bug bites, topamax

Hi! I just found this forum and have enjoyed reading the various posts.
I learned a long time ago that it's people who are affected by disorders and
families who can help you MUCH more than doctors!

Anyway, my son is 15 and is non-verbal, which makes things all the more of
a mystery for us. He had a few grand mals over four years ago. They were
within a span of about 12 days and he hasn't had any more. He has been on
Topamax, 75 mg twice a day since a couple weeks after having them.
The thing that frustrates us is that we wonder if he even needs it. He was
obviously bitten or stung while in his pool about a week before the first
seizure. His back was beet red suddenly and covered in huge welts like I'd
never seen. The doctor had him taking a lot of Benadryl.

When the seizures came and I asked the doctors about the possibility of them
being related whatever bit him, they pooh-poohed that right off the bat.

Has anyone ever heard of being poisoned by a bug and then developing
seizures?

Also, since my son can't talk--if anyone is taking topamax and could tell
me what it feels like and any effects it has had on them, I'd appreciate
it so much. It seems like after he was on it a while, he started hitting
himself in the head sometimes and yelling, just out of the blue with
nothing else going on around him. Also, his concentration is not as good
as it was before Topamax.

I really appreciate anyone responding. My heart is with you all as you
live with epilepsy and the challenges it causes. The world isn't always
so supportive, but know that a lot of folks care a lot

Ryan's Mom-

I'm new to this forum and just had to reply because I was on Topamax last year and I thought it was the worst medication in terms of side effects I have ever been on.  And I have tried just about all of them. 

I had a severe pounding headache most of the time and nausea.   I developed numbness and tingling in my hands and feet, like they were always asleep or sometimes it was like pins and needles.  Very uncomfortable.  I also didn't feel like myself, some cognitive problems too.

After 4 months and losing 15 pounds ( I was 130 lbs to start), I told the neurologist I was definitely not going to get used to this medication.   I'm glad other people are doing better than I did, I hear so many people say Topamax is a great drug.  It just didn't work out for me.  I was switched over to Zonegran when I was having so many problems with Topamax,  as it has a similar mechanism of action as Topamax.  Although it's better than Topamax, I'm still having some of the same problems as before - just not as severe.

topomax for me takes away my appetite, and I also found concentration problems and memory problems but not sure if that is the meds or the seizures. Definetly the lack of appetite I noticed right away. Good luck!