Jun 16, 2011
(Started Jun 14, 2011)
-
Effectiveness
Moderate
(for epilepsy)
-
Side effects
Mild
(for Overall)
(numbness in hands, night cramps in legs and feet, trouble spelling, feeling of heart pounding, suicidal thoughts or urges)
-
-
Burden
A little hard to take
Advice & Tips:
I stopped Topamax (generic) in January when my neuro put me on generic keppra. There has not been any improvement with that drug and I do not like the effects of it. Neuro has started me on Topamax again. 06/14/11 I began taking 1/2 caplet of topamax at bedtime along with my regular dose of 4 dilantin and 2 keppra. Gradually I will build the dose up to 2 tablets of topamax daily with 4 dilantin (as before) and stop the keppra. Wish me luck! My meds are all generic prices.
Cost:
< $25 monthly
Side effects:
trouble spelling, suicidal thoughts or urges, numbness in hands, feeling of heart pounding, night cramps in legs and feet
Jan 10, 2011
(Started Jun 14, 2011)
-
Effectiveness
Moderate
(for epilepsy)
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(numbness in hands, night cramps in legs and feet, trouble spelling, feeling of heart pounding, suicidal thoughts or urges)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Advice & Tips:
Manage: I took Topamax 2x daily. 1 in the morning with food and 1 in the evening with supper.
2. Benefits: It made lose weight.
3. Impact: Learning to adjust to it's side effects.
Side effects:
trouble spelling, suicidal thoughts or urges, numbness in hands, feeling of heart pounding, night cramps in legs and feet
Jun 24, 2010
(Started Jun 14, 2011)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for epilepsy)
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(numbness in hands, night cramps in legs and feet, trouble spelling, feeling of heart pounding, suicidal thoughts or urges)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Advice & Tips:
1.Manage: Inform and prepare yourself for this drug. If you are experienced with taking medications you may manage well with it. If you are a weak person, you may want to try something else.
2. Benefits: Weight loss and it keeps it off. Please do not use this drug for weight loss!! It might sharpen your cognitive or judgment skills but it's only temporary. Then they may become clouded.
3. Impact: Food flavor may suddenly change. There will be times when you are sleeping that you will awake to your heart pounding in your chest...feeling of impending doom, thoughts of being sicker than you really are and ideas of suicide are side effects you may experience with this drug. Brand name or generic it is a high priced drug.
Side effects:
trouble spelling, suicidal thoughts or urges, numbness in hands, feeling of heart pounding, night cramps in legs and feet
Jun 22, 2010
(Started Jun 14, 2011)
-
Effectiveness
Can't tell
(for epilepsy)
-
Side effects
Moderate
(for Overall)
(numbness in hands, night cramps in legs and feet, trouble spelling, feeling of heart pounding, suicidal thoughts or urges)
-
-
Burden
Not at all hard to take
Advice & Tips:
Topamax helped me drop weight but that's not why I agreed to take it. I wanted to be seizure free! And the spells stopped for 6 months but then they started up again. One must be very careful when using this drug because it has many side effects. I have learned to recognize them and distinguish the difference between me and the drug but the most bothersome and hardest to cope with is the sudden rush of my heart pounding on my chest. It scares me to death. I think it's time for me to get off this drug. Please be careful if you use this drug. It's also very expensive in generic brand too.
Side effects:
trouble spelling, suicidal thoughts or urges, numbness in hands, feeling of heart pounding, night cramps in legs and feet