Topomax

I've been on this for about 2 years. It curbed my appetite in the beginning, but not so much now. I take it for complex migraines and seizures. I couldn't tell you if my numbness is from the Topamax or my health complications. I can tell you I'm slower than I used to be, but I can't attribute that to the medicine entirely either. It's helped with both the headaches and seizures, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking to just lose weight. There are much better options as far as medications go I'd assume. Definitely talk it over thoroughly with your doctor.

brb_2013 wrote: »

PurringMyrrh wrote: »

DON'T DO IT! Been there, done that, worst drug ever.

Just eat healthy and exercise...unless you want to feel like a dying space cadet every waking moment.

But she's bipolar, and it's a valid treatment option.

I had a friend take this for her bipolar disorder. She didn't lose weight on it, but she did develop a potassium issue and had to be hospital. Not sure if they're related. She also never could drink any carbonated beverage again and stopped smoking. So technically those helped her be healthier overall.

It's one of many treatment options for bipolar, not the only one.

My doctor prescribed it to me for weight loss. I'm also bipolar and had gained a great deal of weight from antipsychotics. It made me lose my appetite for about a week. After that I continued to gain weight. I had the cognitive impairment for about a month, but it went away. My insomnia was worsened as well, which I understand is not a typical side effect. We increased the dose and it still didn't help me lose weight, so discontinued. The old fashioned logging calories in and calories out is the only thing that has ever helped me lose weight.

If I'm not mistaken, the Tope dosage, once you reach full titration is almost the same as a migraine dosage.

Topamax is one of the crazy meds.

Yes, is an anti-convulsant, but they don't really know how it works to help migraine patients, it just does and the side effect of significant weight loss in some of those patients led to a decision to market a weightloss drug. It ended up being too strong by itself. The majority of participants in the trials dropped out because the side effects were terrible.

So the manufacturers tried again by combining it with something to soften the blow. Phentermine. But if the Tope dosage is still at 100 ml, you still get all the nasty side effects.

And here's the kicker - you might be one of the ones who doesn't lose weight... And if you do lose, yay for you. But sooner or later you will want to stop taking the Tope and you will gain every single pound back. And then some. And you will be ravenous doing it.

Remember Topamax is a neuro drug (it helps block epileptic seizures) and it's doing something to your brain whether you lose weight or not, it's doing something to you. You really don't want that. Just saying.

TL;DR. Unless you have epilepsy or horrible migraines, etc., don't do it.

coops170 wrote: »

Yes to all these posts! I was on it for migraines as well. Yes I lost weight effortlessly but it made me stupid and gave me neuropathy in my fingers and toes. I was constantly struggling to find my words, they say it's like the word is always on the tip of your tongue but you can never get it out. It made me slow minded and God knows I don't need more of that. It came with a few other side effects like dry mouth and unbalance, not to mention it cost a fortune for me, even with my insurance. I finally made myself quit... Dr's shouldn't just be handing this med out like candy!

I also took this for extreme migraines. I had these exact same symptoms, it was horrible. I did lose about 20 pounds, but only because it made all food taste horrible. I remember only eating wheat thins. I couldn't concentrate, I felt high all the time, and could never find the words to say in a conversation. I remember pulling into the gas station and having no clue how to get my car to the pump. It was that day I stopped taking it. And I was on the smallest dose while cutting the pills in half.
This drug should be taken off the market in my opinion.
The side effects are not worth the weight loss!!

brb_2013 wrote: »

PurringMyrrh wrote: »

DON'T DO IT! Been there, done that, worst drug ever.

Just eat healthy and exercise...unless you want to feel like a dying space cadet every waking moment.

But she's bipolar, and it's a valid treatment option.

I had a friend take this for her bipolar disorder. She didn't lose weight on it, but she did develop a potassium issue and had to be hospital. Not sure if they're related. She also never could drink any carbonated beverage again and stopped smoking. So technically those helped her be healthier overall.

I didn't see anything where the OP said she was bipolar. She asked if it could be taken for weight loss.

I would not use it for weight loss. The side effects are awful. My hair fell out in hand fills and I had pins and needles feeling every where constantly. I also ended up in the ER because of some of the side effects.

My endocrinologist put me on Phentermine-Topamax to try to help me lose weight. I was just starting my third week and I can't take the side effects of the Topamax anymore. The pins and needles were tolerable, I was expecting that. What I didn't expect was the muscle weakness and soreness. Imagine having all the energy Phentermine gives you, but you can't do anything at all because your muscles won't cooperate! I started weaning myself off and only took one last night. I got more done this morning than I have in two weeks.
Oh, I lost five pounds the first two days. Nothing since, and I am staying around 1400-1600 calories a day. This sucks. I am hoping the Phentermine by itself helps, even if it just gives me the energy to move more.