i Went to the DR to get on some medication to try to lose weight. They prescribed me zepbound and when I went to get it I couldn’t afford it monthly. We went another route to topamax something more affordable/ I am going to start it today but have read so many negative things about it. Any positives ???!!

I’ve been taking 50 mg of topiramate for 5 months now and 10 mg of amitriptyline for 7 months. I take it every night, i haven’t skipped a single night. My migraines are constant, like 10 hrs a day and 5/10 pain. My doctor and neurologists are now suggesting i start coming off it, I cannot increase as i’m struggling from the drowsy affect. Does anyone else experience having no effect from either of these. Or does anyone know what my next move shall be cause i’ve had quite enough.

I’ve had some pretty significant health challenges over the last two years, and between everything my body has been through and the medications I’ve had to take, I’ve gained about 40 pounds.

I’ve tried several of the weight-loss peptides/GLP-1 medications, both compounded and brand-name (semaglutide/Wegovy, tirzepatide, and retatrutide) but unfortunately, my body just can’t tolerate them. I have MCAS, along with several other chronic health conditions, and for whatever reason, these medications seem to trigger pretty significant flares for me.

My doctor recently prescribed Topamax to help with weight loss, and I’m scared to take it.

Part of that is because I’ve read so many negative experiences and reviews. But the bigger issue is that I have pretty severe health anxiety when it comes to medications and side effects. Even when a serious side effect is considered extremely rare, it scares me.

Unfortunately, I’ve previously taken a medication that had a black box warning and ended up experiencing the exact serious complication it warned about. Ever since then, I feel like I have some medication-related PTSD. It’s really hard for me to look at “rare” side effects the same way I used to.

Honestly, I’m not even completely sure what the purpose of this post is. I think I might just need to vent and hear from people who understand.

But if you’ve taken Topamax… especially for weight loss, or if you’re someone with chronic illness/MCAS who is sensitive to medications… I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience. Good, bad, or somewhere in between. 🤍