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| Has anyone taken Topamax/Topiramate? |  digdig |
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| #1 | dharma_bum |
Jan 12 2007 23:28 |
| I did for quite a number of years. I don't know what you're taking it for, but if you're counting on it for weight loss, it doesn't have that affect on everyone. | ||
| #2 | digdig |
Jan 13 2007 08:44 |
| Bipolar disorder, along with Wellbutrin. Blarg. I haven't really had any of those weird side effects I keep reading about. The weird memory stuff and all that. Appetite's definitely suppressed, but I've set my alarm to go off every three hours so I eat...I guess that means I'm titrating it slowly enough? | ||
| #3 | cecilyb03 |
Jan 13 2007 15:34 |
| I took Topamax for migraines, and I gained weight while on it. My doctor was shocked and told me that they are trying to market it as a weightloss drug. So, I second what dharma_bum said, not everyone will lose weight on it. I'm a prime example. :) | ||
| #4 | dharma_bum |
Jan 13 2007 15:57 |
| dig_memory issues were the main reason I went off the drug. My particular problem was word retrival. I knew there was a particular word I wanted to use, but I could never think of it. It drove me INSANE!! I think that's one of the more common side effects. | ||
| #5 | digdig |
Jan 13 2007 18:56 |
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Yeah, I keep reading about the memory issues and the word retrieval problems, but I've been sharp as a tack. My appetite has been fine, and it has REALLY helped my compulsions. Then again, I must have those frontal lobe issues the doctors keep ranting and raving about.
One thing I wanted to know, though...I did have an episode of sleepwalking the other night, and wasn't sure if it was related to the medication. I haven't sleepwalked (slept..walked? no. sleepwalked) since the age of 5, and I hadn't taken any sleeping medication or anything! So strange!! It was pretty odd waking up in the middle of my living room with the urge to answer the door..... lizzle |
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| #6 | lost_artist |
Jan 14 2007 04:54 |
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I took Topomax for only about 2 weeks. It was for Bi-polar. It gave me wretched stomach aches. And when you are hurting you are not able to know your true emotional state, so I cant say if it helped with the mood stabilizing or not.
If you are bi-polar and they offer you Gabitril? (spelling?) RUN. After only 2 weeks on Gabitril I was curled up on the floor, sobbing nearly constantly, unable to function and as deeply suicidal as I have ever been. Only two things kept me from killing myself while on that. One... the love for my dog, who kept licking my face to try and get me up off the floor. Two... somewhere inside a very deep part of me, this 2% logic still remained and kept saying... its the drugs... its the drugs. UGH. Maybe adding all that was superlative, but I do not know why you are taking Topomax in the first place. Rather tell too much then have someone suffer like I did. ~ Lost Artist . |
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| #7 |  hugh3119 |
Jan 14 2007 22:37 |
| I took it for weight loss. It made me so sick, hedache nausea and I became STUPID! I wouls suggest staying away from this drug if you are trying to use it for weight loss | ||
| #8 | kitkat24 |
Jan 14 2007 23:40 |
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My 12 year old takes this for seizure, my friend takes it for migraines. I have tried Meridia and Buproprion for weight loss with no success. I have to stop searching for external weight loss attainment and search inside of me. I don't want a pill or a surgery. I want to fix what is wrong with me on the inside; why I eat for emotional reasons rather than nutritional purposes. That is broken. A pill or surgery won't fix that.
:( Kathy |
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| #9 | digdig |
Jan 15 2007 05:08 |
| ...Mm'kay. Well I'm using it as a mood stabilizer adjunctively with Wellbutrin. Not weight loss. That's why this is in the lounge forum, not the weight loss forum. I haven't gotten any of those tingly side effects or the memory problems, but I did want to know if anyone had experienced sleep disturbances (similar to the sleepwalking episode) like I had. | ||
| #10 | cecilyb03 |
Jan 16 2007 20:09 |
| I had severe nightmares on a nightly basis on one of the antidepressants I took, but I don't remember if it was Topamax or not. I'm kind of thinking it was another one, but yes, I did have disturbed sleep. I never sleepwalked, but the dreams were so intense that I had a very hard time falling and staying asleep. I'm not one to be upset by dreams, but it was so wearing, and I was hardly getting any sleep. I don't know it that helps you, but I do think there is a correlation between some medications and sleep disturbances. | ||
| #11 | dharma_bum |
Jan 17 2007 03:18 |
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dig_ya I knew you were asking for that reason. I never slept walked, but I did have several frightening hympnagongnic (sp?) hallucinations.
On Topamax, you have difficultly recovering from Stage 4 (or REM) sleep. Your synapses don't recover well, ergo the memory problems too. I know a lot about this stuff, if they're are other things you want to ask, feel free to post in my journal. |
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| #12 | lost_artist |
Jan 18 2007 23:53 |
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What do you mean by recovering from stage 4 (or REM) sleep? Recovering how? ~ Lost Artist . |
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| #13 | absolutscj |
Jan 19 2007 19:02 |
| I am on Topamax currently for migraines and it is a miracle drug for me. Along with Imitrex nasal spray (for the times when the migraines do slip through) my migraines are practically non-existant. I do experience a little bit of sleeplessness, and I have lost a little bit of weight (though not a HUGE amount, i'd say about 5 lbs)...but I think it's all worth it not to feel those migraines even 1/2 as much as i used to! | ||
| #14 | dharma_bum |
Jan 20 2007 04:11 |
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lost, I'll try and explain as best I can. 1) The reason Topamax is effective in the treatment of migranes: A migraine is often cause by neural networks becoming overly exited, most often by the result of a trigger, i.e. stress, flashing lights, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, pressure changes in the environment, etc. As a result of excitation, neurons fire more quickly and synaptic up-take and release is compromised. Topamax calms the neural network; it regulates and restores synaptic up-take and release. 2) As a result of this, Topamax (along with anti-psychotics in general) are effective in the treatment of depressive-spectrum disorders as well as epilepsy. As you may recall, depression is often associated with insuffiecient levels of neurotransmitters such as, serotonin, dopamine, neuropenephrin. Topamax et al (i.e. SSRI's) aid in keeping neurotransmitters in the synaptic clef longer. 3) The side-effects people are experiencing: paresthesia (pins + needles), somnolence (drowsiness, always tired), lack of taste and memory problems-these are all associated with the above issues. What does this have to do with sleep and hypnagognic hallucinations? Well, these are theories. The scientific method follows the princples of predictablility and verifiabiltiy, so scientists never know and it's difficult to establish cause + effect relationships, however: Your ability to either fall asleep (think a limbo sleep, half asleep/awake) or recover from REM (you dream in rem sleep) is comprimised, somehow, by the drug altering the neurons in your brain. You can have muscle jerks and agitation, light flashes (you think you see things; this is a result of neuronal activity). There are voices/people in the room, or actual movement (I often thought I experienced my bed cover being ripped off me). This is what characterizes the hallucinations, and likely the sleepwalking that someone mentioned. In fact, people who claim that they have been abducted by aliens, they often suffer from these sleep disturbances-or so it has been said. Hope this helps! *FYI: if you're are taking Topamax, absolutely do not drink alcohol. |
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| #15 |  wayong |
Feb 23 2007 17:19 |
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Okay, Topamax seems to be helping my migraine pain...I also get seizures as well. I just started Topamax as well. The thing is, I have always been prone to hallucinations & they are becoming more vivid. While this is not disturbing to me (spiritually & artistically), it has become more intense. I have been dealing with a lot of stress & have been very sleepy in general. The thing is, I suspect that I have Narcolepsy as well & it seems like my Narcolepsy symptoms are getting worse (which they have been in general). I am concerned about my safety & productivy at work. Any recommendations I should discuss with my doctor?
Wayong |
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| #16 | silk |
Feb 24 2007 10:52 |
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I'm on topomax as well to help control my bipolar II. The only real side effect I have is the short-term memory loss. I hate it. But I am so drug resistant, meaning I have tried so many different meds that haven't worked and topomax works wonders for me, I decided I would put up with and adjust to the memory loss. I try and write down everything, for example appts and things I have to do everyday etc...in a datebook... I never had the side effect of weight loss. That was disappointing! That would have been a great side-effect for me. A friend of mine lost 40 pounds on the drug without any life-style changes. |
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| #17 | nicfit |
May 17 2007 16:18 |
| I just took a Topamax last night for the first time for anxiety issues, it kept me awake, I expected different results. I'm pleased that I seemed to tolerate this because several SSRI's didn't sit well with me. I would like to sleep however!! | ||