United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My doctor told me the main side effects were weight loss and possible kidney stones. I have not started to take the med yet. I dont know that I want to after hearing all these stories.

I've just been diagnosed with Atonic Seizure Disorder.The neurologist has prescribed topamax for me. I'm not sure that I want to go on it after reading all of these stories.I'm going to keep on researching.Good Luck to everyone and God bless.

I've just been diagnosed with Atonic Seizure Disorder.The neurologist has prescribed topamax for me. I'm not sure that I want to go on it after reading all of these stories.I'm going to keep on researching.Good Luck to everyone and God bless.

look out for kidney stones on topamax... i have one and i've been on it for one year and it's a known side effect. i don't know my family medical history so i don't know if that's what caused it but be careful.

Patricia, my weight loss started immediately, taking only 25mg of topamax. Your condition sounds rather unusual I'm sorry to say. If it hasn't happened by now, I don't think dosage is the issue, i don't think your body responds to the weight loss. Gary

Yes, I can tell you that you can get kidney stones from taking the drug, so drink lots and lots and lots of water every day!!!!!!! Also, get your eyes checked regularily. Hope this helps you. Janet

My nuerologist also told me about replacing some of the potassium via diet (bannanas) and also suggested drinking a large glass of orange juice with calcium...but I found that it did not make any noticable difference....Today, I was volunteering at my daughter's school and I found that I could not do simple math...i.e., add three numbers (.75+.75+.75) together...I was beginning to think that I was getting Alzheimer's....I know that is not funny but it is very scary to me as I work as a Physical therapist and consequently know much more about MS, Alzheimers, and other progressive disease orders than I probably desire....I am growing extremely fatigued of my migraines and all the symptoms I feel resulting from Topomax....I must admit that the drug has reduced the frequency of and severity of my migranes but some of these symptoms like...the tingling, and burning sensations in my legs...numbness in my face and hands, word finding difficulties are difficult to overlook....do you experience similar symptoms and if so, do you or anyone else have any suggestions? Good luck to you....

hi, I get it all the time, sometimes it's even so bad, it wakes me up it the middle of the night. I'll try to move my feet and hands around to get rid of the tingling "Pins and needles" feeling but sometimes it only makes it worse!!

In the last few months I've been on quite a few of the anti-seziure medz which I was being told were to treat my Manic Deppresive tendencies and mood swings,(i.e.Depakote,Topamax,Triliptal,Risperdal,Serequeol etc.)
I was not able to be treated with any anit-depresants because of my Bi-Polar diagnosis.
When I was at last put on Topamax, I only consented to take it out of the agreement that I would no longer be forced to take Depekote,(I'm a minor) and with the assurance of my doctor that it would not cause such severe weight gain as I experienced when on Depekote. I've been on a low dosage of topamax now for about a month and a half and I experience such unpleasant side effects as: severe numbness in my hands and feet,unusually painful and irregular menstrual periods,hair loss, speech impediment,slurred speech,imbalance,short-term memory loss, confusion, abnormal aggression and long periods of deppression. I would like some information on whether or not I may expect such side-effects to simply disappear with time as my doctor says they shall or if I am expected by the medical field to endure. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks alot, God Bless - Scarlett age16

I am on 150mg/day of Topa for the past 2 months; for seizure activity that hit me after 4yrs. I seem to have - Yes - every single one of the side effects you've listed. Although, my MRI/CT, per my Dr seems normal, I somehow keep thinking that I have fallen for MS and am going to be paralized anytime because of the tingling/numbness + other symptoms on the rightside of my body.
Couple of other things I've noticed -

A strange kind of feeling in the head - it feels like a basketball bounced off your head; has anyone seen this happen?

I play the keyboards, after I started on Topamax, whenever I start playing, my right hand trembles and I feel all shivery. Does this have anything to do with Topomax reaction to the exitation in Right side of the Brain(music related??)

Any comments anyone?

About the kidney damage - is there a safe period before this starts happening at all?
Goodluck to all you guys out there.