[swimmom]

Just had a med change from Depakote to Topamax. I'm bipolar. Does anyone have any experience with Topamax - good or bad? Thanks.

I was on Topamax for a while. I can't remember why I stopped and I can't remember anything bad or good so I guess my experience was neutral.

Sorry I couldn't help more,
Love and Hugs,
Tara

[swimmom]

Thanks Tara. So far it seems to work pretty well. I am hoping there aren't any major side effects.

[Yoda]

When I was taking topamax I had problems with word recall (memory).

I've been on Topamax for years for migraine prevention 200mg 2x per day - just so happened that it was a great add on for my bipolar.
Be careful as you up the dosage as it tends to make you dopey and tired at first and as Yoda said it can mess with your words but that stuff went away for me. The stuff that tends to linger are tingling in hands and feet (once in a while).
It can also decrease your appetite at first.
I always upped the dosage on a weekend so I wouldn't have to go anywhere.

[Fresia]

I like the topamax better than the depakote overall for my BP and helps better to level out my mood and with racing thoughts. I too started taking it for migraines, and had the added benefit of coming off the depakote.

Drink lots of water with it though as it can cause kidneys stones if not drinking with it. Same experience as above. I have to take it at night, makes me drowsy when I first take it but with bouts of insomnia, it helps to create regular sleep patterns. However, I am awake during the day and have not experienced drowsiness during the day, except a high dosages.

The higher the dose is when I start to notice the tingling in the limbs, issues with memory and not being able to recall certain words. As soon as dose drops, it stops though so it is not permanent.

My neurologist and pdoc recommended urinalysis intially every 6 mos to be sure about kidney stones to be on the safe side, then one with usual annual check-up with GP after that.

I hope it works out for you. Best of wishes.

[swimmom]

What is considered a high dose. I am on 300 mg. I have noticed a bit of trouble with memory recall.

[nicoleb2]

I used to take Topamax, but got to the point that I could not eat or drink anything because of it. I was extremely malnourished and lost 70 pounds in 3 months...

[feddy]

I echo most...but also had a few add on side effects. But I should tell you that I am very sensitive to most drugs. I initially started topamax for migraines as well but my pdoc believes it is also helping my depression (I also take Cymbalta). I am on 200mg/day. When I was starting, I had severe indigestion, to the point where I needed prescription antacids for a month to manage. It went away after a few weeks and was worth it... I was also incredibly thirsty and had a dry mouth all the time, which I was told was very normal.

I also have occaisional tingling in my feet. It was definitely much more pronounced when I first started using Topamax. And short term memory issues and word recall has been an ongoing problem - for me, it hasn't gone away (I had to pause and really think about the word "antacids" above, lol). I KNOW my short term memory is not nearly as good as it used to be. I have trouble memorizing numbers and facts and my ability to come up with common words in conversation can be embarassing at times. Everyone who knows me (friends and colleagues) is amused by this and they are very used to filling in the blanks. I've learned many good coping skills and at this point, I'm a human thesaurus - I can come up with a synonym for almost anything! And if not, I can describe it in perfect detail. You just figure it out.

But like I said - for me, it's totally worth it, both for the relief from migraines and for the help with my depression.

Hope this is helpful. Happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Feddy

[swimmom]

Thank you all for your responses. You've been very helpful!

[Fresia]

Swimmom,
In answer to your question above about the high dose.... it really varies from person to person as to what helps versus what is tolerable.

I currently fluctuate for my normal dose between 200-250 mg without side-effects. At 300 mg I have word recall issues but they are mild, not noticeable to anyone else, I can recover quickly and some tingling. Beyond 300 it becomes more pronounced and I cannot function past 350. As an example, the neurologist mentioned he has someone taking 400 w/out any side effects but at 450 it starts for that person, yet another patient cannot not even tolerate beyond 50 mg, which is the right dose for them.

Go with what you notice for you that is right to control symptoms with the fewest side-effects. Best wishes.

[Twisti]

I take it for migraines only 100mg twice a day....sorry i know that doesnt help ya hun.

Hi!--I was on Topamax for migraines for 4 years.

It took me four years to realize that my vision was getting blurrier and blurrier.
I finally read up on the s/fx of Topamax--and, yes, this is a big bad side effect.

Just my experience with Topamax.

[dovosono]

Hi everyone!! I am a total newbie to this site, having joined only a few minutes ago. My problems are GAD and major clinical depression, and my doc and I have been working for a long time in achieving the right cocktail to help me feel my best. Yesterday, Tomapax was added to the mix, and reading about some of the potential side effects of the drug have me spooked. Everything except the weight loss. Freddy, when I read your account of your inability to recall words, etc., it threw up a red flag for me. I've been experiencing that since having a hysterectomy done three years ago. As to the Topamax, I'm taking only 25 mg., and wonder if at that dosage you think I may be safe from this particular side effect.

Any input you or anyone else can offer is so appreciated.

Peace,
Sue

[Twisti]

Originally Posted by theodora

Hi!--I was on Topamax for migraines for 4 years.

It took me four years to realize that my vision was getting blurrier and blurrier.
I finally read up on the s/fx of Topamax--and, yes, this is a big bad side effect.

Just my experience with Topamax.

Great...i just thought it was my diabetes doing that