Hey Gang... Topamax & Vimpat

[spacemonkeey]

Hi everyone. I thought I'd give a small intro and tell the crowd that it's now my one year anniversary without a grand mal. I've been on Topamax all this time which seems to be the silver bullet for me, however I also seem to be in the 10 or 20% range that gets affected by cognitive side effects. That's where I'll stare blankly into space trying to find the right word, like "cake," or forget what we were talking about mid-conversation.

Frankly, I'm pretty tired of it and have talked with my doctor enough to try to take the risk of attempting a new anti-epileptic drug and titrating down on the Topamax (I also take Trileptal). We're putting me on Vimpat and I'm on the first week of it. So far, no seizures or anything. But it's horrible when it comes to the supposed side effects. Dizziness, upset stomach, blurred vision, the list goes on.

I'm curious to know if anyone is in the same boat as me with either the Topamax side effects or Vimpat side effects...

It's great to be here!

[Meetz1064]

Topamax, with none of the side effects that you're talking about. I may be one of the lucky ones though.

However, there are a growing number of people in the forum on Vimpat, or that have already tried it, and have found that they are allergic to it. Here's a few to look at:

Vimpat Threads

Welcome to CWE. I hope you enjoy yourself here. Don't forget to keep an E journal!

Take care!

Meetz

[bgk68]

I have been on Topamax since mid-2009. I was not aware of the serious side effects, as I was just told about weight loss & fatigue. I have been experiencing alot of stress over the past 18+ mths, although I've never had a problem coping before. I have had complete neurologist-toxicity: confusion, delayed thinking; inability to focus or concentrate; loss of memory; problems w/ word retrieval...I could go on. In addition, I have tingling/numbness in my fingers & toes, loss of coordination, impaired judgement, panic.

I thought it was anxiety/stress/depression that was just built up. I had been treating all of this w/ Zoloft, Ativan, Remeron. My symptoms finally got to the point where I had lost close to 30 pounds, could barely get words out, could not make decisions. I contacted my neurologist who told me Topamax is toxic/poisoning my system. He is now tapering me off & starting me on Vimpat.

I am scared of trying another drug after what has happened to me. Lamictal gave me a horrendous rash, to put it mildly. I am not on any other seizure medication, as I have petite mal seizures & haven't had one since my surgery in 1995. Any feedback???