United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My 21 year old daughter is on topomax and has been on it for about 7 weeks and is up to 200 mg. per day. She has hydrocephalus and has been plagued with chronic headaches for about 3 months. It was my understanding that the prescription was given to decrease her production of cerebral spinal fluid and thus give her brain shunt less work to do in keeping fluid off her brain. She is definitely depressed and seems to have trouble concentrating. She is also continueing to lose weight. I'm worried that she is getting to skinny. I just chalked those symptoms up to her constant headache which have NOT decreased at all with her use of the topomax. Has anyone elso who has hydrocephalus used topomax?

NULL...

Please email me about this; I would love to know more about topomax and hydrocephalus for personal reasons...I don't want to discuss it on these boards but need to know more..my email address is liz@tbpi-group.org

Many thanks in advance...

Liz

My doctor suggsted Topomax as an alternative to Paxil for general anxiety issues I struggle with. The plan was to go off of Paxil while starting up on Topomax. Had experience weight gain on Paxil so weight loss associated with Topomax seemed a plus.

I experienced flu like symptoms on the Topomax that were tough to endure during a work day and am wondering if others have see similar results. These included nausea, body aches, headaches and feeling like I had a fever although I didn't.

I've stopped taking it for now.

> I am wondering if anyone has taken the drug topomax
> and if so was it helpful? Did you experience the
> side effects that I did......weight loss or
> depression? In addition to that it slowed my mind
> down......I just couldn't think as quickly, was very
> forgetful, would forget words and lose my train of
> thought. I actually thought it helped the pain but
> struggled with the side effects and felt like I
> became TOO thin. Any thoughts?

I have experienced all of the effects you have mentioned and felt very agitated and angry.
It is a horrible drug. You can email me if you wish.

I am a stroke survivor of twenty years who also is a miraine sufferer. My neurologist wants to stop my migraines, as he contends that medical research has proved them to be extremely dangerous. Therefore, he put me on a low dosage of Topamax - 60 mg. a day. He just increased it to 120. I noticed that I had become extremely moody and felt like I was sick, even though I didn't have a fever. So maybe it's not PMS, but the Topamax? I hadn't realized that the meds could do that. I take eight meds a day.

Also, has anyone noticed chest pains or heart palapatations with this medication?

Renee

I stared taking topomax after a siezure about 8 months ago. It took me about 3-4 months to get used to it. the memory loss subsided, tingling got less and less and the weight loss was needed, but after time is less effective. In other word, for me you have to give it some time. I researched all the other anti seizure drugs and this seemed the best. As far as argumentative, perhaps but not now. depression, the opposite. I like it. I just wish there were a gereric because my cobra is running up and no one will sell me insurance because I am on it.

I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and was perscribed paxil and have been through similar ones as well. I eventually returned to the paxil. I was on paxil for about 2 years when I gradually gained weight. My doctor in return gradually took me off paxil and perscribed Topomax. My mother and I were very concerned about the side effects listed. My doctor said it would be fine. I started to take it, not even a week into it I developed narrow angle glaucoma. I had to have laser eye surgery and that was not going to promise me my sight back. I regained it and now i am having side effects almost 21/2 years later i am only 21. It is very umcommon for someone 18 to develope glaucoma. It was a side effect and was and still is not listed as one. I would love to hearn from anyone who has had this problem. Please, Please, Please.

Hi,
Just started topomax yesterday for migraine prevention. I have been on everything...corgard, covera, neurontin (which made me an eating machine). I want to try topomax especially for the weight loss effect as well as migraine prevention. My 9 yr. old daughter was on topomax and it did make her very disoriented. I am on 25 mg, am and 25mg. pm and will probably go up to 50/50. I am hoping the pros outweigh the cons with this medication.
Meryle

i have gained a tremendous amount of weight on paxil and i too have been on topomax for 2 weeks and not been feeling good....i think i am going to stop it too.......keep in touch and lets talk...