Topamax

[fearfactor]

I could easily get a prescription for Topamax as I have migraines and my doc and I talked about it at our last visit.  I would also LOVE the weight loss side effect.  Anyone that has or is taking Topamax - does it make you feel nervous?  Does it make your heart beat faster and/or palpitations?  I have anxiety so I can't use it if it will make me more nervous.  Anybody have bad side effects from Topamax?

[Jawyte1202]

I keep hearing about all this weight loss with Topamax.  I get bad migraines and it has been suggested that I start Topamax, however I am nervous about the weight loss.  I currently wear a size 0-2, and cannot afford to lose that much weight.  Although everyone likes losing those 5 extra vanity pounds, do I have something to worry about.  Is there anyone who hasn't lost a lot of weight? I don't consume many calories as it is and am concerned if one of the side effects is the lose of appetite.  Is it just loss of appetite or does it put your metabolism into overdrive as well?

[khart26]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site.  Just started Topamax on 3/09/07 I have noticed that I have lost 6 lbs in the past 11 days .. I haven't changed my eating habits so I can only think that this is a side effect of the medication. A good one I might add. :)  I currently take 1 25 mg pill twice a day and after 2 weeks have to increase my dosage to 3 a day and so on until I get to 175 mg a day. Is there anyone else on this particular dosage?  I haven't had any headaches THANK GOD since starting it. Hopefully I will get some more weight loss :) I would love to lose at least 30 more :)

[deps]

the best way to really understand the med you are taking is to research it.  the best site I have ever gone to is called Cray Meds.  Topamax was ideally made for epilepsy.  It's off label uses were then used for headaches and bi polar.  Because people were losing weight while on it, people saw it as the magical pill and were begging their doctors for Topamax....I don't think so.  It's not a weight pill and not everyone loses weight on it.  It's a good medication.  It hits hard on the temporal lobe area of the brain.  Either it works for you or will make you miserable. No inbetween.  They nicknamed it, dopamax and stupamax because of what it does to your memory and speech.  The tingling sensations are very common side effects  If this medicine is the med for you, a lot of these side effects should diminish to a certain extent.  Sometimes you have to trade off one for the other.
In starting any medication, starting very slowly is the key to avoid the major side effects. Wwith topamax, myself for example, I started at 25mg at bedtime only.  I just started this med a couple of days ago.  Very little side effects so far.  I will stay at this dose for 5 days then increase by another 25mg., until I reach my therapeutic dose.  I have noticed that it has made me much more alert making it more difficult to sleep.  therefore I have just changed it from bedtime to dinner time.  I have temporal lope epilepsy, which is probably why it is working for me.  But it just may not be the med for you.
just don't play doctor.  Research your meds and speak to your doctor if you are finding you are getting worse on this med.  however, please remember, that meds usually take a certain period of time before they start to kick in.  For me it was pretty quick, but at other times, it has taken a good 2-4 weeks before they kicked in for me.
Good luck to all!!

[SEEKINGAMIRACLE]

HI,TODAY WAS MY FIRST DAY TAKING 100 MG I DID EXPERIENCE SOME TINGLING IN THE ARMS IN LEGS BUT NOT ALOT. THE COKE WAS FLAT IMMEDIETELY AFTER TAKING THE PILL. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE IT? I AM TAKING IT FOR MIGRAINES I WAS TAKING SIBEIUM AND DID NOT FEEL NO RELIEF AND WITH TOPOMAX  I DID NOT GET A HEADACHE TODAY WILL SEE WHEN I WAKE UP. I HAVE HAD HEADACHES FOR APPROX. 18 OR MORE YRS. APPETITE THE SAME TODAY.... POST MANANA

[FLLGirl]

Has anyone stopped having their periods since being on Topomax?

[joelly22]

Hi - this is the first time I've been here, and very happy to have found this site.  I've only started having migraines a little over six months ago, which in itself I find strange. (I'm 29)  Just today my doctor prescibed Topamax and i thought i'd check it out right away.  I'm already a nervous person, and feel scatter brained as it is too.  I also already have the confusion and face numbness at times.  So..I can only wonder what taking this will do to me.  Did anyone have a handful of these symptons before taking?  And if so - did they get worse??