Topamax -- Good or Bad???

Melissa- I had to switch from Depakote because side effects were too bad. My hair fell out and was retaining major amounts of fluid. Neurologist started me on on 2000 mg Keppra alone. Keppra by itself is NOT good! 1st 2 weeks were ok but by 3rd week my brain was so wired I couldn't sleep at all and started getting headaches so bad that all I could do was lay on the couch and cry for hours. Also withdrawal from the Depakote caused me to have panic attacks. After 3 more weeks and several ER visits for some headache relief Neurologist finally added 150 mg topamax to my Keppra. Also had to add 75 mg Effexor to stop panic attacks. I currently consider topamax to be my savior! No more headaches, it has calmed the effects of the Keppra so I can sleep and I have lost the 25 lbs I gained on the Depakote. There are a couple effects of the Topamax I don't like, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth all the time so sweet stuff like soda tastes bad, want to brush my teeth a lot and I don't have much of an appetite, but that might not be all bad. Could stand to lose a few pounds anyway. Anyway, they all have side effects, it just comes down to which combination works best for you with the least amount of effects that you can live with that don't jepardize your health. Hope this helps and good luck! Kelly

Hi, Melissa Both me and my mom where on Topamax. Its is a good med though the side effects can be a bit crazy. My mom had to come off if because she was having serious side effects. But as for me, I will tell u the only really bad side effects i have is, no appeite, wieght lost(this depends on doseage), trouble word finding(I have had people look at me like I am nuts because of this) , hair lost, tingling in my hands,especially in fingers and it effects my cycles sometimes. Also, topamax, makes soda, taste like crap. I hope u like water. Water tends to become ur best friend when u r on topamax at least it became mine.Which is probably another reason why people lose wieght on it. But take from someone who not only take topamax (I also take keppra and nortriptyline) I rather have the side effects then go through the sore muscles and embrassments of having serizures and headaches. The outcomes of not taking it totally out weight the side effects. I hope this helps u out. Best of luck. Amy

I have been taking Topamax for quite some time and I love it. Of course, everyone reacts differently to medication. The only side effect that I really notice is that I have a loss for words often.