Topamax and wellbutrin

After daily pounding migraines for ten months, the side effects of the tingling fingers, tongue, lips and toes; the inability to find words, the weird way certain foods taste, are all very do-able. What does worry me is the way I can get incredibly depressed, but the anti-depressant (Wellbutrin) I've been taking for more than ten years just suddenly started making me worse. I just keep telling myself that at least I don't have a headache. It definitely makes it worth it. The headaches were so bad, and thanks to the topamax, they're gone.

My psychiatrist started me on Topamax 2 yrs ago for depression from being 75 lbs overweight. Started at 25 mg/day up to 50/day for 2 yrs. Lost 70 lbs and kept off with only minor side effects. Also took 150/day Wellbutrin during this time. (For being kind of a neat freak and washing my hands a lot.- didn't affect my social or work life much) Have slowly started gaining the weight back (+12 lbs). Seem to have built up an immune to the 50/day dosage over the 2 yrs. So he added 25 in the am in addition to the 50 I've been taking in the evening. (1 mo. ago) Having some strange reactions. My memory seems to be taking a real hit. I am a CPA (passed these exams 15 yrs ago) and now I'm studying for the Cert.'d Internal Auditor exams. I am having a great deal of trouble trying to memorize for these 12 hour long tests! I feel fatigued every day. My blurred vision (that requires reading glasses) has gone crazy. I can't read the song book at church at all. And I'm only 47!. I've had acne like bumps all around my nose and face. How could such a slight increase cause so much change? Also sometimes my heart feels like it is going to beat out of my chest. And I'm losing patience w/my 13 yr old son who's pushing my buttons to see how much he can get away with. He seems to sense that I'm not at my best. But if I go off this Topamax and gain back my 70 plds I know I will plunge into a DEEP depression. Has any one talked to their doctor about the possibility of these side effects going away after time? My tingling hands and feet did and my slight hair loss did. And my weight loss is trying to go away but I don't want that. I'm majorly concerned about the memory loss and blurred vision eventually going away. DALIAL

I've been on Topamax for a few months now........this is the second time. The first time was in 2002-2004. I was up to 400mg for migraines & depression. It was supposed to do double duty. Well, I was stupid, to put it briefly. I couldn't remember anything. I would stop mid sentence because I couldn't think of the word I wanted to use. I lost a lot of weight, too much. I had needed to lose a little....baby weight. But I looked anorexic. So out to buy a new wardrobe. $$$ I lost a ton of hair!!!! So off it I went. The weight came back very fast....too fast I think. My friend says the same thing of her experience. THIS time I'm on 250mg.....no more than that, as per me. I was stupid for a little while, but it seems to have gone away for the most part. My hair is still falling out, so not much longer on this one for me. The reason I went back on it was for the weight loss ( and it does help the migraines). I was on some migraine meds that made me gain 40lbs over a 2 yr period(Abilify,Cymbalta). NOTHING could get off the weight. Not exercise, not diet. I've lost 21 so far, but my progress has slowed because of Wellbutrin...it makes me crave sweets. And my willpower is nil. lol So off the Wellbutrin I go. I also learned my nastiness could be from Topamax. I snap at the kids. Who knows which drug it's from! I also take Singulair. That's a story in itself. That one's gonna go too.

Been taking Topamax 300 mg a day for the past 4 year. I also take 450 mg of Wellbutrin. This is to help with migraine. Although my total count of Zomig pills I took last year was 120 pills and some of those I broke in half so I wouldn't have to use a whole pill for a migraine. So that mean, with the Topamax and Wellbutrin combined, I still had at least 123 migraine this past year. Three months of migraines. That's insane. I can't stop the "Dopamax" because my doctor says it would be really bad with it. I have terrible memory loss, forgetfulness, and loss of words that is embarrassing. The nurses did not inform me of the side effects when I first started taking it and I thought I was going crazy. I started looking up ADHD on the computer thinking I had developed it as an adult. I was made at the nurse when she asked me how I was doing remembering things and and if I was stumbling for word......I wanted to slap her off her stool.........at that point it was NOT funny.

I was prescribed Topamax with Wellbutrin in combination by a Psychiatrist to aid with an eating disorder. He told me how this was an "off-label" use of the drug and warned me about side effects like the tingling hands and feet, but assured me that drinking plenty of water and making sure that I get enough Potassium in my diet would be enough. He never once mentioned anything about my eyes.
When I picked up the medication, the Pharmacist went over the information and asked if I had questions. He did not once say anything about my eyes, vision, or glaucoma.
I started with 25mg on Dec 18, 2007 and went up to 50mg on Jan 9th, 2008. On Jan 26th, anytime I would stand up from a sitting position, I would get an intense pressure in my head, ears, and a very forceful pressure behind my eyes, and also rainbow circles popping up in my vision when I moved my eyes around. If I stood still and waited anywhere from 30seconds to 2minutes, the pressure would go away and I could function just fine until the next time I sat for more than 10-15minutes.
I called my Psychiatrist and he recommended that I drink more fluids and take a multi-vitamin. No mention of glaucoma.
The next day (yesterday), the same "head rush" was happening only it lasted longer and felt like a mini-migraine. I started looking online and WOW, there is info everywhere about the side effects.
I did not take the Topamax last night and this afternoon I have an appointment to see my eye doctor. I will also be looking for a new Psychiatrist. The way doctors are bribed to push meds is frightening.
The drug combo he prescribed really did help the way he said it would, but I would never have risked my eyesight!!!!!

I am going to begin taking 25 mg of Topamax at bedtime tonight. After reading all of these posts I am a scared. I was prescribed Topamax for bipolar disorder. I am currently taking Lamictal as well. I always gain weight on psychotropic drugs and need to lose about 15 lbs (all of which I have gained over the course of being on Lamictal). Any who-my psychiatrist said that this medication may help counteract the weight gain I have experienced. Although I do not consider my self an overeater now. I do hope that it helps me to not like the taste of sodas though. I am addicted to Mt. Dew and caffeine, which I wouldn't mind stopping. Anyway, I am supposed to increase my dosage by 25mg per week until I reach 75mg per day. I am also supposed to go back and see my doctor before I increase the dosage beyond 75mg. I just hope I do not have the horrible side effects I have read here. Some of them I know I can deal with especially if they are temporary but the anxiety/depression/shortness of breath/lack of energy/morbid thoughts are the main ones that concern me. My psychiatrist said that with this medication I should drink plenty of water. He said that it could cause headaches and other side effects if I'm not sure to drink plenty of fluids with this medication. So, I am planning on hydrating myself really well today before taking it this evening. I'll post back and let you know how the side effects are going. Is anyone else on a combination of Lamictal and Topamax or on it for bipolar disorder? I'd like to hear more of your experiences.

I started Topamax October 12 my Neuro said start at 25 mg and work up to 50mg in the morning and 50 mg at night. The first week I was tired like most people have mentioned. Almost instantly Diet Coke tasted terrible. I was a little dizzy and light headed. DC still taste flat but the other symptoms have gone away. I have never experienced the tingle or weight loss. I am on a low does. No stomach problems for me. One thing is my cramps this month were 2x worse than normal . I am 45 and on Topamax for migraines mostly I think hormonal. I am going to give this a fair shot. I really have not felt more energy. I really wish it would help in that way. I am also taking wellbutrin and prozac for depression that runs in my family all the way from my Great Great Grandmother. I too have have a mild headache off and on when I would normally have a migraine and a advil took it away. I had to take an imitrex last night, and am hoping that is the end of this hormonal headache for the month!

I have been taking Topamax for almost a year now (100mg once daily at bedtime) and don't have a problem with this drug. It is a mood stabilizer for me, and as a recovering alcoholic I am told that it may help with that issue as well too. The first thing I noticed was that my sodas didn't taste good and since I started taking it before I got sober I thought my beer was flat and old as well. My feet sometimes go numb but I chalk that up to being a smoker and having poor circulation or sitting in wierd positions too. I didn't know about hair falling out or heart flutters, nor have I experienced anything but pleasure from a more "balanced" feeling, partly thanks to this drug. I truly believe it is an individual basis as to how each person reacts to a medication. I could not take Wellbutrin- had every bad side effect and then some. For many it has been successful. It is helpful to be aware of side effects but certainly one can't stay away from a drug based on another's experience with it. I give Topamax two thumbs up.

I have been on 100 mg of topamax twice a day now for over three years. Most of the early side effects have worn off like soda tasting bad and the memory loss. I never had any hair loss. Also the weight loss has stopped and I did gain it back which really stinks. Anyway, the reason I was looking, was that in the last several weeks, I have been suffering horrible body aches and joint pain. My hands and knees hurt very badly. I am 39 years old and hate to think that arthritis has set in so quickly. And I know that I can't have the flu with no other symptoms and so often. Does anyone else have these symptoms? Also I wonder why these could have started after so many years of taking it.I have tried to wean myself off in the past and the migrains came back full force.

My husband has been taking Topomax for a year along with Wellbutrin and Lamictal for Bipolar 2. He also has the often tingling, he describes it as crawling bees, on his feet, numbness in his hands. He bruises very easily now, and the worst symptom is the chronic muscle bursitis and joint aches. We were'nt sure at first, but after every test in the book came back negative, and realizing the pain started when the drug was started, he is finally off of the drug and the pain...unfortunately, the mental symptoms may soon reoccur. Has anyone else dealt with this?

i only have been on it for about 2 or 3 days its horrible tingling in my feet hands arms, i walk down stairs i think i am going to fall, i loose concentration, i am not taking anymore because there is something about it i dont like, i dont really have much of an appetite at all. over top of that i have anxiety and i dont smoke anymore so i have little bouts of pains in my chest. i dont want to be to thin. i already lost 10 pounds people say you loose weight well i dont want to be a walking zombie. i will stick with wellbutrin and alprozolam i will study something better than topamax

I am a 36 year woman who has suffered from depression and migrianes. In the past couple of years, my depression has been much imporoved by stopping the use of alcolhol (duh) and finding a spriritual way of living. I have been managing it with Wellbutrin 300 mg a day, and have felt pretty well. My migraines, however, have been ever present and have continued to be a problem 2-3 times a week. My docotor suggested Topmax as a solution, and frankly, all heard was it could help with my migraines and one of the biggest side effects was weight loss. Yippee! Fewer headached and weight loss? Practically a miracle!

I am usually very careful about researching any new drug I take before I even fill the prescription. I have to admit I did not do this with Topmax. I sincerely wish I had.

The first thing I noticed was the lethargy. It was all I could do to crawl out of bed, go to work, and then come home only to crawl back again. I also got very angry and depressed right away. After 7 days, I went to speak to my pharmacist in tears on my lunch hour from work to ask her if this could be from the medication. I had just spent the morning in a rage over nothing, unable to think clearly and I just felt really out of control and in a fog. She said most of the side effects should pass in 2 weeks, and to give it about ten more days to seeif things improved.

I took Topomax 100 mg for nearly a month, and decided after that I would rather have migraines than suffer from all of the side effects I was experiencing. My side effects included severe depresssion, anger, confusion, problems with memory and concentration even my speech.I was lethargic, had aching joints and muscles, and generally I was exausted all of the time no matter how much I had slept. I had no energy to do anything. I was confused, had problems muli-taskng at work, and became suicidally depressed. Something that has not been a problem in years.

I have ceased taking the medication all together after consulting my doctor, and am feeling a little better after just a few days. I hope to be back to myself soon. It has been a horrible experience, and I will never take another drug again without fully researching it's side effects.

I'm Bipolar Mixed, OCD and I've been taking 50 mg. Topamax daily for about 3 months now and I have noticed fatigue, mild depression, decreased libido, and impotence since using this drug. I also take Paxil 20 mg. and Wellbutrin 150 mg. to try and combat the impotence. I don't know if I will have to discontinue Topamax, increase Wellbutrin or add Viagra; these meds are getting expensive. The Topamax calms my mood and helps with the appetite increase from Paxil though. Also, I noticed an increase in the decrease of libido once i started Topamax in addition to Paxil's contributing impotence. Any input would be helpful.

I have been on Topamax since January 2005. Currently on 200mg per day, being moved up to 400 soon. I do experience the numbness of face, which in the beginning I would take an odd childish delight in, pushing and pulling on my face (tending to be somewhat high at those times) and telling people "feel this, it's so cool" because it feels to me at those times like my face is made of silly putty. The high part is mostly gone now, and I behave like a rational adult (mostly). I still have more fun that I used to, but that is a good thing. I was one of those people who took life way to seriously before.

I was prescribed Topamax for several reasons, none of them typical. I suffer severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and have been taking Celexa and Wellbutrin to treat it. Over the course of two months I gained 20 pounds on these meds. In addition, I suffer chronic fatigue and fairly severe mood swings (though nothing like what I had had prior to the medication). In light of all of those circumstances, and Topmax's reputation for causing weight loss, raising energy levels, and behaving as a mood stabilizer, I was prescribed this medication essentially for its side effects. I found out afterwards that it is benificial for chronic pain and migraines. I have had only one migraine since I began taking Topamax, and my lower back and neck problems (due do a broken coccyx and whiplash from two separate accidents) are vastly improved as well.

My craving for sweets is significantly decreased, as is my appetite, though both return with a vengeance when I get royally outraged, as I learned two weeks ago. I, also, no longer care for cola, but I don't understand why everyone complains about that, considering how it leaches the calcium out of our bones and puts us all at such great risk for Osteoporosis. I have lost 11 pounds to date. I'm sure it would be more if I would work out more or eat more than 1000 Calories per day, because I know eating so little slows my metabolism. I do suffer from dry mouth. I haven't noticed and of the blurred vision or memory loss, but despite the fact that I am very intelligent, I have always been a very myopic ditz so I wouldn't anyhow. My blood pressure, which was always low before, causing head rushes and dizziness, has stabilized at 120/60, so for the first time in my life it's normal and I no longer have to worry about falling over or having my vision black out if I stand up too suddenly. For me, I love the things this drug has done, and I am sorry to see that it is not a miracle drug for everyone else too.