Topiramate and Brain Fog: What Users Say (Page 3)

• AH0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "The 2 weeks I was taking Topamax ended up being the worst 2 weeks of my life. I was started on this med on Wednesday. By Monday, I was halfway through my day at work when I got lightheaded, dizzy, a terrible headache, and started experiencing left-sided numbness/tingling. Nearly wrecked and ended up in the ER, where they diagnosed migraines. Was sent home to have a headache with left-side weakness/numbness, confusion, and a foggy feeling for the next 2 weeks. 5 doctor's appointments, 2 ER visits, 1 outpatient infusion for migraines, and 1 admission to the hospital later. I finally figured out on my own that when I stopped taking Topamax, my symptoms got better. Although they are still not gone. My vision has changed as well as other long-term effects."

• Ins...
• December 10, 2014

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I just started taking 25 mg of Topamax twice per day, yesterday evening! I had not read any of these reviews, and after my very first dose, I had a carbonated drink, and it tasted flat on the front of my tongue, but burned the back! I thought it was a fluke, but it happened today, too. This will definitely help me drink more water! I have started having tingly fingers and toes, but no other symptoms yet. I already have brain fog due to menopause, so I'm a little worried about that! I have been having 4 or 5 migraines per week lately, and I take sumatriptan for them, which usually works. I also take an anti-anxiety medicine and an ADD medicine, so we'll see how all of these work together! I am thankful for all of your reviews!"

• Gam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have had intractable migraine for 28 years, and migraines from the age of 10 until 28 years ago when it never quit. I went through many different trials of treatment, and nothing worked, so finally, the headache specialist gave me Vicodin. It worked, and I was able to begin living life again. Then a new MD took the Vicodin away and gave me Topamax. My life was hell. I live alone in a 2-story house, and I had to scoot up and down on my butt. I am 66 and disabled (from strokes), and I was terrified. I could barely form sentences, I had terrible brain fog. I couldn't cook a meal as I was so confused, I kept burning things. It was horrible. The doc told me to keep taking it, but I refused, I felt the side effects were too dangerous for me."

• Kar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I loved how Topamax made me feel - I was losing weight and didn’t have migraines at all! It was incredible... until I started feeling like I lived in a fog. Also, I would lose my train of thought and stumble on my words all the time. It made me forgetful... I unfortunately had to stop taking it :("

• Mac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 8, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking this drug for about 6 months now. I take it in combination with lamotrigine. I was concerned about weight gain as I was already heavy for me, but weight loss was certainly not my primary goal. For the first 3 months, I felt really great. I did lose weight consistently, which I do think added to my feeling good. About 3 months ago, I entered a pretty severe manic episode. It was probably one of the most intense ever. I am increasing my dose, and it's early on with that. I'm headed to 250 mg per day. My husband and I are in hopes that this will help. My side effects of brain fog, fatigue, and dizziness were temporary. Other than that one bump in the road, I can honestly say this has been the most effective drug combination I've ever been on, and I can't see myself switching again."

• Sam...
• August 14, 2014

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "Took a 50 mg last night before bedtime for the 1st time. Woke up like a zombie, my top lip numb, in a fog, soda taste metallic. I can't function on this medicine. I function better with migraines. I am a receptionist, and about to fall asleep at my desk."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2019

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I started on Topamax after getting aura migraines every 3 weeks. Seemed to immediately see results, but online comments worried me, so I stopped Topamax after 2 weeks. Immediate migraine followed, which has lasted a week so far. Will try going back on and stick to it for a month and reevaluate. I seemed to have fogginess, but will stick with it this time and see what happens."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "My psychiatrist put me on this before starting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to prevent mania, this was a treatment for chronic depression. Topamax made me feel worse than before, couldn't get out of it, so tired all the time. Also, the brain fog and the lack of focus made it impossible for me to do my work. The last days I took the medicine, I was severely depressed and had dark thoughts. If you start taking it, be careful and watch closely for adverse reactions."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "My psychiatrist put me on this before starting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to prevent mania, this was a treatment for chronic depression. Topamax made me feel worse than before, couldn't get out of it, so tired all the time. Also, the brain fog and the lack of focus made it impossible for me to do my work. The last days I took the medicine, I was severely depressed and had dark thoughts. If you start taking it, be careful and watch closely for adverse reactions."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I get more than 9 migraines a month. I know it's 9 because I was first given sumatriptan for them and only 9 every 30 days. I just started my first dose an hour ago, doing 50 mg total half a day, then the other half at night. Going to try it that way instead of morning because I'm terrified of the fog and driving confusion since I work full time an hour away from home. Anyway, I weigh 184 lbs. Weighed 100-107 from age 14-23, maybe even younger than I got addicted to painkillers, and when I got sober, I gained a good 80 lbs! I feel so gross I can't see my damn girl parts haha, so after hearing this migraine pill can make me lose weight, I'm super excited and hope to get back to 120 lbs. I will definitely update! -Steph"

• Hom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve just increased my topiramate from 25 mg to 75 mg daily for migraine prevention. It’s worked wonders. No migraines in the 8 days since the increase. (That’s a rarity.) But the weight loss is a surprise and my lack of food cravings. Food is one of my biggest joys, and now, I’m happy to say, I’m eating a lot better, making healthier choices, and no headaches! The only reason I’m not scoring this a 10 is the brain fog and lack of being able to string a cohesive sentence together. Everything takes more concentration, especially driving and any form of semi-intelligent conversation!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed Topamax for migraine prevention. I have low-grade migraines that I treat with sumatriptan. After 3 nights of taking 25 mg of Topamax, I had a very strange experience whilst in a work meeting. Very scary. Not sure how to describe it, but not exactly light-headedness, more a warping feeling in my brain. I also experienced feeling unsteady, brain fog (couldn’t get sharp cognitively), hot flushes, drowsy especially in the morning, and worried about driving. After 5 nights, I stopped taking it. The side effects are very slowly wearing off, I still feel strange 4 days after stopping. Would advise against others taking this drug."

• Bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on it plus Wellbutrin to stabilize my mood. For 3 months, I was extremely nauseous, unable to eat a thing. I lost 12 kg. The side effects were tingling in my hands and feet, a feeling that my head was being pulled to one side, metallic taste, extreme brain fog, loss of vocab (I sounded like an idiot, I could hardly string a sentence together), attention span diminished, and extreme muscle weakness. I became socially anxious/awkward and still am. I developed a strange curry-like smell to me. I stopped when I fell pregnant and put on 24 kg, still holding on to 9 kg. It seems to have ruined my metabolism. I loved the appetite suppression (why I stayed on it) but won't go back on it, the side effects are too severe and expensive."

• Ser...
• February 2, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I was in a car accident with a head injury. I had intractable migraine and other headaches that came and went daily on top of that, and three months after the accident, my neurologist offered Topamax. It's been 9 months. I lost a lot of hair; I have the soda is flat thing; the pins and needles; and I have lost weight. I think the brain fog was not noticeable because of the brain injury. It took care of my headaches immediately. I didn't mind the side effects. I ran out of it once, and on day two, had a seizure. I tried to titrate off recently, and the migraine returned with a vengeance, so I am still going to be taking it. I don't mind the side effects in comparison to the headache. Also, I use hypnosis for some of the side effects."

• NLJ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I believe a lot of the negative side effects can be attributed to lack of food and water. Once I started to eat and drink (even though I didn't feel like it), the foggy brain, dry eyes, and other side effects went away (I am still losing weight though :) ) and still no migraines. I also split my dosage, 50 mg morning and night, and this has also helped minimize side effects."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Started topiramate at the end of January 2019 for vestibular migraines and vertigo. The migraines stopped almost immediately. I went from having 3-4 a week to having 2 in a month. I still get the vertigo here and there, but it is controlled a tad with Zofran. My side effects were harsh at first but subsided after a month or less. Now, I mostly only have tingly fingers and toes that come and go. I get some fogginess, but it is not harsh, and the 'stupids' are not nearly as bad as what I was expecting. In fact, other than taking a small pause, I do not even see it at all. I am at 150 mg daily (50 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the evening). I have NOT lost weight on the med like others have, I have gained 6 lbs, but it was a small price to pay for the release of the terrible pain of migraines. I do get my blood work checked, and I have been to my eye doctor to have my eyes checked as well since this med is known to cause eye and liver damage. No current damage so far. I give this med a thumbs up."

• TMS...
• February 9, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "This drug is horrible. Pros: yes, it destroys your appetite and you lose weight because of that. You also don't enjoy food, which made me less inclined to want to cook for others (note: I am a foodie and love to cook). Cons: this drug did zero for my migraines. I take Amerge; it works! I felt so foggy and 'in and out' of the ability to concentrate in the mornings (100 mg nightly dosage). Okay after 4 hrs. My mouth was literally so dry and my tongue so thick-feeling that I could not get 3-syllable words out. Also, I had to grasp for words. I was losing confidence in my own performance, and others commented on my lack of 'snap.' This was after a year! Short-term memory was shot, perhaps because of 'in and out' concentration. Hair! Had to get extensions!"

• Bet...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 29, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topamax on and off for over 15 years for migraine prevention. I have lost weight on this medication, although not intentionally. Every time I try to stop taking it, I gain back any weight that I lost almost right away, and the headaches come back with a vengeance. The side effects have been incredibly aggravating! The brain fog is difficult for me because I’m a graduate student. I can’t remember words or read without repeating to make sure I can retain the information. Plus, I felt like it numbed my personality. I’ve read that it causes bone density issues, problems with acid levels in the blood, and more. The weight loss is not permanent and is most likely due to the appetite-suppressing effect. It doesn’t teach you how to eat properly, nor is it a long-term solution. I have decided to come off of it again. Yes, I have started to gain a little bit of weight, but I would rather have that than the dangerous and frustrating side effects."

• Fre...
• October 7, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "In January of 2017, I suffered a head injury that triggered me to start having severe chronic migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. I thought I was dying. I was having symptoms that I couldn’t explain, but they were very much there and extremely debilitating. I started with 50 mg in the morning and then went to 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening after a week. In the beginning, everything was great. My daily headaches, body pains were almost completely gone. I felt like a new person, I had this newfound burst of energy every morning, it was great. However, after a while, side effects started showing up. I lost 30 lbs, brain fog, depression, suicidal thoughts, stomach pain, nausea, constant diarrhea, bad skin, hair loss, irritable, indifferent to everything. I have now been off the drug for about 2 weeks, and I’m starting to feel more like myself. I am having some side effects of being irritable and depressed, but have only had a couple of headaches, which is good."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I take 50 mg at night because of drowsiness. The medication did help me with my migraines, I've only had a few since I started the medication. My side effects include tingling in hands and feet, red eyes, but the worst is the brain fog, trying to remember the simplest things is tough. I have also noticed that I get angry about stuff more than I used to."

• ZZZ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I have mixed feelings about this medication. After spending time on propranolol extended release for a few years until the side effects from low blood pressure became intolerable, I started taking topiramate at a low dose but have gradually ended up taking 300 mg per day, split into 100 mg evening and 200 mg morning. I still have about a dozen migraines a month. I'm nervous about taking more topiramate because of what I have read about kidney stones, hair loss, and so forth. I already have brain fog, altered taste, word recall problems, and paresthesias. If I were not taking it, I would have excruciating migraines every day. Nothing else seems to help. Wish me luck."

• Liz...
• August 3, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Trokendi XR (100 mg) was added to my regimen of Botox every 12 weeks. I’ve been on Trokendi for 2 months. I’ve lost about 15 pounds. Overall, it’s been helpful for migraines. Brain fog? Yes. I haven’t decided that it is a deal breaker yet. I’m a college student, so it’s a little difficult, though. It has interfered with my birth control pills (Yaz) and caused breakthrough bleeding. It can increase your risks for pregnancy, especially if you have breakthrough bleeding. Regarding irritability, my pharmacist said it was most likely stress because that side effect only affects 2% of patients on Trokendi XR. The most important thing that I could find no info online about was what time to take Trokendi. I called my doctor and asked because I didn’t have clear instructions. He said take it at bedtime. It will make you drowsy. Please don’t try to take this in the morning, especially at a higher dosage. You will also sleep off some of the nasty side effects by taking it at bedtime."

• TJa...
• February 9, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The headache clinic gave me Topamax in 2009 for migraines. I noticed changes in my vision and, most of all, my brain. I had LASIK eye surgery in 2006 and could see well before this medicine. I noticed changes in vision in 2010 and had to wear glasses again. I also noticed shortly after starting Topamax I had brain fog, couldn't concentrate, slow thinking, couldn't form words, couldn't remember things. I would be driving a route I drive regularly and would forget where to turn. Unfortunately, as of today, 10 years later, I still struggle with these horrible effects. It has ruined my life! When I called the headache clinic, they just brushed it off and said the side effects shouldn't last long or be in my system after stopping the meds. Well, I'm here to tell you that is a lie! The bad thing is doctors don't have an answer for me, so I'm stuck with these awful and embarrassing symptoms that I don't know how to handle or treat! Very disappointed in this medicine and doctors."

• TJa...
• February 9, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The headache clinic gave me Topamax in 2009 for migraines. I noticed changes in my vision and, most of all, my brain. I had LASIK eye surgery in 2006 and could see well before this medicine. I noticed changes in vision in 2010 and had to wear glasses again. I also noticed shortly after starting Topamax I had brain fog, couldn't concentrate, slow thinking, couldn't form words, couldn't remember things. I would be driving a route I drive regularly and would forget where to turn. Unfortunately, as of today, 10 years later, I still struggle with these horrible effects. It has ruined my life! When I called the headache clinic, they just brushed it off and said the side effects shouldn't last long or be in my system after stopping the meds. Well, I'm here to tell you that is a lie! The bad thing is doctors don't have an answer for me, so I'm stuck with these awful and embarrassing symptoms that I don't know how to handle or treat! Very disappointed in this medicine and doctors."

• Pin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I've been on Topamax for going on 3 1/2 months now and met with my doctor twice, telling her I absolutely could not be on this medication because I could not perform my job duties at work. I had a very difficult time comprehending very basic stuff. I was put on it for my headaches I've dealt with for nearly 2 decades. My doctor took me off my medication I've been on for 18 years suddenly, which has worked for my headaches, and switched me to Topamax. I decided to push through because I was no longer getting my medication that worked for me, and I kept being told that the brain fog would get better, which it has the past 2 weeks. New problem is my hair is falling out in clumps. Every day literal clumps of hair fall out in the shower."