Topamax and Tingling: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I am currently taking it for intense migraines. It is the only thing that I have found that has helped. I do have breakthrough migraines, but the medication does keep the majority of them at bay. I do get many of the side effects. I get tingling in my hands and feet. I occasionally get tingling on my tongue and a weird burning taste when I drink soda. I get slight dizziness when I first take it. I am more sensitive to cold, and I get diarrhea. All of these side effects I can either live with or treat and are worth the freedom from the migraines. If you live with migraines every day, you're willing to put up with a lot of side effects just to be pain-free for a while. This medication is totally worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 13, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topamax for 2 years now after trying many different medications. Yes, I got some of the side effects, mainly thought process was slow and word confusion. That was really frustrating, it is worse under stress. The all-over tingling is not as bad anymore, but I do not have headaches every day. You have to weigh your options."

• Jen...
• July 20, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I'm writing about my 18-year-old daughter who is currently on Topamax. She has suffered from migraines since she was about 12 years old. They would take her out for 2-3 days each, occurring anywhere from 2-6 times a month. When she was first given Topamax, we thought it was the greatest medication ever. Problem solved, she felt that the tingling fingers and face, as well as the flat soda taste, were well worth not suffering from migraines. HOWEVER - and I cannot stress this enough - as she increased her dose, she exhibited personality changes. She became depressed and overall just wasn't herself. Thankfully, we recognized this and are working with her doctor to back off the Topamax. We will be looking into other options. Not worth it!"

• Jen...
• July 20, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I'm writing about my 18-year-old daughter who is currently on Topamax. She has suffered from migraines since she was about 12 years old. They would take her out for 2-3 days each, occurring anywhere from 2-6 times a month. When she was first given Topamax, we thought it was the greatest medication ever. Problem solved, she felt that the tingling fingers and face, as well as the flat soda taste, were well worth not suffering from migraines. HOWEVER - and I cannot stress this enough - as she increased her dose, she exhibited personality changes. She became depressed and overall just wasn't herself. Thankfully, we recognized this and are working with her doctor to back off the Topamax. We will be looking into other options. Not worth it!"

• Ros...
• February 3, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax has significantly reduced my migraines from 1 a month to 1 every 18 months. I have also found that it helps you not overeat or drink alcohol. I am very happy being on Topamax for all these reasons. I initially did have tingly feet, a small price to pay, but rarely get that symptom now. I am on 50 mg a day."

• Ell...
• November 14, 2009

For Seizure Prevention "Best medication for me yet. I have my life back. Give it time and be patient. Let your body adjust to the drug slowly and be sure to stay hydrated and eat enough even though you might not feel hungry. Drinking smoothies helps. Get enough potassium and you won't feel tingly. I can finally go back to being a student and ballet dancer without seizures! Trust me, this medication can give you your life back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I went from 1 or 2 migraines a year to about 9 a month. After a year or so of this, my doctor had me try Topamax. I've been on 25 mg, once a day, for the past three weeks, and I'm very happy with it. I've only had the beginnings of 3 migraines (immediately took my Relpax), and they went immediately away. I feel like I've got my life back. My only side effects are a slight loss of appetite (which I'm not unhappy about) and a little tingling in my feet. Well worth it."

• mir...
• February 19, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on Topamax for about 2 months now. I've gone from having a migraine or headache of some sort every day to 2 migraines in the past 2 months. The only thing I don't like about the medication is the severe tingling in my hands, feet, fingers, and lips."

• MB2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2017

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I've been taking 25 mg/day for 3 weeks for nerve damage/back pain. I love this medication! It has some interesting side effects...(I have tried Gabapentin, Lyrica, Tramadol, and Percocet - but had really bad experiences on all of them.) The tingling goes away after a week. Hot flashes - too young for this! Mentally in a better place - I was in a depressive funk before taking it. Cleared my head a bit - I actually want to get better now and am walking/making an effort b/c I'm able to because my pain is manageable. I still get random shooting pains, but not as harsh. Major con is my hair is falling out!!! Any suggestions on hair loss? OTC supplements I take with it: AZO Cranberry Urinary Tract Health, B12, biotin, PNV, and fish oil. Drink lots of water!!!"

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Topamax for about a year and a half now, and it has drastically cut down the frequency of my migraines. That is so worth the side effects I've noticed. Yes, I've had the tingles and some facial twitches, I've lost about 20 lbs., and I have trouble with word retrieval and memory... but is it worth it? Absolutely! I currently take 250 mg/day-all at night to help minimize the noticeability of the side effects. A good option, in my opinion."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I took Topamax for 2 months until I finally threw in the towel and could take no more. It did stop the migraines, but the other side effects were horrible. I did have the tingling in my hands, feet, and lips, and food did taste way different. I was so depressed I could barely even get out of bed. I actually gained about 5 lbs. while I notice most everyone else lost weight. I cried every day for a week straight, and I'm not like that. My house was a wreck and I could barely help my son with his homework."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "After 7 years of debilitating migraines almost daily and rebound headaches from taking Excedrin and ibuprofen, I finally found a doctor that was willing to help me. She suggested Topamax, and just in this short period of a couple of months, there's been a significant difference. Not only am I rarely having pain, I feel less anxious and more balanced out emotionally as well. Even friends and co-workers can see the difference in my mood! As for side effects, I experienced tingling in my hands, feet, and face, but my doctor mentioned taking a multivitamin each day, which has seemed to help. I've also been drinking LOTS of water to counteract the major dry mouth. Overall, Topamax has been more of an effective, positive experience for me than anything."

• Pal...
• July 23, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Topamax 12 years ago after one of my migraines sent me out of my classroom and into the ER. After the initial few weeks of disorientation, halo vision, and tingling/numbness, my body adjusted to the meds and I had almost 10 years of maybe two headaches per year. A miracle! When menopause hit, my migraines came roaring back with a vengeance. But I stayed on Topamax and my neurologist added other meds to supplement. Things are better now; Topamax has been a lifesaver for me. But it takes some time to let the side effects settle out and for your doctor to tweak the dosages."

• wxy...
• February 28, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "After 8 years, five different doctors, and just about every possible prescription and home remedy, I finally found something that works. I have been taking Topamax for five months and love it. The only side effects have been a change in my taste buds and a tingling sensation. My doctor wanted to increase the dosage. However, after reading about the drug, I think the severity of the side effects is directly related to the dosages. My dosage is 25 mg twice daily, and sometimes I only take it once a day. For those who are still suffering, I am sorry. Don’t give up hope. Something has to work, and until then, try the pain medication."

• Ljr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines since my first son was born nearly 27 years ago. They had become more and more frequent... almost daily. I was using the maximum amount of Maxalt that my insurance would allow. I asked my doctor for a prophylactic medication for migraines. I am now up to 100 mg of Topiramate 2 times daily. Yes, there are some side effects. I have some tingling in my hands, sometimes my mouth is dry. If I don't have to work or don't have a lot planned, I feel tired and lazy. I crave fewer sweets/food in general... sometimes feel a little nauseated. I was losing weight (20 lbs) before starting the medication and continued after. I have stabilized at a 40 lb weight loss. No other side effects. Restless legs are gone. Better sleep."

• PMa...
• June 9, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on Topamax (topiramate) for 6 years and loved it at first. My migraines decreased dramatically, I had weight loss from the appetite suppression, and I overall felt better. But I had pretty bad tingling in my hands and all over my face for the whole time I've taken it. Also, more recently, I've made the connection between my severe memory loss and the medication. I used to be able to retain information and facts like an elephant, but I can hardly recall simple words some days. I'm planning on going off the Topamax (with the direction of my neuro) because the memory loss issue is so disturbing to me."

• Anonymous
• February 22, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Helped a lot with chronic migraines. I lost a lot of weight (I weighed 146 and I dropped down to 123 in two months). I ate less, but I was still eating close to what I ate before being on the medicine. I think it must speed up your metabolism. I had some mood changes, and I did have a little memory loss. I would forget words and things like that. I work with people, so I noticed it more because people would point it out. My hands/feet tingled. I noticed fewer side effects when I took the medicine at night. I only take 50 mg at night, that's all I ever have taken, and it works for me. It does wonders for my migraines, and it's worth the minor side effects. If you are a pop or beer drinker, you will HATE it because it ruins carbonated beverages."

• Awa...
• May 13, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "After my second baby, I had an increase in hormonal migraines and tension headaches, and my neurologist put me on Topamax starting at 25 mg per night until I got a final dose of 100 mg split between AM/PM. Initially, I noticed a lot of tingling in my hands, feet, and face. In week 2, a very tense jaw. I still feel like myself, but I feel more tired. I don't need to nap or anything during the day, but at night, I have no trouble sleeping. All of the pain in my head disappeared. I thought it was amazing, but I did get 2 hormonal headaches (not migraine strength). All in all, not bad. I eat a dinner meal only and drink water all day long, this med just makes me not want food. Weight loss: 10 kg in 3 months. I have no depression, just tiredness, it's not fixed by naps."

• Pee...
• October 14, 2009

For Seizure Prevention "I have been on Topamax for about 4 years. I have a brain tumor and migraines with seizures. I was on Divalproex and had gained weight (178 lbs). I am 5'3'. When my doctor put me on Topamax, my hands and feet tingled, everything tasted like metal, for about a month or so I also felt like I was on 'speed.' After the first month or so and some dosage alterations, I am very happy. No seizures, headaches gone, I am now a size 3, yeah, and will be very upset if someone takes my Topamax away."

• Chu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed Topamax as a migraine preventative and experienced just about every side effect. I started 25 mg/day at night for 7 days, moved up to 75 mg after 3 weeks, and remained there. Within 48 hours, I didn't have a headache at all but was experiencing side effects of tingling fingers, no appetite, and a change in the taste of foods/carbonated beverages. I did have a hard time concentrating, I'd get confused and would randomly slur words. I weighed 120-ish when I started, and within a few months, was 110 or less. I did work out and noticed no matter how hard I pushed, I didn't sweat and randomly got dizzy. Side effects are no joke, but you adjust after a few weeks."

• Reb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2015

For Seizure Prevention "I've been on Topiramate now for 3 years after switching from Lamotrigine, on which I had a full-on epileptic seizure. My experience on Topiramate, however, has been fine. I lost weight like others seem to have, but have since put it back on. I surrendered my driving license for a year after the seizure but have since gotten that back. I carry out my job with ease as well, so really can't complain there. The only issues I've had are the side effects of tingly hands and feet, sudden dizziness, becoming very, very tired all of a sudden - and more recently - losing my train of thought, getting confused easily, and being unable to focus. I've noticed this mainly happens, though, when I'm bored and have nothing to do. When I'm busy, all works well."

• sol...
• May 1, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I started on this medicine in 2004. It has been a roller-coaster ride. The first, and most immediate thing was I stopped smoking and discontinued drinking anything carbonated. I rapidly lost about 30 lbs, my nails became so thin I could not hold paper. I started taking supplements as the weight loss caused nutrition loss. Tingling in hands and feet still persists, especially when I am cold. Around 2007, I entered into a psychotic break, there are other contributing factors here, so my doctor took down the dose from 200 mg to 75 mg, where I am still at today. I have regained some weight, but that is due to another medicine that I now take with this."

• DDI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I didn't use it long enough to see if it would prevent my monthly migraine, but I wanted to share the side effects I experienced. I started with 25 milligrams twice a day for 7 days and felt okay, but did experience some tingling in my feet and fingers. Then I increased to 50 milligrams twice a day per doctor's order, and things really changed. I started having the craziest dreams every night. Tingling was very pronounced every day in my feet and hands. I couldn't get out of bed easily. I felt very lethargic and really like a zombie. I kind of had a flat affect and felt very robotic at times. Other times, I was very depressed and irritable, or even angry. I stopped taking it. Also, I was hungry all the time. That was not normal for me at all."

• hea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 23, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I've found Topamax to be a useful tool in migraine prevention. I've been fighting these now for over 25 years, and I've gone as far as having sinus surgery and dentures to replace my top teeth to reduce the triggers of these monstrous headaches. I've come to believe there's no magic pill to take it all away, but Topamax reduces the severity greatly. The little tingling sensation will go away, and saltiness is great when you have to take meds and don't have a full stomach. It helps with the nausea. Whether Topamax is the drug for you-don't lose hope. Just keep trying to find the right combination of diet change, sleep, trigger reduction, and meds until you find what works for you."

• Cri...
• January 8, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed this medicine for frequent migraines. The only bad experience I have had with it is a tingling sensation in my hands at times. It is not unbearable or any reason for me to stop taking the medication. I have been on the medication for a few months and have only had two migraines since I started the medicine."