Topiramate and Brain Fog: What Users Say (Page 2)

• gan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2020

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "As far as appetite, Topamax helps. The longer you take it, however, I feel like it really limits my mental ability when I take it, and I can't even put words together sometimes. Brain foggish, you could call it maybe. The extremity tingling is definitely real, and in the face sometimes."

• Sti...
• December 30, 2016

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am experiencing the tingling every day in my fingers, I am not hungry. I did have the brain fog to where I wouldn't drive. I wouldn't make any decisions about anything without talking it over with someone I trusted first. I am now up to 75 in the morning and at bedtime, and I still have the tingling, but the fog has been lifted. The headaches are so much less, but I have only lost 3 pounds. Can't seem to stop smoking, even with this. Still hoping this will help with the smoking. Wish me luck."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 31, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I felt compelled to write a review, as I was on Topamax (or should I say Dopamax?!) for about 2 years. I started this medication when I was 21 and was so desperate to find something that would actually help my ongoing migraines. Personally, the side effect symptoms FAR outweighed the benefits. I started out on 25 mg a day and gradually increased to 100 mg. As soon as I got on this, the side effects came rolling in. Before I knew it, my memory was completely gone. In daily conversation, I couldn't think of simple words, names, or phrases. I knew what I wanted to say but couldn't form the words to do so. The worst of all, it really affected my grades in college. I used to have awesome memorization skills. Unfortunately, I would study for hours upon hours and still wouldn't do well as I would have 'brain fog' during tests, etc. Another side effect I experienced was weight loss. I lost around 25 lbs., HOWEVER, I don't believe all of this was ultimately from Topamax. I'd definitely say it suppressed my appetite, but I really changed my eating habits and worked out daily. It helped with my first few pounds and got me motivated to do the rest. On the plus side, I saw a significant difference in the amount of migraines I received. It was a night and day difference in that aspect. However, approaching a year and a half on this medication, I couldn't take it anymore and had to get off. It wasn't worth it anymore. I don't think tapering off or stopping cold turkey on this really makes a difference. My mom stopped cold turkey, and I tapered off, as my doctor instructed me. I rebounded off this HORRIBLY, as did my mom. I was STARVING constantly after no longer taking it. This didn't just go away either. My body didn't feel leveled out and 'detoxed' from this for honestly about a year after. I not only gained back all my weight I lost, but plus some. Although everyone's body reacts differently, I highly do NOT recommend taking this. Not even for those desperate for weight loss. Losing weight from a medication like this is not sustainable long-term. I'm 24 now and am still affected by my choice of taking this. Topamax has ultimately ruined my memory to this day. I still cannot remember words or things. It changed me. Do not take this! There are other answers out there."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2012

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I started taking Topamax in January of 2012 for migraines. I was getting one a day. I did experience brain fog at first, but I found that after about a month or two, I was mostly back to normal. I have experienced weight loss and loss of appetite, and I'm also lactose intolerant, so I'm trying to work on eating a healthy amount. I have found that drinking a lot of water really helps with the tingly feeling in my feet and hands!"

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am titrating up to a dose of 300 mg for PTSD. I've had no fuzziness or other issues, I'm sharp as ever, and I've lost about 15 lbs so far. I was a muscular 140 lbs at 5'1", about a size 8, and now I'm about 126, still losing and down to a 6. I'm about to make the step up to 200 mg. I went up in weekly steps of 25 mg. My doctor told me this was best and that there is a serious skin condition and an eye disease that can result from jumping up to a high dose too quickly, so I suggest asking your doctors about a slow titration to achieve maximum benefit and avoid fogginess."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Zero sleep, seizures, migraines, hallucinations, my mind going 24/7, heart racing, diarrhea, restlessness, brain fog. I could go on! And now I have to come off it. What a mess. Sending healing to anyone having to deal with chronic pain."

• Eaz...
• March 1, 2008

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I do not recommend Topamax as a solution to migraines. Although it did help keep the frequency of the headaches down at first, in the long run, I had just as many migraines as usual, and there were too many side effects to make it worthwhile. My short-term memory was practically shot, my hands would tremor and go numb at some points, and I experienced an irregular heartbeat, trouble focusing, and sleep issues."

• TLO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topamax for 2 months to help prevent severe daily migraines with aura. It has helped me tremendously. I did lose 6 lbs the 1st week, mainly due to diarrhea and lack of appetite. I almost gave up on taking it because of the stomach cramps I was getting, but they subsided after the 1st week. I have changed a lot about my lifestyle since taking Topamax, so I don't know how much of my weight loss can be attributed to the drug itself, but I definitely have lost weight (12 lbs) and don't crave sugar. I stopped drinking soda over a year ago, so I don't know if it tastes different now. I do want water more than anything, which is fine. It does make you drowsy and foggy, but I take my dose at bedtime. I do get weird tingles a few times a day in my hands."

• Kri...
• November 21, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "Been on this for just a week now at 25 mg, also on 50 mg of amitriptyline at night. The first few days I felt really spaced out, but sort of kept coming in waves through the day. I also suffer from M.E. as well, but have found the past few days I have had lots of energy. I don't feel tired at all. Supposed to up dose to 50 mg on the second week, but I'm thinking may stick to the 25 for a little while to see how things go. No migraines up to now. Reading all the reviews, most of the side effects seem to come when the dose is increased. Really worried about the hair loss business, don't think I could deal with that one. Think I'm going to give this a go for a few months and see how things go, it's all trial and error, or kill or cure."

• She...
• February 9, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "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. Four days clean and I can almost taste sugar again. Can't wait 'til the brain fog lifts."

• She...
• February 9, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "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. Four days clean and I can almost taste sugar again. Can't wait 'til the brain fog lifts."

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

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "This has been a lifesaver 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."

• Ali...
• September 15, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "At first, I did not like it at all - I started off on 50 mg (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 100 mg 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-around amazing medicine!!"

• Ali...
• September 15, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "At first, I did not like it at all - I started off on 50 mg (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 100 mg 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-around amazing medicine!!"

• wak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "After reading all of the horrific side effects (hair loss being the big one for me), I decided to look up the rate of this side effect. The answer? 2%. Take all the bad reviews with a grain of salt, knowing it's typically what drives a person to write a review in the first place. Onto the details: I'm taking topiramate 75 mg for migraines (occipital neuralgia). I was instructed by my doctor to take my medication in the evening, that was a majority of the 'foggy' feeling will be while I'm sleeping. I do notice I begin to start getting a little disoriented, but that's completely gone by morning. I stopped drinking since the risk of kidney stones is (slightly) higher. I make sure to drink more water and Gatorade occasionally."

• Ccg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I've been on this medication for 3 weeks. At first, the effects were unbearable: brain fog, memory loss, loss for words, sleeping all day. I'm going on my 3rd week and almost all side effects have subsided. I still find myself at a loss for words sometimes. I started at 121 lbs; I'm now at 116 and still losing. I find myself never wanting to eat. Soda tastes flat. I don't mind. I like the medicine. I take 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night prn."

• Jua...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 11, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "This drug isn't for everyone. The side effects are completely crazy. I have been on it for almost 12 months now. It has provided relief from migraines by almost 95% of the time. This has been a big deal for me. Side effects I've experienced: hands and feet tingle periodically (some days are worse than others), hair loss started 3 months after taking it but began to cease 6 months later, definite brain fog (some days I feel like I'm losing my mind), grogginess (I can only take my dose at night, otherwise, I'm a zombie during the day), changes in vision, loss of appetite, fatigue, irritability. At first, I convinced myself the side effects were worth tolerating compared to having a migraine. But as time goes on, I'm beginning to think I'm wrong."

• RLM...
• September 20, 2007

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I took Topamax for about 10 days to prevent migraines. I had several undesirable side effects (trouble focusing, problems with word retrieval, sleepiness). But the worst was feeling depressed. I stopped taking it."

• Tig...
• June 26, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Absolutely horrible!! It wasn't until a year of several tests, scans, and a colonoscopy that made me go to another doctor and beg him to find out what was wrong with me. I never dreamed it was this medicine. I had lost 30 lbs, but I had diarrhea, a funny taste in my mouth, weakness, hair loss, fogginess, my memory was bad, and it felt like my muscle mass was going down to nothing. My daughter said I was looking frail all the time. It started getting hard to get out of bed. This went on for a year and a half. I was getting older and taking care of my elderly folks, so I didn't read into it much. I'm so glad I switched doctors, he noticed immediately what it was and told me to wean myself off of it."

• Bel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 2, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I've been taking this med for almost 10 years now. I started when I was 18, it was the first drug my doctor tried... I am almost 28, and I am so upset looking back that I didn't ask more questions or realize that this was the issue. I started at a minimum dose, but I was eventually up to 300 mg/day. I thought nothing of this because if the doctor wasn't worried, why should I be? I had been to three different doctors that never asked me if at that dose I was having memory problems, etc. I don't remember anyone telling me the major side effect was memory problems, brain fog, etc. No kids... I went through college thinking there was something wrong with me. My new doctor has put me on something else that is safe if my husband and I get pregnant. She also was in shock that for migraine prevention I was taking such a big dose."

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

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "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 the 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 is wrong since you can't do simple things a 2-year-old can do!"

• Ran...
• January 16, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "It's important to remember that individuals will have different reactions to the same drug. What causes one person to have horrible side effects may very well be the life-saving option for another. I've used topiramate for over six years now. It helped me quit drinking, it keeps my migraines at bay, and it is part of my prescription and supplement regimen for bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia. I did have some of the mentioned side effects at first, the first 6 months, but my body adjusted to the medicine, and the side effects went away. There are also adaptogenic herbs such as holy basil that can be taken to help with the mental fogginess that comes as a side effect of some RX drugs."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2022

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Topamax was a really frustrating experience. I took 50 mg for about 3 weeks, and I was supposed to titrate up to 100 mg morning and night (50 mg total) but did not, and chose to stop the medication. Obviously, it works, because I lost 6 pounds. But I also was extremely foggy-headed and out of it, reverting to some of the anxious public behavior I acted out before I was fully medicated for my mental health conditions. Reading was challenging, and sometimes my speech was garbled and nonsensical. Even a small amount of this drug was enough to give me really bothersome side effects, so I stopped using it. As someone who exercises and diets just don’t seem to make a dent in my weight, I acknowledge that this is an effective weight loss drug if you can handle the side effects. I wouldn’t really recommend or warn against it, just be advised the side effects are intense."

• Bin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2021

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This medication was actually prescribed to me by my psychiatrist because of my binge eating issue. I was very hesitant because at first taking this I didn’t notice a difference. I’ve been taking it for almost the full four weeks now, and it’s finally starting to work. My appetite is starting to be suppressed now, and within the last week and a half, I went from 220 lbs to 207 lbs! Crazy. I will admit I feel a little foggy, but I’m also on Abilify (which is another reason I got put on Topamax, the Abilify makes my binging worse) and Wellbutrin, so I'm normally a little foggy, so it’s hard to tell if the Topamax is causing it to be worse. Either way, it’s helping me with my binge eating, and I’m actively losing weight."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 16, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "When I first went on Topamax, I thought it was a miracle. I had just been diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) after 9 months of what we had previously thought was a constant migraine. Topamax was the first drug that really made a dent in the pain. However, the side effects were... a lot. - At first, I could barely eat (for about a month). - The brain fog slowly took me over, turning me into a zombie. - The tingling was never just my hands and feet, but my arms, legs, face, and back as well. - I had vision issues, including always seeing a circle in the middle of my vision, eyes opened or closed. - I had hallucinations whenever I woke up in the dark. Worst of all, the drugs would help for a week or two, then the pain would come back until I increased the dose."