topamax tingles

[seizingbeauty]

Was wondering if anyone had any recomendations or remedies to the tigling that comes with being on topamax? The meds seem to be working but the pins and needles are a little overwhelming at times.

[tam bam]

Hi Seizingbeauty,

I am currently on Topamax. I too have the pins and needles feeling especially in my fingers and toes at times. It comes in spurts. Have you just started taking Topamax? I have started back on it after taking it a few years ago. This side effect does go away over time. After a few weeks of your body adjusting to the drug the feeling does go away. You may have the feeling come back as you go up in the dosage but it goes away usually in less time.

There is not really a remedy that I have found. It is just something you have to put up with but it does go away. It just feels weird doesn't it?

tam bam

[seizingbeauty]

I've been on it since mid December but the new Pharmacy switched me to the real stuff last week. I've always had problems with my hands and feet going numb but its making it kinda hard to type. Plus with it being winter the switch between hot and cold makes it all the weirder.
Not too happy bout how everything tastes either, all my fav foods aren't the same anymore. I miss how wonderful coffee use to be! But hey if thats the worst of it, I shouldn't complain!
Did you lose your appetite too? I've lost a couple of pounds since I started and can't afford to lose to many more.

[tam bam]

I have been on the genaric since November and switched to the brand name Saturday. I too get the metalic taste in my mouth and have lost the fizzy taste to soda (which I love). I solved that problem by switching from the caned sodas to the plastic bottle soda. There is more fizz to the bottled sodas for some reason (for example Coke). I have also noticed too that I have lost weight. When I was on it before I lost weights as well but I also couldn't eat too from having TMJ issues so I wasn't sure which problem was causing me to lose the weight.

Actually I do not mind the Topamax. It is better than some of the anti-seizure drugs I have tried. Most that I have tried made my seizures worse. I just do not react well to some. Topamax I can handle and at least I know most of the side effects go away over time and/or are tolerable.

tam bam

[occb]

How are you two adjusting? Are the tingles still bad, or are they settling themselves?

EDIT: Whoops -- these posts are only from yesterday For some reason I thought they were older. I guess it's too early for updates. I think I need more sleep so I pay closer attention.

[tam bam]

Thanks for asking Occb. I'm doing pretty well adjusting to the tingles. It's not too bad for me.

tam bam

[seizingbeauty]

Tam, Did the Topamax effect your moods as well? Cat

[tam bam]

Not that I can really tell. Of course, my seizures really effect my moods more than anything. My seizure auras can make a grumpy and snappy or really happy or crying.

The topamax makes me tired feeling and sluggish more than anything.

tam bam

[aboizd1]

Hi Seizingbeauty,

I have been on Topamax for about a year now and I too experienced the tingly/pins and needle sensation quite a bit when I first started it. It has however become something that comes and goes- my neurologist told me that this had something to do with the level of potasium it removed from your body? And recommended potasium foods...I ate many bananas and it actually did help!

As for weightloss and mood, I continually loose weight...(lost a total of 35 pounds now) and I seem to be a lot more emotional then I use to be, easily set off by silly things. It also affects my memory.

Hope your doing well

[seizingbeauty]

Thanks aboizd1 I am dealing day to day. One foot in front of the other and all that Bull... I think the swiftly changing temperatures here aren't helping any!
Really hoping the weight loss slows down can't afford to lose 35 pounds. I still miss my COFFEE! Tastes like copper/batteries Yucky

[aboizd1]

Yick! copper coffee, that's unfortunate! I hope your able to continue the day to day process- Good Luck

[Crystal11]

That is not normal- I would consult your neurologist and let him/her know about that. My twin had a more serious form of what you describe where she was "shocked" down her arms every few seconds for one month. Then she got off of it- the neurologist said "No, you cannot get off of it right now- you will have seizures." It took more convensing evidence of her troubles before neurologist let her off. And even thought I knew how to get off of Tegretol (still on it- no probs) the doctor is the only one to give the directions on how to get off of it- Sis didn't want to do it how I knew how from when I took it as a teenager.
Anyways- you definitly don't want it to get any worse. My Sis said her spine got warm and then it started up with the painful shocking feeling.
I would call ASAP and let someone know- and if it gets worse- go to ER because it can be a more serious reaction to it or the meds might be too high in your system which can be detected with blood levels/blood work.

Take care,
Crystal

[seizingbeauty]

I see my MD March 9th. In the mean time, I have tripped over my own feet soo manys time in the last week that my brusies have brusies. Between the office and home there are running jokes about me spending so much time on my knees. I'm still laughing along but it doesn't feel all that funny.
Its really annoying not to be able to feel my toes at times and to be able to feel them at other times.
Picked up a new pair of jeans last weekend to find out they no longer fit, GRRR. I can't afford to replace my pants every other week.

[400ex]

I hope all is well, I have been on topamax for 2 and half year, all those side effects go away with due time. The only side effect I have is cognitive dysfunction, which I am almost positive every anti-epileptic drug has.

When I started topamax I felt like a Zombie I felt like I had a 100pounds of poop in my head and there was no use of my brain to even think. I have trouble times talking sometimes. When I go to say hello to some one some times ill mix up my words and say HALAL! I get so embarrassed! but, I haven't had a seizure since May of 07 and it's something I willing to trade off with, Topamax has been a wonderful anti-epileptic drug for me.

I have been having other neurologist complications that might be the reason of topamax, but it might not be either.