Topamax for Seizure Prevention User Reviews (Page 2)

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2020

"I was prescribed the Topamax 25 mg 2 times daily as a result of severe and disabling attacks of vertigo. After 3 days of taking this, my memory got so bad that I could not remember if I had even taken my medication 5 minutes later. My mental thought process was totally negative to the point that I was in belief life was over. By the 5th day, I realized that I had become very defensive, aggressive, verbally abusive, and had no empathy nor regard for others. My PTSD was in the danger zone and I had become the monster I had fought daily for decades to control. Two days after totally quitting, which I can't say is recommended for everyone, my head is clear, my memory is normal again, and I am in disbelief that I allowed such a dangerous medication to even be prescribed to me."

• cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2021

"I switched from Keppra to Topamax because of my seizures, and I lost around 25 lbs. I went from 147 to 120 in only 2 months. It was working for my seizures, but I was eating so little that I ended up in the hospital. I collapsed, and I was throwing up for 4 days straight. I was so weak I needed help to brush my teeth or even walk. Every morning was terrible. I don’t know how this medication is approved. I was in the hospital every day for four days getting fluids. After that, I was basically forced to eat. It was hard, but I was so weak due to lack of food that I had to eat every 2 hours. I've been off Topamax for about 2 weeks, and I still have a hard time finishing my food. I get nauseous. I'm getting better, but when I was on Topamax, I literally could not smell food without gagging. Unless you’re extremely overweight, I do not recommend this medication at all."

• myg...
• May 6, 2017

"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."

• Nan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 3, 2017

"Topamax is not for me. I only take 50 mg and have side effects, word retrieval issues, sleepiness, balance issues, etc. But it is the only one I can take that my stomach can tolerate! Seeking other avenues to control seizures, like reducing the radiation around me, particularly at night...appears to be working!"

• But...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2018

"My doctor put me on Topamax because I could no longer afford Lamictal for my bipolar disorder. It was the worst experience of my life. It gave me a severe headache, loss of coordination -- if I was walking forward, I would suddenly start walking on my tiptoes in a sideways direction. I couldn't spell or form sentences. I had slurred speech, and my eyes were glazed over. I also had mild anxiety the whole time I was on it. The only good thing was that I literally had no appetite and lost a lot of weight. I only took it for about ten days a week and went back to Lamictal. I'd rather be poor than have to be on Topamax."

• Ket...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 2, 2017

"Topamax, I’m not sure what a decade of using Topamax has or has not caused. It is NOT reliably controlling seizures until I started a ketogenic lifestyle. In fact, the high-fat diet has totally taken away my tremors in my head that I felt on a daily basis. My clinic had me in for 5 days in the hospital testing and determined to lower my Topamax level upon leaving by 100 mg. I was on 400 and lowered to 300. Today I have depression, fibromyalgia, and most of my ligaments hurt. Joints feel like they are rock-hard, swollen, and painful. I can barely use my thumbs anymore, but I refuse to go to the doctor for fear of more medication. They never find anything wrong, but the proof is in the pudding: bulging Achilles and wrists, right-side pain, and every joint I have hurts."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2018

"Not sure about this drug. Started at 25 mg 2x a day for 2 weeks, worked up to 50 mg 2x a day. Still having seizures 1-2 times a day. Had it upped to 100 mg 2x a day, and now I don't have seizures, but there's so much pressure in my head I feel like it's going to pop. It also makes my 2 mg Xanax ineffective. I've gone from sleeping 12 hours straight to maybe 2-3. I've lost 10 pounds, but it's horrible to say I'd rather have a seizure to release the pressure and be chunky. Calling the doctor in the morning."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2018

"No problems the first four weeks at 25 mg. Later at 75 mg, I began to have cognitive difficulties. Felt like I was becoming a drug-induced moron. Trouble developing thought formation, loss of words, lethargic. I was on lithium for 15 years, developed chronic kidney disease. Looking for something for bipolar 1 (mixed manic) without damage to body and shutting off the brain."

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2009

"I have been taking Topamax now for ten years. I love it. It has controlled my seizures, and the side effects are minimal. I still get tired, but not as bad as the other drugs I have been on."

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2008

"Topamax has really decreased my seizure activity, and as a bonus, my headaches. However, I do still take a nap every day after school. It is a must."

• fir...
• October 1, 2009

"I have had extremely positive effects from this drug, but I do have to take Prozac with it as it causes mood swings or depression with me."

• tnl...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 15, 2012

"Confusion, forgetfulness, tingling, lights in the corner of the eye shining, drops of water dripping on my head at times, but the weight loss was good, but it's not worth it for me."

• Lau...
• February 23, 2009

"This medication has really helped my seizures, plus my migraines. It is really convenient because I have both problems, and I don't have to take two medications for both problems. Topamax is great."

• Kar...
• February 19, 2009

"I have to take a very low dose or suffer from stomach problems and diarrhea. If I miss just one day, it can allow mild seizures to come through. Otherwise, it works well."

• Sei...
• August 16, 2008

"Years on it. Yes, the headaches are gone... whoopie!"

• Gig...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 25, 2020

"Topamax controlled my grand mal seizures, but I still have my other seizures every month."

• 33y...
• July 15, 2016

"Used it for a month and having the weirdest seizures ever."

• Cal...
• September 24, 2016

"Great and Keppra too."