i am a 36 yr old female, 5'5" and 115 lbs. i was on topamax for 2 yrs (25mg x 2) for migraines and suddenly ran out and could not afford to get my refill. i began getting indigestion everyday, chest pains, and sometimes even had trouble catching my breath. then a few weeks later i suffered a heart attack. i am convinced it had something to do with the sudden topamax withdrawal but i cannot find anything anywhere. people say "bad things will happen" if you abruptly stop taking it but other than seizures, what are these things?
- Find
- Manage
- Resources
Q: heart attack when topamax discontinued..
Answers (3)
10/20/08 12:07am
lvm6
Topamax, while you're taking it, has a potential side effect of some abnormal heart rhythms. I've never seen it associated with heart attack, either while taking it or as a result of discontinuing it. One of the main dangers with abruptly discontinuing it is that it can, in some cases, cause seizures.
Do you realize that feelings of indigestion and trouble catching your breath can be signs of heart attack in women?
What does your doctor say? If your doctor feels your heart attack was a result of abruptly discontinuing Topamax, he should register a report with the FDA's HealthWatch Adverse Events Reporting System.
Good luck,
Teri
12/16/08 10:04am
im searching the internet to try and find answers because my family practice doctor prescribed my topamax. My doctor and the pharmacist both told me DO NOT STOP TAKING TOPAMAX SUDDENLY BECAUSE THAT COULD CAUSE A HEART ATTACK. They told me that you have to wean yourself off it. And I was prescribed topamax at 18 years old, which is not a common age to have a heart attack. And 36 is still very young to have a heart attack.
8/24/10 4:14pm
Hi - I was suffering with shortness of breath and chest pains and after much testing, my pulmonologist advised me to stop taking Topomax. That was several weeks ago. He never provided any direction as to how to do so -- so after taking it for over three years, I reduced my daily usage to two a day for a week and then I stopped completely.
I still am experiencing shortness of breath, especially when I wake up in the morning and for several hours thereafter, and it has lately been accompanied by chest pain as well. Yesterday, I had a migraine so bad that I had to miss work.
At this point, I am just having to wait to see, but I am oftentimes very restless as well.
Don't know if my symptoms do or don't have a connection, just know I wish I would start feeling better.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
