Quitting Topamax and Weight Gain

[Trena]

I found out I was pregnant 6 weeks ago and was advised to quit topamax immediately. I am now 10 weeks pregnant and have gained 15 lbs of which only 3-4 is baby weight. I am hungry all the time and seem to have little to no self control. I was never an overweight person but am concerned. Anyone with experience with weight gain after stopping topamax?

[Teresa]

Yes. It does happen. I'm not quite sure of the solution. A trip to Europe helped me once...somehow a change of setting really helped. However, I can't afford that anymore.

Also, Topamax made me thin, but stupid...and interesting trade-off.

I'm going to try for self-discipline, and hope that it works. If you have any ideas let me know.

:)

[Tina in Dallas]

Teresa wrote:

Topamax made me thin, but stupid...and interesting trade-off.

That's hilarious. I just recently stopped taking it so I could get pregnant and I am also afraid of the weight gain (before even getting pregnant). I thought the "stupid" side effect went away while I was still taking it, but after reading several posts I am thinking maybe it did not and I didn't notice.

[Melissa]

I recently stopped taking Topamax as it was not helping control my headaches/migraines. Although I enjoyed its weight loss properties while on the med, the other side effects were displeasing.(tingling hands/feet, foggy mind, difficulty with word recognition and depressed mood). Anyway, after taking it for approx. 1 1/2 yrs, I've been completely off for approx. 2 months now and have experienced a 10 lb weight gain. My eating habits have not changed much, but the weight is coming on even with efforts to stop it (following Weight Watchers eating plan.) I'm more than disturbed by this and wondered if anyone else has experienced weight gain after titrating off Topamax?

[Sherri]

I was taking Topomax for 3 years and experienced the wonderfull side effect of weight loss. I have lost my insurance and went off of it 2 months ago because it is so so expensive. I have gained nearly 20 pounds in 2 months. I have an increase of appetite also. So I went to the endocronologist for other reasons and he got alarmed about the weight gain. He is now testing me for Cushins Disease just to rule it out. I got scared when he told me this but I tried to tell him that I think the weight gane was from discontinuing Topomax. I swear I want to go back on it. Is the generic as expensive ?? Is it as good as the brand ?? Help !!!

[Bird]

I took Topamax for 3 years and gained 20 pounds when I stopped. I was only 110 pounds, so that was a ton of weight. I am stumpy and desperate to lose weight now. I am combining with Wellbutrin just to take the weight off. Also on Weight Watchers.

[Dee]

I am a brain tumor patient. I have left sided menengiomas. I took "Topamx" for a number of years to control seizures and migrains.

My Neurologist would no longer fill my perscription and I was forced to discontinue taking it.

I did experience weight loss while taking it. I went down to 128 lbs. After stopping my weight has been going up about 15 lbs per month. I now weigh 164. It continues to sky rocket even if I keep my calories at 1200 per day.

I am taking no other medications or supplements. And I have had no seizure activity or migrains. The weight gain is a concern.

Dee
Riverside CA

[bjreed -]

As I understand the history of the drug, Topamax was originally meant to be used for serious brain injuries and migraines that had not responded to other treatment. It is a very, very powerful drug, and it has serious side effects -- mainly a lower functioning brain. If one only wants to lose weight, there are other alternative, healthier methods. To use Topamax for weight loss only is truly misuse of the drug.

[Ashley]

I have recently came off of Topamax and gained about 7 pounds back. I have a huge appetite and eat everything in site. When I was on the medicine I barely ate at all, and when I did it was very small portions. I started Wellbutrin SR last night. I have read that when you combine the two you experience weight loss on a totally new level. I think thats what Im going to try.

[Kayay]

I was on high doses of Topamax(400 mgs/day and then down to 200 mgs/day). I hated the side effects it gave me...I actually got written up on a work evaluation for "not getting to the point" when I spoke. I have always been very articulate and work in the public relations field. This was very damaging so I decided that I would come off it. Even though when I was at 75 mg only I felt healthy and had little to no side effects. I am kicking myself now because I decided to come totally off. Since then, I've gained over 30 lbs and the weight keeps coming on and my migraines are back. I really don't want to be life time dependent on this drug but at this rate I'll be as big as house before you know it!

[Sarah]

I went off topamax about 2months ago and I have noticed the weight gain... It is a terrible feeling when you change a med that can be bad for your kidneys so the doc says but didnt tell you that 4 years ago when the weight stayed off... I am 26 years old and in the past month 6 people at work have made comments on my weight. I watch what I eat walk at night and have a very active job... So what do you do? Go back on the drug? Or be miserable in the society of which I have to go earn my paycheck every day...I am on depression meds an birth control, so who is right? which doctor? the one who put me on the med or the same one who put me on depakote? any advise?

[barnara]

Sherri wrote:

I was taking Topomax for 3 years and experienced the wonderfull side effect of weight loss. I have lost my insurance and went off of it 2 months ago because it is so so expensive. I have gained nearly 20 pounds in 2 months. I have an increase of appetite also. So I went to the endocronologist for other reasons and he got alarmed about the weight gain. He is now testing me for Cushins Disease just to rule it out. I got scared when he told me this but I tried to tell him that I think the weight gane was from discontinuing Topomax. I swear I want to go back on it. Is the generic as expensive ?? Is it as good as the brand ?? Help !!!

The exact same thing happened to me!!!

[Concerned]

bjreed - wrote:

As I understand the history of the drug, Topamax was originally meant to be used for serious brain injuries and migraines that had not responded to other treatment. It is a very, very powerful drug, and it has serious side effects -- mainly a lower functioning brain. If one only wants to lose weight, there are other alternative, healthier methods. To use Topamax for weight loss only is truly misuse of the drug.

I agree with the last post. If you can go with out Topamax, do. I unfortunately, can''t. It is the only drug combined w Tegretol XR that has worked to control my seizures, but it comes with consequences. Because of topamax,(and this is verified by a board of doctors) When I became pregnant, my baby was having physical deformities, and then I went tinto pre term labor, and my sweet baby girl passed away. This has been devestating to us. If you ARE ABLE TO GO WITHOUT TOPAMAX, DO.

[Concerned]

I agree with the last post. If you can go with out Topamax, do. I unfortunately, can''t. It is the only drug combined w Tegretol XR that has worked to control my seizures, but it comes with consequences. Because of topamax,(and this is verified by a board of doctors) When I became pregnant, my baby was having physical deformities, and then I went tinto pre term labor, and my sweet baby girl passed away. This has been devestating to us. If you ARE ABLE TO GO WITHOUT TOPAMAX, DO.

[Chelsea]

I experienced immediate weight gain after discontinuing Topamax even though my diet and activity level did not change. Within 3 weeks I weighed more than I have ever weighed. I have never been overweight before and this is frightening for me. I have really ramped up my exercise and cut my caloric intake even further (it was already on the low side) but I have not been able to lose the weight. I seem to have at least stopped putting it on. The Topamax definitely appears to have reset my metabolision or had some such effect.

[Heather]

my fiance has been on topamax for about two years i could never pip point his moods and forgetfullness and stupid actions until my dr. put me on it for my migrains i took it for about 4 weeks i was excited to take it to help with my weight loss but the affects it had on me was weird and made me understand what he was going thru and now his 11 yr old daughter was put on it from her mom and dr for weigt loss she has the same symptom of tingle ,twitching numbness headaches her mom took her off of it cuz we convince her too and then her gain was 20lbs in about a month so her mom put her back on it does anyone no long term affects

[lisa]

So, I am in the midst of this weight gain after discontinuing topamax....can anyone tell me how long this lasts. I do not want to go back on topamax as I feel so much better now than while I was on it. I took it for migraines for years. but enough is enough. I want to be drug free and control my own thoguhts, body and weight. I too am experienceing out of control eating and rapid weight gain. A few pounds is worth it, but no more, please. How long does this last?

[Sarah]

I have been off topimirate for two months now. I took it for a year following an isolated seizure and was on a 200 mg/ day dosage. At my lowest weight I was 119 lbs (I am 5'9) and now I am about 130. I am really disappointed with my new body but trying to cope as I would much prefer to be off the medication.

[Jen]

At 5'9" - 119 is underweight according to the BMI. 130 is in the normal range. You shouldn't be any less than 125. Don't be disappointed - you are right where you should be - and probably look even better!!!

[Kay]

I orginally took Topamax for weight loss and lost 30 pounds. I lost my insurance and had to go off and gain a boatload of weight. Now I have insurance and can go back on Topamax. Will I still get the weight loss I saw with Topamax? Has anyone stopped then started again for the same results?