Topamax and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Tos...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 25, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Was on Topamax 200 mg 2x a day for eight years. It cut back on my daily migraines. Went down to about 2-3x a week. I lost 125 pounds in the first year I was on it. No appetite. Food tasted metallic, flat, or just weird. I did get one kidney stone. After years of being on a high dose, I started getting chest pain. My doctor took me off Topamax about 7 years ago. I had bad withdrawals after weaning off, no seizures thankfully. Migraines have been daily again for the last 18 months. Tried to go back on Topamax, but I can't tolerate it anymore. After one 25 mg tablet at bedtime, I woke up with a severe headache, dizziness, and nausea. The next night I took one tablet, and the side effects were increased. I stopped. Side effects were bad for two weeks. No thanks."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2015

For Seizure Prevention "I found this drug to be very effective to control my seizures. Before taking Topiramate, my seizures were uncontrollable. I would get 3-5 seizures per week. Not including the amount of injuries I sustained-fortunately, nothing serious, just bumps on the head and sprained ankles from falling over. But I've been so lucky. I've also lost weight. Amazing. I've wanted to lose weight for a while now. I've lost about 2 stone. But unfortunately, the appetite suppressant within the Topiramate has ceased. It doesn't last very long. My appetite has come back :-( But the seizures have been greatly reduced, which is the main thing, which I'm very happy about."

• Fur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I was on it for less than a month in 2019, and it was awful. I had every side effect imaginable. I was tired, my anxiety was worse, no appetite, food tasted weird, I had issues controlling my temper. I thought I was going crazy. My boyfriend and I broke up for a week because of how I was acting, and we didn't know any of this was a side effect of the meds till I went off of it because of the other side effects."

• LOV...
• March 3, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I love Topamax! I can finally sit through school without getting a migraine. It might make concentrating a little more difficult, but no harder than trying to concentrate with a migraine! The only side effect I can complain about is the tingling in my hands and feet, but that usually only lasts about 15 min. I haven't experienced any hair loss (thank God), and I also can't complain about the appetite loss."

• Sna...
• April 24, 2018

For Seizure Prevention "After day one of Topamax, I felt strange. Generally sick. Very nervous. Aggressive. And then very depressed. I kept taking them. My appetite decreased, as did my energy levels. And I was overly thirsty all the time. Some abdominal pains and areas of numbness, particularly of the face, mouth, eyes, etc. Then I broke out in massive bruises. Very dark large hematomas on my arm. I also had bone pains in my lower back and legs. I felt like I was being poisoned to death. So I stopped taking Topamax after a month. After two days, I already am feeling much better. This should not be allowed on the market. Again, Topamax feels like a very cruel lethal drug/poison... Don't take it."

• Cod...
• July 22, 2009

For Seizure Prevention "Have been on it for two weeks now, lost 20 lbs, had two episodes. Have short-term memory loss, can't think of words, tired all the time, feel like I can't function at work. On 50 mg in the morning and at night (100 mg a day), going up to 150 a day, increasing to 100 mg at night. Having problems sleeping at night. I'm getting used to the side effects, though. They get better with time, I guess just hang in there. The weight loss is a big plus. I have no appetite at all, I have to make myself eat. Confusion is a big problem, I'm not driving now."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2024

"Gave me extreme shortness of breath where I was gasping for air mid-sentence constantly. I was on this for weight loss, and it definitely worked, fully suppressed my appetite, but it made me feel insane, gave me anger issues, I couldn’t sleep, and felt super wired and had tingling in hands and feet. Also had FLASHING in my eyeballs!!! And no one, including an eye doctor, could figure out what the hell was going on. Have been off it for 4 days after being on it for 40, and god, what an absolute relief. Still feel spaced out and can’t remember words sometimes."

• TMS...
• February 9, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "This drug is horrible. Pros: yes, it destroys your appetite and you lose weight because of that. You also don't enjoy food, which made me less inclined to want to cook for others (note: I am a foodie and love to cook). Cons: this drug did zero for my migraines. I take Amerge; it works! I felt so foggy and 'in and out' of the ability to concentrate in the mornings (100 mg nightly dosage). Okay after 4 hrs. My mouth was literally so dry and my tongue so thick-feeling that I could not get 3-syllable words out. Also, I had to grasp for words. I was losing confidence in my own performance, and others commented on my lack of 'snap.' This was after a year! Short-term memory was shot, perhaps because of 'in and out' concentration. Hair! Had to get extensions!"

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I am 28 and have struggled with migraines for 10 years. I've found 80 mg/day of propranolol very effective for the last 3 years. Unfortunately, 4 months ago, I began having migraines that were more frequent, 8 days/mo. My neurologist recommended 100 mg/day Topamax. The side effects were terrible: extreme fatigue, mental fog, dry mouth, and loss of appetite. After 3 weeks, I complained, and she reduced my dose to 50 mg, which helped with the side effects. Meanwhile, my migraines were just as frequent as before, some requiring intervention at the hospital. My neurologist suggested I stay with it for at least 8 weeks since it can sometimes take that long to show improvement. Finally, after 2 months, I quit Topamax and now I'm trying verapamil. Side effects: intolerable. Migraine improvement: none. My neurologist said that the cognitive side effects can be greater for those with depression or those who are on antidepressants, which I take."

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on Topamax for 2 weeks now after switching from Elavil. Now I'm seriously questioning that decision despite the problems Elavil caused me. The insomnia is outrageous. I have to set an alarm to take my morning dose at 5 a.m. so that my evening dose can be taken around 3 p.m. This way its effects have kind of faded off by bedtime, and with the help of some prescribed sleeping pills, I'm lucky to get a tiny bit of sleep. Of course, along with that, I have tingling, slight numbness (not enough to even complain about), dizziness, decreased appetite, taste aversion, and weight loss, of course. I haven't had too many experiences with confusion yet. On a positive note, my migraines haven't returned."

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2022

For Epilepsy "My dad was given Topamax for seizures. After the first dose was given, he was incredibly sick, he vomited. A few days after this, he lost his appetite completely. He then started having severe memory problems and then came to anger outbursts. It also caused incontinence. After around a month of this, we decided to take him off this drug, and I would never again give this to him. It works for some people, but we will not be ever trying this drug again. It almost destroyed him."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I took it for about 3 weeks with no improvement in symptoms whatsoever. Side effects included complete loss of appetite and rapid weight loss, mood swings, intense nausea, insomnia, hallucinations, memory problems, and constant confusion. Everyone reacts differently, I guess, but this was not the medicine for me."

• bec...
• October 29, 2024

"I’ve been taking 100 mg 2x daily for several years for tremors. I feel now it’s not working as well as it did originally. I’ve also lost a lot of hair, I don’t gain weight at all. I really have no appetite."

• Kie...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 20, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "It was prescribed to me by my consultant for the prevention of chronic episodic daily migraine with and without aura. Since starting it over two years ago, the main side effects are pins and needles in hands and feet, the sense of taste has changed (things taste sweeter, I no longer like chocolate or enjoy fizzy drinks). I eat less, appetite has gone down, and if I happen to miss a dose, I get dizzy and the pins and needles start about 6-8 hours later. I do still get migraines but not as severe or as often as I had them. I no longer have severe nausea or vomiting, but I do still use Triptans and ice packs to deal with pain. Overall, I wish I could come off this medicine as the side effects are annoying."

• 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."

• Alf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have visual migraines and paranoia about taking new medication, so I started at 12.5, and within a few days, they were pretty much gone. I went up to 25 mgs and stayed there for about two weeks, then started having some weird visual problems, so I had to quit. Works great, though, and was having appetite suppressant side effects as well, so that was great!"

• bec...
• October 29, 2024

"I’ve been taking 100 mg 2x daily for several years for tremors. I feel now it’s not working as well as it did originally. I’ve also lost a lot of hair, I don’t gain weight at all. I really have no appetite."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 14, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "It helps with fewer migraines, but I lost a ton of weight. I usually was at 130-135, but with Topamax, I was at 112-115. I never had an appetite."

• Nee...
• August 21, 2007

For Migraine Prevention "Two of my sisters have been taking Topamax for a couple of years for migraines. Both have seen their appetites decrease, thereby causing them to lose weight, which they both needed to do."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2023

For Seizures "It helped with the essential tremor, however, I experienced weight and appetite loss along with paresthesia."