Topiramate and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I take 50 mg at night and sleep really well following. After first being on 50 mg for a few days, I became very depressed and had really dark thoughts about life, so I dropped back to 25 mg and increased back to 50 mg by 12.5 mg increments. I no longer have that side effect, and the medication is beginning to give me a sense of well-being. I also get migraines, so it's good for that too. Many bipolar meds can give migraines."

• Sna...
• April 24, 2018

Topiramate for Seizure Prevention "After day one of Topamax, I felt strange. Generally sick. Very nervous. Aggressive. And then very depressed. I kept taking them. My appetite decreased, as did my energy levels. And I was overly thirsty all the time. Some abdominal pains and areas of numbness, particularly of the face, mouth, eyes, etc. Then I broke out in massive bruises. Very dark large hematomas on my arm. I also had bone pains in my lower back and legs. I felt like I was being poisoned to death. So I stopped taking Topamax after a month. After two days, I already am feeling much better. This should not be allowed on the market. Again, Topamax feels like a very cruel lethal drug/poison... Don't take it."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I am starting on Topiramate today. I was in a car accident in August, and I have had constant headaches since. CT and MRI scans all okay. Headaches vary in severity, but I'm never really pain-free. My neurologist diagnosed post-traumatic migraine and prescribed Topiramate - 25 mg at night for two weeks and then increasing by 25 mg at fortnightly intervals until I will be on 100 mg morning and night. The side effects are concerning me, especially depression, as I am already on an antidepressant. Losing some weight would be a gift, so I am hoping for that - it would be lovely to have something nice like that happen after months of comfort eating."

• 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."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Today is my first day on Topiramate. Reading the reviews has me extremely scared. I have a terrible time sleeping at night, have trouble controlling my mood, and have gained a lot of weight due to depression and medication side effects. If anyone has any information about how this medication treats bipolar symptoms and sleep difficulties, please comment. I’m only nineteen and have been medicated for bipolar for 2 years."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2009

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I used Topamax for 3 months after working myself up to 150 mg/day. It brought my migraines down from 3-4 a week to 2-3 a month, which is great, however, after having been in and out of hospitals with horrific abdominal pain, my doctor cycled me off of it. I had also lost 20 lbs in a 3-week period but had not noticed a change in my appetite. I am very fit and eat 5-6 times a day to keep up with my metabolism and workouts, so the weight loss was extremely irritating, considering it was nothing but lean tissue. I also could not drink carbonated beverages and was extremely depressed and emotional (which is very out of character). I did not think the side effects I experienced were worth the benefit."

• Emi...
• September 18, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I'm 16 years old, and I've had migraines since I was 2 years old. I was on Topamax for a month and already started feeling stupid, constantly drowsy, depressed. I couldn't remember what I had done a day ago. Being 16 and still in high school, this was a problem. I ended up having an allergic reaction to the medication two weeks after taking it. It felt like I was about to die. I thought I had taken some kind of horrible drug that was about to kill me. I had a rapid heartbeat, slurring speech, delayed responses, I was mentally not there, my vision was messed up, and much more. Worst med ever."

• Hea...
• December 2, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am stopping Topamax after 3 months. Initially, I lost 13 lb pretty fast, within a couple of weeks. I was laid up with an injured back and sick, so I wasn't moving, but then I wasn't really eating either. Since then, I've played with the same 5 lb. I am taking 100 mg 2x a day. After about 6 wks, I got some of the common side effects (vision, memory, taste, exhaustion), and I stopped losing weight. But I'm fairly certain it is the source of some pretty severe depression that didn't exist prior to taking it. I'm glad I lost 13 lb, but the depression is too much to handle, and I'm throwing in the towel. Wish it had been more effective, but really it stopped working after about 3 weeks anyhow."

• 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."

• Des...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "ONLY 25 mg/day, 2nd try. Lasted 3 days. Whoa, just whoa! Within 1 hour, my pain lessened, but side effects were already producing. First, my vision got really distorted. I couldn't focus on command at all. Then my bottom lip wouldn't stop tingling with a numb feeling. I got extremely dizzy and felt out of it. So I thought, let me lay down. Fell asleep 15 min. Woke up, thought an hour passed, was completely out of it. The whole left side of my face felt palsy, completely numb. Tingling/numbness in arms, hands, legs, and feet. The next day, visual less, but symptoms still there. Then the suicidal thoughts and worthlessness came. I made it one more day. Missed a day and took it the following day. I can't do anything on it. Comatosed and psychiatric mind games. DONE!! I'm better without it."

• hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2017

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "It’s a little early for a review. It’s currently December 27th, 2017, and I started Topamax on Dec. 7th. It’s been 20 days, and I am a total binge eater. I’ve never been overweight, it’s not even in my genes to be overweight. I’m going through extreme depression, and being on over 12 different medications the past 5 years has been rough. I was 115-120 lbs all the way up until I was 18. I started getting medicated when I was 18 and started gaining ever since. It’s normal to gain weight with age, obviously, I’ve seen just about everyone I graduated with has gained weight. I blame Seroquel for my weight gain. HOWEVER, I weigh 161 lbs starting Topamax, it’s been 20 days and haven’t shifted in weight. Will post an update later on."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 8, 2015

Topiramate for Seizure Prevention "A little over 2 years ago, I was involved in a MVA and sustained a traumatic brain injury. My neurologist put me on Trokendi XR for 2 reasons - to prevent seizures and migraines. Prior to the accident, I had always been a fairly healthy 5'7", 160 pounds, and worked out almost daily, and generally was very healthy. After the accident, I became almost sedentary, depressed, and suicidal. I had gained over 35 pounds, but I honestly didn't care much. The Trokendi XR and the Adderall (prescribed to assist with the severe ADD caused by the brain injury) have helped me lose weight along with proper diet and minimal exercise. My seizures have gone from major, grand mal to pseudo-seizures to seldom, and my migraines have gone from daily to about 4 per week."

• BiM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Used topiramate for 4 days, and it was a nightmare. I didn't sleep well (even a week after I stopped, my sleep is still not good). I felt extremely down (a lot worse), had really dark thoughts every day. I couldn't stop eating sugar even if I was not hungry (like an alcoholic feels with alcohol). I couldn't go out, I was extremely irritable, grumpy, even my clothes were bugging me. It completely stopped my menses (it's not back to normal yet). I will never touch this drug again, and I don't recommend it."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2022

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I gave this medicine a 7 out of 10 because I believe overall it is the best medication I’ve been on in regards to suppressing appetite and weight loss. But the side effect profile is rough. I started taking it because I could not stop gaining weight and eating because of my antipsychotic medication. I have a very high appetite. I started taking Topamax to help, and it worked very well. I lost 35 pounds while on it. I didn’t have the desire to eat, but I also struggled with some side effects. I had pretty significant hair loss from the medication, I struggled with menstrual bleeding for the whole time when I was on Topamax for a whole year. I got migraines every single day. It made my depression worse. My body really struggled with this medication. I got off the medication. I have gained every single pound back. I’m going to try to get on the extended-release version and on a lower dose and see if it helps with side effects."

• Ean...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started on Topiramate at 25 mg for a week and then increased to 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg. I experienced eye twitching, depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, and I couldn’t concentrate. I had trouble sleeping, I couldn’t remember words often, and I lost my sex drive (which I am very young, and that is not something that should happen). I am also very petite, and when I started taking this medication, I was 105 pounds, and I have since dropped to 97 pounds. My appetite has gone, food doesn’t taste the same, which doesn’t help. Also, there is a very strange side effect that makes all soda taste flat. I don’t get migraines or even the regular everyday headaches I would get, but these adverse effects are really very hard to deal with."

• 2Lo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took my first 7 pills, which was 50 mg, and no problems. Then started on the second bottle, which were 100 mg. On the second day of taking the 100 mg, I had changed, but because I have rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia, I thought it was from that because, at the time, I had been waiting on my Humira to be approved. So I continued taking this drug my doctor prescribed for weight loss along with phentermine and became deathly weak, no appetite, dizzy, dry and burning eyes, suicidal, in more pain than normal, anxiety, and depression. I think if this drug is to be prescribed, it needs to be tested more and not ever be prescribed again because had I continued to use it (because it says do not stop it abruptly unless advised by your doctor), I would be deceased today. I felt like laying down and not ever waking up! DON'T TAKE THIS DRUG!"

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 18, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking Topamax in 2010 for migraine headaches. My doctor slowly started increasing my dose to 100 mg daily. By the time I reached 50 mg, I noticed I had a hard time making simple choices. I did notice that I was losing weight, and this is something I always struggled with, so I looked past short-term memory loss issues. By the time I made it to 100 mg, I was losing 10 pounds a month with no dieting. I was also repeating myself in conversation. I went from 175 pounds to 140 pounds in 8 months. The last straw for me was sitting down for a final exam in college, and I could not spell the word SUGAR. I talked to my doctor and began weaning off over 3 months. Over six months, I went from 135 pounds back to my 175. The memory loss slowly abated, but now I felt depressed about the weight gain. I don’t know what happened to my metabolism during that period of time, but I am a CrossFitter/Peloton rider at least 5 days a week and watch what I eat. It’s been 10 years, and I haven’t lost it."

• Gig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have a love-hate relationship with this drug, and I'm not sure when I will be able to stop. It helped me lose over 60 lbs in a 9-month period. I want to keep losing around 25 lbs more, but I'm not sure if I can do it alone without the help of Topamax. The negative side effects are just awful, I developed this cystic acne all over my jaw and cheeks. I've tried so many products but have not managed to get rid of it, just keep it under somewhat control. What is destroying me the most is the hair loss... I'm losing so much hair daily, I can see my hairline becoming thinner, and the amount of hair that comes out in the shower terrifies me. Other side effects that have been getting out of control are my anger, lethargy, depression, and paranoia. I've tried so many things to keep these things under control, but the effects are too potent. I hope once I'm able to stop, I can go back to being normal."

• chi...
• August 12, 2009

Topiramate for Seizure Prevention "Was taking this medication for a seizure disorder. I was on it for about 4 or 5 months, but had to go off of it because of all the side effects. I was extremely depressed, crying at least 7 or 8 times a day. Memory loss, could not sleep, tingling in feet and hands. The only good thing about it was I lost 32 lbs in about 6 weeks."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed topiramate for migraine. Within 24 hours of the first dose, I felt myself turning into a stressed, unreasonable, depressed, angry, and nasty person. After 2 days of getting worse, my husband phoned a GP pal who told him to stop me from taking any more. I was OK as I'd only been on it for 3 days and returned to normal without any side effects, but then started reading online about this killer drug and found how many lives it had ruined. Scary stories. Girls prescribed for weight loss and ultimately the drug destroyed them. Read the side effects before you take this drug! Migraines never seem so bad now!"

• DWm...
• December 9, 2009

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I'm 41. I've been suffering from severe migraines for years. I cannot say that Topamax doesn't work. However, the loss of cognition, the depression, sleep deprivation, and severe constipation were just too much."

• Mys...
• August 11, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I must say for its intended use, yes, it should get a 10. However, I have experienced the worst side effects ever from this medication: pop tasting flat and metallically, tingly fingers and toes, UTI (that don't show up on any doctors' tests), anger, depression (with no history of depression before), anxiety, hot flashes, and that's just a few. I am 33 years old and was given this for a preventative for my migraines, and I'm not sure if I'd rather have my migraines or not at this point."

• Lsm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I was so excited to try this drug. My enthusiasm didn't last long. I started on 25 mg. Then went up to 50 mg, I had three weeks migraine-free at this dose and thought it was an absolute miracle. After three weeks, my migraine returned, my doctor then put me up to 100 mg. I stayed there for 3 months, and absolutely nothing. My migraines were actually the worst they have ever been in my life. Not only that, not long after starting this drug, I slipped into a deep depression. I have never had any trouble with my mental health in my life. After getting to 100 mg, I then became suicidal, it wasn't obvious at first, but in the end, I was having suicidal thoughts all day long. I knew this was a side effect of this drug but thought that once it started working for my migraines, I would feel better. In the end, it was too much, and I made the decision to come off the tablets, and I started to feel better. Please see a doctor if your mental health deteriorates on this medication."

• Esp...
• June 2, 2009

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I used Topamax for less than a year. I loved it for the first 7 months because it got rid of my headaches and reduced my appetite. Then I began to notice side effects that made me anxious to get off of it. My fingernails became really thin, I was depressed, and my hair was really falling out. I was taking 600 mg of Topamax, which sounds like more than a lot of people, but I found out online that many other people experienced the same symptoms on lower doses. I had to wean myself off Topamax and am starting Elavil."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2023

Topiramate for Tourette's Syndrome "This medication made my life hell. I didn't have a single good experience with it. My depression was debilitating, my anxiety caused attacks almost every single day, and I often couldn't sleep because of it. I started taking the medication for my Tourette's, but it only made it worse. I had no control over my tics, and they were so frequent I was in pain 24/7. I became aggressive and irritable, couldn't sleep, had double vision almost constantly, had problems talking correctly, and had a hard time knowing where I was and what was happening around me. Every single side effect I had, in my first week of taking the medication, I showed every sign of an overdose even though I was only on 100mg. I would have even more to say about it if I were actually lucid enough while taking it to remember. I also have epilepsy, and coming off of Topamax triggered a seizure despite being incredibly cautious. If it weren't for Topamax, I would've been a year seizure-free and able to drive. Don't take it!!!"