Mini Strokes and Topamax

[Pam]

I was diagnosed with a mini-stroke while taking Topamax. Has anyone had a mini-stroke while taking topamax for migraines? I had numbness in my face, leg, arm, pain in eye, chest pain, confusion, dillusion and thoughts of suicide. I am now off of Topamax. Does anyone know how long it takes to get out of your system?

[Jenny Dallas TX]

I was on Topamax from July to September - during this time I would get episodes of confusion, numbness, shortness of breath, and a very rapid heart rate. Went to ER and was told by all dr.s that med had nothing to do w/ it. Had stress test done w/ no results. Primary dr. finally thought I was having allergic reaction and was taken off the med. However I still feel these episodes - not sure if meds are still in my system, or if the meds cause perm damage. I get severe diziness and a shortness of breath and adrenaline rushes - hard to explain. I know this doesn't answer your question but wanted to let you know that I still feel weird after taking the med. I am trying to find out if Topamax causes longterm problems

[Jess]

I had something like that while on it but never figured out why now I know.

Pam wrote:

I was diagnosed with a mini-stroke while taking Topamax. Has anyone had a mini-stroke while taking topamax for migraines? I had numbness in my face, leg, arm, pain in eye, chest pain, confusion, dillusion and thoughts of suicide. I am now off of Topamax. Does anyone know how long it takes to get out of your system?

[Meg50]

i felt that but i am off of it i went into deep depression also and felt CRAZY LOL...I wnet to my DR I have been off for 1 week exactly & i am feeling better i am just neverous about what tomorrow brings but i am starting to feel back to my self..i have to go back to my DR next week she has me off for 2weeks and i am NOT getting back on it ....oh sorry the ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION i also am forgetful for me about 7 days the DR ALSO told me that ..so that part was true so far..

Pam wrote:

I was diagnosed with a mini-stroke while taking Topamax. Has anyone had a mini-stroke while taking topamax for migraines? I had numbness in my face, leg, arm, pain in eye, chest pain, confusion, dillusion and thoughts of suicide. I am now off of Topamax. Does anyone know how long it takes to get out of your system?

[Meg50]

i also feel that can we talk to a lawyer???i am thinking if we have a case ..

Jenny Dallas TX wrote:

I was on Topamax from July to September - during this time I would get episodes of confusion, numbness, shortness of breath, and a very rapid heart rate. Went to ER and was told by all dr.s that med had nothing to do w/ it. Had stress test done w/ no results. Primary dr. finally thought I was having allergic reaction and was taken off the med. However I still feel these episodes - not sure if meds are still in my system, or if the meds cause perm damage. I get severe diziness and a shortness of breath and adrenaline rushes - hard to explain. I know this doesn't answer your question but wanted to let you know that I still feel weird after taking the med. I am trying to find out if Topamax causes longterm problems

[ERIKnOKC]

I took Topamax for only 4 days. I ended up in the ER on Feb 22nd because I felt like I was going to pass out, getting dizzy, numbness, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath and this was intensified by anxiety from all this stuff going on. I stopped taking it immediately. I have had episodes of these same side effects since then. I had these side effects last week and missed 3.5 days of work. I have been doing pretty good this week but today I had to leave work because the same side effects came back. I had to have someone come pick me up form the side of the interstate half way on my way home because it got so intense I could not drive. My doctors have done blood work and I am waiting for the results.

[slicstoothoff]

I think I had one of those mini strokes tonight.....I have been on this crap for 18 months and have all those symptoms and more. Tonight I got the worst head rush and tingle warm feeling all down my arm and couldn't move for a minute or two. I am getting adema really bad now too and have lost what feels like a third of my hair and although I have kept a journal and told both primary physician and shrink perscribing it they don't think any of the symptoms I have had over the past 18 months have to do with the meds, there is not pattern to the symptoms...My whole head will tingle one day where a week later my lip my have the tingling problem..Worst of all I cannot seem to convince anyone it is the cause of my rapid loss of vision problems. My eyes always feel like they are slowly burning and have pressure on them and I have had to get glasses in the past year just to clear my vision///////Will someone please tell me if this shit is permanent?

[Kat]

I was just doing some research on this med and found you guys. All the things you are mentioning (except the actual stroke) are things I was told by my doctor that can be caused by it. Numbess, tingling, word memory loss, all sorts of stuff. Now this med isnt' looking so good, looks like it causes more problems than it helps.

[Amanda]

I have been on Topamax off and on for almost a year now. When I try to quit the drug I have horrible panic attacks yet when I'm on the medication I still have headaches, and my stomach is always upset. Recently I have had face pain that radiates from my eyes down the side of my face. I have been to two doctors and both claim this isn't from the topamax and they always want to up the dose. I believe differently but it feels that only other people on the medication believe me. Thanks for sharing. :-)

[Twila]

I was having numbness of both hands, mouth and right side of face and slurred speech before I ever went on this med. After numerous tests and being poked and prodded it is anxiety attacts. They have all but stopped since being on a higher dose of this med. I thought it was a stroke but it was not!

[Darlene]

I had what I thought were 2 mini strokes the middle week of May 2008. Leaving side effects same as a stroke. I had encephalitis 2002 which had left stroke side effects which I had worked had work to overcome. I had taken Topamax for several years to numb the damaged nerves with no side effects. After several months of not taking it I recently started taking it again. My heart doctor is questioning the mini strokes. Maybe there is something going on that needs to be taken care of.

[Jordin]

I have been on Topamax 25 mg for three days now. My heart was going crazy last night and I was having such bad chest pain I went to the ER today. Everything checked out okay. I was told to stop taking the meds but I am worried that my headaches won't get better.

[Traci]

I've been taking 50mg for just a week now and today I started having numbness in my face and hands. I haven't been able to drink diet soda because of the bad taste,and it's making me very tired but it's helped my headaches. I'm just worried that it's not worth the trade off because I just don't feel like myself and these side effects are scary. People are talking about it causing strokes...Well my Dr. told me to STOP taking it for two days and see if the numbness goes away, if it does we need to try another treatment.

[Kim]

My doctor prescribed 100 mg of Topamax to increase to 200 mg the following week. The first 4 days on it were awful. L felt like a zombie, couldn't respond to simple questions, had pins and needles in my feet, had something like restless leg syndrome one night that was very odd, had to run to the bathroom after every meal And I don't even get migraines. I have headaches that I'm convinced are caused by TMJ problems. Anyway, I went off the drug without notifying the doctor since it was a holiday weekend. I've been off the drug for a week-longer than I was on it, and yet a lot of the side effects remain. Does anyone know how long the drug stays in your body?
I can't drink a soda or a beer without having to spit it out

[Kc in Cali]

I have been on Topamax for almost a year now as a mood stabilizer for bipolar. No real side effects, except the carbonation thing & forgetting words (sometimes worse that other times.)These seemed worth it when it made my other meds really "click." I am looking at going off of it b/c I will lose my ins. in the winter. Going to try to deal with the disease with exercise & I guess hope. Wish me luck.

[Jenny Dallas TX]

Been awhile since I have checked in....It has been a year since I had to go to the ER w/ my extremely rapid heartrate - I have officially been off Topamx now for almost a year as well (dr. had me continue taking Topamax after ER visit) I am currently on heart meds (toprol) and I swear it is because Topamax caused maybe some perm damage? Both primary dr. and Heart dr. don't think Topamax had anything to do w/ it - but pretty odd if you ask me....I am only in my early 30's and never had any previous health issues (other then migraines. Good luck ya'all!!!!

[lauren NEW JERSEY]

I have been taking topamax now at 200mg for 4 yrs now for migraines. I have no major side effects exceot always thirsty and not complaining I have lost 80 pound in 4 years. Itto me give me energy. SO I GUESS EVERYONES BODY REACTS DIFFERENTLY TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS... FOR THE GOOD FOR ME

[Tired of not being heard]

I have been on Topamax now for three and a half years. The first year on it lost forty pounds and had all the common symptoms. and now recently I have been extremely tired, shortness of breath, confusion...I finally went to doctors to see if it could be a reaction because I know something just isn't right. of course, was told "no" but was told I have "ventricular premature beats" and need to see cardiologist. When I see him of course he says the are frequent pre beats...but, can't explain why I have the other symptoms. I guess I get to live with that part. I have stress test soon and am on 2 blood pressure meds and he broght up maybe adding a third. I think we all know our bodies and it is time someone starts listening(DOCTORS)

[kat - ga]

I have been on Topamax for about a year now. The migraines have pretty much gone away as have most of the side effects. I have to make sure to drink LOTS of water and take the Centrum Mature vitamin for the hair breakage, but things seemed to be going well. However in late July I developed a pounding heart beat and some anxiety symptoms in response to a stressful situation. The anxiety went away, but not the heart beat problem. A heart ultra sound revealed mitral regurgitation. Has anyone encountered valve problems or other heart problems because of this medicine?

[Jean- AL]

I am on topamax have been since April for Bipolar. Yesterday was told I am having many mini strokes, and have hardning of arterys, had brain scan due to cancer in 06 they told me whatever I do do not get off the topamax.