Recently I have learned that TOPAMAX CAN CAUSE KIDNEY STONES ! Interestingly enough, not a single one of FOUR PHYSICIANS - ONE OF THEM BEING A UROLOGIST - who saw and/or treated my son for kidney stones was aware of this fact, as they never mentioned it, even though they had a list of every drug he was taking. When I mentioned the fact that my son recently had kidney stones to the doctors at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital during our first consultation with them - they were able to tell me about the connection between kidney stones and Topamax right away ! I just thought I would post this here to save someone else the trouble of finding out the way we did, and to alert people to this in case they begin experiencing unexplained abdominal and back pain, and are taking Topamax. I just checked the Topamax site listed on a previous posting on this site, and it does mention kidney stones as a side effect, however unlike the other information related to this - my son never previously had kidney stones, and he was not taking any of the other meds listed there as causing kidney stones when used in conjunction with Topamax. Another problem my son experienced years ago, that the doctors did not pick up on as a side effect of a seizure med, was that a RARE SIDE EFFECT OF DEPAKOTE IS NOCTURNAL ENURESIS, (BED WETTING). My son wet the bed at night until he was 16, (he's 23 now) and nothing we tried helped. The last dose he took of Depakote was the last time he wet the bed. We mentioned this to the new neurologist we were seeing back then who took my son off the Depakote (for unrelated reasons), and he confirmed that this was an effect of the Depakote, but a rare one.

I tried Topamax twice and my body could not handle it, even at low doses, I was ill tempered, I was highly confused and couldnt even get out bed and function, and I am a working proffessional that needs a clear head and to be able to speak in order to function in my position. I also had severe migraines, and the minute that I stopped trying to crossover onto this "med" and stayed with my old one I was fine. Although, however my old one is killing me slowly (literally), it is Depakote aka Valproic Acid. I have gained so much wieght and I am losing my hair like I am taking chemo. My whole lifes on hold except for my career and school. But, I am planning on trying all the meds until I hit paydirt (the one that best suits My body chemistry)........MY ADVICE TO ALL OF YOU, IS NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!! IT ONLY MAKES US STRONGER!!!! WHAT DOESNT KILL ME JUST MAKES ME STRONGER!!!! I just want to say that we may be a little different, but we arent social freaks or monsters. And the people that treat us as such are the freaks and monsters because they are the ones that are ignorant, and lack sensitivity training. They are purely ignorant. Also, remember if we have seizures in public, at work, etc. who cares dont be embarrassed, it is apart of us....just like being a heart patient and having a heart attack at work.

Kevin, Here is the introduction website to Topamax, which will contain additional websites for more detailed information. http://www.epilepsy.com/medications/b_topamax_intro.html Bruce (link guy)

My experience with Topomax landed me in the hospital…  I lost my memory, my health, almost lost my eyesight.  I nearly lost my home and my job.  I even forgot how to dial a phone.  It has taken 4 years to recover most of my physical health.  Now comes the hard part…  Emotional health.  Speaking from my own experience….  Be wary, be very very wary…By the way, the seizures continued.

I now have a new physician, new medication (Keppra and Lamictal) and I have been seizure free for 20 months.  I am one happy person and it is my personal goal to laugh and have fun every day.

“Forget the housework, let’s go have some fun.”   ~  CJ  ~

I was put on Topomax in 2/08 for bipolar illness, mood swings.  I began having episodic diarrhea, could not eat anything, it became worse and I went to ER and to my GP who treated me for sinus infections as I was having intense throbbing behind my eyes, migraines, nausea and cold sweats.  Finally, I ended up in the hospital a week ago and my blood was tested, I was given a CT Scan and Ultrasound.  The doctors first thought I had Pancreatitis as my enzyme levels were high but lowered in one day and they could not diagnose my illness.  I had been also given a shot of cortisone due to allergies which the doctors at my GP felt were causing the headaches so my metabolism is all screwed up.  I stopped taking the Topomax as I tried to remember what had changed when these episodes began and that was all I could remember was being put on Topomax. I have contacted the Dr. who put me on it and he will not return my calls, The GP told me I was lucky to figure it out!  I cannot get any of these doctors to assist me in ensuring no damage has been done to my organs such as glaucoma which runs in my family and I have liver disease and I read that you should not take Topomax if you have liver disease.  I have been in pain, to doctors who did not help me and suffered financial and emotional and physical pain.  I thought you should know.

Sincerely,

marigraves@hotmail.com

The Day After Thanksgiving my father committed suicide by stabbing himself. One of the medications that he was on was Topomax. My father was a devout Catholic since the age of 13. He died at 66. He had just started on this medication and Kepra for drop seizures in Sept. right after Labor day weekend. My family is devasted - we believed in the doctors and I wish I would have come to this website sooner. Please, please see your doctor and FIGHT!!! if thats what it takes to have your medication changed if you feel that your personality has changed completly

I took Topomax twice a day for migraines for two years. It seemed to make my migraines less frequent, but I developed kidney stones from taking them. When I brought up to my prescribing doctor that one of the side effects of Topomax is kidney stones, she was very suprised. One would think that your doctor would know the side effects and tell you them when prescribing the medication. Since then I have spoken to several people who have had the same experiences with kidney stones. I took myself off of the pills after developing the stones. Also, when I had my kidney stones "blasted" by sonic waves while I laid in water, I then got pancreatitis. It seems that this is very common also after being treated for kidney stones.

 

I began taking this drug a month and a half ago for my bi-polar disorder. I  had heard and seen wonderful things about it and it's weight loss effects. Frankly after gaining a ton on depakote and nuerontin I was wanting to try it and asked for it. And boy did I get it!

 

Nausea

Gagging

Vomiting

Skeletal pain

Leg Pain

Restless Legs

Chest pains

Blurry Vision

Flashing lights in eyes

Hands, feet, knees, face and scalp falling asleep constantly

Diarhea

Constipation

Chronic Gas

Gastritis,Colon Pain

Stomach Pain

Nervousness

Anxiety

Moodiness

Crying every day

Insomnia

Depression

Aggressive thoughts

Mixing up my words all the time

Forgetting things

Unable to concentrate

Here's something really bizarre-I sat outside one day and stared at a rock and watched it breathe. That's how bad my eyes got.

I'm completely miserable and in agony. But I'm not manic..oh joy!  This drug can cause blindness I have come to find out. I was on my way there. Can you imagine? I don't recommend this drug. I'm sure you can see why. Web MD or just Googleing, Topomax will help you find out a lot more about it. Good luck friends. 

Tranquil M.

I forgot to mention the constant itching all over which made it impossible to fall asleep at  night or relax at all.

 

The worst anti-epileptic drug created: I have been on all but two that are legal in Canada

I have problems with my speech

Blurry Vision

Double Vision

Cannot concetrate

The first time I was on this drug I dropped 8 sizes like that - it is suposed to be used as a diet pill fpr some people...the second time I went on this drug, about 4 months after I came off I gained 8 sizes like that 

I have no interest in eating until I am starving...I can go two days without food

I am so depressed all the time

I argue with peoplep and get mad/upset easily which is not my personalilty at all...|I have quit my favorite activities because I am in fear in blowing up at the volunteers running them

Have recently been tested for glacoma

Constantly feel sick to the stomach and do get sick somehow

Restless Legs

Chest pains

Flashing lights in eyes

Hands, feet, knees, face and scalp falling asleep constantly

Diarhea

Constipation

Chronic Gas

Stomach Pain

Nervousness

Anxiety

Moodiness

Crying every day

Insomnia(even taking melatonin...)

Tired all the time

Aggressive thoughts

Mix up my words, pause, etc...then people start yelling at me because I dont know what I am saying

Forgetting even the simplist things like names of people I see everyday

But sadly its only dug that only midly works me and controls my four seizures a day I get so tired after being at the gym 20 minutes. My grades are steadily declining...) I do not know what to do...I have the dest epileptolosits in Canada on my case