does stopping Topamax cause withdrawal symptoms

[teresa]

Kristine wrote:

I'm 9 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and trying to quit topamax. I've been weaning by 25mg every 3 days but the dizzyness, resstlessness and anxiety is still overwhelming. I'm most concerned about miscarriage? Does anyone know how long these symptoms will last and if we'll be allright?

I just wanted to know if you remained on topamax througout your pregnancy?
I take 50mg/day and miscarried at 12 wks?

[Danielle]

I have been taking topamax for five months at 100 mg for migrane. It has worked for the migranes but now I have all kinds of other issues that I am finding out now are from this drug. I have horrible shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and very intense anxiety and panic attacks. I brought all these symptoms to my doctors attention 1 month after taking this medicine but she never suggeted it was it until I did a few days ago because my breathing is getting worse and worse. I have lost 20 lbs and feel like total crap and am very depressed and angry all the time. She said to wean down by 25 mg every 3 days, now I am afraid of the withdrawl. Any suggetions or tips?

[wantmyselfback]

I started taking topomax 6 weeks ago to control terrible migraines. On the second week that my dose got up to 100mg, I began experiencing extreme emotions, crying at any and everything. I had an eye twitch, which I blamed on job stress, and I was constantly angry. I tried to alienate my friends and family because I didn't want to expose them to my constant depression and anxiety. I thought I was either pregnant or beginning early menopause. It got so bad, I could no longer conceal the anxiety and depression...and finally pulled out the topomaz pamphlet and tried to get some answers. I finally found them under the section labeled "safety concerns". The next day I called my doctor, and he tapered me off over the course of 5 days. I haven't had the topomax since 11/13 (after a visit to the ER) for pain and feelings of a closing throat. I still have nausea, and can barely eat. I'm weak, tired all the time, yet ironically can't sleep through the night. I have vivid strange dreams, and I still have the anxiety and crying. I know I've only been off for 2 days...but I hope my life gets back to normal. If anyone has suggestions...I'd love to hear...a friend said to drink a ton of water to flush the system...so I'm doing that. Thanks...this is awful!

[Danielle]

wantmyselfback wrote:

I started taking topomax 6 weeks ago to control terrible migraines. On the second week that my dose got up to 100mg, I began experiencing extreme emotions, crying at any and everything. I had an eye twitch, which I blamed on job stress, and I was constantly angry. I tried to alienate my friends and family because I didn't want to expose them to my constant depression and anxiety. I thought I was either pregnant or beginning early menopause. It got so bad, I could no longer conceal the anxiety and depression...and finally pulled out the topomaz pamphlet and tried to get some answers. I finally found them under the section labeled "safety concerns". The next day I called my doctor, and he tapered me off over the course of 5 days. I haven't had the topomax since 11/13 (after a visit to the ER) for pain and feelings of a closing throat. I still have nausea, and can barely eat. I'm weak, tired all the time, yet ironically can't sleep through the night. I have vivid strange dreams, and I still have the anxiety and crying. I know I've only been off for 2 days...but I hope my life gets back to normal. If anyone has suggestions...I'd love to hear...a friend said to drink a ton of water to flush the system...so I'm doing that. Thanks...this is awful!

I wanted to coment on this... I am still currenly weaning off this drug. at first my doctor said to do 25 mg every 3 days but I saw her the other day and I told her I thought I was going completly nuts. Blurry vision, couldn't focus, trouble breathing palpitations, trouble sleeping...and so many more symptoms I can't count so she told me to even try to lower my dose over a week or more of time. This medicine has really messed me up!!! I can't eat and I have already lost 20 lbs. I only weighed 135 lbs to begin with. and continue to lose it,. I hope it doesn't cause any long term problems. Does anyoneone know if it gets better? or is this all here to stay?

[Rtp]

I'm not replying to anything specific. I just thought I'd share my Topamax experience. I only took it for four months. I'm weaning off of it now and I finally feel like I'm getting back to my old self. I was on 200 mg for a mild mood disorder. Not bipolar, not depressed. I turned stupid, lost ten pounds (I weighed 110 to start with), quit going to the gym because I was too tired, and my brand new glasses quit working. As soon as I got down to 100mg I got my appetite back, the fog in my brain started to clear, I started working out and cleaning my house, and my glasses work again. I'm motivated, I'm reading, I'm looking at graduate school again, I feel like myself. If I had any kind of mood disorder, I'll take it. Because whoever that chick was for the last few months, I sure don't want to see her again. Neither does my husband.

[Krissy-Birmingha m AL]

I have been off the Tompamax for over 2 months now and I don't think I am having any withdrawals any more. I have had some depression since I lost my job over the side effects and am taking an antidepressant which has helped a bunch. I am finally feeling like myself again. My weight is creeping back up (I had lost 30 lbs) but still my appetite is low on most days (some days I can't stop eating).
I hope all of you are feeling better and those who are just beginning, hang in there because I do believe relief in in site. I stopped birth control pills and my migraines stopped as well. I have severe had migraines all of my life and since a teenager I have been on the pill due to heavy periods. I never thought about the pill causing the headaches but am so glad they are gone. I have suffered for so many years. Estrogen is definitely the culprit in my situation so if you haven't tried to get off the pill try it and see if your headaches get better. I am taking the depo-provera shots every 3 months for birth control and have been very happy with it. There is no estrogen in the shots like the pill has and it has stopped my periods as well. I have had one week of spotting but nothing else so I am very pleased. The headaches now gone is the best thing that has happened to me in years. My boyfriend is amazed at the difference since he had to watch me suffer with the headaches. It is amazing that I have not had one in over two months. I also don't think I am having any more withdrawals but I take other medications so if I am having any more symptoms then I must be thinking if is one of me other meds. But I am feeling so much better. Good luck all!!! And hang in there!!!

[Chasey]

my insurance quit covering topamax also, so I went across the border, got the exact same pills.. called Topiramite in Mexico.. only 24 dollars! Hope this helps! 100 mg.! I take them for my migraines..

[Chasey]

Michelle P wrote:

<quoted text>
I was wondering why I was still loosing lots of hair daily! I was recently on another migraine medication, which did the same to me. I too also experience the loss of concentration, mood swings and blurred vision! Thanks for sharing your experience, it has helped me a lot!

Hi, I'm not sure where you are located in the US. But you can get easily get topamax over the counter in Tijuana, Mexico for 24 dollars.. at 100mg. Hope this helps...

[Chasey]

Jess wrote:

I'm running out of my Topiramate as well, which works just fine for me (I had to order this online because I can't afford insurance anymore), and I've been taking for simple seizures for about 2 years.
I decided to take half my daily dosage to wean off since they come in 100mg pills and I was taking 200mgs a day. Now, at 100 a day, I'm having horrible withdrawal symptoms. The first 3-4 days were great. I had plenty of energy and thought "why didn't my doctor prescribe me to 100mg a day?! was I taking too much?" A week in, I'm having blurry vision, nausea, light-headedness, and am feeling completely out of it. It's so hard to focus at work, and I'm concerned about driving. I'm worried about the weeks to come.
I applied for medicare about a month ago but apparently because I'm not under 19 and not pregnant my case isn't important and they may approve me in 4-6 months..
While regularly on the Topamax and Topimarate the negative side affects that I had were extreme fatigue, joint pain, hair loss, gloominess or moodiness, tingling in hands and face, and worsened vision. I did lose about 25lbs at first, but gained most of it back.
The only difference I experience between the generic and brand is I have horrible joint pain with Topamax and more hair loss with Topiramate.

Buy your topamax over the counter in Mexico! only 24 dollars!!!!!