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Topamax and Weight Loss

Fri, 04/01/2005 - 21:46

I began taking Topamax for partial seizures in January, 2005. I have since lost 25 pounds (I am 5' 2" and am down to 102 lbs.). I just really have no appetite most of the time. I am wondering if others have lost weight like this on Topamax and if so, has the weight stayed off, or did you gain it back? I am 42 years old and was diagnosed with TLE in March of 2004. I took Keppra for awhile, but had breakthrough seizures and when my dosage was increased, my hair started falling out. So my neurologist switched me to Trileptal. I had terrible headaches on this med, so started the Topamax this past January. It seems to be working, though I'm a little concerned about the weight loss.

Comments

Re: Topamax and Weight Loss

Submitted by BritneyFLE on Wed, 2008-11-26 - 19:57

It was first marketed as a diet pill (as told by my doctor), but women weren't losing enough weight on it. When I took it for 15 days, I lost 12 lbs. I advise everyone I know not to touch Topamax. I personally believe it does more harm than good.

 I felt like a zombia trapped inside my body. I couldn't feel emotion. I couldn't eat. I wasn't happy. I didn't want to leave my bed, much less go to work and function as a normal person.

 

I am now on Keppra, and I LOVE it!! 

 

It was first marketed as a diet pill (as told by my doctor), but women weren't losing enough weight on it. When I took it for 15 days, I lost 12 lbs. I advise everyone I know not to touch Topamax. I personally believe it does more harm than good.

 I felt like a zombia trapped inside my body. I couldn't feel emotion. I couldn't eat. I wasn't happy. I didn't want to leave my bed, much less go to work and function as a normal person.

 

I am now on Keppra, and I LOVE it!! 

 

Re: Topamax and Weight Loss

Submitted by Penny Sand on Fri, 2009-09-25 - 13:58

My experience with Topamax has been both positive and negative.  Initially, I was on 100 mg for 18 months.  It controlled my symptoms, but I felt sluggish and stupid.  I couldn't think or respond quickly (compared to myself in pre-Topamax days) and was always at a loss for the right word.  My hair also started falling out.  I did lose weight...about 20 lbs, which was a good thing.

With my doctor on board, I slowly withdrew from Topamax.   We were hoping that since the radiation had shrunk my tumor a little, maybe I wouldn't have seizures anymore.  It took about a month to withdrawal.  It was so nice to have my mind back!  My hair stopped falling out too. But talk about the rebound appetite...I gained the 20 lbs back plus another 5.  Wasn't prepared for that!

After about 5 weeks without Topamax the seizures started again.  I went back on it, but this time, my doctor advised titrating up much more slowly.  As it turned out, 50 mg seems to be working fine for me.  My mind is clear, and the seizures are under control.  So far, no unusual hair loss either.  I still feel sluggish, but nothing like it was on 100mg.  No weight loss, but no gain either.  I'd rather be off the stuff altogether, but I can live with 50mg if it means no seizures.

My experience with Topamax has been both positive and negative.  Initially, I was on 100 mg for 18 months.  It controlled my symptoms, but I felt sluggish and stupid.  I couldn't think or respond quickly (compared to myself in pre-Topamax days) and was always at a loss for the right word.  My hair also started falling out.  I did lose weight...about 20 lbs, which was a good thing.

With my doctor on board, I slowly withdrew from Topamax.   We were hoping that since the radiation had shrunk my tumor a little, maybe I wouldn't have seizures anymore.  It took about a month to withdrawal.  It was so nice to have my mind back!  My hair stopped falling out too. But talk about the rebound appetite...I gained the 20 lbs back plus another 5.  Wasn't prepared for that!

After about 5 weeks without Topamax the seizures started again.  I went back on it, but this time, my doctor advised titrating up much more slowly.  As it turned out, 50 mg seems to be working fine for me.  My mind is clear, and the seizures are under control.  So far, no unusual hair loss either.  I still feel sluggish, but nothing like it was on 100mg.  No weight loss, but no gain either.  I'd rather be off the stuff altogether, but I can live with 50mg if it means no seizures.

Re: Topamax and Weight Loss

Submitted by jacobtostark on Tue, 2010-05-18 - 03:25
I don't prefer Topamax for weightloss as I think it is very bad and terribly dangerous to take it for weight loss. Then, all the chemicals that for example calm an electrically excited brain will go to work on your normally functioning brain.Better go for natural diet learn more from http://knuckleheadsfitness.com/

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