Topiramate and Weight Loss: What Users Say (Page 5)

• who...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 3, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I've suffered from migraines for over 30 years, sometimes as many as six or seven a month. Have been on topiramate for one year now, began at 20 mg once a day, and now only take 50 mg once a day, and that seems to be enough for me. I had side effects such as tingling hands and brain fog in the beginning, and some weight loss, but I eat something, whether I'm hungry or not, if it's mealtime. The other side effects passed quickly, and my headaches have all but passed, I only have eye pain now, which I think is reminiscent of the migraine that would have been. I think it's a small miracle that I can live my life on my terms now instead of being a slave to my headaches, but I agree that it's not for everyone."

• Msg...
• September 30, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Recently started on topiramate for migraines. First week 25 mg at night, no problems, even a little loss of appetite and weight loss, which I can't complain about. Second week 2x 25 mg at night. Second week started to notice sleep problems such as insomnia after taking my dose at night, so took it early evening but still not sleeping till 2/3 in the morning. 3rd week 1x 25 mg am 2x 25 pm... Really not sleeping, appetite is back, but stomach pain when I do eat. I'm hoping if I drop back down, it'll even back out and I will be OK. Quite enjoy losing a bit of weight after being so ill with migraines."

• kar...
• December 5, 2009

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I took the time to read every review and register. I have been on Topamax since May of '09, it is Dec. 5th '09. I was put on Topamax after being taken to the hospital for a TIA (mini stroke) due to complicated migraines. I don't really know how I feel about Topamax. I still get migraines a lot, and most of the side effects. I've lost 70 pounds. I am weak. But the banana tip is very helpful. My math is shot. And I stumble on my words. Short-term memory is a loss. But I will give the medicine more time and try the bananas to help with the side effects. I take 150 mg 2x daily. I started at 25 mg. But I have other illnesses that factor in. No one has mentioned TIAs. No one has this from their migraines? Thanks for the info. It's all helpful."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 20, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topimax off and on for 10 years. After having cancer and eventually neck surgery, I had severe headaches. I was finally prescribed Topimax. I started at a low dose. My neurologist kept upping my amount until we found the right amount I needed to work for me. It is a miracle drug for me, I tried everything! Nothing else worked for my headaches. The weight loss is a great bonus! The side effects do go away. I say try it, you can always stop taking it if needed. I am currently at 300 mg daily. I just started again, wish me luck!"

• Anonymous
• June 30, 2010

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I took this medication for nearly two months before seeking a second opinion about my hormonal migraines. I was only having 1-2 migraines a month; however, they would last 4-5 days at a time. When the pain medications didn't help, my doctor started me on Topamax. I do a great deal of technical writing and crisis management in my job, and my migraines really got in the way. I was able to deal with the weight loss and taste changes, but the difficulty in concentrating became a serious issue. When I started losing hair, that was the last straw. If my migraines became worse, I may return to Topamax, though."

• Shl...
• November 17, 2009

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "This medication worked for me for a while, however, my body became accustomed to it, and it stopped working. I also experienced the majority of side effects, mainly weight loss, but also decreased cognition and spelling abilities. I discontinued this medication specifically because losing my ability to think and communicate was horrible. Before I started this medication, my migraines were never affected by food (caffeine, sugar, etc.), however, since discontinuing the medication, I can no longer drink coffee/soda or have sugary desserts and foods. I also feel like my speech and communication skills (verbal) have been affected."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2008

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "After 25 years of suffering with migraines, I've finally found something that works, bearing in mind I'm only 27. Although when my dose is increased, I have really bad gastroenteritis, and my taste has completely changed, not to mention my weight loss, this is a really powerful drug. I believe it is working for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I've tried every medicine you can offer someone in pediatrics, so they are now trying me on adult meds. I've been on topiramate for nearly 6 months, and it's not been great for me. I'm currently doing my AS levels, and although it has cut my headaches/migraines down from 6-7 a week to 3-4 a week, the side effects have been awful. I had been irritable and tired. I lost a fair bit of weight that I don't need to lose simply because I'm not hungry anymore. I've been experiencing pins and needles in my hands and feet and am constantly cold, and I am dizzy and feel like passing out. And with exams coming up, the memory problems and the problems with getting out my words aren't helping. At 17, suffering from migraines for coming up to 4 years, I don't know what to do."

• Gem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2022

Topiramate "I can't speak for others' experiences with this one, but here I go (was on it for schizoaffective disorder). I definitely appreciated many aspects of Topamax, such as the very significant weight loss and even the dumbing down effect (because it helped my mind to relax and be more open). But overall, this drug has insanely increased my irritability levels, and if I didn't have Lithium, it probably would've led to severe suicidal thoughts and urges as well. Seriously, for many people, it's a great medication, and few can compare to it, but for others, it's a horrific poison. Too many providers are not educating their patients about its side effects before putting them on it."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2012

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I took it for about 3 weeks with no improvement in symptoms whatsoever. Side effects included complete loss of appetite and rapid weight loss, mood swings, intense nausea, insomnia, hallucinations, memory problems, and constant confusion. Everyone reacts differently, I guess, but this was not the medicine for me."

• ooh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Side effects in the first 3 months included tingling feet, loss of sensation in hands, some minor hair loss, weight loss (11 kg), appetite loss, loss of words (especially nouns), and inability to taste carbonated drinks. Almost all of these disappeared after about 3 months. I am left with a somewhat reduced appetite, occasional pins and needles, and I can't drink fizzy drinks. Weight loss was short-lived. The effect on migraines was instant and measurable - reduced severity and frequency. Not to zero, but to a more manageable level. I am left with regular headaches, which I now think are medication overuse headaches that will pass as I reduce painkiller use. I still get menstrual migraines, which can be tricky to shift, but with sumatriptan, I can usually cope."

• flo...
• November 15, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I used to get migraines twice a week that would last a day or two. Now they're down to two every two weeks that could possibly last a little more than a day. Topiramate really helped. I used to be on a lot of meds. I'm 17 now. I do experience side effects as well. I can't really concentrate as well in school. I can see that in my grades. I can't sleep well at night. I've lost weight, which is probably a good thing (30 lbs in 6 mos.), and the one that gets me the most is my hair has started falling out drastically. I don't brush my hair anymore. I used to have 8 migraine days a month, at least last month I was down to 3. These side effects are worth it to me, but every case is different."

• Ren...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I was on this medication for about three years to prevent migraine. It decreased the amount of migraines I would have each month, but I still got them. I did experience side effects such as tingling in my heels, constantly tired, diarrhea, weight loss, and a change in taste (specifically with carbonated beverages). I was recently hospitalized for a separate issue, and the doctors would not let me take topiramate. I ended up discontinuing it altogether to see how I would adapt. I noticed that the diarrhea I was experiencing was not IBS like I had thought, but because of topiramate. It was terrible, and I had previously been taking an anti-diarrheal about five days a week. I feel like I've got my life back since discontinuing."

• 15A...
• March 1, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on topiramate for approximately one month, and results are incredible. Within one week, I was completely migraine-free. When I first started this medicine, I was very nervous considering all of the possible side effects, but I have grown to conclude I only had a few side effects. I had weight loss, 10 pounds (good), and the bad, I get very dizzy sometimes. I also find I overeat at all, I feel like I might get sick (last about 10 min.). Lately, I have been very tired, I used to be able to stay up forever, now I go to bed at 9:30. Lastly, I have been experiencing random pains. They seem like body aches, like you would get when you are sick. Oh, and I almost forgot, foods taste different, and pop tastes metallic."

• myg...
• May 6, 2017

Topiramate for Seizure Prevention "Switched to this after getting a nasty mouth rash from Lamictal-and would rather have that than all the stuff I have to deal with from Topamax... 24/7 exhaustion, breakthrough seizures daily, horrible, horrible memory loss (will have taken my medication and no more than 10 minutes later have to count all the tiny things to see if I've taken that half day's dose). Living a miserable life on this medication, cannot wait to get onto something else. Tried to give this a chance, and it gave me nothing but a terrible time, almost like being unmedicated with a constant dead leg and arm, UGH. I'm a small person in general, so the weight loss was not a welcome change either. Topamax does nothing!!! for my complex partial seizures or epilepsy."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2010

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "The side effects of this medication far outweighed any benefits. I honestly didn't notice any decrease in migraines or other types of headaches. Besides that, I couldn't eat a thing (lost tons of weight), my face felt numb, my hands and feet tingled, and I was so tired during the day that I found it impossible to be productive at work. Plus, it makes you forget words! I know another girl at work who went on this, and she's fine! I guess I just couldn't tolerate it. My doctor ended up putting me on Cymbalta, and it prevented migraines for me. Cymbalta is a great antidepressant because it has given me no side effects whatsoever! And normally, I get the sexual side effects from them (I've tried a lot)."

• Aus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2022

Topiramate for Seizures "I’m 25 years old and have tried many meds for my seizures. I had 3 brain surgeries and was on Lamictal, Vimpat, and Clobazam. I needed to go off of Clobazam because my body was adjusting to the drug. I started Topamax, and it improved my nighttime seizures, and the side effect of weight loss was great because all others cause weight gain. I was weaning onto it and was sent for blood work on the Lamictal levels, but the day after, my neurologist called. He said I needed to stop the Topamax immediately because the average liver enzyme level is 50 and mine was at 1,000! I wasn’t feeling bad or anything, but he is an experienced neurologist and said he had never heard of this happening to anyone before. It’s sad that it happened because it was decreasing the seizure frequency, and the weight loss was working, but it poisoned my liver. It sounds rare, but it worked. In my case, that’s why I rate it low."

• Kel...
• November 5, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking topiramate for my severe headaches and migraines, and it was very effective in that way. My only complaint is the drastic weight loss. I went from 125 pounds to 98 pounds, and I looked awful! I became pregnant with my second child and went off the medication, and I experienced extreme panic and a feeling I can only describe as a “pre-seizure” feeling, which made me spiral into panic attacks. I gained 50 pounds during my pregnancy, and after having my child, went back on topiramate. Not long after, I was down to 98 pounds again. No thank you!! I am now off the medication and a healthy 120 pounds again. I can’t say that it wasn’t extremely effective, however."

• Ann...
• August 31, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I was taking 50 mg a day, and it really reduced my migraines. I had no side effects except that I lost about 10 pounds, so that was a plus, though my weight was normal. My neurologist bumped me up to 75 mg to try to get rid of the last of my migraines, and then a few months later, I noticed my hair was falling out just like it did each time when I was postpartum. I'll have to go back down on my dosage to see if that will make my hair come back or if I need to go off it altogether, but it will take years to grow my long hair out again. ;("

• eng...
• May 19, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I take this medication for migraines. I was having migraines 3 to 5 times a week. Now I have a headache maybe 5-10 times a month, which is a relief for me. I have noticed weight loss also, which I am proud of and was not expecting."

• Sei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2017

For Seizures "I used Topamax/Trokendi for seizures. It works wonders considering I have uncontrolled seizures. I have only taken it for 3 months and also lost 10 lbs. I am back to my pre-baby weight, which I wasn’t even trying for, but that’s a blessing in disguise. I’m finally experiencing some relief considering the misery I live in on a daily basis, which if you don’t have seizures, you’ll never understand the pain and suffering."

• kit...
• December 6, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I used Topiramate for 12 months for migraines, which helped enormously, reduced them to 1 or 2 a month from the 10. A great side effect was the weight loss on 50 mg, lost 60 lb, but the migraines started getting worse, so I increased the dose to 100 mg and had a LOT of side effects: periods stopped, body aches, palpitations, slow heartbeat, fatigue, memory loss, the list was endless. I came off them altogether, and the migraines just came back as before, and I put on 16 lb weight in a month! All the other side effects disappeared. I have stayed off them for a month and am about to reintroduce them as I cannot stand the almost daily migraines. (And I don't want to put any more weight back on). This medicine works well, but you need to get the right dosage."

• Lmo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I only took Topamax 25 mg 2x daily for 10 days before I could no longer take the side effects. I have suffered from almost daily migraines since I was 6 years old and have always resorted to OTC medicines to 'attempt' to ease the pain. I have taken Imitrex to combat the pain and even resorted to Valium to knock myself out and sleep through it. When I heard about Topamax, I was elated, and it really does work at preventing migraines. However, within a few days, I developed some side effects ranging from annoying to considering whether I should go to the ER: burning/stinging sensation when drinking soda, tingling feet, nausea, weight loss, memory loss, irregular heartbeat, and passing out. I can't function like that."

• Met...
• July 16, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "This medicine has changed my life. I've been suffering with chronic migraines since I was 2 years old. All the females in my family suffer from them. Overtired of every medication. But finally, my neuro finally put me on this. I have been on 50 mg now for 3 weeks, and it's the first time in 23 years I have gone this long without one migraine!! I do have some weight loss, a plus for me, and some tingling in my feet, but if you eat at least 2 bananas a day, this really helps and makes multivitamins."