does anyone taking topamax have any side effects such as tingling and numbness.
And sometimes i wake up and my legs hurt so bad. I have also noticed soda taste different.
Topamax - Anyone getting tingling / numbness side effects?
Question posted by amandixs on 19 July 2009
Last updated on 1 July 2018
10 Answers
Cbrooks01
1 July 2018
I to take Topiramate and get the numbness and tingling in my hands and legs. Also I had to stop drinking pop to because to me it was tasting flat.
L1234
19 July 2013
I took this for a short time... Numbness in feet and legs ... did not go away even after a few months... got worse in fact. My daughter had to go off ... Caused medication induced lupus!!! She had severe joint pain and tested positive for lupus. Went off drug... lupus went away... no problems at all now. A friend taking it also got sick from topamax... didn't eat enough.
lochandkey
21 June 2012
The tingling happens to me, mostly in parts of my foot (like the top right side, or just one or two toes), and in my hands, mostly in the winter, but it's irritating.
And I've also had the soda problem (anything carbonated). It's because Topamax rewires things in your head, and the sensation of the bubbles bursting on your tongue does not get routed the same way anymore. All of it tastes like bizarre acid to me, no matter what flavor, but hey, it's actually kind of a nice way to force yourself to drink more water ;)
My worst side effect has been the memory loss - it's been devastating. I can't remember anything - things that happened yesterday or huge life events. It's scary and depressing. I'm not going to take it anymore, I'd rather have the headaches than to forget the life I'm living. What's the point of doing anything if you aren't going to remember it?
lEXiiS_
12 July 2011
I haven't been on Topamax hardly two weeks and I've already experienced some of the worst side effects imaginable. UNBELIEVABLE memory loss; I can be right in the middle of a sentence, and forget what I'm speaking about completely. Or, I can be on my way to do a chore, and than stop dead in my tracks, and stand for a good five minutes wondering what I'm doing in the first place. I was placed on the medicine for my intolerant migraines, and since my Mother has epilepsy, than I am due for an EEG next week. I have also experienced double vision, although I thought it was just blurriness. I've experienced a little bit of the weight loss, mostly just in the appetite region, because I generally wake up and won't feel hungry until 5 P.M. Another bad side effect is that I am on Xanax XR, and combining the two drugs together seems like hell.
Xanax calms me down, and keeps my nerves at a somewhat consistent level; and with Topamax, it gives me an extremely high heart rate and gives me constant panic attacks. But, needless to say, it has healed my migraines. It has done that much, to say the least. I am an immaculate student in school, and am great at speaking, and writing speeches. That seems almost completely difficult now that I'm on Topamax.. I'm can read particularly fast, but now, I see that my reading has decreased majorily. But, I suppose it's worth it. My migraines were morbid. My mother suffered from a Grand Mal, and is now on a high dosage of Lamictal. But yeah, I only felt the tingling feeling the first few days. Only feel it occasionally now. Best of luck! ** I know this is a bit lateeee, !
pettypoolamanda
22 Dec 2010
I agree with you I take the topamax everyday and I have lost hair right now as a side effect. Soda taste like crap and so does alot of food..I would call the doctor right away. That is what I am doing in the morning.
keyvan
12 Oct 2010
Severe allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), blood in the urine, blurred vision, bone pain,chest pain, confusion, decreased coordination, depression, double vision or other vision changes, eye pain, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, memory problems, menstrual changes, mental or mood changes, muscle or joint pain, cramps, or weakness, rapid, shallow breathing, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin,ringing in the ears, severe or persistent loss of appetite, severe stomach, side, or back pain, significant weight loss, speech problems, stupor, suicidal thoughts or actions; tremor, trouble thinking, concentrating, or remembering things, trouble walking, unexplained fever, unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual eye movement, unusual tiredness
bonsky
12 Oct 2010
Hi,,i have been taking 100mg/daily of topamax for almost a year now for headaches. It certainly cleared up my headaches, but been in a stupor for a year, and word loss. I weaned myself off of it due to feeling "stupid" as you will find many posts stating this as a major side effect. I don't notice tingling too much, many other people have. Soda... might as well face it for several months that it is going to taste aweful. I was surprised myself on what a difference it made on taste, and my appetite lower. Check with your doctor on dosage, which makes a big difference. Many doctors think more is better when they themselves really don't know for sure. I have found reading posts about people on topamax educated me as dosages and age, and what you are taking it for makes a difference. I also noticed younger people, meaning in 18-25 year old bracket, seemed to have more side effects.
I am 48 years old, again major side effect was not being able to focus/speak correctly/spell/tired and general fog type of feeling. This is day 2 of not being on topamax, and hoping I will be able to not have to take it... time will tell. I don't want to scare you about the drug, because it has its advantages, but dosage is relevant and if you decide its not for you, don't just stop taking it... Taper off slowly... Seriously... I took over two weeks tapering just on 100mg daily... So be cautious. It can be good for certain people, other people, it just doesn't ... I missing the word... "work out" Everyone is different... If you have more questions, I will let you know what ever I can... just send message...
God Bless...
HomeBound
12 March 2011
As a migraine sufferer for 12 yrs. that's tried several medications, I finally had to start Topamax. My concerns are the many side effects experienced just after 5 days of 25mg daily. Do newbies also go through this?
- The 1st night after taking it, woke up dizzy, weak, & fatigued. Later on I became so agitated w/my boyfriend while making dinner. At night, clumsiness w/spilling things & depression set in.
- After the 2nd nightly dose, sharp chest pain woke me up @ 5am! I was dizzy, shaky, & scared, but pain stopped after drinking full glass of water. Couldn't sleep for several hours after that. My Dr. said the heartburn should stop by taking Topamax in the morning instead, which worked.
- Every morning an hour after medication sets in, dizziness starts & later confusion while trying to work on computer. Controlling my body temperature is so bothersome that I change clothes often. My eyes get irritated @ some point throughout the day. (I don't wear contacts & it's not from the computer.)
Now I also can't comprehend what some people are saying to me & have to read info several times to remember it.
- After all these problems so early on, my Dr. agreed w/me to stay @ 25mg daily rather than increase dosage, only if no headaches arise.
- For a 34yr. female 5'5" @ 130lbs. do you think this dose is too strong for me?
Cbrooks01
1 July 2018
I’ve been taking topiramate 50mg 1 tablet 3 times daily and I have told my dr I’m still getting headaches put she just keeps telling me to continue taking them. So should I just stay at 50mg. But my question to you what do you mean that you was feeling stupid?
ereuter83
20 June 2010
Yes. This is a common side effect. I am a nurse and also taking Topamax myself. It seems to be worse for me if I sit cross legged for a few mins and I find it very difficult to get the tingling sensation to go away once it starts. Very bothersome. Like thousands of pins and needles, much worse than just "falling asleep" sensation most ppl experience. I would talk to your prescribing doctor/NP/or PA about your side effects to make sure they aren't something more concerning.
Smartchick73
20 July 2009
I've been on Topamax since March. I've have the numbness and tingling side effects, especially in my hands and feet. Soda tastes terrible to me now, so I gave it up entirely. Infact, anything carbonated, including beer, champagne and seltzer taste just awful, so I just stay away from them.
blueyedsweetie3019
9 March 2010
Omg i thought i was crazy but seeing that i wasnt the only one I actually collapsed the numbness was so intense and coudlnt figure out why soda was so nasty lol i took myself off it but im still experiencing the numbing toes feet and hands grrrr have you found a way to cope becuase the medication really works
Marvell
19 July 2009
I haven't taken Topamax myself but the following link has reviews/comments made by poeple who have taken it. Hope this helps.
Related topics
Further information
- Topamax uses and safety info
- Topamax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Topamax (detailed)
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