Topomax

[Karen Hillyer]

Topomax DOES cause short term memory loss, shakes, numbness in fingers and other serious side effects.
My brother has been taking it for epilepsy for about 5-6 years and has lost his peripheral vision as well as his short term membory and it has also caused agressive behaviour in him too.
In my humble opinion, I would NOT take this drug unless it was necessary to save my life as in epilepsy.

[admin]

I had water on the brain as a baby, which caused me to become epileptic by the time I was 3. I am now taking 900 mg of topomax a day and feel like the walking dead. There are days I can barely move I feel so tired. The good thing about it is that I've lost over 100 lbs since I've started on it. But I hate being so tired all the time. I'm open to suggestions and know what you mean.

[admin]

I had water on the brain as a baby, which caused me to become epileptic by the time I was 3. I am now taking 900 mg of topomax a day and feel like the walking dead. There are days I can barely move I feel so tired. The good thing about it is that I've lost over 100 lbs since I've started on it. But I hate being so tired all the time. I'm open to suggestions and know what you mean. I'm very forgetful, I can forget something minutes after saying it. It makes me feel bad.

[admin]

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU. HOW ARE YOU DOING NOW?

[lilyann2489]

I suffer migraine headaches, severe, however not all that frequent, only about once a month, as well as any time i excercise enough for lactive acid to build up in my muscles. I was recently prescribed a low dose of topomax, 25mg/day. However i'm only 15 years old, short and thin (5'1", 110lbs) and am worried about the weight loss side effect. From reading your posts ive noticed that almost everyone experienced weight loss, and most wanted to lose weight when they began to take the medication. Anyone with a low dosage that did not lose weight? I'd like to find out before i begin taking the meds as a 10lb weight loss would be unhealthy for me. thank you for your help.

[admin]

Lilyane,
I also am 5"1' but 38 years old and have a million migraines/month...just kidding but I do have many - i started on topomax weighing about 107# and currently weigh about 98# - the more topomax you take the stronger the side effects - my dose is 100 mg/day - your desire to eat goes away with topomax - it is not that you can't eat or you can't gain weight - you just don't really want to eat and certain foods may not taste as good to you as they once did - I have reached a point however where I know I can not loose any more weight...so I am forcing myself to eat even when i do not want to - and i am seeking high calorie foods as i used to seek low calorie foods - my goal is to gain some weight back and I think I can do this - I 'll let you know -
Good luck!

[admin]

Please contact me I'd like to speak to you. I may have the same situation as you. List the subject as Topomax and I will be sure to respond

[admin]

I have been on topomax for approx. 3 years. I have recently stopped taking it and my memory is returning to me. For the time that I was on it, I experienced headaches, lethargy, loss of memory, difficulty maintaining my breath if I attempted exercise, blurred vision and hair breakage. The great thing about topomax is the weight reduction, however, now that I am not using it, I am gaining back the weight. I find this to be a problem because the cravings that were once not there have returned. I was on 500 mg. which is over the top for this med. The reason for taking it was to help me curb my eating and have a realization of when i had eaten enough.
You're question focused on loss of memory: it's amazing to see the return of memories lost/faded. My memory prior to starting this med was very sharp and I have lost my edge in this area. I am hoping that my memory will return, I won't be so exhausted, and my hair will begin to grow again. I hope this answers your question.

[admin]

I have just finished my first month on Topomax and I am severly depressed. I am not my self and I am totally forgetful. I am calling the doctor today to find out if there is anything he can do to help. I can not live this way. I am in fear of losing my jobs.

K.

[admin]

I too have experienced the flu like symptoms.
Runny nose, fever, from this drug. Its weird. Never had the achy body though. But this drug is weird. It makes me forgetful. The first three weeks were the worst. The forth week is better. I am at 100MG now. But I have a short temper which I never use to have and I am very depressed and I am paranoid. I used to be a very happy go lucky little hippy chick......I need some answers.

K