Topamax for Weight Loss
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jomariewill
Posts: 35 Member
My doctor just prescribed Topamax to help me lose weight. Anyone have any experience with this medicine?
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Replies
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It looks as if it's primary use is an anti-seizure medication. Why did your doctor decided you needed it?
You will need a calorie deficit just like every other human on the planet.7 -
He said it's also for weight loss. Around 25 per month. I've already lost 25 in 30 days using MFP.0
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I have used this medication as a mood stabilizer, not for weight loss.
I quickly had to come off of it. The brain fog that is associated with the medication. It was so bad I couldn't remember the names of common objects. There is a reason it is nicknamed "dopamax".
If you are already losing weight without medication, why risk the side effects of a medication that can mess with your brain?9 -
A anti-seizure medication for wt loss. Side effects galore.3
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Wow you lost 25 lbs in 30 days before the medicine??3
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What are your stats? Can we help you achieve a healthy rate of loss?
I wouldn't be taking an anti seizure medication TBH2 -
I'm on topomax for migraines, which is another use for the medication.
In my experience, the appetite suppressing effects of it didn't last.
I was on it before I started trying to lose weight.3 -
I have used this medication as a mood stabilizer, not for weight loss.
I quickly had to come off of it. The brain fog that is associated with the medication. It was so bad I couldn't remember the names of common objects. There is a reason it is nicknamed "dopamax".
If you are already losing weight without medication, why risk the side effects of a medication that can mess with your brain?
Wanted to second the bolded. Why is your doctor prescribing you an off-label drug when you are already losing weight at a very aggressive rate?5 -
As others have said it's a seizure medicine but it's also used to prevent migraines. One potential side effect is appetite suppression. I was on it for migraines and the side effects were horrible. I could not complete a thought on it to the point where my ability to do my work was seriously impaired.1
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I need to lose 140 pounds. I'm 5'11 and 287 pounds. I have bipolar I disorder but I am already on a medication for it. My weight loss has stopped. I actually gained 4 pounds. I'm eating 1600 calories per day. I do 30 minutes aerobics in the morning and walk/jog 2 miles every evening 5 days per week. I have not slipped on my diet. Even Thanksgiving I didn't exceed my calorie goal. He thinks the medicine will make me want to eat less and get me out of the slump.1
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I got what I needed from this post though. I have a job that requires quick thinking and I can't be impaired in any way. The doctor acted like there were minimal side effects.
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My doctor tried me on it, but it didn't change my appetite. I also got bad "Dopamax" side effects so we discontinued. It has worked for many other people. That is how it became a weight loss drug, because people taking it for seizures and migraines were having side effects of appetite suppression and weight loss.0
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jomariewill wrote: »I need to lose 140 pounds. I'm 5'11 and 287 pounds. I have bipolar I disorder but I am already on a medication for it. My weight loss has stopped. I actually gained 4 pounds. I'm eating 1600 calories per day. I do 30 minutes aerobics in the morning and walk/jog 2 miles every evening 5 days per week. I have not slipped on my diet. Even Thanksgiving I didn't exceed my calorie goal. He thinks the medicine will make me want to eat less and get me out of the slump.
Stop! If you are bipolar, call your psychiatrist prior to taking this medication. It can severely impact your current medication regimen and create a very dangerous situation.9 -
I sincerely hope it was your psych adding this in and not some other doctor messing with your medication. As elphie says, the balance shouldn't be messed with by anyone but your prescribing psychiatrist. But it could be them that added it in.
As to not losing weight. You're just going to have to do your best and try to find ways to manage your appetite with your dietary choices. At your size you can still eat quite a bit and lose but you need to be logging consistently and accurately. I started my weight loss whilst still taking seroquel (notorious for the appetite and sedation it gives). I just didn't choose an aggressive goal, used a food scale and I track everything. good and bad, it is all added.
You can lose whilst on bipolar meds, you just may need to do some tweaking to manage side effects of medications (though if you're stable and have been for some time, the side effects should have stabilised and it's just about adjusting to eating less like every other person trying to lose weight, just part of the process).0 -
jomariewill wrote: »I got what I needed from this post though. I have a job that requires quick thinking and I can't be impaired in any way. The doctor acted like there were minimal side effects.
Not even close. The side effects of this medicine are horrifying for some people. I was lucky and only suffered neuropathy while on it. My sister, and many, many others were not so lucky.
There was a thread a few months ago about it that was very informative. It's worth a search
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My doctor Prut me on Trokendi which is the same as topamax. It is a anti convulsants medication but one of the side effects of this medication is loss of appetite. However I think that can be misleading. I have been on this medication for 6+ months. However I do not take it faithfully. In my experience with this medication it juse made certain foods taste different, mainly drinks. All soda tastes flat, tea is gross now, and beer you can forget that!! I now drink just water. Also I found that fried foods taste disgusting. I take mine in spurts. If I feel like I'm having a hard time with cravings, especially sweets I take e meds. One thing my doctor told me was as long as you stay on a dose lower than 300 mg you should have minimal side effects. Once you get over that mg you will start to get the side effects mainly blurred vision. Hope this helps.0
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jomariewill wrote: »My doctor just prescribed Topamax to help me lose weight. Anyone have any experience with this medicine?
I am soooo confused. What do feminine hygiene products have to to with weight loss?
Low calorie filler?
OP, I'm glad you chose to heed the warnings of others. The side effects can be debilitating.
Is there anything we can help you with? At 1600 cals/you should still be losing. How long has it been since you stalled? Are you using a kitchen scale to weigh your foods?0 -
To answer a few questions, yes it was my psychiatrist that prescribed the Topamax with my bipolar medication. He started me on the lowest dose and is seeing me back in a week. If I see any problems I will discontinue it. I have a food scale and use it religiously. I have not lost weight in almost 2 weeks. My thyroid has been checked and is normal. I also had an EKG and blood work to check my liver as well as check for PCOS and I am heathy. Thanks everyone for your opinions on this. If it helps me with no side effects then lucky me, if not, no harm done.1
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Watch for side effects. Some of them affect cognitive function. Some of them affect your ability to taste certain flavors.
Some of the cognitive side effects can be permanent.
There's a reason one of it's nicknames is "Dopamax."0
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