This is a long question.....this has been going on for four years. I have seen many ENT's and now I am seeing a Neurologist. It first started with just a aural fullness and slight ringing in the right ear four years ago. The first ENT thought it was allergies but when nothing worked shipped me off to someone new. The second ENT thought that I had eustachian tube dysfunction and did a surgery that scrapped all my sinus cavaties. That didn't work.
Has anyone ever responded to the original questions posted in 2010? I am curious. I have been taking 300 mg Wellbutrin and 200 mg Topamax since May 2016 and have lost approx 30lbs. I wasn't aware of the side affects and my doctor said as long as I feel fine there is no reason to run tests. I just want to make sure others are having this same significant weight loss.
I have been experiencing episodes where I get a sudden onset of a severe throbbing headache, severe nausea, mental confusion, hearing loss, stuffy nose and watery eyes, right-sided weakness, cold feet and hands, and visual disturbances. I have had many tests-brain MRI, total blood workup, medication changes. I have seen my Family Physician, ENT, and Neurologist. I had full scale Audiology tests that determined symptoms were caused by central nervous system not ears.
You will find varying opinions on Topamax. Some people think it's absolute poision. There are side effects which can include the numbness/tingling, weight loss (not such a bad one LOL), and some say they experience a "foggy" brain. For me, the side effects weren't bothersome enough to quit. The Topa did seem to help in the beginning (I was taking it for chronic migraine) but after about 2 years, I felt like it wasn't quite doing the job so I recently got off.
It sure helps to know when you are not alone and others have the same side effects. Topamax helps my migraines and the weight loss is a plus too but the memory is suffering when it comes to writing and speech...like spelling...sometimes I know the word to use but can not even think of the letters to look it up so I end up using a different word in it's place...very frustrating. Speaking is another story. Sometimes it just isn't worth it to talk at all.
Then I read that heightened ammonia in blood can lead to kidney stones, hair loss and confusion...all side effects of Topamax. So, my thinking is that adding water and maybe some milk thistle or other liver supporting supplements may help tip the balance back. I am not sure those things work, this is just my theory on my limited research and there may be much larger issues at play. However, water and milk thistle can't hurt...right?
I read that topamax can have joint pain as one of the side effects and have weaned myself off the med. I have not taken any for the past 4-5 days. However, I am still very stiff and achy and my ankles have been swollen for the past 2 days. Do you think that this is still a side-effect of the topamax or maybe something else?
I started taking Topamax 6 months ago and started noticing hair loss the past couple of months.I looked up side effects for all my meds and found Topamax lists hair loss as a side effect so I have stopped taking it. Hair loss can also be due to stress, I didn't notice any hair loss until I had been on the Topamax for a while so I'm almost certain it was the Topamax. Good luck to you.
This is not healthy either physically nor mentally. Topamax is not a miracle weight loss drug, and you should not be considering it merely because you have heard of this side effect. Your main concern should be getting the headaches/ADD or other disorder under control and then work on the secondary issues - i.e. weight control.
Hi,
Loss of appetite is one of the many side effects of Topamax. So is weight loss. You may try giving the child some digestive enzymes and multivitamin preparations that help in improving the appetite. Please consult the doctor regarding drug change or other management plan if the symptom doesn’t improve. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!
I was building the topamax up and lowering the lamictal down. Now I am just on the topamax. The side affects seem quite scary to me, severe dizziness and very off balance, I am always tired and have tingling in the hands and feet. I seem loss for words and confused. Will these side affects deteriorate over the a certain amount of time? It is difficult when I have to go to work and live everyday life. Please help.
I have been off Topamax for approx. 8 months and was wondering if I began to take Topamax again would it help with weight loss or once it has leveled off it will no longer aid in weight loss? I currently take Maxalt for headaches only as needed so the Topamax was only used as an anti-seizure med. Please let me know so that I can discuss this with my neurologist about adding Topamax back into my daily routine. Thank you, any help you could give would be wonderful.
My last MRI was one month ago. It was ordered by my ENT for asymmetrical hearing loss. I guess that is unusual for the type of hearing loss I have.
I have actually known about my herniation for several years, but it was not problematic. It might not be now, but I think it should be up for consideration.
My neurologist has not seen the results of my MRI yet. I will make sure he does. Thank you for suggesting CINE Flow MRI. I will be sure to ask for it.
Has anyone experienced massive hair loss while on steroids? Mine has been falling out since last spring fairly steadily. I started on 40mg of prednisone a day in the beginning of January. Then was put on Topamax about five weeks ago. At that point, my hair started falling out three times more than before. I'm talking my hands are covered every time I wash it, plus there is hair all over the bathroom floor, counter top, etc., by the time I'm done in there.
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