Topamax and weight loss

[bobbiek]

I have digenerative disc disease and my neirologist just prescribed topamax,
he said it would help with the pain and tingling but could result in weight loss.
  I am wondering if prescribing topamax for ddd is common among neurologists? I can't seem to find any other information related to topamax as a pain med, only information I have is that it's a powerful drug with lots of side effects, most not so good.
The weight loss aspect is the only plus...also could this drug alter my brain function since I know it is used for bi-polar and seizure disorder... I'd like to know more about this med both from a neurologists view and from a weight loss specialists view. before I make a decision to take this medication
Thanks in advance for any/all responses

[migrianes nomore]

Well I  guess my story will shock you all I am currently taking 800mg a day of Topamax. 400mg in the am and 400mg in the pm. My migrianes were so life stopping that I could not get through the week without one. I would usally land myself in the hospital on the verge of a stroke on time it had gotten so bad that they admitted me for a swollen brain. Topamax has saved my life!!!

At first though I did feel as if I was going insane they side effects were dreadful. food didnot taste right, depression, waking all hours of the night, weight loss, the list goes on and on. The weight loss had to be the a blessing and a cruse I went from 168 on a womens 5' 7 frame to 136 and still loosing about 2 to 3 pounds a week. I did enjoy it the first 15lbs but now I am too thin and want to stop. However it does not matter what I eat or how much I cannot gain. Ohh well it is the price I am willing to pay to be migriane free, and live again!!!

The best thing to do with Topamax is fight through the first 5 to 6 weeks of side effects your body will leval and you will be pleased with the end results. I almost gave up on Topamax and I am so glad that I did not!

[MIGRAINES2LONG]

I am taking Toprimate for migraines.  I am currently on my third week, 75 mgs.  So, far so good no migraines yet.  Normally, I have about three very bad migraines a month.  And on a good month two.  I have been suffering with these headaches for the past five years.  I decided to talk with my doctor regarding a preventive drug in which she suggested Toprimate.  I will still be taking Imtrex injection if I experience a migraine episode.  I will be increasing my dosage of topamax to 100 mg next week.  I feel ok using topamax.  I am not sure if I have lost any weight, but I know I eat a little less.  Therefore, I may have lost a pound or two.  Which is okay for me.   Should I expect for  my appettite to decrease using a higher dose of topamax/toprimate?  Anyone response required!

[cohalu]

I just started taking Topamax last week for epilepsy.  I was taking keppra but my seizures were uncontrolled.  I am up to 100 mg of Topamax a day.  So far I have the foggy head and pins and needles in my hands and feet.  So far no weight loss.  I am hoping that will be one of my side effects, I could stand to lose a few pounds.

[grannydeb]

I am an epileptic and have been since early 1990's. I am 49 and have been on several medications for my seizures. It seemed that Depakote worked great for me. I was in the medical field for 20 years until my seizures caused me to become disabled in 2001 and therefore, I had to go on Medicare and due to my pre-exsisting condition, I could not get no secondary insurance and did not qualify for part D Medicare (prescription coverage) so I had to go on the Patient Prescription Assistance Program in order to get my Depakote medication. During this time, the Depakote did make me gain weight and I had other stress come up on me starting in the year 2000 such as: 2000 - husband had cancer of kidney but survived, 2001- husband's dad died and I had to go on disability due to my seizures, 2003 - my mother at a young age of 66 suddenly died of a massive heart attack and and  husband had his bad semi-truck wreck where another semi-truck ran upon top of his semi-truck and did not get his disability going until 2005. Anyway, the government stopped paying for my medicine due to both of us drawing too much and I could not afford the Depakote ($400.00 a month)  so my neurologist got me on Topamax through the government. In the last 3 months, I have been taking it but again have been under alot of stress as in April, I lost my beloved dad to a massive heart attack and he was 70 so again I got stressed out and what weight I lost, (40 lbs.), i gained 20 back from stress and I was taking 200 mg Topamax a day so my neurologist due to my seizures and weight gain doubled my dosage to 400 mg a day this week and I already can tell a difference in my appetite so I hope it don't make me lose too much weight plus I found out Saturday from my medical doctor that I have a heart problem myself and he put me on nitros, oh me, what a world!

[armywife4ever]

I am a 33 yr old female. I was put on topamax for migraines. It has helped considerably for my migraines. Thank God!! As for weight loss, yes I have have lost weight also. I lost 6 pounds just in the first month. I take 75mg a day. I don't have any of side effects either. If you're nervous about taking Topamax start out on a low doseage like 25 mg a day. I started out 25mg one in the morning and one at night. Now I take one in the morning and 2 at night. Good luck!!

[xxtami]

I have been on Topamax now for about 6 months I started out at 50 mg and am now up to 100 mg 3 times a day I no longer have migranes thank God!! But my head does get fuzzy at times and I have memory blocks at times I have lost about 47 pounds I havent changed the way I eat I just eat alot less because Im just not hungry anymore.I do worry about the side affects I read about but I havent had anything that would make me quit taking it...