Topamax

Such as ...?

headaches, neck, back pain, blurred vision, extreme forgetfulness, constant "word searching" to find the right word to say, extreme fatigue, nosebleeds, flu-like symptoms.

Are you * only* taking for weight-loss OP? I didn't know they were using it now. Usually prescribed for things along the neurological soectrum- epilepsy, migraines, bi-polar- and weight-loss is one of the more advantageous side-effects. But yes, there is a REASON it's called "Dopamax" or Stupemax" affectionately. Many people cannot withstand the cognetive dysfunction.

It was originally being designed as a diabetic medication in the lab, so it fucks with your metabolism of carbs, and alters your body's consumption of electrolytes. Drink plenty of Water, Gatorade, and up salt- intake if being troubled by muscle cramping.

Holy shit, that sounds miserable!

I'm forever searching for names (can recite a whole biography correctly but can't zero in on the identity) and sometimes specific words (can list all the synonyms).

Welcome to 60.

I take it with Phentermine for binge eating disorder. It quelled the binge eating but gave me a whole host of side effects I can’t live with.

Qsymia is FDA-approved for weight loss - contains phentermine and topiramate.

Just cut carbs by 80% and stop eating out so much

They dont call it Dopamax for no reason

It’s an ugly medicine!

A friend of mine takes it to treat BPD and yes, plenty of weight loss she never needed in the first place as she was always slim, but she says she feels completely zombified now and her productivity has plummeted.

I’m taking myself off if it by decreasing the dosage every four days. Can’t stand it. I’ll deal with the eating disorder another way.

It’s really a drug of desparation for weight loss. It’s a drug used for serious brain disorders, principally used for seizures. Think about that. You’re taking a drug used to treat *seizures*.

I take a version that’s expensive, timed release because it controls my seizures but the side effects, like muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness, forgetfulness, aphasia, are pretty bad. They’re not minor. You take this only because you have no other choice and have been through every alternative and they haven’t worked.

That there’s a formulation for weight loss doesn’t mean it’s a good idea, either. If you’re severely obese - perhaps. Please don’t consider this for a few pounds.

I lost 70lbs in six months on it, but I was at the dose used for epilepsy. Its nickname is "Dopeamax" for a reason. It turns your brain to mush. I would forget things mid sentence, it made me cry for no reason, after I was bumped up to 150mg I started hallucinating, and I could hardly stay awake on it. I was switched to the extended release version called Trokendi XR, which helped with the drop off between doses, but after 7 months it started to give me thoughts of suicide, and irrational urges, so my doctor took me off it. Unless you actually NEED to take it to stop seizures, you dont need to be taking it for off label use. The reason people lose weight on it, is because it makes food taste awful, and it gives you pharmaceutical anorexia. It also causes hair loss. I lost 25% of my hair when I was on it. It took a year before it all grew back.

STAY OFF IT UNLESS YOU HAVE SEIZURES!

But how fast are you losing weight, OP???

Forgot to add, if you are taking it, and need to eat, but the lack of tasting food is making it hard, try eating acidic foods on it. Things like tomatoes, lemons, and hot sauce. I always hated ranch dressing, but it was one of the few things I was able to taste along with foods mentioned. Also keep Ensure handy. It helps if you can chug it and get some calories if you are having a hard time eating. Drinking coffee while taking it, is also a bad idea. The caffeine reacts bad to the medication, and can leave you feeling overly upset, and jittery.

"Think about that. You’re taking a drug used to treat *seizures*."

R13, it's hardly prescribed for seizures anymore. It's more commonly prescribed as migraine preventive treatment, just as several seizure meds, blood pressure meds, antidepressants are effective for headache control. Many drugs have off-label uses.

One last thing. It ups your chances for developing kidney stones.

Only if you'd had a prior history of renal stones. Even so, most patients can tolerate lower doses, as long as they increase their fluid intake.

I've treated hundreds of patients with topiramate over the years; most of them do well on doses as high as 400- 600 mg daily. Just like any other drug, some patients will not react well. All drugs are toxins, after all. What's funny about these types of threads is, someone posts an adverse reaction to a drug, and hysteria ensues.

R19, is hair loss common? Is it permanent? Is the brain fog permanent?

Yes, alopecia and cognitive impairment (usually verbalized as 'I feel stupid') are known side effects. Selenium supplements may help with hair loss. Side effects are reversible either after dose decrease or discontinuation.

[quote]Many people cannot withstand the cognetive dysfunction.

Oh, dear!

[quote]It’s really a drug of desparation for weight loss

Oh, DEAR!

I’m only taking 50 mg of topramax nightly but the side effects are not worth the loss of appetite. I’ll continie with Phentermine by itself.. Thank you all for your input.

R17. Both Topamax and Trokendi certainly are still used for seizures. I damn well know, been on it for more than 20 years. Different dosages are used for migration intervention than for seizures.

well i'm off of the shit starting today - HOT DAMN!

Some of you are gluttons for pill punishment. Surprised any MD would prescripe you meds you will mis-use ,but Big Pharma loves your ginny-pig style.An yes the side effects are not to be played with girls.

[quote]Big Pharma loves your ginny-pig style

Oh, dear!

[quote]Different dosages are used for migration intervention

So they give it out at the border?

☠️ Why do so many people pay to be poisoned?

R28 Yes Rose, right after it checks your iphone for spelling errors.

You can’t drink alcohol when you’re taking Topamax, so what’s the point of it?

I thought Topamax was the name of the effeminate little Italian mouse on "The Ed Sullivan Show?"

No, R32, you’re thinking of Cuckoo Clock and Ollie. Can’t stump me with ‘50s trivia, baby!