Monday, May 28, 2012
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 Megan asks

Q: I am scared to take topomax due to the side effects. Has anyone taken it without side effects.

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Answers (8)
Teri Robert, Health Guide
10/23/10 11:29am

Megan,

 

-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•*Welcome to MyMigraineConnection!*•-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-

 

Some of our members have taken and are now taking Topamax without side effects.

 

I can understand being scared by it. Have you discussed this with your doctor? It's certainly not the only option, and our doctors should be willing to discuss all the options and make decisions with us.

 

Really, call your doctor and discuss your concerns. OK?

 

Please keep me posted?

 

Welcome agin,

Teri

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10/26/10 11:11am

I had severe side effects- but remember everyone is different!  It worked but the side effects are not anything I'd wish on anyone...I'd ask for an alternative but I am no doctor--just someone who has been on alot of different anti convulsants......

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1/10/11 12:18am

I started taking Topamax 10 days ago, and I feel so sick, that said I am commited to giving it 6 weeks to see what it dose for me. I am keeping in close contact with my Dr. It is so hard to know what to do.

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Missy Morgan, Health Guide
1/10/11 8:50am

Megan,

I have taken topomax and it is the only drug that I will NOT consider taking again. However, if you have never taken topomax and your doctor is recommending it I would advise you to try it. Everyone is different. We all react differently to drugs. Some people have great success with topomax. I would suggest talking to your doctor. Be very aware of the possible side affects. If you go into it knowing the possiblities you will be better off. When I was given topomax, it was from a neurologist who was not a Migraine specialist and all he told me was it would make me lose wt! Well, although I needed to lose weight, I quickly realized I would rather have a clear mind than be skinny! I would not be scared to take it though. It's not going to hurt you. It may just give you side effects that make it not worth taking. Hope that makes sense. I see your question is from October. I hope you have found the help you are looking for.

Best to you,

Missy Morgan

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1/10/11 11:27am

I've been taking 200 mg of Topamax daily since 2003, unfortunately with lots of side effects. Most notable are loss of concentration and a strange taste averson to foods and drinks with caffeine.  There were other neurological effects that really could not be pinpointed as to whether they were drug related or not.  I switched to Depakote for a brief 7 week period and requested to be put back on Topamax as the symptoms got worse on the Depakote.  I would have a serious discussion with your doctor about which drugs might work best for your situation.  Everybody reacts differently to medication, but for me the side effects were worth not having daily migraines or headaches.  I suffer from multiple headache syndromes.  The two positive effects of Topomax for me are my migraines are less frequent or severe and weight loss.

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1/11/11 10:18am

I've been taking topamax since 2008 and I haven't have any problems with the name brand, but I can't take the generic for some reason. But, I take small doses. (50 to 100 mg)The only side effects I have from Topamax is dry mouth and slurred speech. Some times I have trouble sleeping when I start getting the dry mouth at night. It's a pain. Some times I have problems pronouning words. I pay $50 for the name brand. But there is something in the generic thats differrent, I start having problems and I can pay $10 on generic.  I can save $40.That's weird. I think they put differrent ingredients in brand names than generic names.

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1/11/11 4:11pm

Hello megan ,

your right there are side effects but i think they out way the positive depending on your job i guess. Topamax is the only drug that has given me some relief but my memor is not the same and i do get depressed not depression like you think iam just sensitive to things alot more . And words get lost for me thinking process and spelling is really bad . But give it a try especially if you get alot of headaches like i do , it keeps the real bad ones away for the most part but not them all... all meds are gonna have side affects what can you do right..

good luck .. michele..

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1/19/11 11:51pm

My docs put me on Topamax 11months ago, I was on it only one month due to psychotic episodes, also I know someone who had her hair fall out. But everyone is different.

 

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By Megan— Last Modified: 01/19/11, First Published: 10/19/10