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Global Patient Feedback for Topamax (Topiramate) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Make sure you know the side effects before beginning any new medication
36 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
Wonderful at helping me to quit my "sugar fix" with pop (sodas).
48 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Answer/Reply:
It cured me too! I was taking it for weight-loss. I only had a 1-2 Pepsi a day habit, but it was impossible for me to skip
a day. I was hooked! Everytime I took a sip, I felt like an alooholic, drinking from a bottle of booze! When I took a sip,
I was in heaven.
After taking Topamax for a few months, the pop started tasting like metal. Really gross!
Now, I haven't had one since August 3, 2005!!
53 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-13 20:32:15
Answer/Reply:
I wanted to add to my post above..................I haven't had Topamax for about 2 years, and have no idea if my taste for Pepsi/Coke ever came back. It's been so great being able to give Pop up, that I won't even try to drink it again.
It was too hard to break the habit.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-13 20:36:56
Answer/Reply:
How much weight did you lose? Did your doctor prescribe it to you for weightloss?
44 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-28 10:39:24
Question/Comment:
I wish it had been discovered for a treatment for migraines earlier, I have suffered from debilitating migraines since the early 1990s and tried many medications Topamax was the only one to really prevent them.
39 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
give it time to work
43 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
I am taking 500 mg a day of Topamax for Severe Chronic Pain. I now have an Internal Morphine Pump so I am walking today because of that alone, plus the Topamax I guess. I can't really remember if the Topamax is working. Because I can't remember anything. Like simple works, or spelling. I can't comprehend when I read and have to ask my husband what everything means! I get lost very easily when I am out. I sort of know how a stroke paitien feels, they can see the word in their head but they can't say it. Sort of like..."You know that thing in the kitchen that holds food and is cold". If the doctor or anybody tells me anything I will tell them to write it down or I will forget it before he is done saying it. I forget if I had dinner and heck I made it! Will be playing my DS and turn it off go back to it an hour later and forget what I was doing and where I was in the game.
My doctor call it Stupamax or Dopamax either one applies. I have always been intolerable with drugs and their side affects. If there is a rare side affect I will have it every time.
And thats all I have to say about that...cause I forgot what I was going to say!
52 yr female
somewhere in the USA
When I remember I will add it
53 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-22 07:00:48
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Hi there,
I am also a Chronic Pain sufferer from multiple health problems. it has been a long ride for the last 20 or so years. Through getting Sober 14 years ago due to my health problems I am also Bi-Polar. Which who knows what came first the chicken or the egg.
My medications are Zoloft 100 mg in the morning, then my HRT, along with a time released Morphine pill that is 60 mg. I have cut it down because all I do is sleep. Then I have since gotten so severe with pain I have increased it back to twice a day. Memory is a problem anyway because I have severe Fibromyalgia. When it hits it hits hard.
At night I have cut down the Seroquel to one pill, then I take Topamax One pill. Today I woke earlier but I felt so sick to my stomach and the back opain was so severe I laid in bed until noon.
However, I am painting in Oils and it is one of my many gifts from God. When I feel suicidal, I know it is a lie and I Pray, Trust in God and do something for the day. Helping someone else helps me. Praying for others is always a blessing and a way to overcome my own Health inadequancies.
With that I am praying for you and your Health to improve.
Thanks,
Pam <><
Posted: 2008-05-01 02:55:48
Question/Comment:
HI CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT SIDE EFFECTS I NEED TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR WITH REGARDS TO THE INTERACTIONS WITH THE TOPAMAX AND LITHIUM. I AM ON THE RECOMENDED MAX DOSE PER DAY. THANK YOU
47 year old Male
Posted: 2008-04-20 23:17:29
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The best place to learn about reported side effects of your medication is from the US Prescribing Information (should be located as a link at the top right hand side box of all iGuard medication pages)... Look under the "ADVERSE EVENTS" section, it will list all the reported side effects, and the % of people that developed these side effects in clinical trials.
Thank you,
Ginny
Posted: 2008-04-24 10:56:57
Question/Comment:
I was having migraines daily several years ago. No medication helped. I finally was put on 100mg of Topamax. My migraines slowly tapered off, but my memory was non-existant. After arguing with my Dr, he slowly decreased my dosage until I'm now on only 25mg at bedtime with no migraines. If I have a flare up, I'll take Axert, have injections or try other meds for temporary relief. I'm just thankful to have my memory back.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-29 11:05:12
Question/Comment:
i was eletricuted at the age of 6 as of this i have had seizures i have been on Dilantan to Depacot and ganed 80 pounds i have my seizures in my sleep and there hard for my DR to control some times i feel like he wants to fix me and he cant and the the dr gets frustrated with me i actualy had on throw up his hands and say well there is nothing i can do for you so i got a new dr i moved to CA and got my new DR and he took me off depacot and put me on topamax and i droped the 80 pounds and my seizures went from 5 a month to 2 a month and lighter i feel we are making head way he tryed mixing the topamax with elavil but that endid up in disaster i don't take meds well and wow that did a number on me it took him 2 weeks to stop the angziaty atacks to stop i take 250 ml topimax at night and he is slowly rasing it becouse i cant think strait it takes about a month for 25ml to make not feel stupid and some times i feel stupid when i'm running the snack bar at my daughters school and have to think about how much change you give back from a five dollar bill when the sale was 2.50 that is bad but i vulinteer becouse my DR took me out of work and on my good days i need to do somthing and i love being with my daughter who is a great healp to me so topamax has helped me get back a porshin of my life back and it's great 44year old femal
46 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-28 15:06:58
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Topamax 200mg twice a day since 2000. I used to be in Accounting. Now I'm lucky to remember what day it is or how to spell it. I'm also on Elavil 100mg at bed. So far, it has been the only med's that work. It is an unfornanate trade off, pain or memory?
41 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-16 14:20:00
Answer/Reply:
I take Topamax 200mg twice a day and have since 2001. It has been a life saver for me. In 2001 I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. My doctor told me the first time I she saw me I would NEVER work again, that is how bad it was. I was very lucky she started me on low doses of Topamax and worked me up to the dosage that I'm at now. I'm virtually seizure free unless I get overly tired or extremely stressed, an added benefit that came with the Topamax - I suffer from MTH Snydrome & Migraines. I used to go to the hospital & get shots sometimes as many as 3 at a time just to knock me out for 1 to 2 days at a time they were so bad. Now I take Midrin and Naproxine and only when I have to which MAYBE one day a month or every other month. I also lost about 40 lbs, and I was able to go off about (5) of my asthma medicines, because I lost weight, and for the past five years I've had no hospital stays for my asthma or respiratory problems. And my doctor released me October 2007 to go back to work full time. I have some memory problems but not related to the Topamax, I had two mild strokes before I was diagnosed with the Epilepsy and another mini stroke in December 2006, of course the Epilepsy effects my memory as well. Actually my memory has been coming back in bits and pieces, because I finally decided to just relax and let it do its own thing. I do take Effexor XR for depression and anxiety I was taking 150mg 2x a day, since 2001 but now only 1x a day, it effected my memory. I also take pain meds, because I have arthritis in my hands, and spine, and I have fibromyagilia. But I believe in my case the Topamax 200mg twice a day has saved my life and I will be on it for the rest of my life.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-24 02:04:19
Answer/Reply:
I am on Topamax 200mg twice a day. Use to be on Elavil 75mg. this did nothing for severe migranes. I believe the Elavil conteracts with the Topamax. I have seizure free for 4 years. I am now on Inderal 20mg twice a day. work well. Plus i exercise. I don't pain medication as often. My memory us to slip sense the switch not as bad. Now I get my spelling jambled or confused. I can live with that.
40 year old Male
Posted: 2008-02-26 09:24:11
Question/Comment:
I am bi-polar type II which means I can't take anti-depressants, so I take 100 mg of TOPAMAX before bed to stabilize my mood. I was also morbidly obese, and my doctor knew that a common side effect of the RX was anorexia or appetite loss, so he put me on it 3 years ago. I have lost 107 lbs!!!! and my moods ar more stable.
29 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-13 23:07:53
Answer/Reply:
Bipolar people usually can not take SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) because it causes a manic effect and sleeplessness. However, there are other types of antidepressants a bipolar can take without having the side effects of the SSRI's. I take Cymbalta, a SSNRI, (Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) with Topamax, and it seems to be the miracle combination for me. Something about the Norepinephrine element that helps work things out. I also take Trazodone to get to sleep. Another thing overweight bipolars need to stay from is aspartame (Nutra-Sweet). IT IS POISON. Better to go with sucralose, Splenda. When I cut out the Aspartame alone, my migraines decreased SIGNIFICANTLY. I used to have 2-3 vomiting migraines a month, where I'd have to go to ER and get pumped full of morphine. Since eliminating Aspartame from my diet, it's been years since I've been to the ER for morphine.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-23 19:14:13
Question/Comment:
There have been a lot of SCARE comments on several sites I've been to regarding Topamax. It is a very potent and tricky medication. I am on a low dosage of 2 50 mg tablets at night before bed, and I take it with the anti-depressant Cymbalta. I have been on this combination for almost two years now and have had such a significant decrease in my migraines and such a significant increase in my mood (depression) that I feel it is worth the risk and side effects.
My worst side effect is memory loss. I have always been pretty sharp and had a quick mind. Since I've been on topamax, I feel like an airhead, and I feel the loss of respect from family memebers and at work because my job performance and ability to just remember what someone said to me 10 minutes ago is gone. I'm really a space case a lot of the time. This is the worst part, but I suppose I can sacrafice some pride for not being in a dark room for about 75% of my life as I was for almost 8 years previous to finding this solution for my SEVERE migraines.
Topamax is not for everyone with migraines. AND I believe from my personal experience it is only for those who cannot find relief from the typical meds like imitrex and other meds for post migraine relief. My migraines were brought on by neurological triggers like flashing/brigh lights, loud noises, strong odors, or just plain stress. Imitrex and other meds like it did NOTHING for me. Preventative was the only way to go.
If the side effects are worse than the relief, obviously, you should try something else. It's a matter of the lesser of two evils, I suppose.
40 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-10 00:29:29
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Topamax 200mg for over a year and my it has helped me tremendously with my migraines. But it also effected my memory. I had to quit teaching because of memory loss and other health problems. My doctor put me on Nemenda. It is a medicine for Alzheimer's. I have been on it for 4 weeks and my memory is slowly getting better. Ask your doctor about it.
39 year old female
41 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-16 14:58:10
Question/Comment:
Prescription is for 200mg tablets; Dosing is as follows: Take One (1) 200mg Tablet at Bedtime. Quantity is Thirty (30) Tablets Per Month. Medication is prescribed to alleviate extended nerve pain from degenerative disk disease in lumbar spine.
46 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-09 12:25:59
Answer/Reply:
I've had 2 major surgeries and other out-patient surgeries over the years on my lower back. I've suffered with low back and neck pain since 1994 and have been on every kind of pain medication and anti-depressant you can imagine, trying to find some semblance of my old self. The topamax is currently the medication I've been on the longest. I've never changed it though the various other meds that I've taken have changed from time to time due to recalls or side effects. I've never changed the topamax prescription, yet I've mentioned on more than one occasion to my doctor that my memory seems to be getting worse and worse. It really bothers me, yet it never seems to evoke much of a response from her except to say that it's a side effect of the medication I'm on. Is this what we have to do in order to try in live a life that sometimes pain free? Do we have to always trade one or two of our other senses for three or four hours of no pain in our lives? Somehow, it just doesn't seem fair. I feel stuck in a vicious cycle with these medications. Yet, what can I do.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-16 00:02:42
Question/Comment:
DO NOT---I REPEAT, DO NOT TAKE TOPAMAX IN COMBINATION WITH EFFEXOR XR OR ANY OTHER ANTI-DEPRESSANT / ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE MEDICATION. DO NOT TAKE MIGRANAL SPRAY WITH ANY KIND OF ANTI-DEPRESSANT / ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE MEDICATION. A NEUROLOGIST WHO I WAS SEEING FOR MIGRAINES AND KNEW I WAS TAKING EFFEXOR XR GAVE ME THESE TWO DRUGS AND THE INTERACION CAUSED TWO ATTACKS OF NARROW-ANGLE GLAUCOMA. (THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY A TOP OPTHAMOLOGIST)... MIGRAINE MEDICATIONS WHICH AFFECT THE BLOOD VESSELS IN THE HEAD WHEN COMBINED WITH ANTI-DEPRESSANT / ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE DRUGS WILL DAMAGE YOUR EYES SEVERELY!!!!!!
55 year old Male
Posted: 2008-01-30 07:35:44
Answer/Reply:
I just read your comment about the Topamax - Effexor XR combination causing severe eye damage...I think that meds effect everyone differently. Because I take both of them, and have since 2001, and actually my vision has gotten better. I used to wear glasses, for being nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmtism, I had bifocials in my glasses at the age of 38 yrs old. I'm now 53 yrs old, and my opthamologist says my astigmtism is mild, and I can get by with over the counter reading glasses. I still have problems with night vision (a haloing problem) from car lights but some of that has to do with my astigmtism and some with Epilepsy.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2008-02-24 02:12:41
Answer/Reply:
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. I was put on Paxil to help me sleep and it double dosed my Zonegran. What a zombie I was. I became so lethargic and had seizures 2-3 times a week. Once I got off the Paxil, I was back to life again. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT take anti-depressants while on seizure medications. QUESTION YOUR DOCTOR AND HIS PRESCRIPTIONS. Use iguard.org as your bible.
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-04 21:28:14
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