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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: Hi! I have been switching
Submitted by ericamaria on Tue, 2006-05-30 - 10:09
Hi Quirky,
I was on Topamax several years ago and all was great. Then I cam off of it when I had my son. Now I have been on it again for over a year and for some reason it has been horriable this time around. The longer I have been on it the worse my memory has gotten. Yet this I have heard is not the norm. I did lose weight and I don't drink soda so i don't know about making carbonated things taste bad. I do know I got really bad stomach cramps at times. They were not kidney stones, thank goodness, just cramps. And it can kill your sex drive.
However I do have to say I did not experiance any of that the first time I was on Topamax, the first time the medication was great, I have no idea why this happened this time around.
Erica Maria
Re: Re: Re: Hi! I have been switching
Submitted by quirky on Tue, 2006-05-30 - 15:17
hi Eirica Maria
I Dont know why either.
If it was great first time you would think it would be second time.
Maybe you should ask your doctor about it. Let me know what he says ye?
Thanks for sharing,
Talk soon
Quirky
Re: Hi! I have been switching
Submitted by quirky on Sun, 2006-05-28 - 04:35
Hi Allison That is good news that topamax is working better for you :) I have noticed coke recently tastes slightly off but I can still drink it. Maybe that is because I am on alow dosage at the moment of 50mg now. I have to get up to 200 mg in another 7 weeks including this one. Memory loss has started on me but nothing major. I really honestly dont know how bad it will get. Time will tell. When 7 weeks are up, then I stay on topamax for another 2 months to see how it goes and if all goes well then off goes keppra. It's early yet to say what topamax will be like for me but it does tire me out more, I know that. I sleep really well these days! Hard to wake up in morning. Have to force myself :) Keep in touch and take care Let me know how you are doing, Quirky