Topamax and next morning

I was on 50 MG of Topamax and 1/2 Phentermine tablet for 3 months as part of a physician's weight loss program. In that time I lost 38.1 lbs (had little appetite, but had lots of energy and exercised by walking over 1 hr every day or every other day....depending). One week after my 3-mo weigh in, I started experiencing heart problems during one of my walks. I felt dizzy, I was sweating more than usual, I was lethargic and I just didn't feel "normal." The next morning I felt good so I went for my walk. The problems from yesterday intensified during my walk and I had to quit after 1 hr. I was very dizzy, sweating a great deal, I was very lethargic and I was nauseous. It also felt as though my heart was jumping out of my chest (palpitations). I went home and couldn't get out of the chair; that's how tired and bad I felt. That afternoon, I drove myself to the doctor. My blood tests and urine screen were "normal," but my EKG (on-site and immediate) was abnormal. I have always had "irregular EKG's" due to what I call "an extra beat." But this time my heartbeat was "enhanced" and not "normal" for me (doctor's words). The chart showed that I was having many palpitations (strong, irregular ones). I was told not to walk and not to leave town over the holiday weekend (the doctor still didn't believe the medicine was to blame since I had been on both over 3 months). I stayed inside much of the weekend, but finally went to a store to return an item. After 10 min in the store, I felt HORRIBLE (worst ever). I was so dizzy, very nauseous, I was sweating (in a very cold store), my heart was jumping and it was difficult to take more than a few steps. I went home and spent the remainder of the weekend in the house. On my own (2 days later), I cut the Topamax in half and took the usual 1/2 pill of Phentermine. I started feeling better that same day. The next day I did the same w/ my mediation and felt MUCH better (although not 100%). On day 3, my doc phoned me at home. When I told him I had cut down on my Topamax and felt much better, he told me to immediately stop taking BOTH drugs. I did and I improved daily. On day four I was 100% better. After a week and 1/2 of overeating (and being depressed about it), I began taking 1/2 tablet of Phentermine (but no Topamax) w/o my doctor's knowledge. That was 3 days ago. I am feeling well with an occasional palpitation (minor though). I am back to having little appetite. I see my doctor in 2 days. He may be unhappy that I put myself back on the Phentermine, but at least now I KNOW that TOPAMAX was what caused the majority of my heart problems. I am not sure what my doctor will do (probably demand I stop taking the Phentermine); I am hoping he will place me on a safer drug that will help me reach my goal of a total weight loss of 100.5 lbs. I have been overweight for 18 years (since my marriage) and I am FINALLY determined and motivated to lose weight by eating less, eating right and exercising. PLEASE be aware of taking Topamax!

Started out with face tingling about a week taking it primiraly on the right side of my face. About 3 weeks into taking the medication I experienced Experience weakness on left side of body which included unable to lift left arm and left leg, unable to stand by self, involuntary tremors to the hands, fingers, legs and mouth, difficulty speaking, very emotional, very tired. Was hospitalized because emergency room doctor felt that the effects were due to reaction to an MRI dye 6 hours before. Was released next morning with slight improvements in left side of body strength, speech slowness cycled from normal to extremely slow, additionally the involuntary tremors with the hands, fingers, legs and mouth continued as well as the emotions, actions like eating and bathing required a lot concentration and caused extreme tiredness.

Do not stop this drug cold turkey. I am not a fan of Topamax but I see many people posting about wanting to stop immediately. I have had a really bad experience on this drug with side effects but you cannot just stop taking it. I am currently weaning at this rate: 25mg every 5 days. From what I've read, this is pretty much the standard when weaning off topamax but you should always consult your doctor. Cold Turkey stopping can result in seizures and all kinds of adverse side effects that can make your current topamax experience look like a walk in the park.

2 weeks on Topamax and really ill with the fact beer tasted like liking metal. So I drank a few liquor drinks for the fourth of July- I only drink probably once every three to four weeks when we get together with friends. Got violently sick after four drinks- throwing up. Never done that before- so I guess soda, alcohol and food are out of my life- Wonder if I can tell my husband NO SEX is a side-effect because it will cause violent bouts of vomitting. Smile- what a trade off- migraines daily or side effects?????? Damned if you do- damned if you don't- but on a brighter note- these are things I can live with unlike cancer, parkinson disease etc. Just wondering if anyone else having marked side effect from drinking alcohol while taking the topamax?

I get migraines at least a couple times a month and headaches a few times a week. I've not yet been able to pin down some kind of trigger (caffeine, chocolate, sodium, etc), so my doctor suggested topamax. I had high hopes to live headache free and liked the idea of potential weight loss as a side effect. However, I took one pill, 25 mg., before bed, and woke up the next morning with a sore back. I figure'd I'd slept wrong, and I'd walk off the pain, but it didn't go away. After several days I forgot a dose, the next morning I felt much better, could actually walk around. A few more days of pills and one night I went to bed, in extreme pain. The next morning I was in agony, the pain so bad that I was screaming and crying just trying to take a couple steps to the bathroom. I felt like I'd never be able to straighten up or walk right again. I checked my prescription data and it said a rare side effect was severe back and bone pain. I contacted my doctor, who advised me to quit topamax for the time being, though she was in doubt my pain was due to the pills. The cause of back pain is sometimes hard to diagnose, I'll give her that, but the timing of it was strange to say the least, and I'd never had that kind of pain before. I hope other people get pain relief from their headaches and migraines, but for me, I'm too scared to try again, and am searching for other options for headache relief.