Topamax User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Nearly...
• February 10, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax literally saved my life! I have been getting headaches often since I was 14 or so. They progressed to full-blown migraines after my 3rd child (I was 28 in 2004) and increased from there. By 2008/2009, they had gotten so bad I was literally having paralysis on the left side of my face, could not keep my eyes open at all, severe vomiting. Once I had one, there was no driving or I'd run off the road. Thankfully after getting no relief from several medications, including visits to the ER, ENT, and neurologist to try and figure out something... I was prescribed Topamax. I use 50mg a day with 2 Aleve & 500mg Magnesium. It pretty much wiped out my migraines. I got pretty much all the side effects, but who cares? I'm not suffering every day anymore. :)"

• Midge
• January 19, 2020

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was put on Lyrica and Gabapentin after I went through a bout with Ovarian cancer. I ended up with severe neuropathy in hands and feet. Anyway... also going back to 1994 I injured my back at work and at the time I weighed 98 lbs. I am only 5 ft. tall. So I see a pain dr. every month for pain. The first meds I mentioned famously add a lot of weight to your body which I did not know. I gained 40 lbs. which I have not been able to remove from my body until maybe now. My wonderful pain dr. has prescribed topiramate for me and we will see what happens. Maybe less pain and a nicer body."

• Anonymous
• July 16, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "By the time I started Topamax, I was getting migraines 2-4 days a week. Topamax seemed like the best fix. And for a while, it was. My migraines significantly reduced, though I did get most of the common side effects: slight tingling in my fingers, carbonated beverages tasted gross, and weight loss. My main warning about this medicine is weight loss. It seems to be paraded as a benefit, and to some it may be, but if you are already naturally slim, pay very close attention. I wound up dropping to an unhealthy weight despite all attempts to counter it, and it's ultimately why I had to stop Topamax. I was unwillingly wasting away. When I stopped, my migraines returned in short order, and I'm still looking for an alternative that works."

• student
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've been suffering from migraines for over 10 years now and 5 years ago I started with propanolol, then depakine which didn't help and and now topamax eventually. Topamax is awful. It made me feel suicidal. I started with 25mg and followed the 4 week steps in upping the dose like the Dr said. My family started to see a personality change instantly. When I reached the 100mg 2/day dose things started to get worse. For 3 weeks I was nauseous, I couldn’t get up, started to feel stupid, I had exams and I couldn’t focus at all, strange taste in mouth, numbness hands and feet and the tiredness. I slept for days and was still tired. This medication is DANGEROUS. I never wanted to die so badly. Please think about this."

• chunk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started this 4 days ago.. taking 1/2 of 50 mg at night.. so 25 mg. I will do that for 7 nights, then up to 50mg for 7 nights, then 75 mg for 7 nights, then 100 mg for 7 nights, and so on until I reach a mg my Dr. and I are comfortable with. So far I have not had any side effects except- not being hungry. In the last 3 days I have hardly eaten anything. I've been very thirsty for water, soda taste like crap- and I was very addicted to diet coke. I haven't weighed yet... been meaning to. Last I weighed was a month or so ago, and I was at 180 ish. Today is July 10th 2017. I will weigh after work and see where I am so I have a better idea who this will effect me! I've gone from 120 to 180 ish in the past year - with different meds.."

• Ainej
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Diagnosed with fibro and CFS after car accident. Began to get vertigo, light and sound sensitivity on top of all the usual symptoms. They would stay for weeks. Found out eventually it was aurora of migraine. Topamax sorted me out. No more brain fog, vertigo, audio or photo sensitivity. The tiredness also lifted, I can stay awake all day but can't over do it. Pain still there though but I feel so normal after so many years of disfunction it's unbelievable. It's like someone unscrambled me!!! I'm on 175mg. 100mg in morning, 75mg in afternoon."

• Sweet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I just started topamax so far I get the tingling feeling and the brain fog nothing major though and I zone out a lot. I barely eat and when I do it’s healthy I hope this works I’ve tried everything I’ll update in a month."

• Isnt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started 25 mg on June 2nd at bedtime I had the tingling in my hands and bitter taste in my mouth I also fought to remember what I had done all night and morning I felt like a complete zombie..I took one dose and haven't took anymore since the side effects this pill has isn't worth me risking it I'd rather keep my weight until I find another way to get it off and to this day June 5, 2015 I still have tingling in my hands and feet and numbness in my arms along with swelling in my fingers I will never take another topamax it's awful...."

• Flychic
• March 28, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "WONDER DRUG!! Every drug has side effects, people! The side effects from this one wore off for me after about 2 months. You gotta stick through it to get used to it; once you do, it's totally worth it. I went from having almost daily headaches and weekly severe migraines to maybe 1 migraine every couple of months that, even then, it was very minimal. Totally worth trying!"

• Lorrie...
• July 29, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Topamax for 13 years now and cannot live without it. Before the doctor prescribed it for me, I was in the hospital at least 4 times a year for 2 to 3 days. I have not even been to the emergency room for a shot since I have started taking it. I take 50 mg in the morning & 50 mg at night. I did not lose many pounds, and the side effects did not bother me at all. I would suggest anyone with severe migraines to give Topamax a few months before giving up on it."

• gkbid...
• November 11, 2009

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Topamax has helped my diabetic nerve damage more than any other drug that my doctor has prescribed for me, and it does not have all the other nasty side effects, including the weight gain. I get enough of that from the insulin. I love taking the Topamax. I'm on a low dose (25 mg) but it sure has helped me."

• Jaq
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I am on day 7 of 25mg of Topamax at night for vestibular migraine. So far, I have had no unpleasant side effects and also no migraines (but too early to tell if it will be effective in the long run). I am supposed to increase to 25mg bd in a week. The first night I felt a bit strange when I took it, but that settled quickly. If anything, I feel more upbeat and happy. I pray that this is the miracle drug I have been hoping for. 5 years of hell with vertigo and too many useless drugs to mention, physio, MRI, neurology, etc., all with no success. Fingers crossed, and I will keep you all posted!!"

• Roman...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I was prepared for the basic side effects: Carbonated beverages not tasting right, and also some loss of appetite. I was put on 100mg from the get-go. I also had the fairly common side effect of just feeling confused, though this wasn't all that severe and I was still able to do well in school. I also experienced tingling in my hands and feet, and though this was irritating, it was bearable. The real kicker for why I quit taking this medicine was when I began to have what felt like panic attacks and severe confusion, along with elevated heartbeat and dizziness. Also, my fingers would move on their own and seem to get stuck sticking straight out, and I had no control over it."

• Ainej
• February 20, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Developed Aurora symptoms of migraine as part of diagnosis of fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue diagnosis as result of a car accident. Debilitating vertigo, light and noise sensitivity. Extreme cognitive disfunction and fatigue which were constant but the migraine came and went but would last for weeks. Eventually it just stayed and I felt like I was walking about drunk!! I was told there was nothing that could be done for me and this was part of my condition. I found topamax myself when I had reached the point where I had decided to end it all if this was it. Sad but true. Fortunately and happily I am a new women. My brain has been unscrambled! I can function again!No more hiding from the light or trying to remember why I started a sentence"

• Tylor
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I don’t typically write reviews on medications but feel I need to for this one. I have had migraines with aura for quite some time but recently worsened over the last year. I finally saw my PCP for treatment and was placed on 25mg of Topamax which I was to slowly increase over a 3-week period to 2 tablets twice a day. The first week was 1 tablet at night for 7 days. I started the medication on a Monday and by Wednesday I already developed absolutely no appetite and persistent nausea. But I continued taking it thinking it would pass. By Friday, I had developed fatigue and general malaise. On top of that I still had no appetite and had eaten very little over the five days I had been on the medication. My mood was terrible and I felt like I was in a persistent state of being hungover day after day. DON’T take this med if you can use other options for migraine prophylaxis. This medication causes more burdens than benefits."

• Still...
• December 30, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I did/am experiecing the tingling everyday in my fingers, I am not hungry. I did have the brain fog to where I wouldn't drive. I wouldn't make any decisions about anything without talking it over with someone I trusted first. I am now up to 75 in the morning and at bedtime and I still have the tingling but the fog has been lifted the headaches are SO much less BUT I have only lost 3 pounds. Can't seem to stop smoking even with this. Still hoping this will help with the smoking. Wish me luck"

• Rosbud
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Topamax since Monday, February 4th, 2013. I have a history of migraines and lately have been having just bad headaches every day. I am taking 25mg a day and it has really helped. I have had no side effects except lack of interest in eating. I have lost 3 lbs this week. I look forward to no headaches and will watch the weight loss but I can stand to lose a few pounds at this point."

• Mona
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started topamax at one 50mg tablet and I was okay the first weeks. Then I couldn’t eat at all I was hungry but I couldn’t eat and I started developing anxiety and depression and really dark thoughts. I stopped it for 2 weeks and decided to give it another try and that same night I took the dose I had horrible anxiety and just didn't feel safe from myself. This medicine is horrible"

• Lynn...
• January 27, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Miracle drug! The side effects can be daunting at first, like tingling/numbness in extremities that won't stop for hours, but if you increase your water intake substantially and power through, it's totally worth it. My daily tension headaches are 90% gone, which is huge for me. It didn't do much in terms of overall muscle pain reduction or the daily body aches, but I did lose over 30 pounds in four months. I stopped drinking all carbonated drinks (because it makes them all taste super flat weirdly) and definitely am not as hungry as I used to be, so that's just a bonus."

• Marina
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Topamax was a dreadful choice for me for my migraine prevention. Topamax did nothing to improve my chronic migraines, and made life even more difficult than it was by making me fuzzy minded. I couldn’t concentrate, carry on a conversation, finish a task without having to stop and think about what I’m doing and why, I was too woozy to drive- I even felt wobbly while walking. I couldn’t function at all. The worst of it was this: I’m normally right handed. While I was on topamax I started using my left hand as the dominant hand, and knocking things over, dropping things, and generally getting frustrated by my lack of coordination. This troubling symptom lasted the longest after stopping my use of topamax. I understand that some find this drug helpful, but it was a nightmare and a danger for me."

• Guill...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed 100mg topamax for mood and migraines. I was surprised it has prevented most of my migraines and helped my mood somewhat. I was having severe cluster headaches every morning for nearly 2 years waking up at 6 or 5am with excruciating pain, it was awful. Never knew what caused them , the topamax stopped them immediately, I could not believe it. I am so happy and relieved. So this has been a good drug for me."

• Paine...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Day one Topamax helped my neuropathy. I’ve have tried everything. When I say everything, I mean everything. Opioids, lyrica, gabapentin, cymbalta, injections in my spine, and I’ve even considered surgery. One 25 mg dose and I felt better than I have in 20 years. I hadn’t been able to lay on my left side comfortably for over 5 years. The first night, I slept 4 hours straight on my left side. Not only does it help the pain, it keeps the muscle tension down from the nerve aggravation. I will say I got some pretty crazy side effects the first couple days like drooling, sleep paralysis, very realistic dreams, muscle pains in my arm pit area, and upper respiratory symptoms but those all went away within 4-5 days. I am extremely happy with this medication."

• DIANA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I used it for migraines. My side effects were: depression, dehydration, impaired thinking, confusion, drowsiness, memory problems, nervousness, trouble in concentrating, weakness, loss of appetite, vertigo, and SEVERE ANXIETY. After stopping this medication, I still suffer from severe anxiety and vertigo."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "My current dosage is 100mg daily. I started at 113 pounds. Today, I weigh 100 pounds due to Topamax. Yes, I agree with everyone; in the beginning, the side effects were the worst. However, my doctor warned me that I would not feel relief until I reached my full dosage and my body adjusted to it, which was about 12 weeks. And I did see a difference. Before Topamax, migraines controlled my life; I had roughly 15 a month. With Topamax, I rarely have a severe migraine at all. Typically, I just get 5-7 headaches a month, which is a big difference. Yes, sometimes I forget my train of thought or feel tingling in my feet. However, those side effects beat the alternative of 50% of my life being controlled by severe migraines."

• Kimber...
• June 1, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "After taking 100mg daily, it took me roughly 3 months for my migraines to dramatically stop. I went from having approximately 12 migraines monthly to having maybe two. The side effects of this medication for me: for 3 weeks I could not focus, extreme fatigue, restlessness. I cannot drink anything carbonated, as a result, I lost 20 pounds in the first month. Serious appetite loss. I've been on this medication for 9 months and lost a total of 43 pounds. I have to take in the morning otherwise I cannot sleep. It also helps with my OCD tendencies. If you can make it through 3 weeks of outter space, this medication is worth it!!"