This is my 4th day on topomax 50 mg, after the 1st dose i started feeling dizzy, nauzated my Dr. said it would take a week before any sideaffects started. I had expericenced  some dizzyness prior to  taking Topomax but it had not been everyday. So my question is has anyone else experienced sideeffects that soon after starting the medication.

I've also read others saying that taking the full dose at night helps to minimize the side effects.

Hi dg,

I have been taking topamax for almost 3 years.  I had side effects right away after starting it.  I started taking it for migraine prophylaxis before I had clusters.  For the first year I had extreme "tingling" in my fingers and toes- they felt as if they were being pricked by several needles much of the time.  This was not a pleasant tingle, but a rather irritating and sometimes painful one.  I rubbed my hands & feet often.  Sodas/ carbonated beverages did not taste carbonated - this is the only taste difference I noticed.  I had a dry mouth for a while.  These side affects went away in the first year.

The most difficult side effects were the cognitive ones.  I found myself unable to think of words often mid-sentence.  I would be talking about something I was quite knowledgeable about and know what I was about to say, then all of a sudden it was gone... Surely this had happened before, but it started happening on a regular basis on Topamax (aka Stupamax or Dopeymax.)  I cannot concentrate sometimes either - sometimes I feel disoriented.  These are all the worst symptoms of the drug that did not dissipate with time! 

I took the pills past the first year and the uncomfortable side effects keeping in touch with my doctor.  She worked with me.  I had tried a number of other preventatives, and this one was actually working!!  I decided the fact that it was working outweighed the irritating side effects!

Some people get the cognitive side effects worse than this - can't remember where their house is or where they are going in their car, etc - this is when I might re-assess the side effects... BUT if it is working and you can tolerate the side effects, consider it.

A personal choice that is not always easy.  I believe this is the reason that others suggest Verapamil and Lithium, other first-line meds.  For some, Topamax is all that works!  Each drug comes with their own set of side effects... some have more than others, some people cannot tolerate them!  look into them if you like, ask questions, and talk to your doctor!!!   

Val

I've been on it for 2 months.  50 mg taken at night.
i "thought" i noticed some short term memory loss, but quit honestly; if it wasn't a stated side effect, i probably would not have even noticed.  I have had minimal tingling in hands and feet.  I'd give it more than a week.  I quit caffeine at same time i started topomax.   quality of living has improved LOTS.