Just a very small part. I wouldn't read it just for topamax info. More for binge self help ya know? It's def worth a read

I take Topamax for tension headaches, not BED, but it's also given as an appetite suppressant as well. Most of the side effects I can deal with, tingling hands, dizzy spells, and causing carbonation to taste horrible but I can only take it for about 3 months until I have to stop and take a break. It's the side effect of memory loss, confusion and well I call it the "stupids" I can't handle. Which is why it's nickname is "Dopamax". There were times it would take me a few minutes to remember how to say words like if, how, or spoon!

Anyway! It didn't change my appetite at all, just the taste of carbonation. Are you seeing a doctor about your depression?

I was prescribed topamax in 2007 for my bulimia/binge eating disorder. I lost about 30lbs in a very short amount of time. The side effects were awful, but I was so focused on my eating disorder that I didn't care. I couldn't drink diet soda anymore, it tasted awful. My feet were tingling all the time and it made it painful to be sitting or try to sleep. Yes, I lost weight and yes it helped with the binge/purge cycle, but at some point I think I switched addictions and was restricting for a while. I was on it for about 1.5 years. The side affects went away. ALL of the side affects. I eventually switched my meds around (for depression and bi-polar) and gained all of the weight back plus 30lbs. About 2 years ago, I went back on the topamax, hoping for the same weight-loss results. Did not happen at all. The one thing it did do was to help with the bulimia and binge eating. It's not a cure-all. Medication only helps 30-50%, the rest is a lot of therapy and maybe meeting with a registered dietition. I also attend ABA meetings (Anorexics and Bulimics Annonymous) meetings weekly. It's a 12 step group, like AA. The meetings have helped a lot. http://aba12steps.org/aba-meetings/meetings/usa/ Let me know if you any questions!!

I took Wellbutrin and Topamax for BED/depression for about 2.5 years. The Topamax helped immensely with the BED at first, but eventually the effects tapered off and I would eat/binge regardless of dosage. I agree with the above that it is not a fix - just another tool. I still struggle with BED today, I haven't taken any medication of any type other than the occasional Tylenol for almost 4 years. I also struggled with the "stupids" to such an extent that it seriously crippled my confidence. I was afraid to open my mouth in my job for fear of not being able to form the sentence that I was thinking of. To me, that's not worth the benefit of the medication.

For those that have been on Topamax. What dosage and at what frequency?