Topiramate User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started ten days ago. First night, I passed out. Very tired. Next few days in a deep fog and a bit disconnected. I no longer have those side effects. Doctor has me at 50 mg once daily, and I take it in the evening. I literally eat half of what I previously did. I lost about three pounds over the course of a week, no exercise involved. I'm not counting calories; just not interested in junk food. I read a post on another forum to take extra B complex and Biotin to avoid any hair loss as the drug seems to deplete that nutrient in the body. Will post again in another few weeks with more information. I was at the point where I was considering surgery because I had tried everything."

• Lea...
• October 18, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was extremely hesitant to try topiramate medication for migraines because of all the negative reviews about the really severe side effects. I put it off for more than a year, but as a last resort, I followed my neurologist's advice and tried it. Daily schedule was as follows: Wk1 - 12.5 mg, Wk2 - 25 mg, Wk3 - 37.5 mg, Wk4 - 50 mg, Wk5 - 75 mg, Wk6 - 100 mg (stabilized dose). I have not experienced a migraine since week 4 of taking topiramate or any side effects after week 2. In weeks 1 and 2, I certainly struggled with trying to get my words out and articulating what I was trying to say. I was also very tired and forgetful. No other side effects. For the past 7 years, my migraines have been so debilitating. In the last 6 months, this drug has given me my life back. I have been on so many other medications, tried alternative therapies, quit my job, and spent thousands of dollars seeking specialist opinions. My only regret is that I didn't try this sooner."

• l8r...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Put simply, this stuff saved my life. I've been on nine meds to treat my suicidality associated with my ultra-ultra rapid cycling bipolar II. The AAPs gave me tremors, Seroquel made me a zombie, lithium made me suicidal, Lamictal and Saphris aggravated my bulimia. My doc didn't want to use antidepressants for fear of driving me into mania. We thought we were out of options. I stumbled on topamax while looking at an NIH research study. I suggested it to my doc, he said, why the hell not? In three days, my suicidality was gone, and I barely cycle at all anymore. THIS IS A MIRACLE DRUG."

• tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2013

Topiramate for Fibromyalgia "I was put on Topamax 2 months ago after a serious car accident that left me in a flare-up of my fibromyalgia. I have not reacted well to medications in the past and have had serious reactions, which led to serious consequences from the other meds I was on. Topamax has been the only medication that I have been able to tolerate well. It does take a while for it to start working though, and I have had a few side effects, but none that I'm not willing to put up with, and 2 of them have gone away since I started the Topamax."

• Vio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm on my 3rd day using Topamax for weight loss. I weighed myself after the 2nd day and had lost 6 pounds, having not changed my eating at all. Second day evening I started craving all healthy foods, so went to the store and got all healthy stuff. I get full pretty easily now (before I could eat for 2 with no problem!). I did get a tiny rash on my face, but it is gone now on day 3. I haven't had any additional side effects yet - hoping I don't! I'm taking 25 mg in the morning and 50 at night. Oh, and I was absolutely addicted to coffee, drinking at least 40 oz per day. Now it makes me sick to think about. Also wine is not appealing at all. I'm pretty happy with the results so far!"

• Zoe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2014

Topiramate for Bipolar Disorder "I tried EVERY medication out there, I swear. It has always ended badly, bad side effects, bad combinations, etc. And because of that I have been more against taking meds. Once we finally figured out that depression wasn't my problem, and I was diagnosed with a mood disorder (unofficially Bipolar II since I'm still not 18), I'm finally on 75mg of Topamax, 20mg of Prozac, and then I take Adderall XR 30mg and Adderall normal 10mg and this combination has had any positive effect, without any negative side effects. I do think I have suffered from the side effect of memory loss and slow thinking, not enough to make me stop taking it though. It has helped me so much and I recommend to anyone who is having trouble finding medicines that work for them."

• Jil...
• December 8, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am 56 years old and weighed 249 pounds. Finally decided to deal with this weight issue once and for all. My knees prevented me from working out, and my weight caused my knee issue. I sat down with my primary care physician, and she ultimately suggested the use of topiramate. In July 2015, I started with 25 milligrams and evolved to 125 milligrams. It is now December 8, and I weigh 221 pounds. Here is how I would describe the experience. It stops the need to impulse eat, so you don't feel deprived, so...you're not crying when the scale isn't moving quickly. It's not quick because I am postmenopausal...but it's not painful. Appetite is down, I can now walk for 45 minutes...and for the first time in my life...I know I will reach a goal weight."

• Aun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 8, 2019

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have been through so much with this medicine! I ended up dizzy, confused, very irritable, with pain behind my eyes so bad it would give me headaches every day. I was scared to death to drive as my perception was off, sometimes it was so bad it felt like the road was moving, not my car. I had memory loss and couldn't say things correctly or even make deposits at work, I felt as if my brain was trying to come out of my skull. Because of this, I had to go to the gynecologist because I had abnormal periods and to the neurologist because of my head! I also had breast, arm, and leg pain to the point where I couldn't wash my hair or get ready. My legs were so bad I couldn't make it up the stairs! My husband was scared, and I was scared I was losing my mind and had something major wrong with me. This medicine wreaks havoc on your body, brain, and eyes! NIGHTMARE DRUG... I stopped it 3 days ago and I'm getting better already... I'm 42 and a healthy person, or I was!"

• cra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2017

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My original intent with Topamax was never weight loss (mood), nor would I have ever believed the results I've obtained 19 months later. Quick negatives: my mental agility decreased significantly, I misspell my own name, most food & beverages taste like rubbish, and the generic version is subpar. I was always overweight. I'm in my mid-30s, male, and slimmed down from 275 to the low 180s, size 42 to 32, XXL to L. The weight stays off! I still drop a few pounds every month. However, it's impossible for me to get off. I tried once and went into severe depression, but I'm at a healthy weight now with perfect blood pressure."

• Lis...
• August 8, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I just started taking this medication. I was at a starting weight of 198. My migraines made me very sick, and I vomited a lot and lost weight with that down to 186. Started on topiramate 25mg in the morning and evening on July 30. I am now 178. Coke tastes flat, so I drink more water. I do have tingling in my hands and feet, but I am glad not to have migraines. Sleep is a problem, so I think I will ask for something to help with that. I just wanted help with migraines, now I'm losing weight, so I got help for both. I couldn't be happier."

• Com...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2018

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started this med back in late November 2017 and lost 40 pounds by early Jan 2018. For some silly reason, I went off the med, but watched what I ate. Then, that slowly went out the window as well. While I didn't gain any weight back while I was off the med, I didn't lose any either. I went back on my healthy eating regime yesterday, but the sugar cravings were so bad last night that I binged and ate half a bag of chocolate morsels. This morning the craving was still there, and then I remembered the topiramate. Took a half dose to get me through the day and will begin the normal full dose tonight. Took that half dose about an hour ago, and cravings have settled down, and I'm chilling. It also helps with my mood disorder, so I guess I will be a lifelong fan! Love the med!"

• Mik...
• August 31, 2014

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Awful. I lost 10 pounds in 5 weeks before I had to quit Topamax due to side effects, which were terrible. They included: memory loss and 'senior moments' which increased 10-fold. I think this medicine dropped my IQ by at least 15 points, that 'I'm not part of this world' feeling of disconnectedness, and overheating to the point that I simply could not work out. Gained the 10 pounds back within 3 weeks of quitting."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2014

Topiramate for Bipolar Disorder "Taking Topamax with Zoloft ... my first week was tough but I feel so good. I have PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. In the 4 months I had three episodes, and that's so good because I was having episodes every day. I feel good."

• lis...
• October 26, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Was given this due to daily headaches. I'm not one to take pills, so I started slow. One morning and one at night. Stayed like that for two weeks. I started exercising around that time also but only about 3 times weekly and dieting pretty well but lost quite a bit of my appetite. I weighed myself and after two weeks, I'm down 15 pounds. I ate a lot of yogurt and drank a lot of coffee and water. That's all. I can't believe it was from this pill. I'm more motivated than I ever was! Starting weight was 189. Now I'm down to 174."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I feel normal and am at my best functionality in years. I've been on 150 mg for 4 years. I'm so grateful. Hypomania sustained and managed. I sleep 9 hours a night, I own my own business, and I am a single parent. I'm very calm."

• ZFe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 14, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on Topamax for 2 years! I've had my struggles at first with weight because of being on medications like Hydroxyzine, Buspar, Lamictal. I could never lose weight because they were massive weight gain medications. I figured that out maybe years later! And the higher doses of Effexor XR, considering I was diagnosed with the higher end of the autism spectrum with ADHD, GAD, Acute Phobias, PTSD, etc... Well, long story short, I stopped taking Lamictal in 2021. I had been on it since 2015, so it was a 2-year wipeout. By 2023, I lowered my antidepressant dose of Effexor XR from 150 to 37.5 by tapering. I tapered off the Buspar as well. My life did a complete 180. Being a 30-year-old male at the time, weighing 278 pounds in January 2023, as soon as I eliminated most of those medications, it was only half the battle. I stayed on Topamax at 50mg twice a day with Effexor XR at 37.5mg. I started to drop weight and now, at 31 years old, I'm 155 pounds. I hope this helps."

• lov...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 3, 2019

Topiramate for Bulimia "I am a 47-year-old LICSW crisis clinician and have been bulimic since I was 15, with periods of restricting, over-exercising, and overeating. I went to therapy and a 12-step program for anorexics and bulimics anonymous (the longest sober time out of 12 years in the program was 5 months). After Topamax, things changed, and I realized my obsession with food, purging, and running 10-15 miles every day was in my brain-not in a higher power. Topamax is truly amazing, and I can't believe no one told me about this until I was almost 46 years old. I lived with an eating disorder for 45 years of my life. My memory is different. I have to live with it. People with medical issues have to deal with a lot of medication side effects. I will take it."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 29, 2015

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking 50 mg of Topamax for the first month and went up to 100mg for the next three months. Lost 40 pounds. For the next year and a half I have kept off the weight but have not lost any more. I still need to lose 30 more pounds, but have seemed to plateaued. And I am at 200 mg now. Don't know what to do."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "It seems most people are fixated on the weight loss aspect, and I have lost my appetite, but I wasn't a big eater anyway. I just have the metabolism of a sloth! I am thrilled at the mood stabilizing effects I am experiencing. Despite the 'shaky' evidence of topiramate as a mood stabilizer, I am stunned that it is actually working. I feel level, functional, calm. If I get a difficult feeling, I am able to pull myself out of it and rationalize better and return to center more quickly. Life is easier. When I went on this a few months ago, it was with the primary intention of losing weight, but now I am feeling so much better, striving for anorexic levels of thinness is not at the forefront of my mind. I am having no negative side effects."

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2010

Topiramate for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I haven't been on Topiramate very long, only a couple of months. Started taking it for RLS (restless leg syndrome). I was really surprised to see that it is sometimes used as a weight loss medicine. I didn't really notice any difference in my appetite. However, my last visit to the doctor did show that I've lost 5 lbs. I don't like the tingling, crawling skin sensation side effect. That went away after a few days."

• Aar...
• October 6, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My VA Dr. prescribed Topiramate (Topamax) to me for my migraines, and not only has my appetite decreased, but so have my migraines and my weight. He also added magnesium, and the combination has been nothing short of amazing. Topamax has really been great, and I've had no side effects at all. I take 1-50mg tab in the morning and 2 at night, and I've been dropping weight, my migraines are gone, and I'm getting back to my old self."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 2, 2013

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have taken Topamax for about 5 years. I take 100 mg in the morning, 100 mg in the afternoon, and 200 mg at night. I almost never have a migraine. I used to have one 4 out of 7 days a week. I don't have any side effects, not even drowsiness."

• sur...
• July 7, 2010

Topiramate for Bipolar Disorder "I have taken Topamax for the last 8 months as a mood stabilizer. It has worked great. Not only has it helped with my moods, but it also helped me lose more than 30 lbs without struggling to lose it. It was easy and great. I am happy again, and I don't feel like I want to chew off everyone's head when I start to get irritable or around 'that time of month'. It's been a lifesaver."

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2013

Topiramate for Migraine Prevention "I have been on Topamax now for 2 years. I reached a breaking point where I almost lost my job because I was calling out of work so much with 3-4 (sometimes 5) migraines a week. I was initially annoyed because I wanted it to work immediately, but I still had migraines. You have to titrate the dose up 25 mg a week. I initially went up to the recommended 100 mg, but I hated the 'loss of words' feeling I had, and found that I had about 1-2 migraines a month. So I decided to go back to 75 mg and see what happened. I had less loss of words and finger tingling, and yet my amount of migraines stayed at 1-2/month. This has been a lifesaver for me. I don't know what I would do without it."

• and...
• May 10, 2018

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been on many meds for BPD and nothing worked. I was suicidal daily. I was on a cocktail of meds which wasn't helping, so I just stopped them all. I did not feel better or worse. As with most days, I was calling the suicide helpline. I was going to work every day. My manager would not allow me to go on sick leave. My therapist was urging me to call in sick, saying I wasn't in any state to hold down a job. I was still taking my sleeping meds, 5 pills, which I take the minute I get home from work every day so I sleep until 5 the next morning. I was so depressed, anxious, and suicidal. I can't bear the evenings and weekends, which are just hours of crying and self-harming. I found this site and read about Topamax. I brought it up to my doctor. We tried 50mg for my bulimia, which I do as self-harm. It helped. I told my doctor that maybe if we upped the dose, it may help as a mood stabilizer. To cut a long story short, I'm on 200mg in the morning and 200mg in the evening. Just this is my 3rd day, and already I feel a difference :)"