Topamax and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bus...
• May 1, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "5/1/2017 - I was on Bystolic for BP treatment, and it caused me to gain 30 lbs. I suspect the high blood pressure was due to the use of e-cigarettes. I put the e-cig and the Bystolic down!! Dr. put me on Topamax 100 mg and Wellbutrin 300 mg to help with the headaches and weight loss. As I ramped up from 25 mg to 50 mg of Topamax, I noticed significant changes in my behavior, as did others. I cried continuously and at the most ridiculous things. I was short-tempered and wanted to be left alone (to cry). Side notes: it made my face feel numb, carbonated drinks tasted funny, vision was funky, and did zero for weight loss. As a mom of 4, I can't continue this medication. 30-40 lb weight loss is not worth living this way."

• Phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took a low dose for almost two weeks, I lost my vision, the headache, and the pain around my eyes went immediately to an optometrist, and my pressure around both eyes was 56. I was vomiting and passed out. They worked on me for 5-6 hours to bring the pressure down. I had acute glaucoma in both eyes, that is rare. Topamax says as a side effect it could cause blindness, and it’s true. I still go to the doctor to monitor my eyesight to make sure the pressure is still coming down. DO NOT TAKE THESE MEDS, VERY DANGEROUS."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Reluctantly started due to reviews to prevent migraines and clear up severe blurry vision...50 mg...caused facial tightness, made headaches worse, tiredness, slowness, about to think, ok, bouts of tingling, vision somewhat cleared, will be reducing the dose to 25 mg...we will see how this works out."

• aer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 5, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I started having daily headaches that turned into a severe migraine as the day progressed. Eventually, I would end up lying in bed, in the dark, with no noise, unable to sleep, vomiting from the pain. I was terrified it was my new normal. This was the 1st medication my D.O. prescribed: 25 mg for a month. 1st week, no headaches. Then they slowly returned but would start a little later in the day. I take 50 mg twice a day with 40 mg twice a day of propranolol for prevention, and it works unless I do a lot of crying. Then I take Fioricet."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Been on Topamax for 3 months. I have recently gone up on the dose to 75 mg at bedtime. I've been all right dealing with the tingling. I have quit smoking and drinking, which is great. I started working out a lot since I've been so anxious. Possible side effect? The worst for me is the sleep issues and the mood swings. Since the dose went up, I am having terrible night sweats and am waking up all night long. I'm exhausted all day with little to no motivation. My mood swings quickly and dramatically from happy to annoyed. Just trying to wait it out. I'm still having headaches every day, just not migraines."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "First week okay. Dizzy first day. Overwhelming sense of wellness for the first week, minus dizzy feeling. I thought this was great. When I increased the dose as prescribed the second week, I developed a headache the next day. Had pains in my abdomen, all throughout my back. Continued for 2 more weeks, then my body shut down, had the worst migraine that lasted 2 days. I slept for 4 days. Then muscle weakness, nausea, and persistent headache. My bladder was painful and felt like I could not empty it. Three days off them, I can finally stand up straight, but I lost a week of work. Might have been okay if the dose was not increased."

• Lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "First week okay. Dizzy first day. Overwhelming sense of wellness for the first week, minus dizzy feeling. I thought this was great. When I increased the dose as prescribed the second week, I developed a headache the next day. Had pains in my abdomen, all throughout my back. Continued for 2 more weeks, then my body shut down, had the worst migraine that lasted 2 days. I slept for 4 days. Then muscle weakness, nausea, and persistent headache. My bladder was painful and felt like I could not empty it. Three days off them, I can finally stand up straight, but I lost a week of work. Might have been okay if the dose was not increased."

• car...
• October 26, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topamax for three years (75 mg daily). I lost 25 lbs and I get maybe a few headaches a month. I also take Imitrex. I used to get fifteen headaches a month. I also take Neurontin now for nerve pain and muscle pain and head pain. Topamax is worth trying for migraines. The side effects went away after a month."

• tpi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I have awful headaches daily and was so happy when my doctor prescribed me something that could lessen them. I was very optimistic and wanted it to help. This medication did not get rid of the headaches, but I experienced some of the worst headaches ever while on this drug. I felt alright during the day, but once evening rolled around, I was so grouchy, so moody, tired, and my head was throbbing. I kept taking the medication because I just thought it needed time to 'make its way into my body.' Finally, I said enough is enough and asked my doctor if I could stop taking it. I have not taken a pill in two days and am still experiencing the awful migraines. I am so miserable and have not felt like myself for a week and a half."

• Sur...
• February 9, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Topamax for about four years now. I think the drug works, however, I have developed kidney stones. I guess I am one of the few that do, but I did, therefore, I am seeking other drugs. As most have stated, my taste changed, and anything with carbonation was terrible for the longest time. I eventually pushed through the changes, and now everything pretty much tastes the way it should be on the medicine. I have allergies, so the headaches I experience are mostly caused by that (which is why I think I have been pushed up to 200 mg a day). Just a forewarning to everyone... When they say drink water, DRINK!"

• Aet...
• June 27, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I'm a 19-year-old female who has now been on Topamax for 6 weeks, 150 mg daily. I have a daily headache that ranges from a pain threshold of 1 to 5, plus nausea, with a haze over my brain that slows down capability and causes general fatigue. Every 3 weeks, this works its way up until a major migraine attack of a 9. But with Topamax, the daily headache so far has reduced to a 1/2."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "Does it work? Yeah! For everyone - NO! Let me explain. Do you have a job that you have to be alert and stay on your toes? Then you need to be careful on this because it will cause you to have all the negative experiences you read about. I was on Topamax, as I call it, 6 years ago and took a break from it and now have gotten back on it again. Why? Because I am tired of taking 6 Advil and every other over-the-counter drug there is every day and wondering what is happening to my body from doing that over time and having the headaches day after day after day. So simply put, you get to a point of asking yourself - do the side effects of taking it outweigh not taking it, and if you read everything, the answer is an overwhelming YES!"

• Swe...
• September 19, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I'm on day 4 of 50 mg of Topamax and am supposed to up it to 100 mg on the 7th day. I've not had a migraine, but the side effects are draining me. I have headaches almost every day, and they usually turn into a migraine. But so far, in the 4 days on Topamax, I've only had to take one triptan, and it worked ASAP. I hope I can hang in there. I'd like to lose some weight too!"

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

For Seizure Prevention "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."

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

For Seizure Prevention "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."

• lmi...
• January 24, 2010

For Vulvodynia "I have whole body RSD. My doctor prescribed Topamax for vulvodynia. It helped by lowering that specific pain from a 9 to a 7. However, after a week, I started having bad headaches, blurred vision, and blisters in my mouth and nose. I was taking 100 mg, 2 x day."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "First of all, I have suffered with headaches all my life, and at 52, they seem to be getting worse. I found out I have hypothyroidism, and the weight gain is horrible. I’ve gained 15 lbs. My doctor prescribed me Topamax at 25 mg. Still having headaches, she changed the dosage to 50 mg, twice a day. The first day, I took one in the morning and one in the evening. The next morning, I woke up with a severe headache. Could it be from the doctor changing my dosage on Topamax?"

• mom...
• December 21, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "It's a wonder drug - my daughter takes it and lost so much weight. Her headaches are gone, she feels like a million bucks."

• Sei...
• August 16, 2008

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

• KTD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Unfortunately, I got more headaches while I was on Topamax. They increased from once a week to several a week. I'm sure I'm an exception to the rule, but one size does not fit all."

• ski...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "helps me to sleep and a lot less headaches."