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Topamax - what's it like?
Tue, 05/09/2006 - 08:19Topic: Medication Issues
Hi
I am taking tegretol retard and keppra at the moment.
Yesterday when I saw my doctor, he has prescribed me to go on topamax and when on the full dosage, I can then come off the keppra gradually.
I dont know much about topamax.
My doctor said there are 3 types of side effects some people get when taking topamax:
1. tingling in hands and feet
2. weight loss
3. memory loss
Has anyone had any of these experiences with this drug?
Please let me know what this drug is like, I dont want to end up with memory loss and weight loss.
My doctor said that when people hear weight loss might happen they are delighted but it can be fatal if the drug is taken still even after noticing weight loss because you keep loosing the weight and is not good for you.
Any comments on this, please feel free.
I'm a bit anxious about taking it.
Many thanks in advance,
Quirky
Comments
Re: Re: Topamax - what's it like?
Submitted by sealion5011 on Tue, 2006-05-09 - 23:14
I have been taking Topamax for over 7 years at 500 mg per day. It prevents major seizures with me.
These meds have kept me out of the hospital for sure. Nothing else worked on me.
One word of caution...if you take to many in a 24 hour period. You could become a Dr. pooper.
Otherwise, I am feeling OK considering.
Hi. You know Topamax has in
Submitted by happycat2 on Wed, 2006-05-10 - 01:58
Hi.
You know Topamax has in the past had a really bad reputation-as far as being good for migraine goes. A friend of mine has been on this med a couple of years now-for seizure control, not migraine relief, and is doing great. Sure, he's had his ups and down's, gone off the rails a few times, and been judged because of that. Shame, as he's a great guy when you get to know him. To my eyes, Topamax is no better, no worse than any other drug if titrated properly. Titration rates are so important I've found- and so has he. Keep us updated how you go- it helps. As does hanging in there, and staying poitive and upbeat.
Cat.
"Many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1
Re: Topamax - what's it like?
Submitted by ccruse on Tue, 2006-05-09 - 22:40
I have been on Topamax for nearly a year. These are the side effects I have experienced. I have had tingling in nearly every part of my body, especially my hands and feet. I have had weight loss, but that stopped after about 50 pounds. The weight loss was due to several factors. One was that it initially took away my appetite. I found I just forgot to eat. It also did give one of my very favorite things in the whole world, namely Coca-Cola, which I consumed a lot of, a horrible taste. Actually, anything carbonated now tastes like cough syrup. So I would have to say that some of my weight loss came from not consuming the extra calories in soda since I no longer drink it. I also did and still sometimes do experience short term memory loss and word recall problems. I have found that taking vitamins helps (a b-complex, specifically) helps with the tingling and numbness that occurs. I did experience some mood swings also when first taking it, but I was also coming off another AED, and I think anytime you are making adjustments to dosages, and your body is getting used to a new drug there are bound to be some problems. It took me about 2 or 3 months until everything seemed to "even out" and I felt normal again emotionally. It has worked well for me though. I feel very fortunate to have found a drug that controls my seizures this well with really very few side effects.