Has anyone ever tried Topamax?

LuAnnH

Has anyone ever tried Topamax?

LuAnnH

My spinal doctor just wrote an rx for this after I had a very bad reaction to neurotin.  Made my blood pressure soar dangerously through the roof and cannot take it now.  I was reading the side effects of this drug and it flat out scares me to take it.  Other than it is great for weight loss, not sure if I want to try it.  Anyone have any experience with it?

TenderIsOurMight

LuAnnH,



I came this close to taking it for my neuropathy, but then chickened out after re-reading the SE's. I just looked for my unused box, but it looks as I threw it out. I tend to do that with all unused meds, as I have teens around the house.



Like you, I had hypertension to neurontin, with wt gain and fluid retention. Just a warning, it was actually worse when I tried Lyrica, AND Lyrica has some strange emotional effects, worse with withdrawing.



Sorry I couldn't help more.

Tender

saluki

Yes, I was on it.  It probably was the most successful with me in relieving neuropathic pain, but for me it also had the worst side effects.

But I was crazily sensitive to all the anti-convulsants.  They all turned me into a  dizzy zombie.

This was however, the only one to have a major effect on my personality.

--Raging anger---I've been on many many medications and I truly had no idea that a medicine could effect your personality like that.---I did loose weight on it.

Still may be worth a try for the potentially substantial relief.  Just be aware it can cause some personality disturbances.

Take care

iodine

It was recommended to me for sleep.  I, too, thought long and hard about side effects before I took it.  Even when it didn't help my sleep I kept on it to see if I could loose weight (I know, crazy)

I did loose 25 lbs, but I was also beginning to swim 2xwk and work out one day.

I did find that I was able to wake up one morning and quit smoking, believe that or not.  I was also taking Welbutrin with it and the combination was very helpful in that dept.

I weaned myself off it when I thought I was getting tinitus from it, but it wound up being a slight hearing loss.  I started back because my appetite was RAGING without it.

Had to wean off it again because it did make the tinitus worse.  I took it for about 18mos.

There is a support board for people on it.  Just ck the net for topaman support or discussion.

Lots of good info.  This drug is used for quite a few off label diagnoses.

LuAnnH

Tender, I can't try lyrica, my brother had a very dangerous side effect from the combination of lyrica and fentanyl (he has rsd) and I use fentanyl for my pain.  He went into respratory failure and was in the intensive care for two weeks and almost died.  I told my doctor about this and she said that she felt that was too big of a risk for me being as that was a brother.  I took the first dose tonight and we will see what happens.  I am really hoping I get the pain relief I need because I have been an absolute biotch lately with all the pain I have been in.

As for the weight loss, I would love that extra little perk from it!

celia088

LuAnn,

I have not had Topamax myself, but my husband has been on it for at least a year, maybe more.  I think it is a medicine used for migraine headaches, but my hubby takes it for problems he has with anger management, prescribed for off-label use by a psychiatrist.  It helps him quite a bit and he has never complained of any side effects.  He also has not lost any weight either. If you have any questions about side effects, I could ask him.

celia 

edited to add--my hubby has high blood pressure and is on meds for it.  the Topamax has not made it any higher. 

JustOne

I have been on Topamax for over 4yrs for migraine control. I take 100mil every day. I suffered debilitating migraines my entire life and this drug has been a life saver for me. I've went from 4-5 a week, to maybe one migraine a month.

I knew it was a drug used for Epilepsy, but I had no idea it was for any other use. Anger management? Wow, didn't know that.

I have had no side effects at all with Topamax other than some weight loss...in the beginning. Now it's tapered off, but I do think it may keep my weight down a bit, which is an added bonus.

~Pam

LuAnnH

thank you ladies, I took my first one last night.  I guess people always post the scariest side effects and you never hear the good sides.  I hope this works for me because my pain is getting very debilitating.  Thanks again for your help.

badboob67

Luann,

I haven't done TOPOMAX, but am hoping it's the ticket for you! Sending very *gentle* hugs and prayers your way, girlfriend!

(((HUGS)))
Diane

Bren-2007

Luann,

I have been on Topamax for 1 1/2 years at 75 mg a day, taken at night.  It is FDA approved as an antiepileptic and for tx of migraines.  I have only 2 SE's from it, tinnitus (not bad) and it messes up the taste of soft drinks.  Haven't had a diet Pepsi since I started the med. 

I take it to control depression.  It works as a mood stabilizer.  Taken in much higher doses it is used as an AED.  It can help with weight loss.  I have taken it in the past with Wellbutrin and was a raving maniac.  Wellbutrin is a medication that I can absolutely not take.  

Normally, your doctor will start at a low dose, 25 mg and titrate up.  I think you will be fine to try it.  If it helps you that would be so wonderful.  My guess is the only SE you might notice right away is a little loss of appetite and maybe a little lightheadedness.  The lightheadedness will go away.  (In my case, I sure wish the loss of appetite would come back!!)

Hope this helps with your pain.

love,

Bren

Mena

Hey LU...chiming in here...I was on Topamax for nearly three years...no side effects to complain of! Great drug for knocking off a few pounds, too (in the beginning)...

You've gotten great feedback here; it is an anti-seizure med that is now approved for a plethora of other uses.

Truthfully, you don't have to fear s/e's from this...xo

snowyday

What is the real drug name for Topamax, my dr wants to start me on something called Gema (something) and I'm wondering if this is it. pearl  Its' supposed to help with pain.

tawyna1

my mom takes topamax.

she has been on it for a while.

she has lost weight but has horrible anger issues. i do not no if it is related to topamax or not . since she has been on it she has been so different. my whole family has tried to talk to her. she is 66 and takes 3oo mg a day. her neurothopy quit at 25mg but he kept giving her more til she is at 300mg. i will not take her to that dr my dad has to.

some people do great but my mom is a different person much meaner since she has been taking it. 

saluki

Tawyna-- That was my problem on it--which is  kind of weird because it is sometimes used for bipolar disorders.  People actually noticed the personality change.  I was flying off the handle all the time--and my normal personality is to avoid confrontation at all costs!

I also had personality changes on Lyrica

Also kept forgetting to eat on the stuff.   I did loose weight.

The only one I did manage to tolorate was Lamictal---but then I got the rash of doom and had to discontinue that as well---What can I tell you--

Just extremely sensitive to that class of medications.

My sister took Topomax for migrains with no side effects to speak of.

Never know until you try.  But if you don't try you could be turning down something that could potentially work very well for you.