SIDE EFFECT=WEIGHT LOSS!

Hey Gang, I have been seeing a eating disorder therapist for a year or so and it has been wonderful finally figuring out WHY I am/was a binge eater. Anyway, since my recent bout with alcoholism, she sent me to the Psychiatrist on the staff to tackle my compulsiveness. I can spend money, grab sweet food, drink wine (used to could), eat, not able to get off the computer and many other compulsive actions that are really difficult for me to control. The shrink prescribed a somewhat new medication called Topamox. Although it was originally approved for seizures and migrane headaches, they have found that it stops compulsive behaviors and the anxiety that brings the compulsions on. The dosage is much lower for psychiatric uses than for seizures, etc. Anyway, guess what one of the side effects is? Loss of appetite and weight loss! I begin taking them today (25 mg. this week then up to 50mg next week). Has anyone else taken this drug? I am so excited about the prospect of decreased compulsions. They have been my achilese (sp) heel for so long. I don't think I have severe anxiety problems, but for me, ANY anxiety can cause these compulsions. Hey, life is full of anxious moments, right? Anyway, I will let you guys know how it progresses, if you are interested. Don't want to bore anyone, ya know?! Thanks for letting me share! Karen

Thanks for coming in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started to with topamax 25 mg. My Dr. Told me it's good for loosing some weight ,too! And for my headaches. So let's see it help us . Come back and share how it goes.

This is interesting for me, Karen, as I am working on compulsive issues as well. Please let me know how this progresses for you - you as well, Yvette. Take care - M.

Karen YES! I have taken Topamax! I actually tried it to prevent migranes as the type of migranes I get reflect Stroke symptoms identically. Topamax was a VERY interesting drug. I literally floated on it for a month before my body got use to it. It worked great for my migranes got rid of the numbness in my hand and such. I felt absolutely awesome on the stuff. I wasn't a zombie and the big plus that I noticed about it was that it made me so CALM as in peaceful calm. No out of control temper or anything like that. I even decided to take yoga classes. It really was a nice prescription for me. It just suited me I gues UNTIL.... A VERY BIG UNTIL... I started seeing the side effects. For me Tingling in my feet almost like they are getting ready to fall asleep and tingling in my hands. That I could've lived with BUT MORE SERIOUS was my eyesight. I noticed that my vision started to be affected. Apparently it causes Myopia. I went to my eye doctor because my vision was blurring far away (which I already have that in my left eye) but it got ALOT worse and she freaked out and said to stop taking it right away (Which you arent supposed to just stop...had to ween myself off) but she said that Topamax has been known to cause the Myopia and she new of a few law suits against the drug company in relation to eye sight. BUt I guess not everyone will have the same effects so it may not affect your eye sight. I was really bummed that I had to stop taking it since it really made me feel great... but then again... natrual is best... well for alittle while until I had to go on a blood pressure medicine every day for my migranes. No side effects with that one. No peaceful floaty feeling either hahaha.... back to the temper tantrums every now and again. LOL! My meditating sorta fizzled out as well. HAHA. It was nice while it lasted. Keep an eye on your eyesight and the tingling in your toes and fingers. Best wishes! I definitely can see how it would stop OCD because MAN I felt so peacful and unstressed and calm. OH! and the weight loss thing... yes I can confirm.. since it makes you feel so calm and those unnatrual compulsions fizzle it does help diminish the feeling that you need to eat eat eat. I lost a bit when I was on it. Nothing major though...but it definitely curbs the appetite a little. Best wishes again! ((hugs)) Elizabeth M

Hi Elizabeth, Reenie and Yvette! My shrink told me I may have tingles in the hands and feet, blurry vision and perhaps some dizziness but that these side effects usually went away with extended use. So far, I have not had any of these things happen but I am only on 25 mg. so far. Elizabeth, what dosage were you on? How long did you take it? I have already noticed a relaxing of the compulsiveness. Thank the Lord! Also, the doctor told me that the drug is not addictive. She said I could not go off of it cold turkey but if I decided to stop it would need to be tapered off, just like blood pressure medications, etc. I will keep you guys posted! I am so excited!!! Hugs, Karen

I started off very slowly and went up to the full dose and unfortunately I can't remember what it was... but BE PREPARED FOR THAT FULL DOSE! I LITERALLY saw trails when I waved my hand in front of my face! It was very trippy in that sense, that is also when I began to see the side effects when I got that full dose. I think I would have been fine on half a dose instead of the full dose. I think the full dose was too much for me personally. I don't know about the whole eyesight thing going away. My hand tingles didn't which wasn't a big factor for me as I figured that probably would go away ... but my eyesight...I just wasn't ready to risk the vision. BUT I got so scared I decided to go off it right away so I may not have stuck it out long enough to see the side effects dissapear. I was too scared. I keep thinking of this alice n' chains song "drug of choice" and if I ever were to have one it would've been Topamax. But the side effects freaked me out. I am betting it will REALLY help the ocd and I wish you all the best. Just take care with that eye sight and make sure you go for check ups to be sure no real permanent damage is being done. ((big hugs!)) Elizabeth M

Elizabeth, This past Friday my doctor started me on Topamax for Migraines, well it helped me sleep the first two nights, the third night I was tripping. Here I am 50 years old and tripping like I was back in the 70s, needless to say I stopped taking the drug. Which was followed by one of the worst headaches I've had in a long time. I was looking forward to the side effect of weight loss too! Bummer. Cindy

Yeah! That was exactly what it was like... tripping I really truly saw trails comming off my hands! The dosage was way to high. The doc said they would reduce it and it most likely would've been fine but I was too freaked out about the eyesight thing. Have to have my eyes in working order. I was afraid to risk it.