I am on day 5 with Topamax, I feel like crap, when do these side effects go away?

22 May 2011

Hi sorry to hear you're suffering! I take seroquel, i started on them december 2010. I had the same 'zombie' like feeling and memory loss and also a strange numbness/tingling in my legs. I was started on other meds at the same time and i was unwell mentally, so i just assumed it was how i was feeling and didn't/couldn't put it down to any 'single' thing. Months later i had my meds reviewed and my seroquel was reduced in strength. I am now like a different person! My doctor explained that some people are particularly sensitive to seroquel, some people can tolerate only the lowest dose, where as some can tolerate up to 400mg. I was taking 200mg and my dose was reduced just by 50mg (to 150mg) and it was amazing the difference it made. If your symptoms continue speak to your dr again. I hope you're feeling better soon.

22 May 2011

I had a really hard time on Topamax too. I stopped driving for 2 months because the side effects were that bad and I was just out of it for lack of a better term. I did eventually get used to it. I would say right around 2 and 1/2 months after starting it. It really helped with preventing my migraines but I had to discontinue use because it caused kidney stones. I would say if you can, try and tough it out, but if it really is past your limit then talk to your doctor about discontinuing it and finding something that works better for you. I will say everyone I know that has taken Topamax said it was hard at first but it was worth it in the end. I'm the only one I know that then had problems with kidney stones. There is only about a 1 percent chance of having that same problem. If you do decide to discontinue it make sure you talk with your doctor first. It is a medication that you have to wean off of just like you have to build up on it. Good Luck

22 May 2011

Hi Brianna,
I would call your pharmacist. They know the meds the best. Tell him/her the symptoms you are having and I am sure he/she will be able to help you to make a desicion. Hope this helps.

3 Jun 2011

ive been on topamax for about 3months, first month or so was hell then it got better, used to take seroquel before that for sleep and mood stabilization. but stopped cuz it made me like a zombie no matter how much i slept. but i dont know if you found this out already, or are still taking topamax and seroquel together. but BOTH topamax and seroquel have major drug interactions, look it up on the interactions checker and let the doctor know if you havent already. hope all goes well.

3 Jun 2011

i have been on topamax for topamax for2 months(the end of june will b my 3rd) and i am also sticking out the gross side effects; blurry vision, dry eyes, air headedness and super cotton mouth.my only regret starting this med was not knowing more about birth control and anticonvulsants:(. i guess the bc isnt as effective. my dr is aware i am on bc n wants me to take 100 mg but i can only tolerate 75mg @ the moment so... i read that depending on the amnt u take also determins the effect on your bc... is that true... anyway briannamartel i am there w/ ya w/ these crazy side effects which my doc says will go away. :(

15 Jul 2011

Me? Is that You? omg. I'm only on 25 mg of Topamax 2x a day and i feel like crap too. I'm only on day 5. I've come off tegretol because it quit working more than half the time for prevention. Slowly going onto Topamax, and the side effects (nausea, bone pain, depression, feet/hands asleep) outweigh the migraine prevention. Five days, Three Imitrex. When's this going to actually work?

18 Jul 2011

27 Jul 2011

ive been on topamax for several yrs,its the only medicine they found to help my migraines.i was having 15 to 20 a month and after taking topamax for about 8 weeks i only have about 2 to 3 a month now and there not nearly as severe.the numbness and tingling was in my feet and hands.it got better after about 3 months but i still get it in my feet now and then.i have had migraines since the age of nine also.i also have fibromyalgia and interstitual cystitis which also cause migraines. i hope this is helpful but a beta blocker added to your daily meds might help also i take that twice a day also.

31 Dec 2011

Carela1985, When did you start taking Topamax? I started two months ago at 25mg once at night. Now I'm at two 25mg at night, slowly increasing... dr. says I can up it to 100mg. Migraines have gotten so much better. Side effects have improved somewhat. Feelings of having flu-like symptoms; fatigue, etc., have NOT been fun. First time in a very long time of not having migraines (half the month!) have been nice. Sometimes it's hard to weigh the undesirable effects. Guess as long as worse side effects don't happen, we're okay? I hate meds anyway, but migraines really interfere with life. Knowing side effects do get better with time helps.

Question: Does the dosage (in time) lose effectiveness to a point where you have to up the dose?

Question: How long does it take to taper off Topamax once deciding it's time?

Question? How long is a medication like this expected to help?

Thank you fellow migraine sufferers!