I just started Topamax 5 days ago. I have already expereinced the following: blurred vision, tingling in toes & hands, tastes (pepsi=metal), fever, mood swings, uncoordination, (unable to drive), no appetite, FML - Anybody?? I didn't see this one coming. I'm trying Topamax because Lamictal & Triliptal gave a severa rash. Other than that hey - I'm gonna go play Monopoly.
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I, Topamax
Been on it for over a year now.
The higher I go up in dosage the worse the effects. At first, at high dosage I lost handfuls of hair... now at lower dosage I lose only a few strands each day (I'm still losing). Oh and the acne... reminds me of high school.
I became a raging stupid confused bitch, moreso than my own natural Bipolar irritated agitated symptomatic self... to the 10th power my friend.
Short term memory went out the window and long term memory was fuzzy. Every morning when I opened my eyes I had trouble remembering where I was and what my own name was. I also got so bad that I could not do simple math nor could I recall what the name of the refrigerator was one day... I just stood there staring and pointing at it and knowing I knew it but honest to G could not speak it's name.
I went through a bout of suicidal impulsivity worse than my own natural Bipolar state, had a period of absolute depersonalization, and odd upon odd... developed sharp ringing nauseating headaches. That, in and of itself, was funny cause it's for migraines which I do have from time to time as well.
I also had the burning fingers and toes... still do actually. My vision still blurs a bit and at much higher dosages I actually had white spots with tails dragging behind them like little comets.
I keep mentioning higher dosages because I lowered my dosage to one that had the least amount of side effects, made life a bit more bearable to me and my loved ones, and still provided me with what I needed from the med which was to control the onset of my partial complex seizures.
I have lost, all together, 4 lbs but I know of others that have lost 25-40 lbs so it's all in the individual that takes it. However, it's not nicknamed Dupamax or Stupamax for nothing.
If the side effects become undoable or intolerable... talk with your doc.
WOW! What a relief. Thanks for the info/insight. I do planning on seeing my doc first thing this week. I don't think this med is for me. My goodness, I cannot believe anyone could go through these ups and downs with different meds on purpose. At this point, I'm not sure how much more I can take. Alcohol is cheaper and I know the side effects (hahaha).