Hello all,
I am new to the forum, but not new to Topa. I first started Topa for migraines about 4 years ago, starting at a very low dose and titrating up to what would be considered an avg/high dose for migraine sufferers. I had most of the common s/e, from tingly sensations to weight loss to brain fog, but it wasn't until I reached this "higher" dose that I started noticing the hair loss (by this time I'd been on the meds for 2 years). When I noticed the hair loss, I immediately cut back my dosage by half, but the hair loss continued. To me, the other side effects were worth it to be free of the migraines, but the hair loss really caused me a lot of stress, especially since my hair was very fine to begin with. About a year ago, I had a breast reduction which alleviated my headaches enough for me to come off the Topa. My hair (along with the weight) came right back. However, the last month or so my headaches have really been getting bad and I decided to give the Topa a try again. Last night I took a (very low dose) pill and already today a handful of hair came out in my shower. I looked at the drug info and noticed that the generic I'm taking is called Topamate and is manufactured by Cipra. I remember that at least at one time I was taking Topiramate, but don't remember noticing my pharmacy change the generic. Now I'm wondering if the hair loss could have been caused by the change to a different formula (from Topiramate to Topamate) rather than from an increase in the dosage. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Is anyone else taking Topamate? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Laura
"DerbyGirl"
I am new to the forum, but not new to Topa. I first started Topa for migraines about 4 years ago, starting at a very low dose and titrating up to what would be considered an avg/high dose for migraine sufferers. I had most of the common s/e, from tingly sensations to weight loss to brain fog, but it wasn't until I reached this "higher" dose that I started noticing the hair loss (by this time I'd been on the meds for 2 years). When I noticed the hair loss, I immediately cut back my dosage by half, but the hair loss continued. To me, the other side effects were worth it to be free of the migraines, but the hair loss really caused me a lot of stress, especially since my hair was very fine to begin with. About a year ago, I had a breast reduction which alleviated my headaches enough for me to come off the Topa. My hair (along with the weight) came right back. However, the last month or so my headaches have really been getting bad and I decided to give the Topa a try again. Last night I took a (very low dose) pill and already today a handful of hair came out in my shower. I looked at the drug info and noticed that the generic I'm taking is called Topamate and is manufactured by Cipra. I remember that at least at one time I was taking Topiramate, but don't remember noticing my pharmacy change the generic. Now I'm wondering if the hair loss could have been caused by the change to a different formula (from Topiramate to Topamate) rather than from an increase in the dosage. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Is anyone else taking Topamate? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Laura
"DerbyGirl"
