Topamax for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 5)

• Jau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2016

"I began taking 25 mg of Topamax once daily due to my migraines lingering 2-3 days at a time. Topamax did a number on my body. I completely stopped eating. Every time I tried to eat, I took one bite and would gag. I felt so extremely full constantly, even though I knew I had not eaten. Topamax completely destroyed my appetite, and although I've been off the medication for 6 months, I still never crave anything. I eat when I'm hungry, but I no longer have any cravings. While taking this medication, I lost a lot of my memory. I was constantly hazy or confused, and I felt like I was always searching for my task. I became malnourished and, confused that I quit taking the medicine completely. I would never recommend this medication because of side effects!"

• kmw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2016

"Worst night of my life. I made the mistake of not looking at reviews until I had just popped the pill. I felt like a zombie. I couldn't think or formulate sentences. My body felt like I had needles all over. My legs wouldn't stop shaking. I couldn't see. I cried until I fell asleep and continued to have side effects the next day. I cannot believe they sell this medication. By far the worst experience of my life. I do not recommend this drug to anyone and sincerely recommend anyone considering this drug to not take it."

• thi...
• August 8, 2013

"My migraines are primarily abdominal, but I get daily 'tension' type headaches as well. But my nausea 'attacks' are totally debilitating, and the headaches get more so every day. I took Topamax starting at 25 mgs, then increased. I noticed it really helping my symptoms, way less nausea, headaches stopped, and I could sleep well. Unfortunately, I am one of the people who react with a rare side effect of an acute onset closed-angle glaucoma attack, and my vision got very blurry and got so bad I could not see anything but blobs if it was more than 12 inches from my face. If you get blurred vision, go to the ER and show them the letter from the Topamax website, because the ER had never heard of that reaction. I gave it a 5 because it worked until then."

• wxy...
• February 28, 2008

"After 8 years, five different doctors, and just about every possible prescription and home remedy, I finally found something that works. I have been taking Topamax for five months and love it. The only side effects have been a change in my taste buds and a tingling sensation. My doctor wanted to increase the dosage. However, after reading about the drug, I think the severity of the side effects is directly related to the dosages. My dosage is 25 mg twice daily, and sometimes I only take it once a day. For those who are still suffering, I am sorry. Don’t give up hope. Something has to work, and until then, try the pain medication."

• lin...
• August 12, 2011

"I started Topamax in 2005. The doctor said he was going to kill three birds with one stone: migraines, fibromyalgia, and weight. Started on 25 mg a day for the first week, 50 the next, then 75, and at a month I was at 100 mg. Every week I had different side effects. I would talk funny, not be able to walk, a tingly feeling in my extremities, and soda started tasting DISGUSTING! By the end of two months, most of the side effects had gone. A few things to mention, though: you WILL be thirsty all the time; my suggestion is to carry a bottle of water with you at ALL times. You will NOT sweat; make sure you keep cool. And I lost 76 lbs in 6 mo! Looking better than ever, and kept it off for 6 years now! Good luck to you all; stick to it and it will work for you."

• Ljr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2017

"I have had migraines since my first son was born nearly 27 years ago. They had become more and more frequent... almost daily. I was using the maximum amount of Maxalt that my insurance would allow. I asked my doctor for a prophylactic medication for migraines. I am now up to 100 mg of Topiramate 2 times daily. Yes, there are some side effects. I have some tingling in my hands, sometimes my mouth is dry. If I don't have to work or don't have a lot planned, I feel tired and lazy. I crave fewer sweets/food in general... sometimes feel a little nauseated. I was losing weight (20 lbs) before starting the medication and continued after. I have stabilized at a 40 lb weight loss. No other side effects. Restless legs are gone. Better sleep."

• PMa...
• June 9, 2016

"I've been on Topamax (topiramate) for 6 years and loved it at first. My migraines decreased dramatically, I had weight loss from the appetite suppression, and I overall felt better. But I had pretty bad tingling in my hands and all over my face for the whole time I've taken it. Also, more recently, I've made the connection between my severe memory loss and the medication. I used to be able to retain information and facts like an elephant, but I can hardly recall simple words some days. I'm planning on going off the Topamax (with the direction of my neuro) because the memory loss issue is so disturbing to me."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2012

"Helped a lot with chronic migraines. I lost a lot of weight (I weighed 146 and I dropped down to 123 in two months). I ate less, but I was still eating close to what I ate before being on the medicine. I think it must speed up your metabolism. I had some mood changes, and I did have a little memory loss. I would forget words and things like that. I work with people, so I noticed it more because people would point it out. My hands/feet tingled. I noticed fewer side effects when I took the medicine at night. I only take 50 mg at night, that's all I ever have taken, and it works for me. It does wonders for my migraines, and it's worth the minor side effects. If you are a pop or beer drinker, you will HATE it because it ruins carbonated beverages."

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

"This drug is awful. I took 50 mg 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!!"

• Cas...
• July 11, 2015

"While on Topamax, I lost my ability to think straight. I couldn't process things the same way. I couldn't even finish my sentences. I would start talking and would forget the words that came next. My friends and family would have to help me finish my sentences. After getting off the medicine, I could finally finish my thoughts again. However, I feel like I still cannot learn as easily as I did before I got on the medicine. I think it changed my brain processing capability. I have talked to a friend who had the exact same problem on this medicine. I would not recommend it unless you actually cannot live without it."

• Awa...
• May 13, 2016

"After my second baby, I had an increase in hormonal migraines and tension headaches, and my neurologist put me on Topamax starting at 25 mg per night until I got a final dose of 100 mg split between AM/PM. Initially, I noticed a lot of tingling in my hands, feet, and face. In week 2, a very tense jaw. I still feel like myself, but I feel more tired. I don't need to nap or anything during the day, but at night, I have no trouble sleeping. All of the pain in my head disappeared. I thought it was amazing, but I did get 2 hormonal headaches (not migraine strength). All in all, not bad. I eat a dinner meal only and drink water all day long, this med just makes me not want food. Weight loss: 10 kg in 3 months. I have no depression, just tiredness, it's not fixed by naps."

• Chu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2017

"I was prescribed Topamax as a migraine preventative and experienced just about every side effect. I started 25 mg/day at night for 7 days, moved up to 75 mg after 3 weeks, and remained there. Within 48 hours, I didn't have a headache at all but was experiencing side effects of tingling fingers, no appetite, and a change in the taste of foods/carbonated beverages. I did have a hard time concentrating, I'd get confused and would randomly slur words. I weighed 120-ish when I started, and within a few months, was 110 or less. I did work out and noticed no matter how hard I pushed, I didn't sweat and randomly got dizzy. Side effects are no joke, but you adjust after a few weeks."

• Sar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 18, 2016

"This has been a lifesaver for me as far as migraines go. At first, I had a few of the side effects: brain fog, forgetfulness, but that went away after a month or so. Without this drug, I get at least 2-3 headaches a week, ranging from dull to severe. I rarely have a migraine while on it."

• WKB...
• June 9, 2017

"I had a horrible experience on this medication back in 2005/2006. I started on a low dose of 25 mg/day and had severe nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and memory impairment. Worked up to 50 mg 2x/day, and the nausea/diarrhea eventually abated, but the dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and memory problems continued, and I developed a bad tremor in my hands - I was dropping everything, couldn’t write legibly, and spilled food constantly. And I still had 10-15 debilitating migraines a month. Had to wean off it, but 10+ years later I STILL HAVE MILD HAND TREMORS. Worst medication experience of my life."

• Hel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2016

"I've been on Topamax for probably at least 15 years, 400 mg daily. I'm getting debilitating migraines. After reading these reviews, I guess I am one of the lucky ones, as I have not experienced one side effect. I take it at night. If the migraine is really bad, I add one pill of Relpax, and that does the job."

• Ali...
• September 15, 2017

"At first, I did not like it at all - I started off on 50 mg (recommended) and found it wasn't working. I also was super spaced out, unfocused, and constantly feeling like my brain was going, but my body wasn't (it was WEIRD). This went on for about a week, then it worked perfectly, and I was completely normal. However, the migraines started coming back, so I am now on 100 mg a day, and the same thing happened when I upped the dosage. It's working now, though! I didn't notice any difference in tasting things, but I did get tingles in my fingers and toes! Otherwise, all-around amazing medicine!!"

• DDI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2016

"I didn't use it long enough to see if it would prevent my monthly migraine, but I wanted to share the side effects I experienced. I started with 25 milligrams twice a day for 7 days and felt okay, but did experience some tingling in my feet and fingers. Then I increased to 50 milligrams twice a day per doctor's order, and things really changed. I started having the craziest dreams every night. Tingling was very pronounced every day in my feet and hands. I couldn't get out of bed easily. I felt very lethargic and really like a zombie. I kind of had a flat affect and felt very robotic at times. Other times, I was very depressed and irritable, or even angry. I stopped taking it. Also, I was hungry all the time. That was not normal for me at all."

• POB...
• April 1, 2013

"I have chronic daily migraines and have tried several medications for migraine prevention, including Depakote, Elavil (amitriptyline), nortriptyline, and propranolol. The Depakote, amitriptyline, and nortriptyline were too sedating. The propranolol worked well, but I had to increase the dosage over time to the point where my blood pressure became too low. Right now, a combination of Topamax at 50 mg and propranolol extended-release at 60 mg works best for me. There are few adverse effects. The Topamax does cause some frustrating cognitive difficulties, but I think I can live with them, considering the relief it gives me from the migraines."

• hea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 23, 2015

"I've found Topamax to be a useful tool in migraine prevention. I've been fighting these now for over 25 years, and I've gone as far as having sinus surgery and dentures to replace my top teeth to reduce the triggers of these monstrous headaches. I've come to believe there's no magic pill to take it all away, but Topamax reduces the severity greatly. The little tingling sensation will go away, and saltiness is great when you have to take meds and don't have a full stomach. It helps with the nausea. Whether Topamax is the drug for you-don't lose hope. Just keep trying to find the right combination of diet change, sleep, trigger reduction, and meds until you find what works for you."

• Cal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2015

"I have suffered hormonal migraines since my early 20s (now early 40s). I had tried most everything for migraines, and they were still coming and starting to cluster. I was put onto Topiramate by my GP at the recommendation of the specialist I saw after Plan A stopped working after six months. I had some extremity tingling for about six weeks when I first started (I was slowly built up to a 100 mg daily dose). In the interest of full disclosure, I am also a type 1 diabetic, so I am monitored pretty closely for sight and kidney function, and I have had no issues around this. I have also started taking an antidepressant to combat a hormone imbalance issue, so I don't get the mood swings either."

• Fem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2018

"I have been taking Topamax for 15 years, since 2003. I use it for migraines and a mood disorder. It has been a lifesaver for me. For the mood disorder, it was at 50 mg at night, but for migraines I am now at 125 mg (50 in the morning and 75 at night). It works."

• sta...
• November 19, 2007

"I have taken Topamax for almost a year. Not only is it expensive, my husband wanted me to stop taking it. He said I was acting like a witch, and I did not notice any change in my migraines, just weight loss. I also had difficulty speaking and could not think of what I wanted to say. I no longer take it, but I am still looking for something to help with my migraines."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2010

"LOVE LOVE LOVE this medicine! I was apprehensive at first because of all the side effect horror stories, but I was at the end of my rope with around 15-17 bad migraines per month. Sometimes I would have them 10 days in a row and my insurance would not pay for enough Imitrex, then I would run out and just suffer for days. Side effects were so bad the first week I almost quit: dizzy, complete 'weirdness,' inability to handle more than one task at a time, anxiety, spacing out and forgetting things, etc. And I still got migraines. It was a little scary. On day 8 I took a leap of faith, increased my dose (as per the doctor's orders), and the side effects all but went away, as did the migraines. Life is better now."

• Ccg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2016

"I've been on this medication for 3 weeks. At first, the effects were unbearable: brain fog, memory loss, loss for words, sleeping all day. I'm going on my 3rd week and almost all side effects have subsided. I still find myself at a loss for words sometimes. I started at 121 lbs; I'm now at 116 and still losing. I find myself never wanting to eat. Soda tastes flat. I don't mind. I like the medicine. I take 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night prn."

• Lar...
• July 31, 2013

"At first, this medication impaired my ability to drive a lot. My depth perception was way off, making it very dangerous for me to be on the road. Over time, I did notice my migraines were less often, and sometimes I would get all the symptoms of a migraine (light sensitivity, nausea) but no pain, kind of like a ghost migraine, which was weird and inconvenient. For the most part, I think this medication is worth a try. I am currently on 25 mg."