Topamax for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 2)

• Emi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2018

"After trying everything and failing to get my migraines under control, I was at rock bottom. My doctor suggested Topiramate, and it has changed my life. I can go out and live a normal life and not worry about what will happen if I get a migraine or how quickly I can get home. My migraines have completely stopped since I have upped the dose from 25mg to 50mg. I get some tingling in my legs, but I can cope with that if it means no migraines forever. It’s a miracle drug."

• Tyl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

"I don’t typically write reviews on medications but feel I need to for this one. I have had migraines with aura for quite some time, but recently worsened over the last year. I finally saw my PCP for treatment and was placed on 25 mg of Topamax, which I was to slowly increase over a 3-week period to 2 tablets twice a day. The first week was 1 tablet at night for 7 days. I started the medication on a Monday, and by Wednesday I already developed absolutely no appetite and persistent nausea. But I continued taking it, thinking it would pass. By Friday, I had developed fatigue and general malaise. On top of that, I still had no appetite and had eaten very little over the five days I had been on the medication. My mood was terrible, and I felt like I was in a persistent state of being hungover day after day. DON’T take this med if you can use other options for migraine prophylaxis. This medication causes more burdens than benefits."

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

"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)."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2014

"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."

• Ood...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2015

"Topamax is by far the best migraine preventative I have ever tried. I take 100mg at night and have even been on 200mg - 1 100mg in the AM and 1 100mg in the PM. My neurologist and I discussed Topamax and figured it was worth a shot since my chronic, daily migraines were uncontrollable and I was getting Imitrex injections almost every week and could no longer take Toradol. Unlike other people, I have very few side effects. I weaned off Topamax once to try Gabapentin but it by itself wasn't enough and my migraines returned full force. Very few side effects: trouble finding words, thirst, and weight loss (not that I mind). Topamax is a wonderful drug and a LIFESAVER. It and my Gabapentin together is my divine combo!"

• nee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2017

"I have been on Topamax 100 mg twice a day since July of this year. Once in the morning and once in the evening. I have been a chronic migraine sufferer for at least ten years, having at least 8-10 migraines per month, lasting at least 24 hours at a time. I was unable to leave a dark room and often ended up in the hospital. My doctor started me off on 25 mg twice a day, gradually working me up to 100 mg twice a day. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me! Migraines are down to about 1 to 2 a month. I can actually live my life! Yes, I have lost about 30 pounds since July (almost 5 months), luckily, I had it to lose. But I feel like a new person! My memory was slightly foggy at first, but my body adjusted and I feel great!"

• Hal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2019

"On this medication to prevent migraines. It works like a charm. I had migraines almost daily, and now I only have them the day before my period starts. I have not had the weight loss side effect people talk about, though."

• Nea...
• February 10, 2014

"Topamax literally saved my life! I have been getting headaches often since I was 14 or so. They progressed to full-blown migraines after my 3rd child (I was 28 in 2004) and increased from there. By 2008/2009, they had gotten so bad I was literally having paralysis on the left side of my face, could not keep my eyes open at all, severe vomiting. Once I had one, there was no driving or I'd run off the road. Thankfully after getting no relief from several medications, including visits to the ER, ENT, and neurologist to try and figure out something... I was prescribed Topamax. I use 50mg a day with 2 Aleve & 500mg Magnesium. It pretty much wiped out my migraines. I got pretty much all the side effects, but who cares? I'm not suffering every day anymore. :)"

• Pan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2019

"I took Topamax because I was getting migraines nearly every day and other treatments failed. I was not informed of any serious side effects. I had never had a panic attack before, but I was getting them frequently on Topamax. They were so intense I did not know what to do. I did not feel like myself at all, I felt like a different person or empty shell of myself. I went to my primary care (neurologist prescribed), and she said she was treating several other patients for similar severe panic attacks from Topamax. The drug stays in your system so long, it was an awful feeling. I was just relieved to know it was the medicine and I wasn’t totally losing it. I have never tried migraine prevention medications since (this was 13 years ago) because it was such an awful experience."

• Ain...
• February 20, 2017

"Developed Aurora symptoms of migraine as part of the diagnosis of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue diagnosis as a result of a car accident. Debilitating vertigo, light and noise sensitivity. Extreme cognitive dysfunction and fatigue, which were constant, but the migraine came and went, although it would last for weeks. Eventually, it just stayed, and I felt like I was walking about drunk! I was told there was nothing that could be done for me and that this was part of my condition. I found Topamax myself when I had reached the point where I had decided to end it all if this was it. Sad but true. Fortunately and happily, I am a new woman. My brain has been unscrambled! I can function again! No more hiding from the light or trying to remember why I started a sentence."

• Lor...
• July 29, 2013

"I have been on Topamax for 13 years now and cannot live without it. Before the doctor prescribed it for me, I was in the hospital at least 4 times a year for 2 to 3 days. I have not even been to the emergency room for a shot since I have started taking it. I take 50 mg in the morning & 50 mg at night. I did not lose many pounds, and the side effects did not bother me at all. I would suggest anyone with severe migraines to give Topamax a few months before giving up on it."

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

"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."

• Cka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2016

"A very dangerous medication. I was prescribed it for headaches. Many side effects were problems I was already having. I told my doctor about it, and so did my wife on many occasions. The doctor said to keep taking it, the good outweighs the bad. And if I don't take it, they will not try a new medication, or see me again. So I tried it for 21 days. Hallucination, didn't know if I was awake or dreaming. Many bad things. Then out of nowhere, I shot myself under the chin. Somehow I survived. After coming out of a coma and many surgeries, I did more study on the medicine. I'm 46. In the testing of this drug, 31% of all males between 41 and 49 committed suicide on it. That's one in three males, all within the first 30 days. So I was failed by my doctors."

• Mic...
• September 11, 2019

"Been on Topamax quite a few weeks now, to help my migraines. At 50 mg, it wasn't doing anything additional for my migraines that my low histamine diet wasn't already doing, but it did wonders for my brain fog and energy! Very pleased! A few word-finding problems, but I can sit and read a whole book now and remember what I read. Last week, I went up to 100 mg, and sadly it has begun giving me daily migraines. Not bad ones, but it's not a good sign. I will be dropping it back down to 50 mg for a week or two, and if they resolve, I will try again to confirm if the higher dose is the issue. As advice: don't listen to the scaremongering on here and take the miracles with a grain of salt. It IS approved for migraine, it's not an off-label use."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2013

"I started taking Topamax since Monday, February 4th, 2013. I have a history of migraines and lately have been having just bad headaches every day. I am taking 25mg a day and it has really helped. I have had no side effects except lack of interest in eating. I have lost 3 lbs this week. I look forward to no headaches and will watch the weight loss but I can stand to lose a few pounds at this point."

• Fly...
• March 28, 2008

"WONDER DRUG!! Every drug has side effects, people! The side effects from this one wore off for me after about 2 months. You gotta stick through it to get used to it, once you do, it's totally worth it. I went from having almost daily headaches and weekly severe migraines to maybe 1 migraine every couple of months that, even then, it was very minimal. Totally worth trying!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2019

"Topamax was a dreadful choice for me for my migraine prevention. Topamax did nothing to improve my chronic migraines and made life even more difficult than it was by making me fuzzy-minded. I couldn’t concentrate, carry on a conversation, finish a task without having to stop and think about what I’m doing and why. I was too woozy to drive-I even felt wobbly while walking. I couldn’t function at all. The worst of it was this: I’m normally right-handed. While I was on Topamax, I started using my left hand as the dominant hand and knocking things over, dropping things, and generally getting frustrated by my lack of coordination. This troubling symptom lasted the longest after stopping my use of Topamax. I understand that some find this drug helpful, but it was a nightmare and a danger for me."

• Jaq...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2023

"I am on day 7 of 25mg of Topamax at night for vestibular migraine. So far, I have had no unpleasant side effects and also no migraines (but too early to tell if it will be effective in the long run). I am supposed to increase to 25mg bd in a week. The first night I felt a bit strange when I took it, but that settled quickly. If anything, I feel more upbeat and happy. I pray that this is the miracle drug I have been hoping for. 5 years of hell with vertigo and too many useless drugs to mention, physio, MRI, neurology, etc., all with no success. Fingers crossed, and I will keep you all posted!!"

• Kim...
• June 1, 2016

"After taking 100 mg daily, it took me roughly 3 months for my migraines to dramatically stop. I went from having approximately 12 migraines monthly to having maybe two. The side effects of this medication for me: for 3 weeks I could not focus, extreme fatigue, restlessness. I cannot drink anything carbonated, as a result, I lost 20 pounds in the first month. Serious appetite loss. I've been on this medication for 9 months and lost a total of 43 pounds. I have to take it in the morning, otherwise, I cannot sleep. It also helps with my OCD tendencies. If you can make it through 3 weeks of outer space, this medication is worth it!!"

• stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2020

"I've been suffering from migraines for over 10 years now, and 5 years ago, I started with propranolol, then Depakine, which didn't help, and now Topamax eventually. Topamax is awful. It made me feel suicidal. I started with 25 mg and followed the 4-week steps in upping the dose like the doctor said. My family started to see a personality change instantly. When I reached the 100 mg 2/day dose, things started to get worse. For 3 weeks, I was nauseous, I couldn’t get up, started to feel stupid, I had exams, and I couldn’t focus at all, strange taste in mouth, numbness in hands and feet, and the tiredness. I slept for days and was still tired. This medication is DANGEROUS. I never wanted to die so badly. Please think about this."

• Fer...
• November 22, 2015

"I swear, this stuff almost ruined my life. I am a veteran who suffers from anxiety and chronic migraines from an injury in Iraq. The VA (my neurologist) had me try this drug to see if it would help me with the migraines. After about a month, I noticed that I couldn't concentrate, and I'd begun to affect my studies badly. My anxiety was the worst it had ever been, and I was slipping into a depression. I had no idea what was wrong with me. The VA gave me (a person who suffers from anxiety) a medication that makes you stupid and wreaked havoc on my mind without warning me about any potential side effects. I had to process the change on my own, figure out what was wrong with me, and wean myself off the pills. Use with extreme caution!"

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

"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

"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."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2019

"I started Topamax at one 50 mg tablet, and I was okay the first weeks. Then I couldn’t eat at all, I was hungry, but I couldn’t eat, and I started developing anxiety and depression and really dark thoughts. I stopped it for 2 weeks and decided to give it another try, and that same night I took the dose, I had horrible anxiety and just didn't feel safe from myself. This medicine is horrible."

• Lif...
• January 18, 2021

"I was put on Topamax in September 2019 to treat lifelong migraines. I suffered very severe side effects across the board. My brain got foggy, and I started dropping words or leaving sentences unfinished. I developed a skin reaction to metal, and the skin peeled off under my wedding ring and where my bra clasp met my skin. The worst part was the crippling depression and anxiety. I spent hours crying. I developed such severe anxiety and insomnia that I stopped going to bed. I would just sit on the couch all night in a fog or fighting through panic attacks. I was prescribed Ativan to manage the anxiety. My GP put me on suicide watch and started to taper off the Topamax dosage. Before I was completely off, I developed an allergic reaction: my face, hands, and feet swelled, and I developed full-body hives. I ended up in the ER, where I was put on a high dose of steroids and antihistamines. I went through horrible Topamax withdrawal, which left me nauseous and with the worst headache of my life."