Topamax: Depression as a Side Effect

I had been on my 100mg dose of Topiramate (Topamax)  for a month or so. It still hadn't cut the pain so I went back and the doc increased it. The strangest thing happened to me, which I quite liked. Before I had the strangest mood, I don't know if I could call it a depression. I just felt wrong. I work in a kitchen, and sometimes I felt like I wanted to throw knives at my coworkers head cause they made me so mad. I just felt like I just couldn't control my emotions sometimes. I talked to some of my other coworkers and they wanted to throw other stuff at those same coworkers so maybe it wasn't just the meds! When I went to the doctor, she increased the medication to 150mg per day. For 2 weeks I felt like I was really high on something. I was feeling really really good. It didn't last forever. But now my moods are stable, I have more good days than bad, and there is absolutely no depression any more. I am actually really happy with this side effect. I told my doctor about it, and asked to never be taken off of it. The side effects for the moods at the higher levels are so beneficial, it's unbelievable. At the lower dose, it was a nightmare.

I take 240 mg of Topamax for migraines but it also works as an antidepressant for me. I ran out for a few days and I was really down and depressed until I got back on it. Then I felt better again.

I've been taking 300 mg of Topamax for over 2yrs now. All the minor side effects have gone away (tingling in hands, word recall loss,), but I am still tired throughout the day and mildly depressed. However, my frequent painful migraines are totally gone. I guess it's a trade off...

Would like to hear others' experiences taking Topamax or Topiramate.

Thanks!

I do 100mg and all the tingling, word recall loss, so on went away. I haven't been depressed from that. I just got depression last month, when I had five family members die. My step mother died suddenly, my 2 aunts died of cancer, uncle died of cancer and grandmother died because it was her time.

I think I should add an update. I just read my reply and should add something. I was okay with the topiramate until I wasn't. about a year or so into treatment I started having a strange experience. As I drove my car I would feel compelled to drive it off of steep embankments. When I was in Yellowstone I had the horrible desire to go swimming in those extremely hot pools of water. I told my doctor and was taken off of it right away. My neurologist prescribed something different. Sadly every pound I lost on the topiramate is back. My migraines seem to respond better to my triptans with this new med.

Yes, Topamax can cause or intensify depression for those who have or have had a history of the condition according to my neurologist and literature online. Although it can happen to anyone. Its more apt to happen to those with histories or symptoms. That was my story. I've switched anti depressants because of 75lb weight gain and have had a low grade depression since the switch with a few hour dip during the day that the gym would take care of. I developed severe headaches during this time and was given Topamax. Within 3 weeks my headaches were gone but that dip during the day lasted all day and was more severe, I was having trouble sleeping and had to push myself to do routine tasks. As per my neurologist, Ive tapered to 50mg but it hasn't helped much. I'm trying to be patient but that patience is wearing thin and unless my newest antidepressant kicks in I may have to discontinue Topamax and look at botox treatment for migraines. If you have depression currently be very careful with this medication, my doctor never mentioned anything about it until after the fact. Hope this helps someone. God Bless.