Reviewer: TXMom73, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 10 years or more (Patient)

Comment:
I've had migraines since I was a little girl, so basically my whole life. Topamax was a wonder drug for me. I started years ago on 25mg. Over the years they have had to increase it. Just a few weeks ago they have put me on the max of 400mg. After it runs it's course and doesn't help anymore, they will have to try a new medication. A beta-blocker or anti-depressant for migraines. The side effects w ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I've had migraines since I was a little girl, so basically my whole life. Topamax was a wonder drug for me. I started years ago on 25mg. Over the years they have had to increase it. Just a few weeks ago they have put me on the max of 400mg. After it runs it's course and doesn't help anymore, they will have to try a new medication. A beta-blocker or anti-depressant for migraines. The side effects when increasing are bad. I am sick to my stomach, fatigued, and the confusion and memory loss is horrible. Also, I think the dry mouth I have gotten over the past few years (from the 300mg) has affected my mouth. My gums bleed and I have canker sores. My platelet workup came out fine except for Vitamin D. So now I take supplements and Lysine. Also trying the Biotene Toothpaste and Mouthwash. A rare side effect my Neurologist noticed I have is I get sun-burnt very easily when my body is getting used to new dosages. No amount of SPF will help. I have burnt in front of people within an hour and had a high SPF sunscreen on. It's crazy. I'm like that 3% that does that. Not having 15 migraines a month or going in for infusions because I've had a 7-day migraine still outweighs these cons for now.
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Reviewer: ASNOW4210, 25-34 Female (Patient)

Comment:
I STARTED USING TOPAMAX BACK IN 2003. AT FIRST IT HELPED WITH MY MIGRAINES BUT I STILL HAD 10-15 MIGRAINES A MONTH. AND THAT WAS BETTER THEN BEFORE I STARTED TOPAMAX. NOW 10 YEARS LATER I AM AT A NUEROLOGIST BECAUSE I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY SHORT TERM MEMORY. AND A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING TINGLING IN MY HANDS, EXTREME FATIGUE, BACK PAIN THAT CAN NOT BE EXPLAINED, IM DROPPING THINGS, ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I STARTED USING TOPAMAX BACK IN 2003. AT FIRST IT HELPED WITH MY MIGRAINES BUT I STILL HAD 10-15 MIGRAINES A MONTH. AND THAT WAS BETTER THEN BEFORE I STARTED TOPAMAX. NOW 10 YEARS LATER I AM AT A NUEROLOGIST BECAUSE I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY SHORT TERM MEMORY. AND A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING TINGLING IN MY HANDS, EXTREME FATIGUE, BACK PAIN THAT CAN NOT BE EXPLAINED, IM DROPPING THINGS, DIZZINESS AND OTHER ISSUES THAT I CAN NOT REMEMBER. WHILE TALKING TO THE NUEROLOGIST HE TOLD ME THAT TOPAMAX HAS A NICKNAME...DOPAMAX. BECAUSE IT MAKE PEOPLE FORGET THINGS. AFTER COMMING HOME AND LOOKING UP SIDE EFFECTS FOR TOPAMAX I REALIZED THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT I HAVE CAN BE EXPLAINED BY TOPAMAX SIDE EFFECTS. THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF MY LIFE HAVE BEEN HELL DUE TO TOPAMAX.
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Reviewer: Silverskates, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 1 to less than 2 years (Patient)

Comment:
I've been on Topamax for 16 mos. & it's given me my life back! I've had 2 neck surgeries (multiple fusions w/plates & screws) & I have chronic neck pain. For 3 yrs. I had unexplained vomiting & sweating which turned out to be due to a type of migraine so my Dr. put me on Topamax. By wk. 3, I was a new person. It also turned out to help my neck pain more than the narcotics I've trie ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I've been on Topamax for 16 mos. & it's given me my life back! I've had 2 neck surgeries (multiple fusions w/plates & screws) & I have chronic neck pain. For 3 yrs. I had unexplained vomiting & sweating which turned out to be due to a type of migraine so my Dr. put me on Topamax. By wk. 3, I was a new person. It also turned out to help my neck pain more than the narcotics I've tried AND I've lost 18 lbs. I have had many of the side effects; can't remember words at times, brain fog, sleep disturbances, tingling in fingers & toes. Many of these went away when my dose was lowered from 50mg/day to 25mg/day. A new problem I'm having which may or may not be related are dental problems; fillings falling out, broken teeth & needing root canals. I have just read that baseline & periodic lab testing is recommended with this med (due to the risk of metabolic acidosis) which my Dr. has not done.
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Reviewer: 45-54 Female on Treatment for 6 months to less than 1 year (Patient)

Comment:
I started taking Topamax about 8months ago. Suffered migraines all my life, Im now 46, nothing helped, until now, it is the best thing ever, in the eight months Ive been on it, Ive had one migraine. Sure a few cluster s here and there but nothing like before. This is an amazing drug. I only I was put on it years ago. Side affects well yeah, I was 68 kgs and now 48kgs but I would rather live looki ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I started taking Topamax about 8months ago. Suffered migraines all my life, Im now 46, nothing helped, until now, it is the best thing ever, in the eight months Ive been on it, Ive had one migraine. Sure a few cluster s here and there but nothing like before. This is an amazing drug. I only I was put on it years ago. Side affects well yeah, I was 68 kgs and now 48kgs but I would rather live looking skinny than put up with the migraines...
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Reviewer: GRAMMIE, 55-64 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
TOPAMAX IS A CATCH 22 FOR ME...IT DID HELP WITH SLOWING DOWN THE EXCRUCIATING ATTACKS I WAS GETTING..AFTER TAKING IT FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS & MANY OF THE SAME SIDE AFFECTS AS OTHERS...CRAZY BRAIN..LOSS OF TASTE..LOSS OF ENERGY...I'VE TAKEN THIS SO LONG THAT IT HAS BECOME HARMFUL TO MY HEALTH & I NEED TO STOP COLD TURKEY ...MY HEALTH HAS BECOME LIFE-THREATENING...THAT'S WHY I HAVE MIXED FEEL ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
TOPAMAX IS A CATCH 22 FOR ME...IT DID HELP WITH SLOWING DOWN THE EXCRUCIATING ATTACKS I WAS GETTING..AFTER TAKING IT FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS & MANY OF THE SAME SIDE AFFECTS AS OTHERS...CRAZY BRAIN..LOSS OF TASTE..LOSS OF ENERGY...I'VE TAKEN THIS SO LONG THAT IT HAS BECOME HARMFUL TO MY HEALTH & I NEED TO STOP COLD TURKEY ...MY HEALTH HAS BECOME LIFE-THREATENING...THAT'S WHY I HAVE MIXED FEELING..IT WORKED FOR MANY YEARS & I'M SORRY IT STOPPED WORKING ..JUST BE CAREFUL & RESEARCH..RESEARCH..RESEARCH...
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