Topamax and Memory Loss: What Users Say (Page 3)

• new...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

For Bulimia "It's been 3 weeks since I started taking Topamax 50 mg daily. All soda and carbonated drinks taste disgusting. I can no longer taste salt or sugar either. I tried making mashed potatoes for my family and nearly gave them all strokes due to the heinous amount of salt I added. Yet I could barely taste it. Also, my memory is even worse than it was. I don't even remember 3 days out of this past week. I blinked, and now it's the weekend. And I've lost 2 kg! So far, so good."

• Dim...
• June 28, 2016

For Seizure Prevention "When I first started this medication, it was OK. I was never told this medicine could cause memory loss. It's really bad, I can't remember at times if I took my medicine, and places I have been going all my life I can't remember how to get there. Please be aware!!!"

• 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!"

• eob...
• November 17, 2007

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topamax for about 10 months now for migraine prevention. I have had several undesirable side effects, including irregular heartbeat, shallow breathing, tingling extremities, memory loss, and even hair loss. It helped only during the first few months, but now I get just as many migraines as before."

• max...
• June 23, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "Overall, Topamax has been a very positive attribute to my daily 'cocktail' of necessary medicines. It has assisted in stabilizing my mood and thus helped me to resume a semi-normal routine. As for side effects, I experience loss of memory that I am told is due to the Topamax and is fairly common. Although irritating at times, it is much more tolerable than my past existence."

• Dmp...
• January 2, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Have taken 10 mg Topamax for 4 months. I thought I had found a preventative, but after 3 months my hair was shedding more than usual. Thought I was stressed out and overwhelmed with small kiddos and hubby deployed. My dermatologist didn't see anything very serious, like alopecia, so I continued. I began taking biotin and vitamins, but hair still kept coming out and my scalp was starting to show more. I stopped completely and only lasted 4 days before a migraine wanted to come on. Luckily, I took a rizatriptan in time to fight it off. Topamax worked beside the side effects of hair loss, forgetfulness, and some leg cramps. Has anyone had any luck with another migraine preventative?"

• sha...
• July 12, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I took this medicine because I was having severe headaches every day and tried everything. My doctor put me on Topamax, it will take your headaches away and remove the weight. I never felt bad, but I had a hard time remembering simple things, such as coworkers' names and what measuring cup to use for wet and dry items. I could never remember the words I needed to carry on a conversation. I stopped taking this medication because I could not function at my place of employment, not to mention the short-term memory loss and losing my hair was crazy. I truly think that so many people get caught up with being able to stay so thin that they keep taking it. I took 50 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night. Not worth it."

• rus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed Topamax as a migraine preventative and had a terrible experience from it. Not only did it fail to prevent migraines, it made me develop kidney stones. I had never had one before using this awful drug, which also made me feel constantly tired and forgetful. The worst part is that once you have kidney stones, your body is more susceptible to getting them again, and you most certainly will. For anyone unfamiliar with the pain from kidney stones, I can assure you it is sheer agony. And even worse is the hellacious migraine that lasts for days that comes along with it. It's so bad that even medicines like Imitrex won't work on it. There are blogs and websites which tell of the awful experiences people have had with this drug. Beware."

• Ama...
• March 12, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I suffer bilateral migraines and have been on Topamax for several years off and on now. I have mixed reviews. I LOVE Topamax because nothing else works for me. In fact, I was given Maxalt and Propranolol together and wound up in the hospital almost dead. You can NOT take those two together. All medicines have side effects, so does Topamax. I liked the weight loss in the beginning, but be careful with it. I lost 80 lbs and couldn't stop. I forgot to eat. Topamax makes me just not hungry. I have it fixed now and watch out for it, but it was very scary. The memory loss has been a problem at times, but has been funny too. I have not experienced the HOT they spoke of... I FREEZE ALL THE TIME!"

• jus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Topamax for a little over 6 years. I started at 25 mg and slowly went up to 250 mg. I experienced the weight loss, tingling, and the other minimal side effects at the lower dose but was encouraged to stay on the meds. As I increased the dose, I started having hair loss, dizziness, and 'white outs' where I would not be able to see at all for up to 20-30 seconds at a time. I also started having the memory issues. I started seeing a new neuro and we dropped me down to 100 mg. The hair loss stopped, but I still get the vertigo. I am now down to 50 mg. I suffer from eye pain in my left eye and still the random dizziness-which is horrible. Weaning off of this, I do Botox injections now for preventative with some relief."

• chi...
• August 12, 2009

For Seizure Prevention "Was taking this medication for a seizure disorder. I was on it for about 4 or 5 months, but had to go off of it because of all the side effects. I was extremely depressed, crying at least 7 or 8 times a day. Memory loss, could not sleep, tingling in feet and hands. The only good thing about it was I lost 32 lbs in about 6 weeks."

• epa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "It worked, but the side effects were terrible, lasting, and possibly permanent. The worst of the side effects I experienced were a lack of taste and short-term memory loss. Over two years after taking this medication, I am still having issues with my short-term memory."

• Lrd...
• September 2, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "This is my first time taking them. I already feel the tingling in my face, hands, and feet. This is a scary feeling, and just by reading the reviews, I'm already thinking of not continuing this medication. I'm all for weight loss, but hair loss and memory loss, OMG, that's too much. I just want to feel better. I've been battling migraine headaches since middle school, and now I'm 33. Something has to give."

• CM1...
• November 15, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I am 42 and have suffered with migraines since I was a teenager. When Imitrex came out, I thought that was a lifesaver, and it was. I used to get a migraine and have to go home and hide under the covers for a day or two, but Imitrex isn't a preventive like Topamax. The only side effects were in the first 2 weeks with subtle numbness and tingles and loss of short-term memory. The longer side effect has been the weight loss, but I had been overweight by 20 lbs anyway, so this has been a blessing! I look great and have only had a few minimal headaches since June."

• Anonymous
• April 9, 2009

For Bulimia "I have been suffering with bulimia for five years. I am 22 years old and a college student, and I will take the memory loss, there is always spell check. I cannot describe the pain I go through, the guilt, the shame, and I never really thought it would get to this point, five years. I know someone's mom who is dying, who has had several organ transplants and has been bulimic for over 30 years. I don't want that to be me. I can't stop. I never wanted it to get this far. With Topamax, I am gaining weight. It works, it's like instant gratification."

• Ann...
• February 2, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I had been taking Topamax for a year, but have just taken myself off due to excessive hair loss, loss of concentration and memory, and sleep problems. My hair was falling out by the handfuls every day, and the concentration and memory loss were preventing me from working, as I am a translator. I have been on propranolol 160 mg daily for 2 years now and have had good results from that, with not too many side effects. I take rizatriptan when I do get a migraine, and it stops it usually. If it doesn't, I take Fioricet as well, and that works."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2015

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "I only took Topamax for a short time, but the side effects were so bad I had to stop. Primarily, it made me feel goofy. I was in a cloud and had trouble remembering how to get places I went to frequently. I lost the ability to taste bubbles in beverages, and beer or soda without carbonation just wasn't the same. In short, the nickname 'dopamax' seemed well-earned to me."

• kar...
• December 5, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I took the time to read every review and register. I have been on Topamax since May of '09, it is Dec. 5th '09. I was put on Topamax after being taken to the hospital for a TIA (mini stroke) due to complicated migraines. I don't really know how I feel about Topamax. I still get migraines a lot, and most of the side effects. I've lost 70 pounds. I am weak. But the banana tip is very helpful. My math is shot. And I stumble on my words. Short-term memory is a loss. But I will give the medicine more time and try the bananas to help with the side effects. I take 150 mg 2x daily. I started at 25 mg. But I have other illnesses that factor in. No one has mentioned TIAs. No one has this from their migraines? Thanks for the info. It's all helpful."

• 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."

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

For Seizure Prevention "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."

• 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."

• Clu...
• December 20, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I've read some mixed reviews about Topamax. Mine were awful, short-term memory loss, a state of 'duhh', just horrible functionality in general. I felt like I was getting dumber, plus no change in the migraines and cluster headaches. Any sufferer of these types of headaches knows what I mean when you feel that type of pain thrusting through the veins of one side of your head. Everything aches, even your teeth ache. Touching it hurts, leaving it alone hurts...everything hurts. Anyway, I had high hopes in Topamax but no results. I am now on Elavil, and I swear it's a miracle. No headaches since."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2022

"I was prescribed Topamax (titrated dosage) until maximum dose required; I believe I was taking 25 mg 2x daily leading up to 250 mg within 4 weeks of use. Alongside, I was taking 400 mg Gabapentin; both were said to help reduce alcohol consumption by reducing cravings and blocking GABA receptors, which would decrease the effects of alcohol, 50-150 mg Seroquel (dosage was as needed, nightly) for insomnia, and 1 mg Ativan, 20x 30-day prescription for Panic Disorder (attacks), 25 mg Prozac for Generalized Anxiety and depression. I was being seen by a psychiatrist who specializes in addictions; as I have a history of alcohol and drug abuse. This doctor was aware of the alcohol amounts I was consuming and that I was using that in combination with marijuana on a daily basis. I was reliant on their expertise and could continue drinking and smoking. Within 3-4 weeks, I was in psychosis; visual and auditory hallucinations. Suicide attempts; severe agitation and mood disturbances. Memory loss; was hospitalized!!"

• myg...
• May 6, 2017

For Seizure Prevention "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."