten so bad (especially when I get hot, and I live in Texas so I am hot alot!) that I had to go off it...it has been almost 4 weeks and I still itch. Anyone know if the itching will ever go away?
Kacunnin - I have been on Topamax for 18 months. Worked up to 400 mg total per day taken in two doses. I lost a total of 56 pounds pretty quickly over the first 6 months and nothing since. I have gained about 5 pounds back but I think that is only because I have had first foot surgery and then shoulder surgery for torn rotator cuff in Jan and Feb of this year causing too much inactivity. I think that will come right back off once I am active again. But I do think the weight loss stops after a period of time. About 9 months after starting the drug I started itching and couldn't figure out why Now I am covered with hives and when I see these posts I wonder if the Topamax is causing it. You would think that allergy to a drug would start right away, but I think it is time for me to come off this one!! After 18 months I feel pretty confident that the drug isn't keep the weight off, I am. And my doctor assures me of the same. By the way, I found that the metallic taste, dry mouth, tingling all went away eventually. Feeling cold never did.
Mscapcity - I have been on Topamax on and off for 5 years for the past 18 months I have been taking it regular 75mg for migraines, About the weight loss, yes it does work but I think it will even out. I lost lots of weight in the beginning a total of 60lbs. I have probably gained 10lbs back because now after all this time I'm suddenly developed this horrible itching problem!!! It happens only when I get HOT, take a shower, walking... I used to walk about 4 miles 3-4 times a week now I can hardly walk a few blocks before the itching starts up!!
Has anyone had itching like you get this sensation and the next thing your itching (feels almost like a "fiberglass" under your skin) it's a horrible feeling can't really describe it to well but doc's said I had dry skin and to change my soap and use Eucerin lotion, rx for atarax, the atarax only makes you sleepy does take away the itch temporary...
Soccernumber13 - I'm a high school and started taking topamax right before my soccer season started. Almost immediately I started losing weight because it made me sick to eat. But as I started soccer, it got worse. I'd go 48 hours without eating, but I'd feel fine the entire time. My close friends and coaches would worry about me though as school began and I still wasn't eating. I'm in all honors classes and as the stress of the school year hit me, a lot of stuff started happening. I finally decided to get off Topamax until soccer was over. So within the last week I started taking it again. My body temperature has dropped dorwn to 96.7F making me always cold and I've become shakey also to the point where it's a constant tremor. I'm starting to eat less also.
Jen85430 - I have been taking topomax for at least two years now. I have lost abou 28 pounds or so on the med, and it has been a wonder for my migraines and headaches that I suffered with on a daily basis. I also changed my diet to leave out migraine trigger foods. I don't drink caffeine or eat anything containing MSG. There are many other trigger foods as well, but mainly I wanted to respond to the comments about hives. About 7 months ago I started losing my hair and getting hives at the same time. The Dr.'s couldn't figure out what it was, but now that I have looked this up, I am convinced it is he topomax. I get the hives when I am hot, in the shower, outside in the sun, even if just for 10 seconds!! It's horrible!! The Dr. has told me that he believes I am stressed and that I also need to come off of all of my medications. I am afraid of what will happen if I do!!! Any advice??? I also have the memory problem as well.
Sky123abc - I have been taking topamax for about 7 months now and recently the docs put my dose up to 75mg a day but i have started itching like crazy! dont want to come off the meds as i'm getting married next week and could do without the migraines adding too my day! not sure what to do as i've been able to handle all the other side effects, 30lbs weight loss tingling hands and feet but didn't have the this problem at the start!!
Medmalady66 - I have been on Topamax for seizures for 4 years now. Lost a bunch of weight - now a size 0 (5'10 & 118lbs, not healthy). All are concerned to the point where doctors may want to switch me. All I crave is salad, sushi, & soup. I drink a TON of water (14-16cups/day) - but think I'm scared of bladder stones this med can cause. I have the cold issue as well (must do something to circulation). My memory problems started right off the bat but I didn't know right away it was the med. Thought I was losing my mind! To those taking for migraines-since u've kicked ur cola habit, maybe give a break from Topamax? See if ur migraines come back? Just a thought. Good luck to all. Drink lots of water!
Medmalady66 - Oh, wanted to add that in the beginning I also had severe tingling in hands & feet (neurosis, I believe). It stopped after awhile, maybe 6-9 months. Also the itching!!! Which comes on EVERY time I sweat. It feels prickly or like tacks. So very uncomfortable but has subsided a bit over the years. I do think heavy water intake reduces some side effects intensity (except for weight loss). Be cautious. If you really think about it, if this can alter your mood & cravings for soda & foods..what else is it doing? Best health to u all!!
Topoispoop - topomax4me how long did u take your drug before you lost weight i started a month ago and i still havent lost weight infact my appetite has increased!!! it's weird i really need to lose the weight though =(
Topoispoop - mzcheryl how long does this diarrhea last it's horrible and it seems to never go away!!!! im tired of it buy my doctor gave it to me for my mood swings and my migraines combined with zoloft so i cant stop taking my meds. so i need to stick with it i just started taking these meds.
Nonieo - I have type 1 diabetes graves disease and suffer with migraines so the consultant prescribed topiramate 25mg daily I have taken it for a week and had side effects such as tingling and numbness in my fingers. And toes and felt chilled to the bone like never before as well ad high sugar levels and tiredness ,my headaches /migranes have been much better but the side effects ate horrendous.
Crislope82 - I don't wanna b mean but u can't just rely on a pill to lose weight I've been on it for years and no I don't enjoy the weight lose it got dangerously low and I wasn't expectingit plus I don't have an apettite the memory thing sucks I always forget things and the fact that that's not the only med I'm on that causes that is no field trip also take into consideration that when u lose weight rapidly and if u were to stop taking tapamax ur might gain it just as fast that also happened to me when I switchd its a vicious cycle at the end I had to.go back to topamax cause it worked better I now take 200 mg a day and it'llprobably go up do to many illness I have that overlap I do hope everything does work out for u to ur advantage just giving u a heads up good luck
Crislope82 - I don't wanna b mean but u can't just rely on a pill to lose weight I've been on it for years and no I don't enjoy the weight lose it got dangerously low and I wasn't expectingit plus I don't have an apettite the memory thing sucks I always forget things and the fact that that's not the only med I'm on that causes that is no field trip also take into consideration that when u lose weight rapidly and if u were to stop taking tapamax ur might gain it just as fast that also happened to me when I switchd its a vicious cycle at the end I had to.go back to topamax cause it worked better I now take 200 mg a day and it'llprobably go up do to many illness I have that overlap I do hope everything does work out for u to ur advantage just giving u a heads up good luck
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