Topiramate and Tingling: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Update from 'Chickadee' - been on med for five weeks, down ten lbs without exercising. My eating habits have been better although this week. They changed considerably for about four days. I ate a whole lot of rubbish but still managed to lose two pounds. I've been consistently losing two lbs a week and weigh myself every Monday. Still taking 50 mg at night. Only noticeable side effects now are tingling in feet and hands intermittently, and fatigue at times. Otherwise, nothing noticeable. I am thinking about increasing dosage. I would like to see quicker results but maybe I'm just being greedy. Two lbs a week is a safe, maintainable weight loss. Hope it keeps up. Currently at 230#."

• Anonymous
• March 24, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "Topamax is truly a lifesaver. I have been on this for many years now for migraine prevention, and I too would get the 'pins and needles' tingling sensation in hands and feet. I've found a daily multivitamin helps with that, and believe it or not, prenatal vitamins take it completely away. I hope this helps!"

• KDa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2019

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I was put on Topamax (brand name) in 2007 as I was having migraine headaches five and six times a month at a minimum (not just bothersome 'headaches' but full-on pain with severe vomiting and preventing me from going to work). At the time, my insurance covered it, and my copay was $10 a month. The only bad side effect I experienced was the tingling in my feet (sometimes severe), but it was worth it considering I went down to one migraine the first year I was on it. I called it my miracle drug (and I lost 30 lbs!). It gave me my life back... and then it came off the insurance company's formulary and went from $10 to $60 a month. As a newly divorced mom, I was unable to afford that, but I was able to move to the generic Topiramate - which only became a nightmare, and I now have lifelong issues (separate review for it)."

• Rac...
• February 13, 2016

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I suffer from migraines and also am overweight. So the Dr. prescribed me Topamax for both. I weighed in at 209 on Feb 2, 2016, and today, Feb 12, 2016, I am 203. So far so good with the weight loss. I'm not too pleased with the side effects, however. I feel fuzzy all day, like I'm on a cloud. Dizzy, tingling, and numbness in my fingers and toes. Hasn't helped my migraines at all either. It does, though, not make me hungry at all. I have to force myself to eat because I know I have to. I don't see myself taking this medication long term. I'd rather try and lose the weight naturally. Not worth all the side effects."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2014

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "By the time I started Topamax, I was getting migraines 2-4 days a week. Topamax seemed like the best fix. And for a while, it was. My migraines significantly reduced, though I did get most of the common side effects: slight tingling in my fingers, carbonated beverages tasted gross, and weight loss. My main warning about this medicine is weight loss. It seems to be paraded as a benefit, and to some it may be, but if you are already naturally slim, pay very close attention. I wound up dropping to an unhealthy weight despite all attempts to counter it, and it's ultimately why I had to stop Topamax. I was unwillingly wasting away. When I stopped, my migraines returned in short order, and I'm still looking for an alternative that works."

• Sky...
• September 20, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was initially on this medication, topiramate, for chronic adolescent migraines for about 6 years and tapered off when I grew out of the condition. I’m back on it again for appetite and weight loss. I started taking the medication at 200 lbs, it’s been 3 weeks, and I have not been weighed yet, but I can already feel a difference. I eat less than half of what I could have before, where I’d eat 2.5 servings of a meal, I eat 1, and I am satisfied. Although Topamax has been helpful more than once for me, they don’t call this stuff 'dopamax' for nothing. I’m extremely tired at inappropriate times, I cannot wake up in the daytime without feeling dizzy and exhausted. If you have a schedule that requires you to be awake and aware for a good amount of the day, I would avoid taking this stuff. This med is royally screwing up my ability to get to my morning classes. Other symptoms I feel were initial cold symptoms, tingling hands and feet, restlessness, and going to the bathroom more than usual."

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2013

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I was prepared for the basic side effects: Carbonated beverages not tasting right, and also some loss of appetite. I was put on 100mg from the get-go. I also had the fairly common side effect of just feeling confused, though this wasn't all that severe and I was still able to do well in school. I also experienced tingling in my hands and feet, and though this was irritating, it was bearable. The real kicker for why I quit taking this medicine was when I began to have what felt like panic attacks and severe confusion, along with elevated heartbeat and dizziness. Also, my fingers would move on their own and seem to get stuck sticking straight out, and I had no control over it."

• Lyn...
• January 27, 2017

Topiramate for Fibromyalgia "Miracle drug! The side effects can be daunting at first, like tingling/numbness in extremities that won't stop for hours, but if you increase your water intake substantially and power through, it's totally worth it. My daily tension headaches are 90% gone, which is huge for me. It didn't do much in terms of overall muscle pain reduction or the daily body aches, but I did lose over 30 pounds in four months. I stopped drinking all carbonated drinks (because it makes them all taste super flat weirdly) and definitely am not as hungry as I used to be, so that's just a bonus."

• chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Update: I started Topamax a week ago tomorrow, 50 mg at night, and I have lost 5 lbs. I'm 5'3" and started at 157 lbs. I am at the doctor's now, stepped on the scale, and I'm at 152, so I couldn't be happier. I have very minimal side effects, taking them at night helps with those. I sleep very well, and I have had some tingling fingers, but nothing unbearable. All in all, I am very happy with the 5 lbs lost in 6 days. I'm looking forward to more weight loss. In one more week, I do increase my dosage to 100 mg, so we shall see about those side effects, but if things keep going the way they are, then I might stay on them for a while."

• dee...
• October 18, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have taken topiramate since June 23, 2015, for weight loss and to help with my type 2 diabetes. I have now lost 25 lbs as of October 15. I have also joined Weight Watchers in August because I found that the pills alone were not a miracle pill, they do help with not having the carb cravings, but you do need to eat well to lose weight. I currently take 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at dinner time and do not see any side effects. At first, I did have tingling in the hands and feet, but after a few weeks, that went away. I plan on staying on it and remaining with Weight Watchers and hopefully making my goal weight for the first time. I am 50 years old and have been overweight since age 20."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2013

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "My current dosage is 100mg daily. I started at 113 pounds. Today, I weigh 100 pounds due to Topamax. Yes, I agree with everyone, in the beginning, the side effects were the worst. However, my doctor warned me that I would not feel relief until I reached my full dosage and my body adjusted to it, which was about 12 weeks. And I did see a difference. Before Topamax, migraines controlled my life, I had roughly 15 a month. With Topamax, I rarely have a severe migraine at all. Typically, I just get 5-7 headaches a month, which is a big difference. Yes, sometimes I forget my train of thought or feel tingling in my feet. However, those side effects beat the alternative of 50% of my life being controlled by severe migraines."

• Ann...
• January 29, 2013

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I am a retired teacher with a long history of migraines. Because of a heart condition, there were many medications I could not take. I suffered through many days taking mostly over-the-counter medicines. I was put on Topamax 10 months ago. At 100 mg a day, I was so stupid I could never have run a classroom. I could not do simple math problems or remember the names of streets nearby my home. The huge relief of not having migraines made it almost worth it. After all, I was now retired and did not have to be as sharp as I once was. It was a tough decision. My family was frustrated too with my huge brain fog. I also had the tingling and taste changes but they are easy to adjust to. I recently weaned myself down to 50 mg a day and it's working well."

• Gra...
• January 29, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Topiramate for 4.5 months for appetite suppressant. It has been great! I also am on Weight Watchers and I work out regularly, but I was unable to continually lose weight until I started Topiramate. I did have the side effects of tingling in the hands and feet occasionally, but that has pretty much gone away. It has been my miracle drug. I have lost 25 pounds and have another 20 or so to go. The weight loss has slowed down in the last month, but I did make it through the holidays losing weight, which has never happened before! It doesn’t take all my cravings away, but just helps turn it down some."

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2021

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I just started Topamax. So far, I get the tingling feeling and the brain fog. Nothing major, though, and I zone out a lot. I barely eat, and when I do, it’s healthy. I hope this works. I’ve tried everything. I’ll update in a month."

• ANu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "March 2010-2014: Poor concentration and spelling; I can't do math in my head. Tingling feet, twitches in my fingers and lips. I felt like I was in a daze, like Ozzy Osbourne. BUT, average weight loss was 2-3 lbs/week with no lifestyle changes. The doctor gave me Adderall for concentration, which helped, but I needed Ambien to sleep. I was thinner than in high school but got annoyed with relying on pills and gained back my 38 lbs, plus 25 more. I do recommend the medicine; make sure it doesn't affect your work life, and use vitamin B12 to get rid of the tingling. I'm starting the meds again; the side effects are worth it to me!"

• 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."

• Jen...
• November 15, 2016

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have been taking 75 mg Topamax once a day for about 10 years now. I have gone as far as taking 100 mg until I started not being able to get the words out that I was thinking of. That side effect has not completely gone away but is better. When I first started, I did have the tingling in my hands and feet, but it was no more than like having carpal tunnel. I also have the weird taste where soda tasted flat and tomatoes taste weird. I did lose a little weight. The tingling went away, I adjusted to just not drinking soda. And tomatoes started to taste fine. I also take Sumatriptan for when I still do get a headache. However, the headaches are much fewer and further between. I will get a cluster of them about every six months, but still better."

• TCr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm going into my third week on Topamax. For the twelve years previous to this medication, I was treated vigorously for clinical depression. (Clearly, to no avail.) My 'mood spikes,' as my husband and I lovingly call them, are already beginning to subside. My toes, fingers, and nose do tingle, and now that my dose is doubled (third week, time to titrate up), I'm definitely losing my appetite. (I have a few pounds to spare, so I'm not mad about it!) I hope to update this page again in a month or so to let you know how the medication is going then. After being on every antidepressant the market has ever seen, it's a Godsend to have FINALLY been pointed in the right direction. (I'm 30 years old, married with a 2-year-old.)"

• Bri...
• November 2, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I got Topamax about 4 months ago, and it has been amazing, it has completely changed my life! I hate reading these blogs and tags that say 'do not try this, it is horrible, the side effects are horrible, it'll ruin your life!' Side effects are different for everyone, you don't know how it'll react with your body. These blogs and stuff stopped me for a long time from taking Topamax, and it completely saved my life. I haven't gotten a migraine in 4 months! I used to get migraines 5 days of the week! It truly works amazingly for me! Yes, soda tastes horrible, but I think it's a good thing, all I drink is water now, and I have a healthier lifestyle! I have lost some weight! I do get tingly feet and hands, but it's nothing you can't deal with, it goes away pretty fast."

• Bri...
• November 2, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I got Topamax about 4 months ago, and it has been amazing, it has completely changed my life! I hate reading these blogs and tags that say 'do not try this, it is horrible, the side effects are horrible, it'll ruin your life!' Side effects are different for everyone, you don't know how it'll react with your body. These blogs and stuff stopped me for a long time from taking Topamax, and it completely saved my life. I haven't gotten a migraine in 4 months! I used to get migraines 5 days of the week! It truly works amazingly for me! Yes, soda tastes horrible, but I think it's a good thing, all I drink is water now, and I have a healthier lifestyle! I have lost some weight! I do get tingly feet and hands, but it's nothing you can't deal with, it goes away pretty fast."

• Kat...
• January 8, 2015

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I started taking Topamax about two and a half weeks ago. In that two weeks, I've lost close to 10 pounds. I've also had tingling in my fingers, feet, and toes. I've gotten tingling in my lips, too. Other than tingling body parts, so far I love it, and I've gone from headaches every day to maybe four really small ones and one migraine."

• Mal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2013

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I am currently taking it for intense migraines. It is the only thing that I have found that has helped. I do have breakthrough migraines, but the medication does keep the majority of them at bay. I do get many of the side effects. I get tingling in my hands and feet. I occasionally get tingling on my tongue and a weird burning taste when I drink soda. I get slight dizziness when I first take it. I am more sensitive to cold, and I get diarrhea. All of these side effects I can either live with or treat and are worth the freedom from the migraines. If you live with migraines every day, you're willing to put up with a lot of side effects just to be pain-free for a while. This medication is totally worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 13, 2014

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topamax for 2 years now after trying many different medications. Yes, I got some of the side effects, mainly thought process was slow and word confusion. That was really frustrating, it is worse under stress. The all-over tingling is not as bad anymore, but I do not have headaches every day. You have to weigh your options."

• Jen...
• July 20, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I'm writing about my 18-year-old daughter who is currently on Topamax. She has suffered from migraines since she was about 12 years old. They would take her out for 2-3 days each, occurring anywhere from 2-6 times a month. When she was first given Topamax, we thought it was the greatest medication ever. Problem solved, she felt that the tingling fingers and face, as well as the flat soda taste, were well worth not suffering from migraines. HOWEVER - and I cannot stress this enough - as she increased her dose, she exhibited personality changes. She became depressed and overall just wasn't herself. Thankfully, we recognized this and are working with her doctor to back off the Topamax. We will be looking into other options. Not worth it!"

• Jen...
• July 20, 2017

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I'm writing about my 18-year-old daughter who is currently on Topamax. She has suffered from migraines since she was about 12 years old. They would take her out for 2-3 days each, occurring anywhere from 2-6 times a month. When she was first given Topamax, we thought it was the greatest medication ever. Problem solved, she felt that the tingling fingers and face, as well as the flat soda taste, were well worth not suffering from migraines. HOWEVER - and I cannot stress this enough - as she increased her dose, she exhibited personality changes. She became depressed and overall just wasn't herself. Thankfully, we recognized this and are working with her doctor to back off the Topamax. We will be looking into other options. Not worth it!"