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Topamax Side Effects

Sun, 08/31/2008 - 09:44

i've been on Topamax for two months now 50mg a day.. first month was great(no seizures YAY) and no side effects.. this second month though i've been having really bad side pains, constipation this whole month, back pain, and abdominal pain constantly.. i saw an internest they said i wasnt having an "infection" so that wasnt the problem so they wouldnt do anything for me so i went to another hospital and they said maybe my colone was irritated from eating lots of hot food lately so they gave me a laxative and stuff (sorry for the details) and it helped for a few days but i was still having the pains and after i stopped the meds the constipatin came back.. and its just worse.. i've also lost 10 pounds this last two months.. could these all be side effects?? i'm also on Keppra 1500mg a day but i've been on that since january and havent had any side effects from it.

Comments

Re: Topamax Side Effects

Submitted by densmore on Tue, 2008-09-02 - 10:44

My name is Lindsay and I have been on Topomax now for 11 years and Keppra for 2 or 3 years I don't remember considering how many drug changes I've had over the years. Being on Topomax has really helped control my seizures as for your side effects I do Know that weight loss is a side effect of topomax and I suffered weight loss as well, I lost 20lbs in one month and didn't change anything in my eating or exercising habits. However after loosing the 20lbs I didn't loose anymore. If you continue to keep loosing alot of weight I would consult your doctor and neurologist and just keep eating a healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis. I started exercising and I've had fewer seizures and I feel a whole lot better in general. As for your other side effects such as side pain and constipation I've never had any of those due to the medication, however I'm not a medical doctor and I don't know all of the possible side effects of topomax and keppra. I would however find out everything you can about all the possible side effects of the two medicines and what can happen when taken together or with any other medication you may be taking, there might be other reasons as to why your having pain such as it may be something in certain foods that your eating on a constant basis or something to that degree. However, I would consult your doctor and neurologist and don't gorget to get a second opinion.

My name is Lindsay and I have been on Topomax now for 11 years and Keppra for 2 or 3 years I don't remember considering how many drug changes I've had over the years. Being on Topomax has really helped control my seizures as for your side effects I do Know that weight loss is a side effect of topomax and I suffered weight loss as well, I lost 20lbs in one month and didn't change anything in my eating or exercising habits. However after loosing the 20lbs I didn't loose anymore. If you continue to keep loosing alot of weight I would consult your doctor and neurologist and just keep eating a healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis. I started exercising and I've had fewer seizures and I feel a whole lot better in general. As for your other side effects such as side pain and constipation I've never had any of those due to the medication, however I'm not a medical doctor and I don't know all of the possible side effects of topomax and keppra. I would however find out everything you can about all the possible side effects of the two medicines and what can happen when taken together or with any other medication you may be taking, there might be other reasons as to why your having pain such as it may be something in certain foods that your eating on a constant basis or something to that degree. However, I would consult your doctor and neurologist and don't gorget to get a second opinion.

Re: Topamax Side Effects

Submitted by cerr8827 on Sat, 2008-12-20 - 20:21

I am so happy I found this website! I had no idea people felt the same way/ had the same symptoms I did (or even took Topamax haha). I have been on Topamax for about 3 years now and they are finally weening me off of it. I was up to 150 twice a day for my migraines (I'm on other medications for them too - Relpax, to name one). I lost about 30+ lbs in the process but stopped losing weight after that and have kept it off (thank god) even though I am now down to a much lower dosage (about 75 a day). Though Topamax made me get in somewhat control of my migraines, in the process I constantly lost feeling in my face and hands and my cognitive thinking is not what it used to be. All my friends and family tell me it is noticeable how much slower I have become. My reaction time is also terrible. On top of that, my hair also starting falling out in mass clumps and has not stopped. It used to be thick and full of volume and now it is fine and tangles easily. It makes me sick to think how much I have spent on hair products. I also have to be careful about drinking because (I am at a university where binge drinking is prevalent) Topamax isn't safe to mix with alcohol. I have found this out the hard way after having a seizure (I'm not epileptic) when I took Topamax one night and then had too much to drink.

 

I just re read this and I don't mean to scare anyone away from taking Topamax...without it I seriously would still be failing school and not being able to get out of bed because of my uncontrollable migraines. Just the side effects are a lot more severe than I thought they would ever be. :)

I am so happy I found this website! I had no idea people felt the same way/ had the same symptoms I did (or even took Topamax haha). I have been on Topamax for about 3 years now and they are finally weening me off of it. I was up to 150 twice a day for my migraines (I'm on other medications for them too - Relpax, to name one). I lost about 30+ lbs in the process but stopped losing weight after that and have kept it off (thank god) even though I am now down to a much lower dosage (about 75 a day). Though Topamax made me get in somewhat control of my migraines, in the process I constantly lost feeling in my face and hands and my cognitive thinking is not what it used to be. All my friends and family tell me it is noticeable how much slower I have become. My reaction time is also terrible. On top of that, my hair also starting falling out in mass clumps and has not stopped. It used to be thick and full of volume and now it is fine and tangles easily. It makes me sick to think how much I have spent on hair products. I also have to be careful about drinking because (I am at a university where binge drinking is prevalent) Topamax isn't safe to mix with alcohol. I have found this out the hard way after having a seizure (I'm not epileptic) when I took Topamax one night and then had too much to drink.

 

I just re read this and I don't mean to scare anyone away from taking Topamax...without it I seriously would still be failing school and not being able to get out of bed because of my uncontrollable migraines. Just the side effects are a lot more severe than I thought they would ever be. :)

Re: Topamax Side Effects

Submitted by pewter on Sun, 2008-11-23 - 21:34

All the stuff you mentioned is in the literature given to me with my bottle of Topamax as being adverse effects.  I'd really speak with the doc asap.

All the stuff you mentioned is in the literature given to me with my bottle of Topamax as being adverse effects.  I'd really speak with the doc asap.

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