[doyoutrustme]

I've gained a lot of weight since going on anti-depressants a few years ago. Tried many different types, even tried going off them, which didn't work out well-- i had to go back on them.

No matter what I do, the weight keeps on creeping up slowly and it doesn't show any signs of stopping, despite diet attempts and exercise. Dieting attempts are very difficult, because if I get hungry for too long, it triggers migraines. And my appetite has become too strong for what my body needs.

So, I have the script from my doctor. It used to be for anti-convulsants, and now is FDA approved for weight loss, a side affect of the medication.

It is possible that one of the side affects would be cognitive impairment (memory loss, speech problems, language problems, word-finding difficulty, difficulty in concentrating) and here's the kicker, I already have ADHD pretty bad, and unmedicated as of right now.

Has anyone taken Topomax for weight loss? Did it help? Did it make you "slow?"

[AnxietyMaster]

It sounds like you have a decision to make. Do you want to loose weight, but take the risk of making a pre existing condition worse. Do you want to bear the burnden of having to deal with the possibility of having complications related to your weight (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc.)? Do you have self esteem issues? Would this in long term help you get off of/on a lower dose of the anti depressants? Your doctor perscribed it because 1 of 2 things, either he thought the risk was worth it, or it's something new and he dosent know the risks.

[Topher0982]

Ive been on topamax for a month for impulsive ness and anxiety caused by borderline personality disorder and have dropped from 240 to around 217 pounds, but I am on Mirapex as well. But I think The Topamax is the culprit for the weight loss.

[doyoutrustme]

Originally Posted by AnxietyMaster

It sounds like you have a decision to make. Do you want to loose weight, but take the risk of making a pre existing condition worse. Do you want to bear the burnden of having to deal with the possibility of having complications related to your weight (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc.)? Do you have self esteem issues? Would this in long term help you get off of/on a lower dose of the anti depressants? Your doctor perscribed it because 1 of 2 things, either he thought the risk was worth it, or it's something new and he dosent know the risks.

The weight affects me already, nothing major like heart or diabetes, but my knees are in bad shape.

my doctor will support me no matter what, but he is obviously more comfortable with me medicated at this point. I agree. There was only one add med that worked, and I developed an allergy to it.

I'm going to try it on the weekend when I'm not working. I'm just trying to get an idea of how it effects others.

[doyoutrustme]

Originally Posted by Topher0982

Ive been on topamax for a month for impulsive ness and anxiety caused by borderline personality disorder and have dropped from 240 to around 217 pounds, but I am on Mirapex as well. But I think The Topamax is the culprit for the weight loss.

That's pretty fast weight loss. any side effects so far? Do you notice a big difference in appetite?

[Topher0982]

Originally Posted by doyoutrustme

That's pretty fast weight loss. any side effects so far? Do you notice a big difference in appetite?

I felt side effects for about 2 weeks, I slept great, but felt very retarted at the same time during that period. I only ate 1 meal a day, and still are just eating once a day, but I drink an ensure every morning.

[doyoutrustme]

are you overall happy with it? What is your dosage if you don't mind me asking.

[Topher0982]

Yes I am happy, I don't have side effects anymore, just weight loss, and I take 150 mg's.

[AnxietyMaster]

Oh! If you find your vision worsening, go into your doctor right away. A side effect of this medicine is glaucoma, so please watch out for this! Also you might experience tingling in your arms/hands and feet. This is normal, and a very common side effect! I hope it works for you!

[possum220]

I tried Topomax for about 10 days. My inhibitions went out the window. Very bad. I also felt dopey. Topomax aka Dopomax.(for a reason).

[Topher0982]

yea my memory is pretty screwed I admit. my long term memory is great though

[dillpickle1983]

Topamax for me works wonders for appetite suppressant. However the side effects of tingling all over especially in the hands and feet was too much for me. So I had to quit it.

[doyoutrustme]

I started it and felt like *****. I was given 25mg and it said twice a day on the bottle, but I don't recall him telling me to start out twice a day. I hate calling him so I took it twice a day and felt like crap. Now I'm doing one pill in the morning and its ok, but I can't say whether it's helping me be less hungry.

I should call him. I hate calling between sessions, it gives me massive anxiety. blah

[junkDNA]

25 mg is kind of a low does for the topamax weight loss effect.

[doyoutrustme]

Yeah just got off the phone, he said it's twice a day, and to try it for five days to see if I stop feeling sick

[AnxietyMaster]

Originally Posted by doyoutrustme

I started it and felt like *****. I was given 25mg and it said twice a day on the bottle, but I don't recall him telling me to start out twice a day. I hate calling him so I took it twice a day and felt like crap. Now I'm doing one pill in the morning and its ok, but I can't say whether it's helping me be less hungry.

I should call him. I hate calling between sessions, it gives me massive anxiety. blah

Good luck! Keep us informed! I'd really like to know if this works for you! Maybe you should take a before picture for your self

[doyoutrustme]

I'll keep you posted but I don't think I'll be snapping pictures.

[Calypso2632]

I'm on 150 mg of topamax 2x a day. I don't feel dopey or anything and my appetite has been decreased. I'm on it for migraines and as a mood stabilizer. So far so good.

[doyoutrustme]

My doctor was wary of continuing the medication due to the side affects, but I insisted on another week to see if they wear off. I've been pregnant and it isn't worse than that.

I was on 50mg of topamax to help with migraines (we were going to up it to aid with weight loss as well), and it impaired my cognition so badly that I couldn't read a post and remember the details. My memory was horrible, and I often found my mind going blank. My psychiatrist told me that they call the medication "dope-amax" around the office because of those side effects.

[doyoutrustme]

I'm finally starting to level off, side affect wise. Not seeing the doc for another week to decide to up it again. I'm a little scared tbh.

No I haven't weighed myself yet. :/

[InTheProcess]

Originally Posted by doyoutrustme

I've gained a lot of weight since going on anti-depressants a few years ago. Tried many different types, even tried going off them, which didn't work out well-- i had to go back on them.

No matter what I do, the weight keeps on creeping up slowly and it doesn't show any signs of stopping, despite diet attempts and exercise. Dieting attempts are very difficult, because if I get hungry for too long, it triggers migraines. And my appetite has become too strong for what my body needs.

So, I have the script from my doctor. It used to be for anti-convulsants, and now is FDA approved for weight loss, a side affect of the medication.

it is possible that one of the side affects would be cognitive impairment (memory loss, speech problems, language problems, word-finding difficulty, difficulty in concentrating) and here's the kicker, I already have ADHD pretty bad, and unmedicated as of right now.

Has anyone taken Topomax for weight loss? Did it help? Did it make you "slow?"

I was given Topomax to help lose the some of the weight that Zoloft helped me gain. I do not recall having any crazy space outs or memory loss( no more than usual (hah)). I took it about a month, and stopped..mainly because it negated the effects of my birth control and I switch to Wellbutrin which has been pretty helpful.

I guess it is worth a shot, good luck!

I've been on topamax just under a month and the only positive side effect has been weight loss. I am on the lowest dose possible and having side effects not even listed. I have a call in to my pdoc but getting through is like next to impossible so I'm weaning myself off. I'm feeling suicidal and that is just not good. I was really counting on this med working. I wish I were normal and not overly sensitive to Meds.

[kirby777]

Hi-

My Neuro prescribed this for my migraines...he wanted me to be on the least effective dose...so they were 25 mg tablets..I was to take 2 per day for two weeks, increase to 4 per day (100mg total) in two weeks, gradually go up 50 mg per day every two weeks. BUT what I thought was odd, and I have never had to do this, was sign a paper stating he advised me of the possibility of renal stones as a side effect.

I never got the RX filled.

My favorite Neuro did not want me on this as I was on the thin side and enjoyed being very skinny, she knew I would lose weight.

I may try it in the future although i think my insurance company will have an issue with the quantity ordered.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Shawkat2009

I've been on topamax just under a month and the only positive side effect has been weight loss. I am on the lowest dose possible and having side effects not even listed. I have a call in to my pdoc but getting through is like next to impossible so I'm weaning myself off. I'm feeling suicidal and that is just not good. I was really counting on this med working. I wish I were normal and not overly sensitive to Meds.

Update: got through to pdoc's office finally and have an appointment first thing Monday. I think his receptionist finally took me seriously.