Topamax

[KathyP]

Has anyone tried Topamax yet? I started on 25mg the first week and was fine. The second week I went to 50mg. and was severely nauseated. The third week I went to75mg. and became stupid. I did not want to see what was awaiting me the fourth week so I stopped. Anyone else have side effects.

Kathyhttp://www.ic-network.com/forum/newthread.php?s=&action=newthread&forumid=40#
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[Stacydfld]

Dear Kathyp:

Yes I have... I started I 25 mg with no problem, then went to 50 mg and forget it my vision was blurry and some things were double. It was messing with me big time. My doctor said some people just can't jump up on it to fast. Whatever so I have stayed on the 25mg for over 4 months now. I just don't see a point either does my new PM so I think I will be stopping it.

Sorry to hear it didn't work for you....

[Indy]

It is very acidic! The manufacturer came out with a warning that some people experienced acidosis on as low as 50mg. It set me off on a 6 month flare! Try elavil.

[Derby]

I take Topamax - 50 mgs twice a day. The only side effect I had was tiggling in my hands and feet. It lasted several months then slowly went away. My neurologist said that it was from the Topamax. It has been very effective with my migraines. I have not had an increase in IC pain from it. I certainly support trying Elavil but as you probably know Elavil & Topamax are in different drug classes. I believe Elavil is an antidepressant & Topamax is an anticonvulsant. Sorry you have had such trouble with it.

Jeni

[KathyP]

Thanks Ladies, I was just curious.
Kathy

[leelee88]

I have been on Topamax for a while now, only on 50mg and it helps mt IC pain alot! I was getting those stabbing pains and it has stopped that..

[SandyRN]

I took topamax for several months. It did help my IC quite a bit and I didn't have any problems with acid.....I did have numbness and tingling in my hands and feet, the kind of tingling you get when your hand or foot goes to sleep but it would come and go all day long. It drove me crazy and I had to stop taking it. I waited over 2 weeks after it started but the tingling just wouldn't stop and at that point it was maddening. By this point I was up to 75 mg I think, might have been 100mg, but I reduced the dose to 50mg and still had it so I finally just gave up on it. I did find that the 'stupid' side effect seemed to ease off after a short time. I was dumb as a stump there for a while! It's hard to get used to but it seems to help a lot if you can ride out the side effects.

Sandy

[mpizze619]

I started topamax in January for seizures and was pleanantly surprised to find it helped my IC also. I was getting some tingling in my hands and feel also but it seems to have worn off. I am up to 125mg two times a day - the one may side effect I have is that it definitely made me lose my appetite. I have lost about 12 lbs since Ive started taking it (which I needed to lose anyway). I've noticed that if I I take the medicine on a full stomach I get severe stomach pains, so I've learned to take it on a empty stomach and have had no problems. Good luck adjusting.

Diagnosed with I/C Jan 07
presently taking Elmiron 3xday, fentenal patch 12mcz, macrobid, and aloe pill all for ic
topamax for seizures
synthroid for hypothryoid

[prestwood16]

Has anyone tried Topamax yet? I started on 25mg the first week and was fine. The second week I went to 50mg. and was severely nauseated. The third week I went to75mg. and became stupid. I did not want to see what was awaiting me the fourth week so I stopped. Anyone else have side effects.

Kathyhttp://www.ic-network.com/forum/newthread.php?s=&action=newthread&forumid=40#
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Kathy, like a few of the others have said try and ride out the side effects. They are awful at first. I remember drinking a soda and I felt like i was drinking lighter fluid. I was dizzy, but then about 6 wks into it they went away. And, they had gradually started to slack off before that. Plus, I lost 45 lbs when I first started. I do not recommend Elavil (even though it does work) it made me gain almost 80lbs. No joke! So, when I started Topomax and noticed the weight loss I was determined to say on it. A little extra bonus. Also, with Elavil I craved sweets all the time and I'm not a big sweet eater. I was hungrey all the time. I would wake up in the middle of the night raiding the fridge!! Also, Even though my doctor tells me no but then again maybe- I still believe the elavil causing me to gain that much weight so fast is what caused me to have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. (which also causes weight gain). Because PCOS actually starts in your Endocrine system pancreas and since I was inhaling sugar like I was and that could have caused my Insulin Resistance which then leads to the multiple cysts in the ovarys (another complicated disease I have) But, Try Topomax awhile longer, hang in there! I have two friends on it for migraines, we all had the same side effects and they all went away in a few weeks. But, I do not recommend Elavil, I never had had a weight problem before I started taking Elavil and now even with 45lbs gone I still have 40 more to go. Good Luck!!! :pray:

[Bea]

everyone pretty much said it all.. I personally didn't have the weight loss thank goodness.. or any side effect besides some tingling that went away after a few days... but wanted to mention.. my neuro had me go up on doses very very very slowly.. I stayed on 25 for 2 weeks.. then up to 50 for 3 weeks.. 75 for 3 weeks.. and now I am on 100... avoided all side effects this way for me... I also drink more water to avoid the acidocis/kidney stone problem they mention...