Topamax-side effects?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Topamax-side effects?
7
Thu, 01-18-2007 - 12:50pm
My doctor has suggested Topamax. Has anyone had and experience with this drug? If so would you mind sharing it with me?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2006
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 7:04am

Hi,

I was on Topomax for about 3 months. I experienced more side effects than benefits. Topomax is not meant to be a mood stablizer by itself. It is typically used as an adjunct therapy (used with another mood stabilizer). I was using it as monotherapy (the only mood stabilizer) and it did not work well. The side effects I had most were tingling/numb feeling in my hands/fingers and taste changes (mainly all carbinated beverages tasted horrible). It is great for headaches- it is often used for migraine sufferers. I ended up being switched to Abilify when the Topomax didn't work for me as a mood stabilizer.

All I would advise is to be careful if this is your only mood stabilizer. Research indicates it is best used as an adjunct therapy.

Hope this helps a little.
Peg

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 8:40am

Thank you for answering. I had excessed several web sites with clinic studies that noted alot of results that you stated. My pdoc biggest concern on this med was that I would feel numb emotionally. To be honest the thing that attracted me to this med was the fact that several patients stated they lost weight while taking it. I've experienced large weight gains taking several meds to help manage my bi-polar disorder (gone from a size 2/4 to 10/12 I'm only 5'2"). So I'm trying to steer clear of anything that might add to my weight gain.

Thanks again.

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2006
Fri, 01-19-2007 - 12:36pm

My bph has been on Topamax for 6 years, along with Wellbutrin XL, and he has done well on it. He is a little extra-talkative sometimes but he is naturally a very outgoing personality, so this is just part of his personality. He got stressed out over his job last spring and went off the meds, and went into a major depression, losing his job. His pdoc put him on Risperdal, Effexor and Remeron and he went manic. Now he's back on his old meds, has a new job, and is doing well. Topamax doesn't have the weight gain problems that other bp drugs do--in fact, it has weight loss properties.

Phyllis

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Sat, 01-20-2007 - 3:14pm

I took this from July until I found out I was pregnant in October. It made a big difference for me in terms of mood stabilization and migraine prevention. As far as side effects went, it kind of sucked, especially in the beginning. When you start the dose is really low and they have you titrate up each week until you hit your target dose. Every increase was like starting all over again and I seriously almost refused to increase twice. I was really lethargic and sleepy. I had some vertigo and dry mouth. I had numbness in my hands and feet accompanied by a strange tingling that wouldn't go away. However, what bothered me the most was a lowered ability to read. Most of this went away about 2 weeks after I hit my target dose though and everything was fine after that.

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
Sun, 01-21-2007 - 8:05pm

I've been on topamax for a while now at a low dose mainly as a weight loss med to offset the weight gain from the zyprexa. However, that said, I just saw pdoc on Friday and she upped it to 100 mgs to help control the mania. She did warn of one side effect that could potentially cause me problems and that is a cognitive slow down. She had a teenager who suddenly could not remember multiplication tables passed the 5's. So that is one thing to look for. I'm hopeful that this is not a problem, as I have ambitions to become a social worker, but I have to finish school first. But, if you are having weight issues, this is a great med for weight loss. But, it can become excessive so beware of that as well. You don't want to go too far and become anorexic. That would just add more trouble. And that is a listed side effect. Hope this helps.


Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 9:06am
Great! Since I'm taking Wellbutrin XL also. I'm seeing my pdoc Thursday - this might just work.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Tue, 01-23-2007 - 9:21am

The cognitive slow down worries me. I am an judicial advisor/calendar clerk for a Juvenile Court Judge. In addition - due to my depressive state - I've had diffculties keeping up with my work load and preforming at my previous level and am presently in a consulting work plan.

Something else to consider.