Topamax and Brain Fog: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Tam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "150 mg, twice daily. I have a genetic autoimmune disorder that can have migraines as a comorbidity. They started when I was about 10 years old but got worse in my early 30s. Daily headaches with migraines at least twice a week at a 7-8/10 on the pain scale and lasting for days. This would take me to the ER for the pain cocktail injection to stop the migraine attack weekly. I was suicidal at one point, it was so bad. Then my neurologist put me on Topamax. It has helped quite a bit in getting the headaches/migraines under control, but the side effects are out of control. Memory loss, incoordination, poor word recall, loss of focus, zoning out in the middle of speaking, etc. My doctor calls this the 'Barbie Doll Drug.' I guess it's a trade-off... living life or not. The other thing that has made a big difference is Botox. Just gotta say if you've had any hesitancy in using that... don't wait! It changed my life like no other."

• Tam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "150 mg, twice daily. I have a genetic autoimmune disorder that can have migraines as a comorbidity. They started when I was about 10 years old but got worse in my early 30s. Daily headaches with migraines at least twice a week at a 7-8/10 on the pain scale and lasting for days. This would take me to the ER for the pain cocktail injection to stop the migraine attack weekly. I was suicidal at one point, it was so bad. Then my neurologist put me on Topamax. It has helped quite a bit in getting the headaches/migraines under control, but the side effects are out of control. Memory loss, incoordination, poor word recall, loss of focus, zoning out in the middle of speaking, etc. My doctor calls this the 'Barbie Doll Drug.' I guess it's a trade-off... living life or not. The other thing that has made a big difference is Botox. Just gotta say if you've had any hesitancy in using that... don't wait! It changed my life like no other."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I had fewer migraines while on Topamax, but the side effects were horrible for me. I had tingly/numb fingers, brain fog, and problems with word retrieval (not good for a teacher), plus it triggered depression-like side effects. The side effects were just not worth it."

• Hel...
• June 20, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Migraines: I’ve been up and down doses from 25 mg to 100 mg, lost weight on the 100 mg but felt shocking! Brain fog, irritation, food smells awful, no energy, anxiety, mood swings, suicidal, etc. Then I cut right down to 25 mg, but my migraines came back, and I’ve started upping it again and am now on 50/75 mg a day. But now back to all the symptoms I had before! It’s like a seesaw of finding the balance to be okay, but I’m not hopeful."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from migraines for about 14 years. Took Topamax for 8 weeks. At 100 mg a day, I was having moderate headaches every single day, but no migraines. BUT the side effects were just too much: terrible anxiety, irritability, diarrhea, complete brain fog, intense tingling in fingers, numbness in feet, extreme sensitivity to cold, very frequent urination, changes in taste leading to disinterest in food. I also would not recommend this medication if you are also on birth control pills to alleviate menstrual cramps. That was one of the worst side effects for me - daily cramps for over 3 weeks. If it weren't for that and the anxiety, I may have tried to wait it out."

• New...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "For the first few weeks, I suffered the typical side effects of brain fog, tiredness, tingling in hands and feet, and occasional stomach issues. However, after a month, these largely disappeared, as have my migraines. I plan to carry on for a few more months, as my doctor said it can take 3 months for the benefits to be fully realized."

• Fpe...
• May 20, 2021

For Epilepsy "I had issues with finding words on this drug, and to be honest, it is a little bizarre. At times, the drug will make you feel a little loopy, especially if you haven’t eaten anything. I hadn’t noticed anything with weight loss. I eat a balanced diet and work out quite vigorously. I started it at 244 pounds and am at 242 pounds. If you are looking for some miracle weight loss drug, then it may not be for you. My neurologist even said that people come in and want it just to lose weight. I was prescribed it as I already take Lamotrigine. My neurologist said it would be a good combination. I was planning on going off of it because of forgetting the words; however, I am going to stay on it. It is either a minor side effect vs. seizures."

• KSt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Not worth it! Took first pill this morning. This afternoon, I noticed I have been foggy and lightheaded. Also, made me very anxious, and my resting heart rate has been around 100 all day, normally around 75."

• kat...
• July 10, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "Love this. I have been on Seroquel and gained a tremendous amount of weight and turned into a zombie. I lost 20 lbs in 1 month and feel the best I have felt in a long time."

• nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2019

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I had the worst effects from this medication. Made me very loopy and could not remember anything. It made feel like my balance was off. I would not recommend this medicine for anyone."