Hello, I am taking Topamax currently for severe chronic migraines. I have only been on this for 8 days and I am on 25mg in am and 25mg in pm. I am having many side effects and wondering if any who have taken for long term with good results can tell me if they had these side effects and that they resolved or got better??
I have taken this drug over the past 20 years off and on and at one point I took for a few years and it helped and I dos have some neurological side effects that increased with my dose increases and that's why I stopped it. Now, 7 years later I am back desperate for something to help and back on it with much more side effects that I never had or noticed before with it like ...
dry skin on my face, the horrible metallic taste (last time I had the issue with some things tasting weird but this is ALL the time) dry mouth and lips, I'm freezing a lot, lightheaded, my vision seems to be worse when reading, nausea (probably from not wanting to eat) tired (maybe from not eating), I feel like I've been snappy but, I've also just come off of being on Cymbalta for 5 years so that could be the cause of that.
My headaches haven't improved but, I think it's supposed to take a few weeks to help... can anyone tell me if their side effects went away or got better? Mainly the taste in mouth and vision?
How long do side effects of Topamax last?
Question posted by migrainesuf1166 on 14 Jan 2017
Last updated on 3 February 2017
Answers
Hi, I too take topamax for chronic migraines and I have been on the pill for about a year. I definitely have experienced all of those side effects you just listed and more (hair loss, memory loss, extreme weight loss, half my hand went numb-this was a while into me taking the drug too-, cognitive impairment/ slowness, fitness speed dropped too everything seems slowed on this drug, my attitude/ mood getting toatally messed up). I can say that if your experiencing tingling that will go away in a week or so, it won't last the whole time your taking it, the weight loss/ appetite loss will also drop in extremeness. In the first half year of taking it my appetite was nonexistent and my weight plummeted to really unhealthy levels, but after a while my appetite returned and my weight didn't fall off as quickly. What you were saying about the odd taste in your mouth I've experienced that too and I find that it causes me to be extremely thirsty yet water and other liquids don't appeal. The coldness I also experience (especially in my hands, is this the same for you?) but when I first started the drug the chills were way worse. I hope this is helpful.
Yes, this is exactly how I feel. The cold hands, yes! It's funny the little things you may not point out but, are definitely there. Many of those side effects have already lessened or are gone. Of course I went from finally having some relief to having some headaches so my dr added a 50mg at night and staying with 25mg in the am as long as possible bc I know the more I up it, the more side effects come. The tingling is gone, taste isn't as bad as it was , skin seems better. All in all it's worth it bc I'm not in daily constant pain.
Thank you:)
That's good to hear I hope it continues to work for you.
Thank you so much for posting this! I was recently put on Topamax (7 days ago) for chronic migraine, as well as to help with weight loss, and I cannot stand it! I am experiencing extreme mood swings that are outside of my norm, I have tingling sensations in my hands and feet, memory loss outside of my norm, and I'm always cold. I also have extremely dry skin and this metallic taste in my mouth that makes everything taste awful! I don't particularly like any sort of processed foods any way, but even fresh organic foods taste awful. However, I have noticed a jump in my weight loss (8 lbs). My migraines have not gone away per se, but they have decreased in intensity. But I'm not sure if the side effects are really worth it. Thank you again for your post!
Most of all the original side effects have now gone besides some loss of appetite but, I have had this intense and different headache for about 10 days that I cannot get rid of with any medication that don't feel like my typical headaches so I'm wondering if the topamax is causing them???
Related topics
topamax, migraine, side effect, chronic, chronic migraine
Further information
- Topamax uses and safety info
- Topamax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Topamax (detailed)
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