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Are Topamax side effects that bad??

Wed, 07/26/2006 - 12:18
I'm on 1000mg Epilim/Valproic Acid at the moment, which doesnt seem to be working out too well. So my neuro is putting me on Lamictal/lamotrigine but I'm not liking the side effects (rash acne bla bla) So I'd like to change Meds, BUT I want to go on a Med that doesnt cause weight gain (I'm already on 25mg Topamax during the day to help with the Valproic Acid appetite increase) Ive been looking at a load of meds and Topamax seems to be my best bet (meaning it does not cause weight gain and acne) But is it worth it? Because Ive heard the side effects are really bad... (nausea etc etc) I'd really appreciate some help!!

Comments

Re: Are Topamax side effects that bad??

Submitted by Lemon41 on Tue, 2009-02-24 - 00:31
I have been on topamax for about 7 years, since I was 12. I only ever have small auras, and my neurologist recently upped my dosage from 100 mg twice daily to 200 mg twice daily. I experienced little to no side effects at first, with the 100 mg 2/day, other than the usual speech, drowsiness, blah blah. When I doubled my dosage however, everything went to hell. I began losing chunks of short term memory, becoming panicy for no reason, drowsy, and slurring my speech. I am on the bigger side, so I appreciated the weight loss, I guess. But I would rather go to the gym and jog on the treadmill than forget what I did at school the past week. One night, at my friend's house as we were watching TV, I forgot where I was, completely. I e mailed my neurologist and he started me on Dilantin, 200 mg once a day. That only lead to insomnia and nightmares when I could actually sleep. Topamax can be a scary drug. Watch for the side effects.

Re: Are Topamax side effects that bad??

Submitted by ccruse on Wed, 2006-07-26 - 19:26
Topamax is not that bad, in my opinion. I have been on it a little more than a year and after the first few months I got used to the side effects. I really haven't had any issues with nausea. The worst thing is the numbness/tingling and maybe the memory loss, which again, is more pronounced the first few months. I like it because I lost a lot of weight on it, and it is difficult for me to gain weight now. Some things taste funny, too, like soda. I just don't drink it now. Other foods I just don't have a taste for either. I think you have to give it a chance, let your body adjust to it. Good luck to you.

Re: Re: Are Topamax side effects that bad??

Submitted by Catherine on Thu, 2006-07-27 - 07:00
Thanx for your reply, it just seems you cant win with these meds. You just have to pick your side effects in a way! For me its either gaining weight and getting bad skin OR feeling sick and irritable. (like the small 25-50mg of Topamax has done to me in the past)... I just dont know if my neuro wants to change my meds AGAIN.

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