Topamax - what's it like?

I describe Topomax as my "Wonder-drug"!! I absolutely loved it. Yes, the side effects can be a bit harsh (the word loss was a bit maddening), but most were managable. My co-workers began to fill in my lost words by saying "Topomax topomax topomax" whenever I would pause to find the words or if I would forget something. It became a running joke through the office. I found it helpful to write EVERYTHING down as it came to me (grocery lists, things to do when I got home, ideas I had, etc.) Otherwise they'd be wiped from my memory. The GOOD side effect was the weight loss. Food (for me) had to be seasoned intensely for me to even taste it. Cool, fresh foods became a favorite for some reason. I started at 145 lbs & ended up at 115. This weight (for my height) was ghastly - I looked like a big walking bone! Too much weight loss & too much topomax increased ALL of the bad side effects to the point that they were unbearable. Couldn't complete ANY sentences, couldn't maintain a train of thought, began to hallucinate! (Saw myself as a tree-frog one day in the mirror - Was SURE that I was a frog & it seemed perfectly normal!) After the frog incident my husband convinced me to get off. The weight came back within 3months because all of the sudden food tasted GREAT!!!! (Darn the luck) Would like to go back on, but I'm trying to get pregnant & there are no significant studies on fetal developement with Tmax. Keep us all posted! Good luck to you. Watch your weight - if it goes too low be sure to have your dosage adjusted - - - -I'd hate to see you feeling froggy!!! - Christine

Hi! I have been switching from Dilantin to Topamax and in the end stages of a very long schedule to do so. It has not been fun and not in the clear yet but getting better every day. Definetly the worst of it now, is the tingling in the hands, feet and face. The vitamin B as mentioned before helps., also if I'm able I try to soak my feet, hands in water if it gets too bad. I've noticed some memory loss, confusion/or fog. I'm not sure what it is exactly. I'm kind of waiting until i'm off the one drug completly for awhile before I'm too concerned about it. I've been told by friends who are nurses that you need to give it time to work in/out of your system. The weight loss thing isn't really an issue as mentioned earlier, I've noticed a few pounds (I too wish more!), its mostly forgetting to eat (surpress your hunger) since I live by myself I have to remind myself to do so. By the way, I also had an immediate loss of taste to all pop which was sad for me, and started to carry water with me always. The good news, that I keep telling myself it is controlling my seizures, less side effects than Dilantin and I just need to hang in there, keep good documentation and not be afraid to ask questions!