Topiramate for Migraine Prevention User Reviews (Page 5)

• KDano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2019

"Started on topiramate after being on Topamax from 2007-2009 (separate review, 10!). With in the first 2 weeks had problems with balance, memory, coming up with words. For my job I had to conduct a 3-4 hour weekly meeting with the same info each time. I'd been doing this meeting for 2 years & became unable to do it because I could not remember the info. I was afraid people at work would think I was drunk because I couldn't walk straight & had to use the wall to guide me. Felt stupid because I couldn't come up with simple words. 2 months later ended up in the ER with 16 stitches in my head because I fell due to balance. When I went to have stitches taken out my NP said "hmm interesting" - at least 2 other patients in my Dr's office had been in recently for the same issues (balance, cognitive) & all had been switched to topiramate from topamx at the same time I had. I immediately got off of it & went back to suffering with the migraines. 10 years later & I still have memory, cognitive, and balance issues."

• Jaurdin
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "I began taking 25 mg of topamax once daily due to my migraines lingering 2-3 days at a time. Topamax did a NUMBER on my body. I completely stopped eating. Every time I tried to eat I took ONE BITE and would gag. I felt so extremely full constantly eventhough I knew I had not eaten. Topamax completely destroyed my appetite and although I've been off of the medication for 6 months I still never crave ANYthing. I eat when I'm hungry but I no longer have any cravings. While taking this medication I lost a lot of my memory. I was constantly hazy or confused and I felt like I was always searching for my task. I became malnourished and confused that I quit taking the medicine completely. I would never recommend this medication bc of side effects!"

• meldjc
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 6, 2013

Topamax (topiramate) "Began taking Topamax in 2006. Before starting on Topamax migraines were lasting 4-5 days after onset; and frequency of approximately 3 times per month. I experienced some diarrhea which subsided after breaking dosage up throughout the day (200mg daily). Additionally, I have experienced weight loss (a significant amount 50lbs) I could not afford to lose. However, the weight loss has subsided as well. Upon beginning the medication I had trouble with recalling words and memory loss. At this juncture the side effects have since passed and so have the migraines. I experience 1-2 migraines quarterly. Topamax has been a life-saver for me. I had tried many other migraine preventatives to no avail."

• miramy
• February 19, 2015

Topamax (topiramate) "I've been on Topamax for about 2 months now. I've went to having a migraine or headache of some sort everyday to 2 migraines in the past 2 months. The only thing I dont like about the medication is the severe tingling in my hands, feet, fingers, and lips."

• thisi...
• August 8, 2013

Topamax (topiramate) "My migraines are primarily abdominal, but I get daily 'tension" type headaches as well. But my nausea "attacks" are totally debilitating and the headaches get more so every day. I took Topamax starting at 25 mgs then increased. I noticed it really helping my symptoms, way less nausea, headaches stopped and I could sleep well. Unfortunately, I am one of the people who react with a rare side effect of an acute onset closed angle glaucoma attack and my vision got very blurry and got so bad I could not see anything but blobs if it was more that 12 inches from my face. If you get blurred vision go to the ER and show them the letter from the Topamax website, because ER had never heard of that reaction. I gave it a 5 because it worked until then."

• dimples
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2015

Topamax (topiramate) "I was taking this medication for over two years had to stop it because my memory is terrible. Places I have been going for over ten years I forgot where they were and how to get there. This medicine has messed up my life, even after I stopped it my memory still hasn't returned. I deal with this everyday and it scares me so bad. I have to write things down everyday in order to remember. It did help with my headaches a little but if I had read up on this medication before I started I can promise you I would not have taken it."

• Wonder...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2014

Topamax (topiramate) "I've been taking Topamax (brand) for approximately ten years. Due to severe migraines this was the only medication to prevent what had been dabilitating headaches, nausea & vomiting, sensitivity to light, smell, sound, movement, and dizziness. After several years, my insurance refused to continue payment of the brand until I tried the generic tablets. After 3 days, the original symptoms returned. They finally approved continued payment of brand and now two years later they again have refused to cover (pay) for medication although it falls under the plan. For three months, my neurologist and I have issued appeals with no clear explanation of the denial. I would just like to again take meds to rid myself of this pain."

• Kriss...
• November 21, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "Been on this for just a week now at 25 mg also on 50 mg of amitriptalyne of a night. The first few days I felt really spaced out, but sort of kept coming in waves through the day. I also suffer from m.e as well but have found the past few days I have had lots of energy. I don't feel tired at all. Supposed to up dose to 50 mgs on second week, but I'm thinking may stick to the 25 for a little while to see how things go. No migraines up to now. Reading all the reviews most of the side effects seem to come when the dose is increased. Really worried about the hair loss business, don't think I could deal with that one . Think I'm going to give this a go for a few months and see how things go, it's all trial and error, or kill or cure."

• Ljray
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2017

Topamax (topiramate) "I have had migraines since my first son was born nearly 27 years ago. They had become more and more frequent....almost daily. I was using the maximum amount of Maxalt that my insurance would allow. I asked my doctor for a prophylactic medication for migraines. I am now up to 100 mg of Topiramate 2 X daily. Yes there are some side effects. I have some tingling in my hands, sometimes my mouth is dry, if I don't have to work or don't have a lot planned I feel tired and lazy. I crave less sweets/ food in general...sometimes feel a little nauseated. I was losing weight (20 lbs) before starting the medication and continued after. I have stabilized at a 40lb weightloss. No other side effects. Restless legs are gone. Better sleep."

• allison
• December 15, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "I have only been on it for about 6 days and already seen a incredible difference. I had a headache everyday for a year and a half and got bad migraine about 2-3 times a week. I have not had a migraine yet and my everyday headache has calm down. When I first started it did make me very drowsy but that went away as I got use to it"

• Sheryl...
• February 9, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "It lessened the frequency of my migraines. But the side effects are not worth the relief it provided. It turned me into a zombie. I didn't care about anything. I couldn't even taste my food! And the worst part was it robbed me of my ability to be alarmed by the growing severity of my depression and other serious symptoms. After three months, I was GLAD to detox. 4 days clean and I can almost taste sugar again. Can't wait til the brain fog lifts."

• WKB
• June 9, 2017

Topamax (topiramate) "I had a horrible experience on this medication back in 2005/2006. I started on a low dose of 25 mg/day and had severe nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and memory impairment. Worked up to 50 mg 2xday, and the nausea/diarrhea eventually abated but the dizziness, fatigue, confusion and memory problems continued and I developed a bad tremor in my hands - I was dropping everything, couldn’t write legibly, and spilled food constantly. And I still had 10-15 debilitating migraines a month. Had to wean off it but 10+ years later I STILL HAVE MILD HAND TREMORS. Worst medication experience of my life."

• Gerar...
• July 22, 2015

Topamax (topiramate) "I have suffered from severe migraines since I was 15 and the older I got the more severe they got I have been on numerous medications over the years but 5 years ago I found a neurologist that gave me Topamax and my life has changed completely 50g in the morning and 50g at night and I don't get any anymore I had a few at the start but haven't had a headache now for a few years thank God for Topamax"

• CaliH...
• June 26, 2013

Topamax (topiramate) "I originally started on Topamax for Migraines and found it to be a 10 for that. I went from 4-5 monthly to maybe 2-3 per year. Life changing! It was difficult for my body to adapt to at first and I had to build up VERY slowly using 12.5mg for a few weeks in the morning and then adding an evening dose, etc. It made me feel horrible, tired, breathless, out of sorts and dopey overall but over time all that wore off and in addition to the absence of migraines I enjoyed a more even keel mood, more control over my decision making including less desire for alcohol. This made staying sober easier than at previous attempts. I also struggled less with eating issues. I've had to increase over time and take breaks/restart to manage the dosage amount vs tolerance."

• PMari...
• June 9, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "I've been on Topamax (topiramate) for 6 years, and loved it at first. My migraines decreased dramatically, I had weight loss from the appetite suppression, and I overall felt better. But I had pretty bad tingling in my hands and all over my face for the whole time I've taken it. Also more recently, I've made the connection with my severe memory loss to the medication. I used to be able to retain information and facts like an elephant, but I can hardly recall simple words some days. I'm planning on going off the Topamax (with the direction of my neuro) because the memory loss issue is so disturbing to me."

• mrhot...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 25, 2013

Topamax (topiramate) "I took Topamax as much as 300mg/day for 15 years and my last dose was 150mg at night. I recently changed to Lyrica which is also an anti-convulsant and am taking 100mg/day and find it more effective than Topamax without the memory and lost word problems. I discontinued Topamax because it slowly got to the point where I could not remember something for an hour. Topamax also was causing erectile dysfunction problems for the last 3 years. I do not have this problem with Lyrica. In the end I was getting 5 or more migraines a week and now get 2 or 3 a week and expect to increase Lyrica to 300mg/day."

• Femal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2018

Topamax (topiramate) "I have been taking Topamax for 15 years since 2003. I use it for Migraines and mood disorder. It has been a life saver for me. For the mood disorder it was at 50mg at night, but for migraines I am not at 125 (50 in morning and 75 at night). It works."

• Casey...
• July 11, 2015

Topamax (topiramate) "While on Topamax, I lost my ability to think straight. I couldn't process things the same way. I couldn't even finish my sentences. I would start talking and would forget the words that came next. My friends and family would have to help me finish my sentences. After getting off the medicine, I could finally finish my thoughts again. However, I feel like I still cannot learn as easily as I did before I got on the medicine. I think it changed my brain processing capability. I have talked to a friend who had the exact same problem on this medicine. I would not recommend it unless you actually cannot live without it."

• wxyzj...
• February 28, 2008

Topamax (topiramate) "After 8 years, five different doctors, and just about every possible prescription and home remedy, I finally found something that works. I have been taking Topamax for five months and love it. The only side effects have been a change in my taste buds and the tingling sensation. My doctor wanted to increase the dosage. However, after reading about the drug, I think the severities of the side effects are directly related to the dosages. My dosage is 25 mg twice daily and sometimes I only take it one a day. For those who are still suffering, I am sorry. Don’t give up hope. Something has to work and until then try the pain medication."

• CalmB
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2015

Topamax (topiramate) "I have suffered hormonal migraines since my early 20's (now early 40's). I had tried most everything for migraines and they were still coming and starting to cluster. I was put onto Topirmirate by my GP at the recommendation of the specialist I saw after plan A stopped working after 6 months. I had some extremity tingling for about 6 weeks when I first started (I was slowly built up to 100mg daily dose). In the interest of full disclosure I am also a type 1 diabetic so I am monitored pretty closely for sight and kidney function and I have had no issues around this. I have also started taking an anti depressant to combat a hormone imbalance issue so I don't get the mood swings either."

• Awastar
• May 13, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "After my second baby I had an increase in hormonal migraines and tension headaches and my neurologist put me on topomax starting @ 25 per night until I got a final dose of 100mg split between am /pm. Initially I noticed a lot of tingling in hands, feet & face, in week 2 a very tense jaw, I still feel like myself, but I feel more tired. I dont need to nap or anything during the day but at night i have NO trouble sleeping .All of the pain in my head disappered I thought it was amazing but I did get 2 hormonal headaches (not migraine strength) all in all not bad. I eat a dinner meal only and drink water all day long this med just makes me not want food. Weightloss:10kgs in 3 months.. I have no depression just tiredness its not fixed by naps"

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2010

Topamax (topiramate) "LOVE LOVE LOVE this medicine! I was apprehensive at first because of all the side effect horror stories, but at the end of my rope with around 15-17 bad migraines per month. Sometimes I would have them 10 days in a row and my insurance would not pay for enough Imitrex, then I would run out and just suffer for days. Side effects were so bad the first week I almost quit: dizzy, complete "weirdness", inability to handle more than one task at a time, anxiety, spacing out and forgetting things, etc. And I still got migraines. It was a little scary. On day 8 I took a leap of faith, increased my dose (as per the doctors orders) and the side effects all but went away, as did the migraines. Life is better now."

• Ali...
• September 15, 2017

Topamax (topiramate) "At first I did not like it at all - I started off on 50mg (recommended) and found it wasn't working. I also was super spaced out, unfocused and constantly feeling like my brain was going but my body wasn't (It was WEIRD). This went on for about a week, then it worked perfectly and I was completely normal. However the migraines started coming back so I am now on 100mg a day and the same thing happened when I upped the dosage. It's working now though! I didn't notice any difference in tasting things but I did get tingles in my fingers and toes! Otherwise all round amazing medicine!!"

• Sarab...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 18, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "This has been a life saver for me as far as migraines go. At first I had a few of the side effects, brain fog, forgetfulness, but that went away after a month or so. Without this drug, I get at least 2-3 headaches a week ranging from dull to severe. I rarely have a migraine while on it."

• Helped
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2016

Topamax (topiramate) "I've been on Topamax for probably at least 15 years, 400 mg daily. I'm get debilating migraines. After reading these reviews I guess I am one of the lucky ones as I have not received one side effect. I take it at night. If the migrane is really bad I add one pill of Relpax and that does the job."