Topamax for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 5)

• allison
• December 15, 2016

"I have only been on it for about 6 days and already seen a incredible difference. I had a headache everyday for a year and a half and got bad migraine about 2-3 times a week. I have not had a migraine yet and my everyday headache has calm down. When I first started it did make me very drowsy but that went away as I got use to it"

• Sheryl...
• February 9, 2016

"It lessened the frequency of my migraines. But the side effects are not worth the relief it provided. It turned me into a zombie. I didn't care about anything. I couldn't even taste my food! And the worst part was it robbed me of my ability to be alarmed by the growing severity of my depression and other serious symptoms. After three months, I was GLAD to detox. 4 days clean and I can almost taste sugar again. Can't wait til the brain fog lifts."

• thisi...
• August 8, 2013

"My migraines are primarily abdominal, but I get daily 'tension" type headaches as well. But my nausea "attacks" are totally debilitating and the headaches get more so every day. I took Topamax starting at 25 mgs then increased. I noticed it really helping my symptoms, way less nausea, headaches stopped and I could sleep well. Unfortunately, I am one of the people who react with a rare side effect of an acute onset closed angle glaucoma attack and my vision got very blurry and got so bad I could not see anything but blobs if it was more that 12 inches from my face. If you get blurred vision go to the ER and show them the letter from the Topamax website, because ER had never heard of that reaction. I gave it a 5 because it worked until then."

• Gerar...
• July 22, 2015

"I have suffered from severe migraines since I was 15 and the older I got the more severe they got I have been on numerous medications over the years but 5 years ago I found a neurologist that gave me Topamax and my life has changed completely 50g in the morning and 50g at night and I don't get any anymore I had a few at the start but haven't had a headache now for a few years thank God for Topamax"

• mrhot...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 25, 2013

"I took Topamax as much as 300mg/day for 15 years and my last dose was 150mg at night. I recently changed to Lyrica which is also an anti-convulsant and am taking 100mg/day and find it more effective than Topamax without the memory and lost word problems. I discontinued Topamax because it slowly got to the point where I could not remember something for an hour. Topamax also was causing erectile dysfunction problems for the last 3 years. I do not have this problem with Lyrica. In the end I was getting 5 or more migraines a week and now get 2 or 3 a week and expect to increase Lyrica to 300mg/day."

• Femal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2018

"I have been taking Topamax for 15 years since 2003. I use it for Migraines and mood disorder. It has been a life saver for me. For the mood disorder it was at 50mg at night, but for migraines I am not at 125 (50 in morning and 75 at night). It works."

• PMari...
• June 9, 2016

"I've been on Topamax (topiramate) for 6 years, and loved it at first. My migraines decreased dramatically, I had weight loss from the appetite suppression, and I overall felt better. But I had pretty bad tingling in my hands and all over my face for the whole time I've taken it. Also more recently, I've made the connection with my severe memory loss to the medication. I used to be able to retain information and facts like an elephant, but I can hardly recall simple words some days. I'm planning on going off the Topamax (with the direction of my neuro) because the memory loss issue is so disturbing to me."

• Ali...
• September 15, 2017

"At first I did not like it at all - I started off on 50mg (recommended) and found it wasn't working. I also was super spaced out, unfocused and constantly feeling like my brain was going but my body wasn't (It was WEIRD). This went on for about a week, then it worked perfectly and I was completely normal. However the migraines started coming back so I am now on 100mg a day and the same thing happened when I upped the dosage. It's working now though! I didn't notice any difference in tasting things but I did get tingles in my fingers and toes! Otherwise all round amazing medicine!!"

• WKB
• June 9, 2017

"I had a horrible experience on this medication back in 2005/2006. I started on a low dose of 25 mg/day and had severe nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and memory impairment. Worked up to 50 mg 2xday, and the nausea/diarrhea eventually abated but the dizziness, fatigue, confusion and memory problems continued and I developed a bad tremor in my hands - I was dropping everything, couldn’t write legibly, and spilled food constantly. And I still had 10-15 debilitating migraines a month. Had to wean off it but 10+ years later I STILL HAVE MILD HAND TREMORS. Worst medication experience of my life."

• CaliH...
• June 26, 2013

"I originally started on Topamax for Migraines and found it to be a 10 for that. I went from 4-5 monthly to maybe 2-3 per year. Life changing! It was difficult for my body to adapt to at first and I had to build up VERY slowly using 12.5mg for a few weeks in the morning and then adding an evening dose, etc. It made me feel horrible, tired, breathless, out of sorts and dopey overall but over time all that wore off and in addition to the absence of migraines I enjoyed a more even keel mood, more control over my decision making including less desire for alcohol. This made staying sober easier than at previous attempts. I also struggled less with eating issues. I've had to increase over time and take breaks/restart to manage the dosage amount vs tolerance."

• Casey...
• July 11, 2015

"While on Topamax, I lost my ability to think straight. I couldn't process things the same way. I couldn't even finish my sentences. I would start talking and would forget the words that came next. My friends and family would have to help me finish my sentences. After getting off the medicine, I could finally finish my thoughts again. However, I feel like I still cannot learn as easily as I did before I got on the medicine. I think it changed my brain processing capability. I have talked to a friend who had the exact same problem on this medicine. I would not recommend it unless you actually cannot live without it."

• CalmB
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2015

"I have suffered hormonal migraines since my early 20's (now early 40's). I had tried most everything for migraines and they were still coming and starting to cluster. I was put onto Topirmirate by my GP at the recommendation of the specialist I saw after plan A stopped working after 6 months. I had some extremity tingling for about 6 weeks when I first started (I was slowly built up to 100mg daily dose). In the interest of full disclosure I am also a type 1 diabetic so I am monitored pretty closely for sight and kidney function and I have had no issues around this. I have also started taking an anti depressant to combat a hormone imbalance issue so I don't get the mood swings either."

• Awastar
• May 13, 2016

"After my second baby I had an increase in hormonal migraines and tension headaches and my neurologist put me on topomax starting @ 25 per night until I got a final dose of 100mg split between am /pm. Initially I noticed a lot of tingling in hands, feet & face, in week 2 a very tense jaw, I still feel like myself, but I feel more tired. I dont need to nap or anything during the day but at night i have NO trouble sleeping .All of the pain in my head disappered I thought it was amazing but I did get 2 hormonal headaches (not migraine strength) all in all not bad. I eat a dinner meal only and drink water all day long this med just makes me not want food. Weightloss:10kgs in 3 months.. I have no depression just tiredness its not fixed by naps"

• wxyzj...
• February 28, 2008

"After 8 years, five different doctors, and just about every possible prescription and home remedy, I finally found something that works. I have been taking Topamax for five months and love it. The only side effects have been a change in my taste buds and the tingling sensation. My doctor wanted to increase the dosage. However, after reading about the drug, I think the severities of the side effects are directly related to the dosages. My dosage is 25 mg twice daily and sometimes I only take it one a day. For those who are still suffering, I am sorry. Don’t give up hope. Something has to work and until then try the pain medication."

• Sarab...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 18, 2016

"This has been a life saver for me as far as migraines go. At first I had a few of the side effects, brain fog, forgetfulness, but that went away after a month or so. Without this drug, I get at least 2-3 headaches a week ranging from dull to severe. I rarely have a migraine while on it."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2010

"LOVE LOVE LOVE this medicine! I was apprehensive at first because of all the side effect horror stories, but at the end of my rope with around 15-17 bad migraines per month. Sometimes I would have them 10 days in a row and my insurance would not pay for enough Imitrex, then I would run out and just suffer for days. Side effects were so bad the first week I almost quit: dizzy, complete "weirdness", inability to handle more than one task at a time, anxiety, spacing out and forgetting things, etc. And I still got migraines. It was a little scary. On day 8 I took a leap of faith, increased my dose (as per the doctors orders) and the side effects all but went away, as did the migraines. Life is better now."

• Little...
• October 11, 2016

"For the first time in my life (I'm 76 years old) I am migraine free!!! It has been 5 years since I started taking Topamax and I have had only one migraine. I used to have at least one migraine a week and sometimes more since I was a small child complaining about the corner of my head hurt. I would have major pain, vomiting and and have to go to bed in a dark cool room."

• Helped
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2016

"I've been on Topamax for probably at least 15 years, 400 mg daily. I'm get debilating migraines. After reading these reviews I guess I am one of the lucky ones as I have not received one side effect. I take it at night. If the migrane is really bad I add one pill of Relpax and that does the job."

• DDInd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2016

"I didn't use it long enough to see if it would prevent my monthly migraine but I wanted to share the side effects I experienced. I started with 25 milligrams twice a day for 7 days and felt ok but did experience some tingling in my feet and fingers. Then I increased to 50 milligrams twice a day per doctor's order and things really changed. I started having the craziest dreams every night. Tingling was very pronounced every day in feet and hands. I couldn't get out of bed easily. I felt very lethargic and really like a zombie. I kind of had a flat affect and felt very robotic at times. Other times I was very depressed and irritable or even angry. I stopped taking it. Also was hungry all the time. That was not normal for me at all."

• POB
• April 1, 2013

"I have chronic daily migraines, and have tried several medications for migraine prevention, including Depakote, Elavil (amitriptyline), nortriptyline, and propranolol. The Depakote, amitriptyline and nortriptyline were too sedating. The propranolol worked well, but I had too increase the dosage over time to the point where my blood pressure became too low. Right now a combination of Topamax at 50 mg and propranolol extended release at 60 mg works best for me. There are few adverse effects. The Topamax does cause some frustrating cognitive difficulties but I think I can live with them, considering the relief it gives me from the migraines."

• Chubb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2017

"I was prescribed Topamax as a Migraine preventative and experienced just about every side effect. I started 25mg/day at night for 7 days, moved up to 75mg after 3 weeks and remained there. Within 48 hours I was didn't have a headache at all, but was experiencing side effects of tingling fingers, no appetite and change in taste of foods/carbonated beverages. I did have a hard time concentrating, I'd get confused and would randomly slur words. I weighted 120-ish when I started and within a few months, was 110 or less. I did work out and noticed no matter how hard I pushed, I didn't sweat and randomly got dizzy. Side effects are no joke, but you adjust after a few weeks."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2012

"Helped a lot with chronic migraines. I lost a lot of weight (I weighed 146 and I dropped down to 123 in two months). I ate less but I was still eating close to what I ate before being on the medicine. I think it must speed up your metobolism. I had some mood changes and I did have a little memory loss. I would forget words and things like that. I work with people so I noticed it more because people would point it out. My hands/feet tingled. I noticed less side effects when I took the medicine at night. I only take 50mg at night, that's all I ever have taken and it works for me. It does wonders for my migraines and it's worth the minor side effects. If you are a pop or beer drinker you will HATE it because it ruins carbonated beverages."

• Unique
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2015

"I took Topamax a few years ago and regret it. It has changed my life for the worse. Even after stopping the meds several years ago, I still have bad brain fog, loss of vision, memory loss especially short term, lost the ability to comprehend things and lost ability to do simple functions such as basic math. Prior to taking this medicine I was at the top of my game. Now I feel helpless and the doctors were no help. My vision changed after it, mind you I had lasik eye surgery and could see perfectly fine prior to this. It's frustrating because I have to do things differently now and it's embarrassing because people look at you like something wrong since you can't do simple things a 2 year old can do!"

• linl
• August 12, 2011

"I started Topamax in 2005. Doctor said he was going to kill three birds with one stone; migraines, fibromyalgia, and weight. Started on 25mg a day for the first week, 50 the next, then 75 and at a month I was at 100mg. Every week I had different side effects. I would talk funny, not be able to walk, tingly feeling in my extremities, and soda started tasting DISGUSTING! By the end of two months most of the side effects had gone. A few things to mention though; you WILL be thirsty all the time; my suggestion is to carry a bottle of water with you at ALL times. You will NOT sweat; make sure you keep cool. And I lost 76lbs in 6 mo! Looking better than ever, and kept it off for 6 years now! Good luck to you all, stick to it and it will work for you."

• stacy...
• November 19, 2007

"Hi I have taken topamax for almost a year, not only is it expensive, my husband wanted me to stop taking it. He said I was acting like a witch, and I did not notice any change in my migraines just weight loss. I also had difficulty speaking and could not think of what I wanted to say. I no longer take it but I am still looking for something to help with my migraines."