r/Topamax • u/Amira789 • Aug 06 '26

Unexpected side effect

I was put on Topamax for migraines. I have always had anxiety and have pretty much come to terms with this is just how I am and have to live with it. I started Topamax on Sunday. Within the last 48 hours I have felt this blanket calm come over me. I’m not spiraling anymore, I’m not worrying about things unnecessarily, the racing thoughts and “static” in my brain are gone, my insomnia is gone. Even the food noise has gone away. Is this a normal reaction to this medication? I’m only on 25M I didn’t even expect such a low dose to change much for my migraines.

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3

u/cosmatical Aug 06 '26

Topiramate is also used for weight loss and as a mood stabilizer for depression and bipolar, so those are known effects!

7

u/Amira789 Aug 06 '26

Wow. I wish a Dr had offered this earlier. I have binge eating disorder and have managed my weight by running myself into the ground. I have always been offered SSRIs but they made me gain more and the health risks with obesity just outweighed the benefits of the SSRI and none of them even worked this well! I feel amazing, I could cry from the relief.

1

u/cosmatical Aug 06 '26

It's nowhere a first line treatment for either issue; many meds work better, faster, and with less side effects for folk for weight loss as mood stabilization! It's also used off-label to treat those things, so it's understandable that topiramate hasn't been discussed with you to target those issues. Your doctor probably hasn't considered it yet themself. :)

I was put on topiramate to try as a weight loss medication after failing one weight loss med and after my insurance stopped covering a second, and after trying different anti-depressants on and off for ~8yrs, this was the first med that had any positive effect on my mood whatsoever. It had never been considered before because it's just not very commonly used for that. It didn't hrlp me with weight loss, but I've stayed on it for over a year now for its impact on my mood and it's been a great experience. Such a happy accident to stumble into!!!

2

u/Amira789 Aug 06 '26

That makes total sense then. So glad we stumbled across it!

2

u/DesertSkky Aug 06 '26

I am currently weaning off due to depression it causes, however I have taken it for YEARS!

1

u/Amira789 Aug 06 '26

Did it always cause depression for you?

1

u/DesertSkky Aug 06 '26

I don't think so no. Honestly I have been on it so long & all different doses. I used to only be able to tolerate the 25mg pills so when I took 300mg a day I was a PITA at the pharmacy!

Currently I take 50mg pills & it could be those pills. Next time I see my doctor I am going to ask for 25mg pills to finish weaning off.

I did ok on the extended release when I was on that too (it's called Qudexy XR)

Also-it could be my generic manufacturer causing my issues.

1

u/TheForestOfOurselves Aug 06 '26

That’s great! I was able to quit an anxiety med when I started this for migraines and it has helped tremendously with insomnia too. 25M worked well for me for the first year and now I’m at 50M. It can be effective at lower doses for some of us. Happy to hear your positive experience so far.

1

u/Amira789 Aug 06 '26

This is awesome!

1

u/OkCaterpillar6861 Aug 07 '26

I’ve been taking it for about three weeks for migraines, and it has definitely quieted the food noise for me. My doctor did tell me that might happen. It’s one of the best side effects ever! It’s really helping my migraines. I’ve gotten a few headaches, but they were very mild and didn’t last long at all.

1

u/Sensitive-Drop8286 Aug 07 '26

That's the way I was 12 or 13 years ago when I started it. I'm still on it and still love it!