Topamax

AFewLionCubs

Hello,

I just started taking topamax again. I have history of blood clots, migranes, and allergies to medications. First week of a full dose and I've had minimum side effects.

Reading online I see that many have lost a lot of weight taking this, too.

I'd prefer to be spared horror stories as I am very limited with things I can actually take. But if this has a weight loss perk I would surely like to hear feedback.

The only side effects I've ever had is numbness, tingling, and no more migranes! Now I'm on a higher dose and I am stuggling to eat 1000 calories, before I was shoveling in 2200! I was 203 at the start last week, 197 now, we will see in a week if it's actually weight loss though..

alyssa0061

I can only give you horror stories from my experiences with it but there was an active topic about this a month or so ago. I believe it was incorrectly spelled "Topomax" in the subject if you'd line to search for it. I'd suggest searching Topamax for other threads if you're not finding enough responses. Unfortunately it's a drug that elicits a lot of negativity both from the side effects and personal feelings about taking it.

Edited to finish my sentence properly.

HippySkoppy

Firstly, I wish you well in getting help for migraines as to me they are the Devil incarnate.

I have tried Topamax for same reasons and it was unfortunately not the drug for me, I felt very ill, thus I think it contributed to weight loss but it wasn't worth it as they didn't help with the migraines at all.

Some people do report weight loss with this drug, lower percentages report it to be weight neutral or even report gains.

IMO drugs affecting weight do so through mainly lowering or increasing your appetite and if you aren't counting calories it is easy to put weight change purely down to a side effect of the drug not change in eating habits.

I hope you continue to gain benefit from the meds. and try to make sure your nutrition is on point as you adjust to the higher dose as 1000 calories is really not enough and don't be afraid to talk to your Dr. if you have any concerns.

All the best.

elphie754

Unfortunately I only have horror stories with this medication. I took it for a brief period as a mood stabilizer for bipolar. It was not worth it. Wish I could say positive things, but I can't. I'm sorry.

wolfgirl78

I have nothing good to say about it. My nine year old was prescribed it for his epilepsy. He's now on another medication.

AFewLionCubs

I guess I'll updalte in a month.


I am not going above 100 mg, its not necessary.

ctoavs76

I've been on it for almost two years because I get horrible migraines. When I first started taking it, my appetite did decrease, but it eventually leveled out. The only side effect that has remained is that carbonated drinks like soda taste horrible to me. I can't stand to drink them.

elphie754

AFewLionCubs wrote: »

I guess I'll updalte in a month.


I am not going above 100 mg, its not necessary.

My side effects started at 75mg and were too extreme to continue taking the medication. Good luck though.

Christine_72

After reading the other topamax thread I'd be terrified of taking this med.
OP aren't there other options for you?

RodaRose

The first week going okay is a good sign.
I could not get through the first week. Good luck to you.

YAYA_of_2

I am in Trokendi. It is similar to topamax. I take 100 mg and my dr actually prescribed it to me for weight loss. And as someone stated bother of these meds are not weight loss pills it simply is a possible side effect. They both supress the appetite and certain foods and drinks do taste funny. I don't like and soda, diet either. It all tastes flat. Same with beer. Not that I drink beer a lot but on occasion I like one but now they taste nasty. Tea and coffee is the same.

elphie754

RodaRose wrote: »

The first week going okay is a good sign.
I could not get through the first week. Good luck to you.

Not really. Topamax has a cumulative effects and builds up in you system. You also increase the dose gradually. There is a reason it is dictated dopamax.

pearceflint92

I'm on a lot of meds including topamax. It cuts my eating down a hell of a lot. I deal with the side effects like I have to, I have no choice. Great for weight loss.

AFewLionCubs

With every drug there are people telling horror stories. Go to a mom forum and talk about zofran and you'd think you're taking crack or something by their response. Ask about birth control options.

I traded migranes for sleepy feet. Good trade!




Low does Topamax paired with Phentermine is FDA approved for weightloss. I don't think it's frivolous to assume that a high dose of Topamax stand alone is more effective at producing weight loss results than drinking tea.

I've read nothing about it building up or have I found that people who reach a therapeutic level need to continually increase. I do have a close friend who takes topamax, for 3 years, she's always been thin and eats like crap, but eats very little. I just recently found she's on it when I told her. She's been on the same dose for years, 75 mg.

luveydov

I just started on Topamax for a second time. This time for Fibromyalgia. Years ago I took it for a short period of time but had to go off of it because it made me stupid. I was in graduate school at the time and could not manage my required statistics classes. Regarding weight loss, I never, ever thought about food. I practically had to set an alarm to remind myself to eat. My understanding is that this affect eventually goes away. I think I started at 50 mg and may have moved up to 75 mg.

This time, it might have had a similar affect but I have so many other things going on that affect my appetite that I can't really say. Right now I seem to be getting my appetite back and I've only been on the minimum dose of Topamax for a little over a week. My doctor started me on 25 mg this time and will not increase the dosage for 6 weeks to try and minimize the side affects.

Good luck OP.

wolfgirl78

luveydov wrote: »

I just started on Topamax for a second time. This time for Fibromyalgia. Years ago I took it for a short period of time but had to go off of it because it made me stupid. I was in graduate school at the time and could not manage my required statistics classes. Regarding weight loss, I never, ever thought about food. I practically had to set an alarm to remind myself to eat. My understanding is that this affect eventually goes away. I think I started at 50 mg and may have moved up to 75 mg.

This time, it might have had a similar affect but I have so many other things going on that affect my appetite that I can't really say. Right now I seem to be getting my appetite back and I've only been on the minimum dose of Topamax for a little over a week. My doctor started me on 25 mg this time and will not increase the dosage for 6 weeks to try and minimize the side affects.

Good luck OP.

My son had to quit taking it also because it made him "stupid." It did control his seizures but that side effect was way too much. He's been on a new med since he weaned off the topamax, that controls his seizures and doesn't have the drastic side effects topamax did.

MorganMoreaux

I'll spare you my horror story that started with 35+ pound loss the first month, much of it was muscle. Not sure why you made this post if you don't want honest answers...sticking your head in the sand doesn't change the reality of the situation. Sorry few meds work for you, hopefully you find a better medication in the future.

No, the weightloss doesn't seem to peak, it just continues. When you eventually get back off Topamax the weight will come right back, and you'll still have the muscle loss. Reclaiming that lost muscle takes a lot more time and effort than losing fat. Get monthly bloodwork while taking this - it's systemically tough.

AFewLionCubs

It's not really sticking my head in the sand, I just think people are quick to complain. I was on the max dose of gabapentin and people love to talk smack about that one but I had no major side effects for a year. Not interested in the our "yelp" culture with pharmaceuticals.

AFewLionCubs

I'll gain the weight back... if I eat it back.

I gained the weight with pregnancy and breastfeeding. I haven't not, not been pregnant or breastfeeding in almost 5 years, I don't know that my appetite will be crazy without those factors.

You don't know my work out routine.

You don't know what my diet consists of.

So, maybe you should take your ASSumptuions and place them elsewhere?

elphie754

Asks for reviews but only wants the positive reviews....

Gets upset with anyone who says anything negative about the medication and tries to counter it...

Why even ask? I assure you, this is not the only place you will find people saying negative things about this medication. Almost every review site has multiple negative reviews about this medication. It's nickname is "dopamax". People literally forget the next word they want to say while taking this medication. It has actually been removed from some treatment recommendations because the side effects out weight the benefits.

AFewLionCubs

What does the ignore button do?

If you do not like MY post then stay off of it.

elphie754

AFewLionCubs wrote: »

What does the ignore button do?

If you do not like MY post then stay off of it.

It is a public forum. People can comment if they would like.

SpecialKitty7

I was on Topamax for around 8 years for migraines, 100mg 2x a day. The only side effect I had for years was a taste change (soda and chocolate tasted unbearably bad). Then in the last year on it, it was starting to cause some kidney damage, so I had to change. Now on gabapentin 100mg 3x a day and I have had no side effects. All those years on Topamax I didn't lose an ounce. Maybe the taste change bothers some people enough that they don't eat as much?

RodaRose

Regarding weight loss: when my doc put me on it, he said if the weight loss side effect will work for you, it will start to happen at 50 mgs.

MorganMoreaux

AFewLionCubs wrote: »

I'll gain the weight back... if I eat it back.

I gained the weight with pregnancy and breastfeeding. I haven't not, not been pregnant or breastfeeding in almost 5 years, I don't know that my appetite will be crazy without those factors.

You don't know my work out routine.

You don't know what my diet consists of.

So, maybe you should take your ASSumptuions and place them elsewhere?

Lol, you're not going to live on 1000 calories a day for the rest of your life, right. I'm going off of physics when saying you will gain the weight back, assuming you stay on Topamax long enough to lose enough weight to be in the healthy range. If that offends you, good luck navigating life as you have much larger issues to deal with.

If you had your kid five years ago, that's not baby weight any longer - that's just you eating at a calorie surplus. Be an adult and be accountable, or fix you're insecurities so you can be comfortable in your skin to accept ownership of your actions. * I am not certain if you only have one kid or have several, as you wrote three consecutive negatives - "haven't not, not", so I'm going on the assumption that you have one kid. If you've been pregnant/breastfeeding the entire time, then disregard.

Perhaps you can see a therapist as you seem to have issues accepting reality and a lot of aggression. You seem young, you really don't want to go through life with so much negativity, and I'm sure you don't want that for your kid. Kids are perceptive and can pick up on a parent's anger and frustration, which can give them anxiety. Seeing a therapist can help get you over these issues, and then maybe you can focus on a life style change for weight loss and be a good example to your child for healthy eating and reasonable portion sizes so they can have a solid foundation for good nutrition so they don't have weight issues when they are older.

At any rate, I'm certain this message will trigger more acerbic responses, so I'm not coming back to this thread. I sincerely wish you good luck - I hope you can get your issues resolved and can find a more pleasant existence.

hellolean

I have taken Topamax (50 mg) for about two years to prevent migraines. I have had no bad side effects, and have not had a single migraine since I started taking it.

azulvioleta6

Not exactly a horror story, but I was glad to not have to be on it for very long. I find all anti-seizure medications to be...unpleasant. I really don't understand why anyone would take them except in cases of absolute medical necessity.

savithny

It lives up to the nickname "Dopamax." If your job depends on being able to think, it might be a bad choice.

GMAllison

I have been on Topamax for about 4 years, and have been at the 50 milligram dose for at least the past year. I recently started tapering off, reducing to 25 milligrams for 2 weeks, and just recently reducing to half of that 25 milligram pill at the beginning of this week. I think I have noticed a significant appetite increase, which is very scary, since I have been working very hard on weight loss, and am down 65lbs. Now i want to eat everything! Has anyone else had this experience? Does the appetite increase taper off?