I don't know if anyone here is on Topomax or not. I recently switched from Dilantin to Topomax and would like to talk about
my experience because there are some side effects of Topomax that aren't well documented and my neurologist did not discuss with me. I only found out about
these side effects after a few months of starting the meds and after I started noticing changes. I went on line and found out for myself.
- Hair loss. Although hair loss is being reported by some people who take this medication, you probably won't find it listed as a documented side effect. But a lot of people experience hair loss with Topomax. I don't know if it's because this medication kills your appetite and you end up losing vitamins or if it's because of something else. But if you plan on going on Topomax, cut your hair, start taking some vitamins and beware of hair loss.
- Flaky nails. Bone pain. I started noticing that my nails were getting paper thin and my bones were aching. It didn't occur to me that it had anything to do with Topomax. Until I took a fall and broke and dislocated my wrist. Again, I went online and started hitting the forums. I noticed a lot of people were complaining about
long term Topomax use and bone problems. Again, maybe this has to do with the fact that Topomax kills your appetite and it affects your calcium intake. But I suggest you speak with your doctor.
I am getting off this medication right now and staying away from it. It is NOT working for me. The side effects are terrible. The problem with these newer drugs (as opposed to say Dilantin that has been on the market much longer) is that long term side effects haven't been studied as widely. There aren't any studies that look into the less known side effects and patient complaints. So doctors know about
these complaints here and there but they don't have stats.
BEWARE of the newer medications that are on the market. Some of the side effects don't seem to have been studied widely enough. We don't know what they do after 20 or 30 years of use...
Post Edited (zook) : 7/12/2013 8:24:08 PM (GMT-6)