United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My daughter was put on 50 mg of Topamax 10 days ago and is working up to 100 mg. Her doctor originally had her on depokote after she had a seizure and will be on both meds for 3 more weeks as she transitions to the Topamax. She is having many of the same side effects listed here, specifically, drowsiness, memory loss, noise in her head, and depression. Our question is: Do the side effects go away and how long does it take? We are wondering if she should stick it out.

Hi there

I have had the same side effects as well. I was on 50 mg topamax for week & half then on 100 mg for two weeks. The worst side effects were my vision got worse, my face felt funny like sinus pain and my teeth felt like it didnt belong in my mouth. I am back on 50 mg a day which I only take at night. I get through a day much better now.

I hope you feel better!

I cannot believe that a drug so serious, with such serious side effects will be prescribed for weight loss alone. But, this is only my personal opinion. I take it for epilepsy and has not experienced any weight loss. The side effects is not worth the wait!

Lori- You are the first person who has described their migraines to effect the whole side of the body as mine do. I am interested in any special test you had done. Each doctor wants to treat each diffent part of my body and I have had a inner knowing for years that this 1/2 body experience only happens when I have a migraine. Please respond. I currently am taking Neurontin, it helps but it has its own set of side effects.

I started taking Topamax 5 weeks ago for migraines @ 25 mg a a day increasing it by 25 mg a week until I was up to 100. The first week the side effects were severe, I was drowsy and dimwitted. My hands and feet tingled, my face was numb, and I was less hungry. So the first thing I did was I started to take vitamins and up my caffiene and water intake. IF and WHEN I felt like eating, I ate healthy.(forget ADKINS go for the carbs!) The side effects dimmed, not my mind, I am as witty and sharp as ever. And best of all, I have yet to have had a headache. I used to suffer daily.

I started taking Topamax 5 weeks ago for migraines @ 25 mg a a day increasing it by 25 mg a week until I was up to 100. The first week the side effects were severe, I was drowsy and dimwitted. My hands and feet tingled, my face was numb, and I was less hungry. So the first thing I did was I started to take vitamins and up my caffiene and water intake. IF and WHEN I felt like eating, I ate healthy.(forget ADKINS go for the carbs!) The side effects dimmed, not my mind, I am as witty and sharp as ever. And best of all, I have yet to have had a headache. I used to suffer daily.

I started taking Topamax 5 weeks ago for migraines @ 25 mg a a day increasing it by 25 mg a week until I was up to 100. The first week the side effects were severe, I was drowsy and dimwitted. My hands and feet tingled, my face was numb, and I was less hungry. So the first thing I did was I started to take vitamins and up my caffiene and water intake. IF and WHEN I felt like eating, I ate healthy.(forget ADKINS go for the carbs!) The side effects dimmed, not my mind, I am as witty and sharp as ever. And best of all, I have yet to have had a headache. I used to suffer daily.

Okay, I've just started week 3 @ 75mg two days ago and am really starting to notice some of the side effects people talk about. Food and even water just taste awful although this could be a good thing as I need to lose weight. And even though water tastes bad, I just can't seem to get enough of it. And I'm a chocoholic. Even the thought of chocolate grosses me out lately. So these are all good things. But this morning I got hit with the "stupids". I was trying to read simple intructions and could'nt comprehend what I was reading and I've made some pretty stupid mistakes at work today. Really not liking this effect. But up untill tonight I have not had a migraine in week (compared to daily) so this is a good thing. I will try eating healthy and the vitamin thing like Alicia above suggests and update later. I'm supposed to up my dosage to 100mg next week but if the stupidness does'nt subside a little, I might not do it and just stay at 75mg.

All of you out there who are taking topamax BEWARE it is not to be taken lightly! Please weigh the pros against the cons. This drug can and may cause blindness and permanently damage your brain and other organs. Please do not just accept what many doctors so frivolously prescribe. These days doctors are handing out prescriptions like candy! They are not scientists of these drugs and do not know long term effects. I have been taking topamax for 9 days now and I feel sick all of the time, I cannot spell, my brain cannot function, it is a mirracle I have not gotten into a car accident! I have taken Zoloft for 13 years and the research on that drug is horrifying also. I am going to stop taking both of these cold turkey. I have been prescribed them for migraines and for depression. God help us for what we are doing to ourselves for the exchange of a "cure of one symptom" in exchange for a whole slew of other health problems. I urge all of you to think for yourselves, stand up for yourselves, and rally for your own health and happiness.

Hi Mary,

Don't know what country you are in but I am in Australia. My son who is now nine has a rare genetice disease called Tuberous Sclerosis and has had seizures since he was 12 months old. He has had success with Vigabratrin (Sabril) up until he was 3 and then with Tegretol until he was 8 and a half years old. He is presently on Epilim, Frisium and Topamax. I am going to get him off the Topamax because of the slowing down of his pyschomotor skills and his violent and aggressive behaviours which I believe to be directly as a result of Topamax. Go and see someone else if you have to. But please get him off this drug if the side effects are too much for him and you to handle.

Best of luck, jo