Topamax User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Sma...
• July 20, 2009

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on Topamax since March 2009. I've lost 75 of the 110 pounds I need to lose. The side effects are annoying, and in the beginning, I really wanted to quit the medication. But as I've lost the weight, I've actually been able to decrease the dosage so a lot of the side effects have decreased as well. Some of them are easier to live with than others. The paresthesia has mostly subsided, but I do still struggle with memory lapses. I quit drinking all carbonated beverages because I do not like the way they taste. That has probably helped with the weight loss anyway. Overall, I am quite pleased. I am also pleased to read that others have been able to maintain their weight on this drug."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "So far so good! No migraines! No more vomiting! I am losing weight! The best part is I am sleeping, whereas before, the insomnia was truly the worst. I pray all this continues. I have had no side effects at all."

• pon...
• April 28, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "This has been a wonder drug for me when combined with Cymbalta. I have suffered for years and had been on narcotic painkillers. The pain had finally gotten so bad that even those weren't working. I work in Pre-K and didn't want to give up my job to become a disabled person living at home on painkillers. I found an awesome doctor who understood that I didn't want to live on those types of medications. After only two visits, she tapered me off of the medicines I was on and started me on Topamax along with Cymbalta. That is all I take. No more pain! Life is wonderful again."

• sfe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 28, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "When I first started taking Topamax, it was prescribed to me for the prevention of migraine headaches. A couple of years later, I now take 200mg in the morning and 200mg at bedtime, and since February I have lost 51 lbs... 282 down to 232 and still losing more!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Had chronic migraines and was prescribed this medication. At first, I had no migraines or headaches, but then it got worse. I urge you to not take this medication if you have an alternative. It created a barrier in my conversations. I couldn’t comprehend what people were saying, had trouble creating responses, and felt like I was drugged up all the time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 16, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Topamax for 12 years as a mood stabilizer for Bipolar 1 disorder. It is a GREAT mood stabilizer and I used to be quite heavy, and I lost 100 pounds in around 6 months (yes, you read that right!). The bad part was HORRIBLE side effects. Constant itching in the summer. I developed a 9mm kidney stone when I had no prior history. I developed a blood disorder (something acidosis). I was told this was a rare side effect, but that was why I stopped taking it. However, if I could go back in time, would I still take it? You bet! One of the best mood stabilizers I've ever been on. Just make sure you EAT when taking it, it makes you not want to eat."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Two weeks ago, my Dr. prescribed Topamax to help aid my weight loss and reach my goals. All was well until last Friday, every food and drink, except for water and Gatorade, made me nauseous and sometimes vomit. Constant constipation or raging diarrhea. None of the foods or drinks had much taste. No appetite but growling stomach. My feet were constantly tingling. I started getting dizzy and blacking out. Horrible breast pain and just felt horrible. It was the lowest dose prescribed, so I stopped it last night and have an appointment tomorrow morning. The more I researched the drug, it's horrible for your body - eyes, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system to name a few. Just not worth it!"

• Ldo...
• November 7, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Topamax before and it worked, and went off. I don't know why. I recently went back on it, and it has made a world of difference. It's like night and day. I take it with Abilify and Xanax because I have really bad anxiety as well. I am 24 and was so depressed I wasn't leaving my apartment, but now I feel like a new person, like I want to go out and do things again. I'm not held back. I like that this medicine doesn't make me gain weight too because I've had that problem in the past. I lost 10 pounds since I went back on it 4 weeks ago. The only thing I will say that is not great is it slows down my thought process sometimes, and it gives me tingles in my hands and face, but not all the time. The benefits outweigh those side effects greatly."

• mom...
• September 15, 2011

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been battling my weight since I was pregnant with my first son, who just turned 2. I was 165 when I got pregnant with him, and on the day I went in to have my second son (who is 5 months old today) I weighed 270. I just took my first 25 mg dose of Topamax last night. I am addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper and can't even stand the taste. Not hungry either, so I'm hopeful that this medicine will work. I also take Celexa and Tenuate. I don't know if it's the combination, or just the Topamax, but I am feeling kind of 'floaty' today, in a sense. Maybe this will improve with time."

• Ama...
• January 14, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been obese my whole life. I have struggled with diets and exercise and eating and starving. I have gone as far as having weight loss surgery. EVERYTHING has only been temporary. My new doctor has recommended Topamax. I currently weigh 282.6. I have started out on 25 in the morning and 25 at night. In 1 month I will go in for my follow-up. Has anyone else tried everything else and completely failed? My doctor says it could be my genetic makeup. But anyway, I plan on keeping a record on here of my journey for myself and others to follow. Thank you for your support."

• Swe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Began Topamax in 2005 after suffering from migraines that would last for weeks. The litany of side effects is true, and its nickname 'Stupamax' is honestly earned. Word recall, memory, trouble focusing, hand numbness, fatigue, insomnia, the works. But the number of days with headaches went from 21 to 9 in the very first month. Now, after years of taking it, my body has been depleted of vitamin B12, and I have been suffering from horrible GI troubles. However, none of my doctors seemed to link Topamax to the B12 depletion. It took Google to figure that one out. But thank you to Google and B12 supplements. I hope this helps someone else relieve any issues they've been experiencing."

• Bur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 24, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "Topamax was a miracle drug for me! It helped with my Fibromyalgia pain & headaches. I would definitely recommend this drug. I have to stop taking it now due to the development of kidney stones. I wish I could stay on it as it improved my life by 90%. I'm a 59-year-old female. I have had fibromyalgia for 23 plus years."

• Lad...
• November 12, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I am 24 years old and I've had terrible migraine headaches since I was in high school. I've been on Topamax for 3 months and only taking 50mg a day since it can lessen the effect of my birth control, and I don't want to heighten the side effects. This has also been good enough to where I'm not getting migraine/tension headaches every day like I used to (it was making my life miserable). I get them sometimes once a week now. My side effects from Topamax are I used to have some hand/feet tingling, but it went away after I got used to the medication. It does make soda taste flat, and sometimes I forget words - but it's kind of how I am anyway. So far, this has worked well for me and hasn't caused me any problems."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2009

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have struggled with weight loss for years. Food cravings are one of my symptoms. Topamax really did help with this, however, my energy and memory are not what they used to be. Originally, I thought it was a trade-off I could adjust to but the fuzzy memory for me is frustrating. I sometimes say words that I am thinking about and don't even realize it. Then argue that I didn't say it, only to find out I did. Silly, but worth revisiting my physician about. I struggle with the same 10-20 lbs but won't give up. I would recommend trying it to people who are serious about weight loss. It helps you push your plate away and not obsess about food. That was an experience I had never had before, but I need my memory."

• Nom...
• November 10, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Topamax about 3 years ago. Began at 25mg a day for a week. The second week I was supposed to move up to 50, the third week to 75mg, and then finally to 100mg on the fourth week. I never really had to move past 25mg. My migraines all but stopped after a month of being on the medication and at the lowest dose. I had all the side effects - tingling, weight loss (very happy about it too), forgetting certain words, and the nasty taste of soda. That was okay because I only drink it very rarely anyway. I was getting 1-2 migraines a week and now, I may have 1-2 a year. Most of the side effects seemed to have faded with time as well. Very, very pleased with this medication."

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Topamax for mood disorder for the past six months along with my antidepressant and anxiety meds, and I think it's GREAT! It's improved my mood so much with no side effects. I recommend it to anyone."

• Pig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed Topamax for migraines. At first, it was amazing, my migraines stopped. But as my dose increased, I began having loss of memory, confusion, and severe panic attacks. These problems persisted for a whole year after stopping the drug. One plus — I have not had a migraine since. This drug changes your brain chemistry. Be really careful."

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I started this medication for weight loss, bipolar, migraines. Seems like it may just be perfect...hopefully. I just finished my first week and lost 3 pounds! I workout 5-6 days a week, but due to antidepressants making me gain so much weight, regardless of my diet and exercise, I am fat. So today stepping on that scale and seeing 3 POUNDS LIGHTER! I am a very moody person, but the medicine seems to be making it right, moods seem to be very level. And haven't had one migraine! No side effects other than weight loss and loss of appetite... can't complain about that!"

• mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My Dr. has just prescribed me Topamax for weight loss. I'm the biggest I've ever been at 223 lb. I have always had the tendency to be heavy as I have fought my weight my entire life but now it's becoming threatening to my health. My doctor said the 'foggy' head side effects and kidney stones, etc., are so rare that it's worth trying. He said that the tingling of hands and feet are the most common side effect and they tend to subside. Is this true? Reading some of these reviews has me scared now but my Dr. seems like it should be fine. I'm confused. HELP"

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 16, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Was put on Topamax for migraines a year and a half ago. I have had maybe one or two headaches since being on this medicine compared to the weekly migraines I was having before the Topamax, and I am down 80 pounds. I only take 100mg a day. I was just diagnosed with bipolar 1, and after reading this forum, I am going to talk to my doctor and see if upping my dose will help with that, since I've seen that it is helping all of you. I am feeling quite confident that this could be my medicine of choice for multiple ailments. Good luck to all in your search."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "Started taking this about a month ago to level out my moods. I noticed difficulty focusing at first but it stopped. I'm also having tingling hands, feet, and face occasionally but with the way this medicine works it's worth it. Since I've been on it I'm like a new person, this medicine is a Godsend. Try it."

• Anonymous
• February 15, 2011

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Topamax combined with Melatonin have prevented me from waking up and eating in the middle of the night. It has allowed me to diet and make progress. However, side effects have been challenging, mental fog and reduced sex drive are just a few."

• rog...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 21, 2013

For Seizure Prevention "This is for the Newbies out there. I started this medication when I was 15. Had my first seizure a few days before my 15th birthday. The first side effect you will experience is sleepiness, don't fight it. Let your body get a nap between 1-3, which I found to be the best time. I sleep for 1 hour and still can fall asleep at night. I am 21 now. Some advice to you: whenever you don't feel like eating, I found that sweet tea gets me hungry, find that X factor in you. The weight loss is insane. I lost 40 pounds in 6 months just by breathing. Now, sleep patterns are important. If the average person needs 8 hours, you and I need 9-10 MINIMUM. Also, try to take the dose at the same time every day, you will fall asleep faster. Hang out to see sunrise."

• Rln...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I have been taking Topamax a long time. I was taking 200 mg, but I was having memory issues, so I asked my doctor if I could try 175 mg, and she agreed. It has worked much better. I was taking it all in the morning, and I was so tired in the day. I read on here that someone suggested taking half in the am and half in the afternoon. I started that 2 weeks ago, and it has made a huge difference in my energy level. I used to stay in bed most of the day. Now I bake and do crafts with my kids."

• Vic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I started Topamax on August 18th, and my life has changed! Today is September 2nd, two weeks without a migraine is a miracle. I’m on 50mg. At first, I was having a hard time at work. Brain fog is an understatement. But I would say it’s gone now. Within the first week, my sensitivity to light disappeared. I actually started crying tears of joy while driving because I could finally see in the daytime without a migraine. And the same thing at night. I don’t have to turn the mirror up anymore. I can see! I occasionally get some tingling in my hands and feet, but not bad at all. I will update again on my progress/side effects in a month or two. Good luck to everyone. This has been such a blessing for me."