Topamax for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 3)

• Guill...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2019

"I was prescribed 100 mg Topamax for mood and migraines. I was surprised it has prevented most of my migraines and helped my mood somewhat. I was having severe cluster headaches every morning for nearly 2 years, waking up at 5 or 6 am with excruciating pain, it was awful. Never knew what caused them, the Topamax stopped them immediately, I could not believe it. I am so happy and relieved. So this has been a good drug for me."

• Kimber...
• 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!!"

• Anna
• 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."

• Tope...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 30, 2020

"On Topamax since '06 for migraines, which works, lost weight, works for that too, 200 mg @ AM and 300 mg @ PM now to manage. Only side effects are minimal. I can tell you that the weight loss comes to an end and you will have better luck with diet and exercise. Even on this med I have, because if you don't change your lifestyle and eating habits, when that weight loss stops, you just gain it all back. That's why weight gain is a side effect too. Just do it the right way to begin with. You will be happier and healthier."

• Willard
• May 7, 2016

"After menopause, migraines soared to three per week. Topamax 50 mg daily has been a miracle drug. Not one headache in 18 months. One side effect is dry eyes and dry mouth. Easy to live with that in lieu of disabling migraines that eroded my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2017

"Now in my late 50s, I have been a lifelong migraine sufferer. My new neurologist recommended Topamax (FDA approved for migraine therapy). I am going on week 3 with promising results...for the first time in years, I am waking up to no headaches and am not getting headaches as the day wears on. I'm sleeping better. I am experiencing a slight problem with focus/concentration, but am told that this side effect should subside over time. Providing the side effects are minimal and non-intrusive, I can see staying on this medication-I'm hopeful."

• Jenn...
• November 15, 2016

"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."

• Jojo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2016

"This is the worst medication ever. Started at 25 mg for 7 days at night, then moved up to 50 mg. On night 7, advanced each week up until 100 mg. Didn't get past day 12 and decided this was not going to work for me. Vertigo, nausea, loss of appetite, irrational fears, phobias, drug-induced fog, depression, ringing in ears, and can only smell certain strange odors, which are unpleasant. All carbonated drinks are flat and tasteless. At this point, your quality of life is beyond worthless. It helped with migraines...but I was so preoccupied and sick with side effects I'm not sure what was worse."

• Happy
• October 3, 2018

"I have had migraines for 31 years that were easily controlled by Sumatriptan a few times a month and 25 mg of Amitriptyline daily. While now going through perimenopause, my migraines became more severe and harder to control. I was taking many milligrams of OTC pain relievers, tried all-natural remedies, my life started being controlled by when I was going to get a migraine. My neurologist prescribed Topiramate Sprinkle Capsules, started 15 mg every three days until the target dose was reached. The first few weeks I was very tired, and I did feel foggy. At 45 mg I stopped having migraines, and I have stayed at that dose for the last four months. Yes, I still do feel a little foggy at times, and I have to take it at night because it makes me very tired, but it really has been a miracle drug for me, and I'm glad I didn't have to take the full 100 mg for the drug to work. I did have two headaches while on Topamax, but both were relieved by Ibuprofen."

• Patti...
• July 25, 2015

"I've had migraines since kindergarten. They have become increasingly debilitating in adulthood, and sometimes I would average 15 headaches per month! My life revolved around my migraines. I tried everything to stop them. When my doctor talked to me about Topamax, I was thrilled. It took me two years to get to a dosage that managed the headaches and auras, but now the only time I get a migraine, it's weather-related. I use Relpax to relieve it. Topamax has been a Godsend for me!"

• usmcw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2014

"I've been on Topamax for about 5 months now (100 mg AM/100 mg PM) and am finally giving up faith. The negative side effects outweigh the slight change in my migraines. Carbonated beverages taste terrible, I have to force myself to eat, I stutter constantly, I can never find the right words and often switch words in a sentence. My memory is horrid, and I always see tracers, which is enough to drive anyone crazy. The only pluses are the slight decrease in the consistency of my migraines and the weight loss."

• doodl...
• December 29, 2008

"Topamax saved my life. I am 43 years old and have suffered from migraines since I was 18. I found Topamax this past June. Now it has been 7 months, and life without migraines is wonderful. No more fear of when the Big One will hit. The weight loss (20 lbs) was nice too. My worst side effect is the stumbling and grasping for words. My kids die laughing. So do I. My husband doesn't understand that part, but it's ok. As long as the headaches don't come. I still have small, treatable headaches (part of another problem that I hope soon goes away). Topamax is my hero. Take away my car, my clothes, my house... but don't take away my Topamax."

• Over...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 29, 2016

"I have been researching and researching for so many years, and I have to say that Topamax saved my life. I am currently 23 years old, and I started having these migraines when I was 15. I didn't know that this would be a lifelong thing that would eventually lead me to be on daily medication. The frequency that I would get them would be more than six times a month. Anyway, I went on propranolol (beta blocker), no success. Then doctors prescribed me Topamax. I didn't have any side effects at all. No tingling. Nothing. And guess what, I didn't have a migraine for 3 years! Not one. But I got off of it, thinking they were 'gone,' and now I'm suffering from new hormonal migraines. Going back on Topamax and hoping for the same results!"

• Kate
• January 8, 2015

"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."

• Lexi
• May 10, 2015

"This medication has been a miracle. My migraines have been disabling to the point where I could not turn my neck, and I could not stand up. With this medication, I can live my life. I am on 150 mg a day. Thank you, Topamax!"

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

"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."

• Super...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 9, 2019

"I took Topamax for about 8 to 10 years at maximum dosage for migraine prevention. (Don't recall actual dosage, but I think it was like 400 mg daily.) I went from over 300 migraine days a year down to less than 12 migraine days a year. That's a solid rating of 10 for relief. But the side effects are really bad while on such high doses. 1) Memory loss was terrible, and it does not come back. 2) Kidney stones are another side effect. Turned my kidneys into bean bags, every 6 month scan added 4 to 6 more stones. Finally had to give it up! Now, after being off of Topamax for 3 to 4 years, the migraines are back with a vengeance. P.S. Going to the generic (Topiramate) gave me identical results."

• Marie
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 31, 2015

"I felt compelled to write a review, as I was on Topamax (or should I say Dopamax?!) for about 2 years. I started this medication when I was 21 and was so desperate to find something that would actually help my ongoing migraines. Personally, the side effect symptoms FAR outweighed the benefits. I started out on 25 mg a day and gradually increased to 100 mg. As soon as I got on this, the side effects came rolling in. Before I knew it, my memory was completely gone. In daily conversation, I couldn't think of simple words, names, or phrases. I knew what I wanted to say but couldn't form the words to do so. The worst of all, it really affected my grades in college. I used to have awesome memorization skills. Unfortunately, I would study for hours upon hours and still wouldn't do well as I would have 'brain fog' during tests, etc. Another side effect I experienced was weight loss. I lost around 25 lbs., HOWEVER, I don't believe all of this was ultimately from Topamax. I'd definitely say it suppressed my appetite, but I really changed my eating habits and worked out daily. It helped with my first few pounds and got me motivated to do the rest. On the plus side, I saw a significant difference in the amount of migraines I received. It was a night and day difference in that aspect. However, approaching a year and a half on this medication, I couldn't take it anymore and had to get off. It wasn't worth it anymore. I don't think tapering off or stopping cold turkey on this really makes a difference. My mom stopped cold turkey, and I tapered off, as my doctor instructed me. I rebounded off this HORRIBLY, as did my mom. I was STARVING constantly after no longer taking it. This didn't just go away either. My body didn't feel leveled out and 'detoxed' from this for honestly about a year after. I not only gained back all my weight I lost, but plus some. Although everyone's body reacts differently, I highly do NOT recommend taking this. Not even for those desperate for weight loss. Losing weight from a medication like this is not sustainable long-term. I'm 24 now and am still affected by my choice of taking this. Topamax has ultimately ruined my memory to this day. I still cannot remember words or things. It changed me. Do not take this! There are other answers out there."

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

"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."

• mnpos...
• November 12, 2019

"I took 50mg topamax daily for migraines. 6 months into it I started noticing increasing hair loss and looked for answers including having both hormones and thyroid checked. I reread the included drug information several times and found nothing about hair loss. At the point I had lost 1/2 my hair I finally Googled Topamax hair loss and found it is a side effect of topamax. Also during this time I had extensive testing trying to find out why I was having increased period pain and both my Dr and I missed that this IS listed as a side effect. I stopped the medication 6 weeks ago because of the hair loss but also putting on hold additional procedures considered for dealing with the menstrual pain as there is a good probability this was also caused by the Topamax. 2 stars that I give the drug are only because of the "bonus" side effect of the weight loss, which was the ONLY hesitation that I had about stopping taking it, and the nominal reduction in the number of migraines I was experiencing."

• RJinV...
• May 4, 2014

"Wow, what a roller coaster ride! Started on 25 mg, no effect, then 50, 200, finally 400. It did stop the cluster headaches, but extreme confusion, serious loss of hearing, forgetfulness, couldn't remember my phone number! My wife wouldn't let me drive at 400 mg, I was dangerous. Parking became very difficult. Once I had to get out of the car and let her park. Frustrating and humiliating. In the end, I was down to 50 mg a day. Doc said that wasn't causing any side effects at that low dose. WRONG! When I finally stopped, it took a couple of weeks to become me again. I was shocked at the difference it made being off of it. Some of my hearing came back, thankfully. I did lose 30 pounds that did not come back."

• Beth
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2023

"This drug is awful. I took 50mg per day for migraine prevention and it caused significant hair loss. I already have thin hair, and this drug made it worse. My hair was coming out in clumps in the shower. This drug should be illegal. Do not take it if you want to keep your hair!!"

• Cherb...
• December 22, 2014

"I fell four feet backwards off of a straight truck and whacked the back of my head off of a concrete parking lot and gave myself a concussion. Long story short, I have had a rough go at the post-concussion symptoms, and the migraine/cluster-like headaches have played a MAJOR role. There are days where I just lay around in the dark and do nothing. The pounding just takes over, and that's all that matters. You are not even you anymore. I was prescribed Topamax on Nov. 18th and started one week on 25 mg. Nothing changed. Then two weeks on 50 mg, again nothing changed. This is my third week on 100 mg, and I am FINALLY migraine-free. The side effects do wear off after time. You just have to give this medicine time. Worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2012

"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!"

• Ash
• March 11, 2019

"I have been having headaches about 20-27 days out of a month and lived on Tylenol and Motrin. Reaching 5000 mg a day on Tylenol, which I knew was terrible for my liver, but that was the only bit of relief that I got, and that still didn’t help. Not to mention I was taking 3-4 Benadryl or 4 melatonin a night to sleep and would only get 3 hours of sleep. After seeing a neurologist, he put me on Topamax twice daily, and I have only had a small dull pain twice, where each time I only took one Tylenol, and they helped within 30 minutes. I recommend someone try this prescription for migraines after talking to their doctors."