Topiramate side effects or am I losing the plot??

[EppoAndy]

Hello everyone, Please can you share your thoughts and opinions as I dont know whats going off in my mind and feel like my life is falling apart!!!

12 months ago I was enjoying life after having my driving licence back for around a year, after having surgery on my left temporal lobe 2yrs earlier and I was working as a sales rep, me and my Mrs had just moved into a house that we had just bought, life was great!!!
Then I had my first seizure in 2 years while I was at work and this led to me losing a job that I loved, luckily it didnt take me too long to find another job, office based!!
I was put straight back onto Topiramate and the dosage has increased over time upto its current 275mg twice a day, over this last year all me and my mrs have done is argue continually!!
I know I have always had a temper on me but I have excelled over this last year more than I have ever done eg. punching a dent into a plasma tv screen, punching a dent into a internal door, kicking a front door and I wish that was it but I could carry on with a few more, I feel so embarrassed!!!
I have been getting ridiculous thoughts in my head about killing myself not so much shall I do it but I could do it by doing such and such, I have not done anything to try and attempt in anyway and am not going to!!! So please dont worry about me on that one!! I am already on Anti-depressants but they dont seem to be doing much at the moment!!!
Today my Mrs and I split up as she said she couldnt cope with it all and my moods and temper, I feel my life turned into an absolute cock up the day Epilepsy came into it, I am sure I am not the only one and I know mine is nothing compared to a lot of peoples.
My seizures dont really bother me too much anymore apart from the knock on effects of not being able to drive which causes massive complications for me as my 2 little boys live about 50 miles with my ex wife, Would I be better of without any meds and just grin and bare the seizures and get rid of the side effects???

Sorry for waffling on so much but I would be so gratefull of thoughts and opinions and dont be afraid to tell me to stop feeling sorry for myself if thats what you think!!!

 

[Nakamova]

Hi EppoAndy, welcome!

I haven't been on toporimate, so I haven't experienced its side effects directly, but from what you describe it is the WRONG med for you. There are other meds out there to try, ones whose side effects may not be so devastating. I recommend you contact your neurologist right away to discuss a different treatment plan.

I'm so sorry about what has happened to you and your wife as a result of the meds; I hope you can feel better soon, and get back to your "normal" self.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[mockinbird]

Oh sweetie, I so feel for you!! {{{HUGS}}}

I had a wonderful marriage until the docs took me off Dilantin in 2006 and swapped me to Topamax. Everything started going down hill from there. Lamictal was added later and I broke. I don't know if I can blame my divorce 100% on meds/epilepsy but I know they played a very large part. The meds can be just plain evil sometimes.

I am fine now since being off Topamax.....and I'm single (although not by choice) but I have two big dogs that think I rock!! They love me!! LOL

Chin up and smile when you feel like it. You will be OK!!

 

[morganomics]

Contact your Neurologist immediately !

I read your post and I must say I went through the same thing with toprimate / topamax. I was put on the medication this past July and my life almost ended. I went into a depression I was irritable and unfortunately tried to end my life. Though I do suffer from depression, I've never been that bad. So I must tell you to stop the topamax for your own safety and your family. It seems that topamax has more depressive effects than other anti-epileptic medication. I'm sorry that things have been so stressful and unpleasant recently! Please contact your doctor to stop the medication! I can say the weeks after I came off Toprimate magically returned to a more manageable state, and I believe the same will happen for you. Keep us updated I feel strongly that your depressive symptoms will diminish as will your impulsivity, irritability and anger. Best Wishes !

 

[Cint]

Hi EppoAndy,

Sorry to hear your wife left you after all you've been through. It is a rough road, I know.

I am currently taking Topamax along with Keppra (which can also bring on depression, aggression, etc) and anti-depressants. But I've tried so many other meds, to no avail, and I also had a left temporal lobectomy and my seizure returned after 14 months. The depression that came along with the seizures after the surgery was something I had never experienced in my life. I was suicidal at times, and the neuropsychiatrist was having a difficult time finding a medication that would ease the depression and the epileptologist was having a difficult time finding something to control the seizures. As a result, I, too, am now living on my own, with the seizures under better control after many drugs and now the VNS.

Please contact your dr. and tell him/her the symptoms your experiencing. It takes at least 2 years to fully recover after brain surgery, so if you're experiencing mood swings, please mention it to the dr. Maybe a different anti-depressant would help, also.

 

[Meetz1064]

While I'm

on Topomax (topiramate) with different results, I have to agree with the others. You need to get off of it, and NOW. It's known for causing suicidal thoughts, as are a number of other AEDs.

Call your neuro NOW, and change. You'll be glad you did.

 

[Endless]

Andy,

Please call your neuro NOW. You need to be switched to another medication - IMMEDIATELY. Are you alone or with family or friends right now? With someone is good.

I understand how you are feeling. Topamax made me dangerously depressed. When my doctor found out he yanked me off right away and put me on another med.

Don't give up hope on medications altogether. There are still lots more to try, and you and your doc will find one that doesn't make you depressed. But right now you need to call your doctor and tell him how you are feeling, okay?

 

[Wobblez]

EppoAndy, I agree with everyone else, I really think you need a med review. I've experienced those awful thoughts, whether it was stress and/or med induced and I knew I would never do that but I wasn't silly enough to think I could handle it alone either. You really need to let the doctor's know because the thing about suicide is nobody plans to do it, it only takes a really low mood or a weak moment and you can be in a whole lot of trouble!! Take the warning signs that this is seriously telling you, your mind and body aren't coming on these meds and act. I'm thinking of you mate. P.S. Hi, just joined today =)

 

[EppoAndy]

Thankyou to you all, I spoke to my Epilepsy nurse and she spoke to my Nuerologist. I am going to have my Topiramate slowly reduced and have it replaced by a medicine that is apparantly quite new 'Vimpat'. I havent heard of it before anyway!!
I am being put in touch with a councillor as well so hopefully everything gonna start moving in the right direction!!

I also have to admit I am feeling a lot more positive than I did a few days ago so thanks for your comments!!!

 

[mortimer]

Hi EppoAndy, I am really glad to hear you have spoke to someone and things are now looking a lot better. I am so sorry you have had such a horrid time,it is awfull how these drugs effect us, good luck to you

 

[Westy]

Hi EppoAndy,

Sorry to hear about the nightmare you have endured with the side effects of your AED and the break down of your relationship. But i am relieved you have gotten help from your neuro and now on new meds.Despite Vimpat being only new to the long list of AED, there has been promising results for a lot of people. unfortunately there will always be side effects, but finding the right med for your body means side effects will be manageable (certainly better than what you've had to deal with previously).

All the best with the new meds.

 

[paradise survivor]

Aloha Eppo- from one who has ridden 'that horse', I too am now on vimpat. It is too early to tell how this turns out but I am hopeful. How my husband stands it I do not know. Topamax is/was hell, Keppra was it's evil twin for me...this site and all who contribute, have been my lifeline...literally