Topamax Side affects

[kt35]

Do the side affects go away, the forgetfulness, sleepiness, tingly in extremities? If so how long does it take for them to go away?

[NoraC]

Topamax Side affects

They do go away for some people.....they did go away for me. I'm sorry to say that for some people they don't go away. Grape seed extract helped for the tingling. Good luck. It really helped me when I gave it my all. :l

[sunshinedaisies]

Topamax Side affects

Hi KT - for me, the tingling went away gradually - the forgetfulness I wasn't sure how much was due to my age - not that I had a lot of it. It didn't really make me sleepy - the morning dose didn't, but the evening dose would make me sleepy the next morning so I started taking the evening dose late afternoon - it didn't make me sleepy then! Really odd.

Some people have no SE - others have bad ones - how long have you been on it and what dosage are you up to?

Sunshinedaisies

[kt35]

Topamax Side affects

i am up to 100mg a day and have been on it for about 3 weeks however, I stopped taking it in the middle because of the side affects but then decided to give it another shot. so this go around has been about a week and I take it in increments splitting them in half

[NoraC]

Topamax Side affects

Kt - that is pretty high for just 3 weeks. But, that is just my opinion.
I was doing very well at 200 mg but then had some other issues happen and slid backwards when I stopped taking the Topamax and started drinking over it. I am currently taking 100 mg and will go back up to 200.
I know that going up slowly was the key with me to avoid the side effects though. The Topamax did help me. I just let my other problems get in the way.
Good luck & keep posting. :h

[kt35]

Topamax Side affects

Thanks I thought so too! and thats what happened to me too I had a bit of a slip and I thought the side effects may have been caused because of that and in addition Im going on a trip to Cancun, I know I will drink so do you think I would be better off stopping the TOpamax and start all over when I return. there is no question that i wont drink this is a particular crowd so thats not even an option.

thanks for your help

[sunshinedaisies]

Topamax Side affects

KT - are you following the titration schedule in the book? Re the trip to Cancun - if you know you are going to drink, you might want to titrate down to say 25 mg a day and stay on that rather than stop altogether. The cravings for AL didn't stop with me until the 4th week I was on it and I didn't drink through it although I know that you can, so yes, I would probably titrate back down if you know you will be drinking.

I agree with Nora, in that going up slowly is best, to avoid or lessen SE if you are going to get them. I can't remember the book schedule but if you can follow that, it is best to - or at least to do so when you return from your trip.

Sunshinedaisies

[NoraC]

Topamax Side affects

KT - Again - this is my own personal opinion. I would not drink on the higher dose. I found that it was a big mistake for me. I drank over the Topamax when it was really helping me. So, I am back at square one. I agree with Sunshine to titrate down to a low dosage for during the trip. That way you will still have it in your system so you can get back & get right back on board.
The Topamax was helping me but I had other depression/hormonal issues going on and delayed getting help for way too long. Please keep posting and realize that we are here for you.

[individualnz]

Topamax Side affects

What happens if you do drink at the higher dosages? Is that a silly question?

Indy

[sunshinedaisies]

Topamax Side affects

There are never any silly questions Indi! As far as drinking at higher doses, I am not sure - I don't think anything happens to you - you can drink through Topa, I found I just didn't want to drink - and when I did pour one, I had some and thought "i REALLY don't want this". I remember feeling quite annoyed actually, because mentally I wanted it - but my body didn't!

Sunshinedaisies x

[kt35]

Topamax Side affects

Thank you so much you have been so helpful!! I dont want to go off of it but I'm not going to fool myself and say I'm not going to drink hopefully this way I can go with the attitude that with the Topamax I can drink but just not as much as I usually would. Which would be such a great thing and save me a lot of embarrassment (most likely) I'm the "life of the party girl" only problem is; this life of the party girl is approaching 40 in a few months. Not so cute anymore...

Thanks so much, you are so much help, I will go back to the book, I forgot about the titrate method.

[kt35]

Topamax Side affects

Thank you all so much for your replies, you have all helped so much and have been a relief because I didnt want to go off of the Topa and start over again as I have noticed a difference in the short time I have been on it. Maybe, hopefully, I'll go and just wont drink as much as I usually would have; now that would be an awesome change! I'll keep my fingers crossed!!! I will say in the short time I have been on the Topa it is amazing how quickly it works. It is a miracle pill for me.

Again thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[individualnz]

Topamax Side affects

Good news and Bad, Bad is still drinking through the Topa alternating 50 to 75mg.

Good is I cannot drink nearly as much, Im not sure if it is mental or physical but something has changed. Its is weird. Im telling you, for me it is weird! Normally I start and I cant stop but for that last four days and nights I have been very civilised. I do feel a bit dopey and it shows but its a trade off, and I will give anything I reckon......

[sunshinedaisies]

Topamax Side affects

Indi - it is strange isn't it? As I said in an earlier post - I felt annoyed 'cos I couldn't drink - I mean I could have but - well, it was strange! I have found Topa to work very well for me and am currently titrating back down.

Sunshinedaisies x

[individualnz]

Topamax Side affects

It sure is really strange Sunny!

Im not out of the woods yet tho, I would love to be where you are and AL free, I feel like half my lifes problems would be gone in one hit! (I realise that may not be so) but I would truly feel so proud.

I really am having trouble stringing a sentence together...... I hope that part side effect subsides! I am trying to get some of that DMAe, Techie says it helps!