Topiramate and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say (Page 2)

• chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2017

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started this 4 days ago, taking 1/2 of 50 mg at night, so 25 mg. I will do that for 7 nights, then up to 50 mg for 7 nights, then 75 mg for 7 nights, then 100 mg for 7 nights, and so on until I reach a mg my doctor and I are comfortable with. So far I have not had any side effects except not being hungry. In the last 3 days I have hardly eaten anything. I've been very thirsty for water, soda tastes like crap, and I was very addicted to Diet Coke. I haven't weighed yet, I've been meaning to. Last I weighed was a month or so ago, and I was at 180-ish. Today is July 10, 2017. I will weigh after work and see where I am so I have a better idea of how this will affect me! I've gone from 120 to 180-ish in the past year with different meds."

• 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!"

• ben...
• June 25, 2011

Topiramate for Bipolar Disorder "Topamax helps tremendously with mixed bipolar and rapid cycling. However, I was an athlete at the time, rode cycling, and was a psychiatric nurse. I went from 120 to 105. This was not a bad experience for me. My manager illegally pulled me into her office and told me, granted she is not even an RN, that I had anorexia and an eating disorder, and illegally discriminated against me to stop me from working with eating-disordered patients. My doctor even told her I was normal and healthy, just solid muscle. P.S. Have you ever seen a serious road cyclist have an ounce of fat on them?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2013

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I went from 1 or 2 migraines a year to about 9 a month. After a year or so of this, my doctor had me try Topamax. I've been on 25 mg, once a day, for the past three weeks, and I'm very happy with it. I've only had the beginnings of 3 migraines (immediately took my Relpax), and they went immediately away. I feel like I've got my life back. My only side effects are a slight loss of appetite (which I'm not unhappy about) and a little tingling in my feet. Well worth it."

• Bez...
• September 20, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I've had migraines since I was 25 (am now 68), and my life was hell until I discovered Topamax 18 months ago. I must be one of the lucky ones because I didn't have any horrible side effects, just some mild finger tingling. I lost a little appetite but made no difference (I'm slim anyway and probably lost 5 pounds), otherwise, it has been a miracle! I started with 25 mg, increased to 50, then to 100, didn't like it, went back to 50, and am now on 25 again and feel great. Sometimes I also take the generic and have no problem at all."

• 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."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started taking this med, 25 mg. I am 5'8", 190 lbs. I was involved in a car accident and have horrible back pain. My doctor prescribed this med due to my other meds making me gain weight. I have been on this for 2 weeks, taken at night, and have felt absolutely nothing, not a thing. Will be reporting to my doctor in 1 week to see if we can up the dose. Have not lost weight, and the pain is still there. I am eating less, just not as hungry anymore."

• Jau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I began taking 25 mg of Topamax once daily due to my migraines lingering 2-3 days at a time. Topamax did a number on my body. I completely stopped eating. Every time I tried to eat, I took one bite and would gag. I felt so extremely full constantly, even though I knew I had not eaten. Topamax completely destroyed my appetite, and although I've been off the medication for 6 months, I still never crave anything. I eat when I'm hungry, but I no longer have any cravings. While taking this medication, I lost a lot of my memory. I was constantly hazy or confused, and I felt like I was always searching for my task. I became malnourished and, confused that I quit taking the medicine completely. I would never recommend this medication because of side effects!"

• Chu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed Topamax as a migraine preventative and experienced just about every side effect. I started 25 mg/day at night for 7 days, moved up to 75 mg after 3 weeks, and remained there. Within 48 hours, I didn't have a headache at all but was experiencing side effects of tingling fingers, no appetite, and a change in the taste of foods/carbonated beverages. I did have a hard time concentrating, I'd get confused and would randomly slur words. I weighed 120-ish when I started, and within a few months, was 110 or less. I did work out and noticed no matter how hard I pushed, I didn't sweat and randomly got dizzy. Side effects are no joke, but you adjust after a few weeks."

• 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."

• Kay...
• October 13, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I took this medication for about 2 weeks, hoping it would help my hypomania. Some members of my family said it helped them. NOPE! Complete DISASTER for me. I could not stay on this thing for a month! The loss of appetite really sucked, but I expected that, I thought maybe I could look past that. But I went from 120 to 117 in 5 days. It did not help my mood, it only made me dizzy and gave me uncontrollable jerky movements. I was forgetting words. I could not concentrate in school (senior in high school). Everything felt like a dream. I basically became really stupid. I was seeing flashing lights. It was bad. Once I got off of it, I felt much smarter and better. I had many adverse effects from this medication."

• Tos...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 25, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "Was on Topamax 200 mg 2x a day for eight years. It cut back on my daily migraines. Went down to about 2-3x a week. I lost 125 pounds in the first year I was on it. No appetite. Food tasted metallic, flat, or just weird. I did get one kidney stone. After years of being on a high dose, I started getting chest pain. My doctor took me off Topamax about 7 years ago. I had bad withdrawals after weaning off, no seizures thankfully. Migraines have been daily again for the last 18 months. Tried to go back on Topamax, but I can't tolerate it anymore. After one 25 mg tablet at bedtime, I woke up with a severe headache, dizziness, and nausea. The next night I took one tablet, and the side effects were increased. I stopped. Side effects were bad for two weeks. No thanks."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2015

Topiramate for Seizure Prevention "I found this drug to be very effective to control my seizures. Before taking Topiramate, my seizures were uncontrollable. I would get 3-5 seizures per week. Not including the amount of injuries I sustained-fortunately, nothing serious, just bumps on the head and sprained ankles from falling over. But I've been so lucky. I've also lost weight. Amazing. I've wanted to lose weight for a while now. I've lost about 2 stone. But unfortunately, the appetite suppressant within the Topiramate has ceased. It doesn't last very long. My appetite has come back :-( But the seizures have been greatly reduced, which is the main thing, which I'm very happy about."

• Cal...
• November 5, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I started out at 75 mg, had to decrease at first because it made me super emotional and had really bad tingling in hands/feet, so I ended up going back down to 50 mg, then I slowly increased by 25 mg until I got up to 100 mg and I'm doing OK now. I do feel emotionally sensitive at times and do get occasional tingling in my fingers and toes if I don't eat for a while, which the Topamax also decreases my appetite and I have lost weight on. I still have ocular migraines if I stay up too late or don't get enough sleep. If I have even a small glass of wine the evening before, I will wake up with an awful migraine the next morning, so I see why they say not to drink while on the medication. Overall, it has really significantly decreased migraines."

• sti...
• July 29, 2015

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I've heard so much about Topamax and was given it for nerve pain. I have heard that its infamous nickname is 'dope-amax,' which I find hilarious, but have fortunately not experienced yet, thank God! I have, however, coined another nickname for it: 'skinnymax,' as I have been taking it one week and am wasting away on it! I have to make myself eat. My pain management doc put me on it because Lyrica and Depakote caused weight gain. I wasn't fat to begin with. Just didn't want to go down that road. I'm currently on 25 mgs bid. The only other side effect besides loss of appetite is mild drowsiness. I am 5'2" and last I weighed in at 115. I haven't weighed, but if I go below 105, I will have to stop. Still, it is a great drug!"

• 3de...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "If you have had problems with eating disorders, please avoid topiramate. I have struggled with eating and weight loss for many years. I was prescribed this medication for sleep and as a mood stabilizer from a psychiatrist who didn’t know the severity of my eating disorder. The severe abdominal pain, absolutely no appetite, weight loss, and for some reason, sensory issues have caused me to relapse. I only got up to 75 mg. Please avoid if you are struggling with similar issues!"

• Fur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2021

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I was on it for less than a month in 2019, and it was awful. I had every side effect imaginable. I was tired, my anxiety was worse, no appetite, food tasted weird, I had issues controlling my temper. I thought I was going crazy. My boyfriend and I broke up for a week because of how I was acting, and we didn't know any of this was a side effect of the meds till I went off of it because of the other side effects."

• LOV...
• March 3, 2008

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I love Topamax! I can finally sit through school without getting a migraine. It might make concentrating a little more difficult, but no harder than trying to concentrate with a migraine! The only side effect I can complain about is the tingling in my hands and feet, but that usually only lasts about 15 min. I haven't experienced any hair loss (thank God), and I also can't complain about the appetite loss."

• 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."

• Cod...
• July 22, 2009

Topiramate for Seizure Prevention "Have been on it for two weeks now, lost 20 lbs, had two episodes. Have short-term memory loss, can't think of words, tired all the time, feel like I can't function at work. On 50 mg in the morning and at night (100 mg a day), going up to 150 a day, increasing to 100 mg at night. Having problems sleeping at night. I'm getting used to the side effects, though. They get better with time, I guess just hang in there. The weight loss is a big plus. I have no appetite at all, I have to make myself eat. Confusion is a big problem, I'm not driving now."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I was given Topiramate for a list of conditions, including fibromyalgia, migraines, weight loss, and tremors. I was prescribed only 25 mg 1x a day. As for side effects, I have found that many foods do not taste the same, including yogurt and cottage cheese. They tasted old or outdated. I don't usually drink carbonated beverages, but those I have tasted fine. I had a decrease in appetite beginning the first month, but only realized it upon looking back after a weigh-in at my doctor's office where I had lost 20 lbs. I had no migraine episodes during that first month, my fibromyalgia had improved only slightly, and my tremors improved also slightly. After 6 months, I had lost a total of 30 lbs without trying as my appetite had decreased."

• 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!"

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2024

Topiramate "Gave me extreme shortness of breath where I was gasping for air mid-sentence constantly. I was on this for weight loss, and it definitely worked, fully suppressed my appetite, but it made me feel insane, gave me anger issues, I couldn’t sleep, and felt super wired and had tingling in hands and feet. Also had FLASHING in my eyeballs!!! And no one, including an eye doctor, could figure out what the hell was going on. Have been off it for 4 days after being on it for 40, and god, what an absolute relief. Still feel spaced out and can’t remember words sometimes."

• jen...
• November 14, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax worked great to relieve my daily headaches and migraines. Taking it twice daily, it didn't take long to start enjoying life again without headaches, but as time went on, the side effects just kept getting more and more intense. I could deal with the tingling in my fingers, hands, and feet, but waking up completely disoriented, not being able to think straight or concentrate, not being able to form sentences or find the right words finally got to me after about a year or a year and a half, and I weaned off of it. It's unfortunate because it felt amazing not to have headaches every day. I am also small to begin with and I lost about 15 pounds on it, I usually had to force myself to eat due to having absolutely no appetite."