[blondawn]

hello everyone, just wondering if anyone else has been taking this and having this side effect...

i have been taking topamax (topiramate) for over five years, but began taking it for migraine prevention at a very low dose, 50 mg twice a day. i continued well on that dose for many years, until my new psychiatrist (i think y'all call them p doc here?) began increasing the dosage to what i take now, 300 mg a day. he increased dosage to see if it would stabilize my mood, which it has (some). okay, now my problem is this... i sometimes have a hard time finding the proper word in my vocabulary for what i am trying to say. i know what the word is that i want to say, but i just cant seem to get it to come out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it makes me very upset, i have always been very well read and able to communicate fully what i mean. i am so frustrated, because this is one medication out of ALL of the others that we have tried (and we have tried them all, it seems) that helps my mood any. what in the world is going on with me? am i getting worse? am i getting better? can anyone shed some light here, please? help?

[krzyk101]

I am not on Topomax as am allergic, though if the trouble you are having not able to find a word to say and it is somewhat related to that of a neurological condition or a side effect I would definatly run it past your pharmacist where you get the Topamax filled or your Pdoc if it is causing you distress and worry in great degree.

I often am unable to say what I am thinking and for me it is I believe the lack of communication I have with others in 3D or conversation. I wish you the best in finding answers to the origin of this problem.

Best of luck to you, also you may want to tell the pharmacist any herbal suppliments and or over the counter medications you are taking along with the Topomax or any medications you recieve such as samples or rx meds filled at a pharmacy that the pharmacy you do not get the Topomax filled at. It is important that the Pharmacy you use knows all other meds from other pharmacys and otc meds to cross refrence the meds for possible interactions with one another, once again best wishes in your search for an answer to this. Peace - Kris

[blondawn]

thanks for your input, Kris. everything comes from the same doc and pharmacy, the VA. no otc or herbals, either. this med did the exact same thing to my aunt apparently (found this out after the post). thanks again!

[Liv28]

Hi..I take Topomax..for migraines and I have not noticed any of these side effects..BUT, I can say that each person reacts different to a certain type of medication. Just because I respond nicely does not mean that you might..see what I mean? You definately should talk with your doctor about what you are experiencing..
I also am not on as high a dosage as you are, maybe this makes a difference?? The only side effect I have noticed, for me, is that I no longer can drink alcohol at all..or I get deathly sick (I used to be able to drink anything before I started this medication and it fazed me none)..not that this is such a bad thing, I suppose anyways, good luck!

[Larry_Hoover]

Topiramate (Topamax) is known to cause cognitive blunting and memory problems, usually proportional to the dose. Some people have nicknamed the drug Stupimax, or Dopamax, because of this effect. Unfortunately, this side effect can persist even after the body learns to accomodate to the higher dose you've been tried on. Only you can decide if this adverse effect is sufficiently disruptive or upsetting to lead you to reduce the dosage (under your doctor's supervision, of course).

Lar

[kimmydawn]

I got "dead spaces" in brain when I took it and there was no predicting when it would happen. All the sudden brain would turn into literally nothing. I couldn't find words, etc.

My daughter took it for headaches and couldn't make it a week. She had trembling and "dead space" too.

Good luck, hon.

KD

[Liv28]

This is starting to kind of freak me out! I said earlier that I hadn't experienced any of these symptoms..but the more I think about it..the more I am thinking that I actually have..but I was..um..relating it to backlashes from my heavy pot smoking days..which I have had none of since January, but have heard can do the same thing.. but seeing as how so many others are experiencing the same thing on this drug, it makes me wonder..I am gonna pay more attention now!

[kimmydawn]

oh yeah, liv, you should. topamax is a good drug, but has a few definite common side effects i've been told that might/might not be severe enough to worry about...

also, daughter said it not only decreased appetite (known for as well) but her taste was messed up. Things didn't taste right at all...so much so that she couldn't eat her regular things.

gl!

KD