Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Does the mental confusion with Topiramate fade after awhile?

Wed, 06/18/2008 - 20:12

Another question on the topiramate/topimax side-effects.  I've been on 25mg Topiramate at night now for about 6 days now; eventually working up to 200mg/day. I'm in the software field so have to think analytically most of the time, and right now I'm so doped up I'm having a hard time differentiating between what people are saying and the venting system! At first I thought they were talking too quietly, but no one else seemed to be having any difficulties. I'm very groggy, unless I start talking then I'm a bit too animated. I'm also not sure if I'm making sense and people seem to be looking at me funny like my social skills/delivery are a bit off or something. To make the problem worse, I've had some anxiety in the past which has for the most part been under control, but now seems to be making a come back by the stress of trying to "act normal" and understand what's going on at work. I think the anxiety was causing seizure activity too (muscle jerking, altered perceptions, vibrating internally), OR, the Tompiramate is. I'm on such a low dose, that I'd think the cause was the former - anxiety. Beside the point actually.

Anyway.... if the dopiness/cognitive stuff doesn't fade, then this drug is TOTALLY counter-productive to why I went on it in the first place. I wasn't having noticable seizures, just A.D.D. that affected my work indirectly and causes co-workers to think I wasn't listening to them, etc. The doc thinks the A.D.D. is probably caused by frontal lobe seizure activity he saw. I've been having a downhill slide at work for the past few years with focus. Very frustrating and has caused me a lot of worry about continuing to support myself without switching to a less analytical job, which means selling my home I remodeled and the garden I love puttering around in.  OK, major future tripping here that's not productive - sorry.

Has anyone have these cognitive issues with the drug when they were ramping up and had it go away? I want to give the drug a good try if so, but if not, then it's time to try another drug or an alternative medicine like acupunture.

Comments

PLEASE tell me that my memory

Submitted by Kbrown_591b9af239ff8 on Tue, 2017-05-16 - 20:36
PLEASE tell me that my memory will come back once I stop taking this medicine!? I seriously thought something was wrong with me until I found out it was a side effect of a medicine I have been taking for over 15 years and have just noticed getting worse in the last few months!  I thought it was my age! I am scared and depressed. I have been taking Topomax for migraines and  I also was just diagnosed with Trigeminal neuralgia.

So I take topomax for totally

Submitted by maxmars on Wed, 2018-03-14 - 18:30
So I take topomax for totally different reasons than most people here,  I take it because of schyzoaffective disoder with bipolar . So ive been on topomax for 3 weeks now I take 200mg daily at night.  My problem with the drug beside the confusion and memory loss is that when i sleep i sleep very deep and canot remember anythnig of my dreams the next morning,  it just feel different.  As anyone ever experienced diference sleep experience with the drug.  you testimonials would be greatly appreciated.

I have the exact same side

Submitted by Pixiebob on Sat, 2018-05-12 - 02:28
I have the exact same side effects !!! Il be having a conversation with someone and won't find the words. It's so embarrassing ! I'm studying too and I can't remember the things I'm learning :( it makes you feel so helpless. I am on 100mg a day. I was on 50 per day, one tab in the am and one pm but have changed it as I was getting more migraines. I've been on it for years and am scared to come off it incase it's what is holding the migraines back so much ! What to do! I'm tired of feeling muggy headed :(

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.