Topamax and Weight Loss: What Users Say (Page 2)

• pep...
• February 23, 2012

For Trigeminal Neuralgia "It took me a year to be diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia - and I had to go to a doctor in Vienna for this, because the doctors in Romania misdiagnosed me - but Topamax is the medicine that really saved my life. Literally! Because I was contemplating suicide, the pain was that bad and nothing else was working for me. I have lost a little weight in the first couple of months, and I also have some trouble finding common words while speaking, but otherwise I did not experience any other side effects so far. My cholesterol level is now increasing - I am wondering if anyone is experiencing that as a possible side effect."

• 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."

• sta...
• November 19, 2007

For Migraine Prevention "I have taken Topamax for almost a year. Not only is it expensive, my husband wanted me to stop taking it. He said I was acting like a witch, and I did not notice any change in my migraines, just weight loss. I also had difficulty speaking and could not think of what I wanted to say. I no longer take it, but I am still looking for something to help with my migraines."

• mel...
• April 2, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "There are a few ways to get rid of one of the most annoying side effects, the tingling hands and feet. Potassium- I used to eat a banana or drink fruit juice high in potassium. All of my side effects went away after 2 years on Topamax. It is hard to wean off of. I have not taken a pill for 2 months and have far fewer headaches than before Topamax! Great drug! I lost almost 30 lbs but once we found the right dosage I leveled out and stayed at that weight for a year before weaning off."

• You...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I took this medication starting in August. I stopped because my hair was falling out. I'm 20 years old and I've lost most of my hair now. I had to go get it cut to my shoulders in hopes it would look better, but it doesn't. I began taking Topamax to help with my migraines, and I dropped a lot of weight. I lost 20 lbs over the course of 8 months. I now weigh 136 lbs and sort of want to continue because I love the fact that I'm losing all this weight, but I know it's bad for me as I am now getting addicted. I've been off the medication for about 2 months, and my migraines are returning. I don't want to continue taking it because of my hair loss, but I am not sure what to do. I tried taking medicine for hair, skin, and nails to help, but it didn't work."

• Cal...
• November 5, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I started out at 75 mg, had to decrease at first because it made me super emotional and had really bad tingling in hands/feet, so I ended up going back down to 50 mg, then I slowly increased by 25 mg until I got up to 100 mg and I'm doing OK now. I do feel emotionally sensitive at times and do get occasional tingling in my fingers and toes if I don't eat for a while, which the Topamax also decreases my appetite and I have lost weight on. I still have ocular migraines if I stay up too late or don't get enough sleep. If I have even a small glass of wine the evening before, I will wake up with an awful migraine the next morning, so I see why they say not to drink while on the medication. Overall, it has really significantly decreased migraines."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I had extreme vision changes, loss of memory, extreme depression with long crying spells, anger, and suicidal thoughts. I have tried it at three different points in my life and have had the same experience each time... NOT GOOD. I tried the medication three times because the doctor and I thought that perhaps the side effects were from a mix of other medications I took with the pill. I did have weight loss, but it was not worth it at all. I could barely drive, and soft drinks (although not really important) tasted amazingly disgusting. I had no warning about all of the things I might experience, and it was horrible trying to teach middle school, raise two young children, do daily tasks, and drive. I've had friends get divorced due to side effects."

• eis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 7, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "Started 100 mg at bedtime (in case of drowsiness) because I was waking up with 3 migraines a week. Later we added 25 mg in the morning to prevent afternoon migraines. My headaches have gradually improved, not just in frequency but also in intensity. Only side effects have been weight loss (about 10-15 lb, and it seems to have leveled out there, which is fine; I'm a relatively small person) and paresthesia/tingles in my hands and face. Tingling is more frequent in cold weather, but it's not bad enough to make me quit, especially not with the benefits I'm experiencing. There's been a bit of research into its use for mood disorders, which I have. I'm on other meds for that, but I wonder if the topiramate is having any extra little benefit there."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 7, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I started having migraines a week after starting the birth control pill as a teen. Over the years (I'm now 55), I have tried many drugs for the treatment of or prevention of migraines. I get the classic vascular migraine with an aura each time I get a migraine. I finally was prescribed Topamax as a preventative, the final dose that worked was 75 mg in the am and 75 mg in the pm. My migraines went from daily to maybe once a month. I took this for at least 3 years. I was just at the point of quitting it when I lost my job, so I had no choice. The reason I was quitting it was that I lost so much weight that I looked anorexic! I soon realized that my memory was horrible!"

• Anonymous
• October 2, 2012

For Seizure Prevention "I liked Topamax because I never worried about having a seizure. I obtained complete control and the added benefit of helping the migraines, however, the MD discontinued it after I had personality changes, severe weight loss, and acidosis."

• oif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 15, 2014

For Seizure Prevention "Good medication, reduced my GMS disorder but now I see the effects of being on this medication. I've been on it for 3 years now and like I said it reduced my grand mal seizures. But I've lost 40 lbs. I have trouble speaking the complete thought in my mind, and I'm always exhausted. Though, I have other issues that affect my sleeping habits, as I am a veteran. Pros and cons, so consider them."

• Pur...
• May 7, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Topamax for over 3 years, and the only side effect I experienced was an initial weight loss of about 15 lbs. If there was any cognitive difficulty, memory loss, difficulty remembering words, etc., I didn't notice, as it was worse when I was experiencing a migraine. Before taking Topamax, I would have a headache for months, with no relief. After I started taking Topamax, the migraines were down to 3 a month. My Dr. started me on a dose of 25 mg, 2 X a day and titrated me to 100 mg, 2 X a day. Unfortunately, the Topamax no longer seems to be effective, and on my next visit, I will ask my Dr. to either increase the dosage or prescribe a different medicine. Also, I have to agree with another post I saw, I am always freezing!"

• Anonymous
• June 1, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I dealt with migraines for so many years that I cannot even remember. Due to the cost of Topamax, at one point I quit taking it. I am back on it now. It is a lifesaver for me. I have had some of the side effects: weight loss, tingling fingers, cold feet, taste change, etc., but they are all worth it not to have the life-stopping migraines anymore. Once the dosage is regulated, it is wonderful. I have probably had 2 migraines in the past year, and neither has been intolerable."

• any...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Reduced my migraines by about 1/3, but also reduced my weight. I struggled greatly with the side effects. As someone who already struggles to keep weight on, the weight loss with the Topamax was too much for me. It was somewhat effective. If you are not concerned about keeping weight on, then this will probably serve you better than it served me."

• smi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Topamax now for nearly two years for severe headaches that I've been getting for the last six years. They don't totally take the pain away as I have to take other pain relief as well. I have lost some weight, which is a good thing for me. I started off on 25 mg twice a day and now I'm on 100 mg twice a day because the pain gets that unbearable, and I've been hospitalized a few times. I find if you take Ixprim as well as Topamax, they work well, but ask your doctor or pharmacist. Don't know if any of this will help anyone, but I hope it does."

• jes...
• November 15, 2007

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax has been a lifesaver for me! I am living alone without fear for the first time in my life. I can go outside during the day and not feel like crying from the pain of 24/7 migraines. I can drive without fear of not being able to get myself home. The side effects I have had are weight loss (I needed it anyway), some memory issues (I write things down more), and last, the big one: I have lost almost all my hair. It’s very traumatic, but after years of pain and fear, I am free to live my life, and if I have to live it in a wig, so be it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "Female. 19. I had sinus surgery then started getting headaches after surgery because of nerve damage. I was taking 25 mg once every night for a week and every next week would up the dose. My experience was awful! I had the usual side effects people had: tingling in lips/hands and weight loss. The main one for me was that I was so extremely fatigued and weak. I'm a young healthy girl who eats healthy, is a healthy weight, and before my surgery, worked out 4 times a week. I would have to physically force myself out of bed. And as far as the headaches, it reduced the intensity of the migraines but did nothing for the frequency."

• hga...
• December 8, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I was on Corgard for 7 years, and it did not control my migraines. I get complex migraines with neuro symptoms... numbness on one side of the face/arm/hand... feels like a stroke, but isn't... have had CTs, etc. Anyway, I was switched to Topamax at 25 mg in March and increased to 50 mg in May... no migraines except for one episode of a few days of the 'aura,' but did not go into the full-blown scary feeling migraine. My side effects have been significant weight loss and some word-finding issues, but I would not trade them for feeling like I am having a stroke. I don't know the long-term effect of taking Topamax, though... I will have to ask my neurologist. I have changed to a new one recently. I am so thankful so far for Topamax."

• Ser...
• February 2, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I was in a car accident with a head injury. I had intractable migraine and other headaches that came and went daily on top of that, and three months after the accident, my neurologist offered Topamax. It's been 9 months. I lost a lot of hair; I have the soda is flat thing; the pins and needles; and I have lost weight. I think the brain fog was not noticeable because of the brain injury. It took care of my headaches immediately. I didn't mind the side effects. I ran out of it once, and on day two, had a seizure. I tried to titrate off recently, and the migraine returned with a vengeance, so I am still going to be taking it. I don't mind the side effects in comparison to the headache. Also, I use hypnosis for some of the side effects."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I used Topamax for 3 months after working myself up to 150 mg/day. It brought my migraines down from 3-4 a week to 2-3 a month, which is great, however, after having been in and out of hospitals with horrific abdominal pain, my doctor cycled me off of it. I had also lost 20 lbs in a 3-week period but had not noticed a change in my appetite. I am very fit and eat 5-6 times a day to keep up with my metabolism and workouts, so the weight loss was extremely irritating, considering it was nothing but lean tissue. I also could not drink carbonated beverages and was extremely depressed and emotional (which is very out of character). I did not think the side effects I experienced were worth the benefit."

• NJj...
• March 6, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Topamax 50 mg, 2x daily for over a year now and found that it has helped me a lot with a few exceptions. They are weight loss, kidney stones, tingling in hands and feet, and frequent urination. I found that other medications didn't help (Depakote). I also take this with Inderal (B/P med) and Catapres TTS Patch (B/P med) because I also suffer from high blood pressure, and these two medications also are good migraine-fighting meds. I do recommend Topamax."

• ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2019

"I'd been on Xanax for years, 1 mg at bedtime. New shrink comes into where my G.P. is. She says I have to get off of Xanax. 'You are an addict!!!' So, I cold turkeyed off Xanax, and he prescribed Topamax to help me sleep. Yeah, that's what I said! After a month of taking it, my body just dried up! My eyes and mouth were always parched, and my skin got reeeeealy, baby powder smooth. Plus! I'd lost 6 lbs!! I was so dehydrated that I have permanent scarring in both of my eyes! I am looking for a lawsuit, as when I told this doc what was happening, she said, 'Oh really? Well, let's double the dose and take it for another month and see what it does!' I think she was crazy, and I walked out. My eyes are NOT getting better. It's been a year, and no change. Pay attention to your body closely when starting this drug. I wish I had!"

• laz...
• February 21, 2012

For Seizure Prevention "First off, my dosage 200 mg twice a day, 26 yo male. It works, in fact, the only anti-seizure medication that has worked for me. I have noticed weight loss of 15 to 20 lbs under my natural weight (135 to 155 at 5'11') from being on the meds to off (but that could be lack of exercise). Other than that, it keeps me going in my daily life. Just don't miss too many."

• nat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2017

For Seizures "I started taking this medication as soon as I was diagnosed with an inherited seizure disorder. Although I haven't had a seizure ever since I began to take the medication (which is good because the meds are working), the side effects were horrible. I would often feel very disoriented and saw a great amount of weight loss. This may not apply to everyone because everyone is different, but that was my experience with this medication."