Topiramate and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ash...
• July 1, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I've had chronic migraines since I was 14, and I was put on Topamax at 16 at 50 mg. I've been on it for 4 years now, and it's worked great for me until recently when I dealt with the loss of my father and started experiencing light headaches. So my doctor upped me to 100 mg, 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night, and I haven't gotten a migraine since. It's also helped me as a mood stabilizer, too. I would recommend this medication if over-the-counter drugs aren't working for your migraines. It really does wonders."

• 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."

• Gir...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I've taken Topamax for three years. It helped, but I started getting eye pain behind my left eye. My eye would throb like a bird was pecking at it. I went to several doctors about it, and a U of L doctor figured it out... it was Topamax causing the problem. I'm off of the meds and having very little pain behind my eye."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2012

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I love Topamax. I can only take the minimal dosage, or else I will get the tingling and start to feel a little out of it. I was suffering from silent migraines for over a year and a half. Nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, light-headedness, fatigue, upset stomach, and daily headaches, but the headaches could be cured with ibuprofen. Of course, it took a while to figure out that these symptoms were all caused by migraines, but they were, and after taking Topamax for 2 weeks, I stopped having silent migraines. I even went off of it after about 3 months of being on it, just to see if my body had possibly regulated itself, but it had not. I was sick again in no time. It was horrible. It took about 2 weeks for the Topamax to kick back in."

• Aus...
• July 19, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've just started Topamax (second night) 25 mg and can't sleep. I now see it's a side effect that some experience and it will go away. I will persist. Had a bit of a headache and a bit fuzzy in the morning, but that's it. Will let you know in a week if any weight loss. Definitely not feeling hungry."

• cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 24, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on 50 mg of brand Topamax for two years, and the cognitive impairment is significant. I often forget how to spell my last name, I don't remember events from just yesterday, and I can't spell anything anymore for the life of me. I take it for Rapid Cycling Bipolar I and went off it for two weeks to attempt to get my cognition back. By about the 6th day, I started to show signs of mania, and by day 8, I was full-blown manic with psychosis. I'd do anything to get off this brain mush of a drug, but it serves a purpose. Oddly, I never went into psychosis until this drug. Oh, and the days that passed without Topamax led to the worst headaches ever. Buyer beware."

• Pau...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 9, 2013

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have now been on Topamax for about 6 years, and in all that time, I can honestly say I have only had bad headaches and no migraines at all. The only reason I started the medication is that I had meningitis in 1993, and one of the long-term side effects of this is migraines for life, so Topamax has been a lifesaver for me."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2018

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have 6 days of migraine per month, nicely relieved by Tramadol plus being in a dark room. My new doctor wanted me to try Topamax. First dose, I had a bad headache, diarrhea, and inability to concentrate. Day 2, I had the same side effects plus a dull mood and elevated body temperature. These effects are all unacceptable to me, so I am going back on Tramadol. It is a mild narcotic, but I have not had any addiction in 10 years. The mental effects of Topamax were awful, plus I have GI problems, so adding diarrhea was no good. And it caused headaches."

• Bus...
• May 1, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "5/1/2017 - I was on Bystolic for BP treatment, and it caused me to gain 30 lbs. I suspect the high blood pressure was due to the use of e-cigarettes. I put the e-cig and the Bystolic down!! Dr. put me on Topamax 100 mg and Wellbutrin 300 mg to help with the headaches and weight loss. As I ramped up from 25 mg to 50 mg of Topamax, I noticed significant changes in my behavior, as did others. I cried continuously and at the most ridiculous things. I was short-tempered and wanted to be left alone (to cry). Side notes: it made my face feel numb, carbonated drinks tasted funny, vision was funky, and did zero for weight loss. As a mom of 4, I can't continue this medication. 30-40 lb weight loss is not worth living this way."

• Phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2021

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took a low dose for almost two weeks, I lost my vision, the headache, and the pain around my eyes went immediately to an optometrist, and my pressure around both eyes was 56. I was vomiting and passed out. They worked on me for 5-6 hours to bring the pressure down. I had acute glaucoma in both eyes, that is rare. Topamax says as a side effect it could cause blindness, and it’s true. I still go to the doctor to monitor my eyesight to make sure the pressure is still coming down. DO NOT TAKE THESE MEDS, VERY DANGEROUS."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking it on 8/23/21 at 25 mg. I was supposed to increase my dose to 100 mg but stopped at 75 mg because I began having the tingling sensation in my feet. I then actually dropped down to 50 mg because I realized I had no different reaction to appetite suppression from 50 mg to 75 mg. I have had no symptoms while being under 100 mg. I definitely have a massive decrease in appetite while on 50 mg. I wake up wanting to eat but can go from breakfast until around 6 pm without eating anything. I might think about food (I know some people mentioned they forget about eating-I don’t) but I don’t feel the NEED to eat. By 6-7 pm, I start feeling hungry. I’ll eat dinner but don’t tend to overeat. I don’t have a crazy craving for sweets like I used to. I used to be 110. I had babies, went to over 170, now back down to 127!!! I also did not get the soda tasting flat or tasting horrible side effect, which I was hoping for. Wanted to help kick the habit. I can’t drink it plain anymore because it almost burns. But it tastes great still with food, especially Pepsi Zero. Oh well! I know everyone gets different side effects. I also love that I don’t get tension headaches, which I used to get often in the afternoons."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "Reluctantly started due to reviews to prevent migraines and clear up severe blurry vision...50 mg...caused facial tightness, made headaches worse, tiredness, slowness, about to think, ok, bouts of tingling, vision somewhat cleared, will be reducing the dose to 25 mg...we will see how this works out."

• tsj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Besides the tingling in the feet and hands or weight loss, I can't think of any other side effects I've had. This was an absolute miracle drug for me for the first two months I was on it before a string of horrible tension headaches started to ruin its effectiveness. My neurologist just increased my dosage. I was taking 100 mg once a day. I'm now at 150 mg. I'm in a size of jeans I haven't thought about for almost 20 yrs. I did find that drinking more water cuts down on the tingling, too."

• aer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I started having daily headaches that turned into a severe migraine as the day progressed. Eventually, I would end up lying in bed, in the dark, with no noise, unable to sleep, vomiting from the pain. I was terrified it was my new normal. This was the 1st medication my D.O. prescribed: 25 mg for a month. 1st week, no headaches. Then they slowly returned but would start a little later in the day. I take 50 mg twice a day with 40 mg twice a day of propranolol for prevention, and it works unless I do a lot of crying. Then I take Fioricet."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2012

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "Been on Topamax for 3 months. I have recently gone up on the dose to 75 mg at bedtime. I've been all right dealing with the tingling. I have quit smoking and drinking, which is great. I started working out a lot since I've been so anxious. Possible side effect? The worst for me is the sleep issues and the mood swings. Since the dose went up, I am having terrible night sweats and am waking up all night long. I'm exhausted all day with little to no motivation. My mood swings quickly and dramatically from happy to annoyed. Just trying to wait it out. I'm still having headaches every day, just not migraines."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "First week okay. Dizzy first day. Overwhelming sense of wellness for the first week, minus dizzy feeling. I thought this was great. When I increased the dose as prescribed the second week, I developed a headache the next day. Had pains in my abdomen, all throughout my back. Continued for 2 more weeks, then my body shut down, had the worst migraine that lasted 2 days. I slept for 4 days. Then muscle weakness, nausea, and persistent headache. My bladder was painful and felt like I could not empty it. Three days off them, I can finally stand up straight, but I lost a week of work. Might have been okay if the dose was not increased."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "First week okay. Dizzy first day. Overwhelming sense of wellness for the first week, minus dizzy feeling. I thought this was great. When I increased the dose as prescribed the second week, I developed a headache the next day. Had pains in my abdomen, all throughout my back. Continued for 2 more weeks, then my body shut down, had the worst migraine that lasted 2 days. I slept for 4 days. Then muscle weakness, nausea, and persistent headache. My bladder was painful and felt like I could not empty it. Three days off them, I can finally stand up straight, but I lost a week of work. Might have been okay if the dose was not increased."

• car...
• October 26, 2008

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topamax for three years (75 mg daily). I lost 25 lbs and I get maybe a few headaches a month. I also take Imitrex. I used to get fifteen headaches a month. I also take Neurontin now for nerve pain and muscle pain and head pain. Topamax is worth trying for migraines. The side effects went away after a month."

• tpi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have awful headaches daily and was so happy when my doctor prescribed me something that could lessen them. I was very optimistic and wanted it to help. This medication did not get rid of the headaches, but I experienced some of the worst headaches ever while on this drug. I felt alright during the day, but once evening rolled around, I was so grouchy, so moody, tired, and my head was throbbing. I kept taking the medication because I just thought it needed time to 'make its way into my body.' Finally, I said enough is enough and asked my doctor if I could stop taking it. I have not taken a pill in two days and am still experiencing the awful migraines. I am so miserable and have not felt like myself for a week and a half."

• Sur...
• February 9, 2010

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have been on Topamax for about four years now. I think the drug works, however, I have developed kidney stones. I guess I am one of the few that do, but I did, therefore, I am seeking other drugs. As most have stated, my taste changed, and anything with carbonation was terrible for the longest time. I eventually pushed through the changes, and now everything pretty much tastes the way it should be on the medicine. I have allergies, so the headaches I experience are mostly caused by that (which is why I think I have been pushed up to 200 mg a day). Just a forewarning to everyone... When they say drink water, DRINK!"

• Jac...
• July 13, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I got headaches as a child and then migraines in my 20s. I am a fit person and work out, all beta blockers and blood pressure meds dropped my pressure too low. On my rescue meds, Botox, and topiramate extended release. Taking it at night like I am told. I wake up with blurry double vision that goes away. My feet, hands, and jawline are tingly on/off during the day. Super tired! And in the beginning of taking this, maybe TMI (I was going from an everyday bowel movement to once weekly). Plus nausea, no appetite, constipation, and I was consistently thirsty! Now I am at 125mg, need to be 150mg. BMs are better, thirst is better, tingling and blurry vision still there, tiredness is not as bad... still can’t run as far as I used to without being tired. And I have lost weight, not that I wanted/needed to. Has it helped with migraines? At this point, yes, I think so... I was just too busy feeling like crap otherwise to have one!"

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2019

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "This sucked. I was on it for my migraines, but I lost a lot of weight from no appetite. I had fainted all the time, and it had caused me to have more headaches. I have tons of pressure behind my eyes, and it caused me to get headaches, so I feel like the medication just didn’t help."

• Aet...
• June 27, 2009

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I'm a 19-year-old female who has now been on Topamax for 6 weeks, 150 mg daily. I have a daily headache that ranges from a pain threshold of 1 to 5, plus nausea, with a haze over my brain that slows down capability and causes general fatigue. Every 3 weeks, this works its way up until a major migraine attack of a 9. But with Topamax, the daily headache so far has reduced to a 1/2."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2010

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "Does it work? Yeah! For everyone - NO! Let me explain. Do you have a job that you have to be alert and stay on your toes? Then you need to be careful on this because it will cause you to have all the negative experiences you read about. I was on Topamax, as I call it, 6 years ago and took a break from it and now have gotten back on it again. Why? Because I am tired of taking 6 Advil and every other over-the-counter drug there is every day and wondering what is happening to my body from doing that over time and having the headaches day after day after day. So simply put, you get to a point of asking yourself - do the side effects of taking it outweigh not taking it, and if you read everything, the answer is an overwhelming YES!"

• Sid...
• July 29, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I only took this med at the 50 mg dose for two days and quit. Felt doped up and nauseous soon after the first dose. The next day, I was completely out of sorts, depth perception was off, felt outside myself, brain fog, headache, shaky, numbness in hands, burning in heels, no appetite, nothing tasted right, pop had no sweetness. The next day, same symptoms to a lesser extent with a constant tremor, overheating with movement, confusion, mood swings, and horrible mental fog, then a headache hitting about 9 out of 10, worse than my average. I decided to discontinue that evening. The next day felt hungover, had light sensitivity, diarrhea, and an upset stomach. The next day, the cloud slowly has lifted, my taste buds have not returned yet and I'm pretty fatigued."