Topamax and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• 121...
• September 22, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "Your experiences helped me a lot. This is my 3rd day on Topamax at 25 mg at bedtime, and the only side effect I'm experiencing is nausea. I'm also looking forward to the weight loss! Would love to lose 15 pounds."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started this med for weight loss on 25 mg for about 3 weeks, then went to 200 mg because I wasn’t seeing any results with weight (didn’t give it much time, I know). First couple of weeks, I was nauseous throughout the day, finishing half my meals, getting satiated easily (and still do). At first, the pill made me drowsy, so I would take it before bed, but about two months in, I try to take it when I get home from work (6 pm ish) since I’ve built a tolerance, in hopes any side effects listed below will occur sooner rather than later if I take it earlier. Feeling weird/out of place a handful of times (keep in mind this is a psychiatric drug). Abnormal vision/seeing dots on screens later in the day occurs mainly when I work 9-5 on a computer. I experience diplopia when I wake up/in dark settings, which is common. Only lasts for a bit. Tingling hands/feet occasionally. I’ve lost 14 lbs in 2 months but seem to hit a plateau. I exercise regularly and have a good diet."

• 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
• 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."

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

For Seizure Prevention "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."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Works great for migraines and weight loss (for me, that was because I couldn't eat anything because I was nauseous most of the day, and food tasted bland) and had a minor effect on my anxiety, which was really bad at the time, but this drug was mostly kind of a nightmare for me. I got extremely sick with a horrendous cough and sore throat to the point I could hardly talk for months (I've had Covid, and the weird cold side effects were like Covid light to give people an idea) without hacking up a lung and ended up in the ER with it, which is what led me to get off of it, and it made my depression and mood so low that I wanted to die. My marriage was already on its way out when I started taking this drug, but Topamax definitely helped put the nail in the coffin."

• clo...
• April 2, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I am taking 25 mg in the morning. Working up to 100 mg over a few weeks, going up 25 mg every 2 weeks. I've only been taking it 4 days, and to be honest, the only thing I've noticed was the first day I felt rough, but since I've felt odd nausea. No other side effects, maybe because I've been so busy I haven't noticed them. I'm actually looking forward to upping the dosage. I want to prevent migraines. I don't know why I didn't go get help sooner. I've suffered for years, but to me, being overweight, I'm also hoping it'll help with the weight loss I've been struggling to lose for over 4 years. I'm fit and healthy and regularly exercise and eat healthy, yet I can't shift, so hoping this helps."

• 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."

• dra...
• August 31, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "I was given this medication several years ago in an attempt to reduce migraines. I began using the lowest prescribed dose, as instructed by my physician. On the 3rd night, 3-4 hours after taking my 3rd dose, I woke out of a sound sleep with tachycardia (fast heart rate). I didn't know what was up. To 'calm down,' I took a shower. By afternoon of that day, I knew that it was the medication. I had pressure in my head, tachycardia, nausea. This is about the worst I have ever felt. Needless to say, I had to discontinue Topamax immediately. I long for the day when medications can be chosen based on genetic coding information. For many people, Topamax is a Godsend; but not for me."

• tha...
• December 1, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I've been prescribed this medication twice. Each time I took a tablet, I got sick and nauseous. It increased my migraines and the pain I was experiencing. I refuse to use this medication, and my nurse practitioner refuses to try any new medication on me. I am forced to live a migraine-infused lifestyle and live with the pain."

• Kay...
• April 23, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax made my migraines worse - more often, more pain, more nausea, stronger auras, and longer lasting."