Topamax for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 4)

• tin...
• October 21, 2007

"I started Topamax about 4 weeks ago for consistent, daily 'addle-brained' headaches. Before that, I was taking Depakote, but I had gained a lot of weight. The Topamax seems to be working well, but I am doing very silly things, like throwing my wash in the trash and getting very emotional over the silliest things. Also, difficulty in speaking."

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

"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."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2020

"Started taking this just before my first semester of college. It was super effective in getting rid of the migraines, but the side effects quickly became too much. I experienced occasional numbness in my hands, which eventually spread all the way up to my elbows, memory loss, and confusion. I would zone out in the middle of conversations, and it got to a point where I would drop words and even phrases from my sentences as I spoke. At its worst, I sobbed through writing an essay as my mom tried to help me piece my thoughts together into something coherent and stop me from dropping entire sentences as I wrote. Quite possibly the worst experience of my life."

• mir...
• February 19, 2015

"I've been on Topamax for about 2 months now. I've gone from having a migraine or headache of some sort every day to 2 migraines in the past 2 months. The only thing I don't like about the medication is the severe tingling in my hands, feet, fingers, and lips."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2008

"I've been taking Topamax for about a year and a half now, and it has drastically cut down the frequency of my migraines. That is so worth the side effects I've noticed. Yes, I've had the tingles and some facial twitches, I've lost about 20 lbs., and I have trouble with word retrieval and memory... but is it worth it? Absolutely! I currently take 250 mg/day-all at night to help minimize the noticeability of the side effects. A good option, in my opinion."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2013

"I took Topamax for 2 months until I finally threw in the towel and could take no more. It did stop the migraines, but the other side effects were horrible. I did have the tingling in my hands, feet, and lips, and food did taste way different. I was so depressed I could barely even get out of bed. I actually gained about 5 lbs. while I notice most everyone else lost weight. I cried every day for a week straight, and I'm not like that. My house was a wreck and I could barely help my son with his homework."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2014

"After 7 years of debilitating migraines almost daily and rebound headaches from taking Excedrin and ibuprofen, I finally found a doctor that was willing to help me. She suggested Topamax, and just in this short period of a couple of months, there's been a significant difference. Not only am I rarely having pain, I feel less anxious and more balanced out emotionally as well. Even friends and co-workers can see the difference in my mood! As for side effects, I experienced tingling in my hands, feet, and face, but my doctor mentioned taking a multivitamin each day, which has seemed to help. I've also been drinking LOTS of water to counteract the major dry mouth. Overall, Topamax has been more of an effective, positive experience for me than anything."

• dim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2015

"I was taking this medication for over two years. I had to stop it because my memory is terrible. Places I have been going for over ten years, I forgot where they were and how to get there. This medicine has messed up my life, even after I stopped it, my memory still hasn't returned. I deal with this every day, and it scares me so bad. I have to write things down every day in order to remember. It did help with my headaches a little, but if I had read up on this medication before I started, I can promise you I would not have taken it."

• Sca...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 11, 2017

"I was diagnosed with vestibular migraines in 2010, and I had severe 24/7 vertigo. I always had 'regular' migraines since I was a teen, but after an infection of the inner ear in 2010, my migraines changed, and I had both pain and vertigo. For one year, I had constant vertigo, and I honestly thought I would become housebound. I could not go to theaters, malls, stores, or any areas with lots of people because crowds would make me dizzy. My work was in jeopardy. I tried Topamax, and it gave me my life back. The initial side effects were awful, but my body slowly adjusted to them. Eventually, the dizziness went away. I now take 225 mg daily. I have some word-finding and concentration problems, but that sure beats 24/7 vertigo."

• you...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2024

"Ok, so I was only on this medication for about two weeks for headaches. I can't speak about the effectiveness because I don't feel like I was on it long enough. First week at 25mg and second at 50mg. But what I can talk about is the side effects. If you have a history of depression or anxiety, I would advise to stay clear. Even if you are doing great right now and feel it's pretty well controlled. At 50mg, I felt a lot more irritable, slight feeling of inner turmoil, and every day I'd have at least one onset of extreme panic for no reason. Just sitting at my desk or something. I felt it significantly impacted my memory and my ability to think and do my work. I'm usually done with all my work in a few hours. I felt it took me double the time due to a new and unwelcome ADD. I know I was only two weeks into it and some of that might have gone away, but it wasn't worth it for me to see. Other side effects were a weird taste in my mouth and not being quite as hungry (still managed to eat, lol)."

• Bez...
• September 20, 2016

"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."

• Bev...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 22, 2019

"I have been taking Topamax for one year for migraines with muscle spasms. Topamax is really the best drug for reducing my headaches and also for controlling the migraine-caused spasms. Nothing else stops the spasms - they are debilitating. That said, I started at 100 mg, and it was a nightmare! My right leg became icy and numb, and that spread to my right abdomen and then the right side of my brain. I had difficulty walking and functioning because of this. I was so numb, I was constantly bumping my right side and bruising because I couldn’t feel anything on that side. I couldn’t lift my leg to climb stairs or to get in a car to drive. I had yeast infections that wouldn’t end along with differences in menstruation. There were other side effects also, but these were the worst. I reduced the dose to 50 mg. The side effects were greatly reduced. The headaches are more frequent, and the spasms much more bothersome but still reduced enough to live with."

• mel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 6, 2013

"Began taking Topamax in 2006. Before starting on Topamax, migraines were lasting 4-5 days after onset, and frequency of approximately 3 times per month. I experienced some diarrhea, which subsided after breaking the dosage up throughout the day (200 mg daily). Additionally, I have experienced weight loss (a significant amount of 50 lbs) I could not afford to lose. However, the weight loss has subsided as well. Upon beginning the medication, I had trouble recalling words and memory loss. At this juncture, the side effects have since passed and so have the migraines. I experience 1-2 migraines quarterly. Topamax has been a lifesaver for me. I had tried many other migraine preventatives to no avail."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2024

"I just want to say, I feel that for me, this medication is a miracle. I don't understand how anyone could hate it? It calms me and gives me a feeling of wellbeing. It's like a good hug, and I have noticed many positive effects from it."

• all...
• December 15, 2016

"I have only been on it for about 6 days and already seen an incredible difference. I had a headache every day for a year and a half and got bad migraines about 2-3 times a week. I have not had a migraine yet, and my everyday headache has calmed down. When I first started, it did make me very drowsy, but that went away as I got used to it."

• mnp...
• November 12, 2019

"I took 50 mg Topamax daily for migraines. Six 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 half 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 doctor and I missed that this is listed as a side effect. I stopped the medication six 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. Two 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."

• Eaz...
• March 1, 2008

"I do not recommend Topamax as a solution to migraines. Although it did help keep the frequency of the headaches down at first, in the long run, I had just as many migraines as usual, and there were too many side effects to make it worthwhile. My short-term memory was practically shot, my hands would tremor and go numb at some points, and I experienced an irregular heartbeat, trouble focusing, and sleep issues."

• Kri...
• November 21, 2016

"Been on this for just a week now at 25 mg, also on 50 mg of amitriptyline at night. The first few days I felt really spaced out, but sort of kept coming in waves through the day. I also suffer from M.E. as well, but have found the past few days I have had lots of energy. I don't feel tired at all. Supposed to up dose to 50 mg on the second week, but I'm thinking may stick to the 25 for a little while to see how things go. No migraines up to now. Reading all the reviews, most of the side effects seem to come when the dose is increased. Really worried about the hair loss business, don't think I could deal with that one. Think I'm going to give this a go for a few months and see how things go, it's all trial and error, or kill or cure."

• TLO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2015

"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."

• Ger...
• July 22, 2015

"I have suffered from severe migraines since I was 15, and the older I got, the more severe they got. I have been on numerous medications over the years, but 5 years ago, I found a neurologist that gave me Topamax, and my life has changed completely. 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night, and I don't get any anymore. I had a few at the start, but haven't had a headache now for a few years. Thank God for Topamax."

• Cal...
• June 26, 2013

"I originally started on Topamax for migraines and found it to be a 10 for that. I went from 4-5 monthly to maybe 2-3 per year. Life-changing! It was difficult for my body to adapt to at first, and I had to build up VERY slowly using 12.5 mg for a few weeks in the morning and then adding an evening dose, etc. It made me feel horrible, tired, breathless, out of sorts, and dopey overall, but over time all that wore off, and in addition to the absence of migraines, I enjoyed a more even keel mood, more control over my decision-making, including less desire for alcohol. This made staying sober easier than in previous attempts. I also struggled less with eating issues. I've had to increase over time and take breaks/restart to manage the dosage amount vs. tolerance."

• She...
• February 9, 2016

"It lessened the frequency of my migraines. But the side effects are not worth the relief it provided. It turned me into a zombie. I didn't care about anything. I couldn't even taste my food! And the worst part was it robbed me of my ability to be alarmed by the growing severity of my depression and other serious symptoms. After three months, I was glad to detox. Four days clean and I can almost taste sugar again. Can't wait 'til the brain fog lifts."

• Won...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2014

"I've been taking Topamax (brand) for approximately ten years. Due to severe migraines, this was the only medication to prevent what had been debilitating headaches, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, smell, sound, movement, and dizziness. After several years, my insurance refused to continue payment of the brand until I tried the generic tablets. After 3 days, the original symptoms returned. They finally approved continued payment of the brand, and now, two years later, they again have refused to cover (pay) for the medication, although it falls under the plan. For three months, my neurologist and I have issued appeals with no clear explanation of the denial. I would just like to again take meds to rid myself of this pain."

• Pal...
• July 23, 2015

"I started taking Topamax 12 years ago after one of my migraines sent me out of my classroom and into the ER. After the initial few weeks of disorientation, halo vision, and tingling/numbness, my body adjusted to the meds and I had almost 10 years of maybe two headaches per year. A miracle! When menopause hit, my migraines came roaring back with a vengeance. But I stayed on Topamax and my neurologist added other meds to supplement. Things are better now; Topamax has been a lifesaver for me. But it takes some time to let the side effects settle out and for your doctor to tweak the dosages."