Topamax ruined my Life
The sentiment that Topamax ruined my life is echoed throughout many who have used the medication. This is often due to the negative side effects users have experienced while on the medication. Topamax is an FDA approved anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and other conditions associated with seizures. Some have been prescribed the drug to help treat epilepsy with partial onset seizures, generalized tonic clonic seizures, or seizures associated with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. It is prescribed to also help prevent migraine headaches in adults. It works to help prevent migraines or reduce the number of migraine attacks.
It is not considered an addictive substance but users can develop a dependence and experience withdrawal when they stop taking the medication. Withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, irritability, difficulty concentrating and seizures are often side effects in which users express a negative experience with, when taking the medication. It then leads them to negatively associate the experience of the drug and claim that “Topamax ruined my life.”
Migraines and Seizures
A migraine is a condition that causes headaches and includes intense, throbbing and long-lasting effects. Some have nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light and sound associated with the migraine. Some also experience flashing lights in a zigzag pattern or might have blind spots in their vision. This is often referred to as migraine episode.
There are also many different types of seizures. Partial onset seizures are focal seizures in which excessive electrical activity starts in only one area of the brain. Partial seizures do not make you lose consciousness. Simple partial seizures can result in muscle twitching in one part of your body or change your senses. A complex partial seizure can leave you feeling confused, or unaware of your surroundings.
Generalized tonic clonic seizures occur when there is excessive electrical activity affecting both sides of your brain. This type of seizure can make you lose consciousness. It causes convulsions, making your muscles go stiff, jerk and shake or spasm.
There is also a type of seizure associated with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. This is a rare form of childhood epilepsy that causes seizures. Sometimes this type of condition cannot be controlled with other medications.
How does Topamax work?
Topamax is the brand name for the medication topiramate. It works to help stabilize electrical activity in the brain and prevent seizures. Overactive electrical activity in the brain is thought to be a contributing factor to how seizures and possible migraine headaches develop. During a seizure, brain cells are forced to work more quickly or rapidly. Anticonvulsant medications like Topamax help to slow down the brain cells from acting too quickly and therefore lessen the impact of seizures or prevent them from occurring in the first place.
The medication works by lessening the frequency and severity of certain chemicals in the brain that are associated with or might induce seizures and migraine attacks. Topamax helps to relax the overactive nerve cells in the brain by adjusting neurotransmitters and raising the inhibitory GABA chemicals and lowering the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate.
It can take anywhere between 8-12 weeks for Topamax to start working to help treat migraine headaches. When taken for the treatment of epilepsy and seizures, users can increase dosage over a 6 week period in order to see stabilizing results. Topamax’s half life is around 19-25 hours. It can take about a day and a half for the drug to be eliminated and several following days for the medication to be completely cleared from the system.
Topamax is processed in the liver. When taking this medication with other substances that impact the liver, it can cause liver damage and make it more difficult for the organ to function properly, leading to other dangerous risks and side effects.
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Side effects of Topamax
- Feelings of pins and needles in arms and feet – Tingling sensation as if your limbs may be falling asleep. This condition can improve within a few months.
- Sleepiness and fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss leading to nutritional deficiencies
- Speech problems such as slurred speech
- Slow reactions
- Cognitive impairment and difficulty remembering or concentrating
- Memory lapses and mental fogginess
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Insomnia and sleep issues
- Hyperthermia
- High body temperature and inadequate sweating
- Reduced sweating
- Fever and flushing
- Mood changes such as heightened depression, increased anxiety and mood swings
- Kidney stones – About 1 in 50 adults develop kidney stones. It is also more common in men and in those who have a history of having kidney stones.
- Acidosis – Abnormally acidic blood.
Topamax Ruined my Life
For some people, the side effects and adverse reactions to Topamax negatively impacted their lives. The claim that “Topamax ruined my life” is often due to the negative side effects some can experience from taking the medication. Topamax is an antiepileptic drug. These types of medications have been known to raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It can cause drastic changes in mood and personality, impacting how a person behaves, reacts, feels and interacts with others. In some cases, it can cause aggression, feelings of anxiety and depression.
Cognitive impairment and mental fog are a common side effect of Topamax. Sometimes, it can show up as confusion and slowed thinking. This can often hinder daily tasks. Some people have difficulty focusing on a specific task and have trouble with their memory. In other cases, cognitive difficulties can be dose dependent. A higher dose is more likely to increase the likelihood of experiencing cognitive impairments.
Topamax can intensify existing mental health conditions. This can create new difficulties that the users now have to manage. In fact, Topamax is known to have connections with other mental health problems, worsening or contributing to the development of anxiety and depression.
Topamax can often cause weight loss. This is because the drug reduces appetite. When the drug increases the feeling of fullness, it can alter the user’s metabolism. This leads to eating less and consuming less nutrition. Severe weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can lead to overall physical weakness and malnutrition.
Off Label uses for Topamax
- Treatment of Bipolar disorder – It can help some people with episodes of depression and mania
- Anxiety disorder – It can be used to treat anxiety disorders associated with OCD
- Alcohol Use Disorder – It can help reduce alcohol cravings
- Nerve pain
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Treatment of Substance Use Disorder
Topamax is an anticonvulsant medication used to help reduce seizure activity in the brain and help to prevent migraine headaches. It is generally not considered to be an addictive substance, though there is a possibility of developing a dependence to the drug. This can then lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when drug use has drastically decreased or stopped. Topamax can also result in other undesirable side effects that can negatively impact a person’s daily life. Behavioral treatment programs such as Hotel California by the Sea specialize in treating substance use disorders.
We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients understand the root cause of their issues and overcome their addiction through medication-assisted treatments and cognitive therapies.
References:
https://www.drugs.com/topamax.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/topamax
https://www.goodrx.com/topiramate/topiramate-side-effects
https://www.epilepsy.com/tools-resources/seizure-medication-list/topiramate
https://hopeharborwellness.com/topamax-ruined-my-life/
https://heartfeltrecoverycenters.com/blog/the-unexpected-rollercoaster-how-topamax-ruined-my-life/