[Meggie]

Hi everyone,

I've been on topamax since March for my ED (binging/purging). It's helped me so much with all of my cravings and binges but I've lost a lot of weight and now my oldest sister who is a doctor is having me come off of it along with my GP. They're pissed at my psych for prescribing it to me in the first place.

I'm just scared to death that I'm going to gain 30lbs instantly! This happened when I came off of wellbutrin after I lost a bunch of weight on it and no matter what I do, I can't get below 125lbs (I'm 5'3"), if I'm not on one of these medicines.

Is my eating going to go out of control once I'm off it? Why does topamax cause weight loss anyway? Is it just b/c of appetite loss or does it do something else like speed up metabolism or dehydrate you. I know it screws with your electrolytes.

So, am I just doomed to gain all my weight back plus more without topamax?

I'm sorry if this post is annoying, I'm just worried and would like your opinions.
Thanks so much! 

[Batou]

One: I never lost any weight while I was on Topamax. So when I went off of it I didn't gain any weight either. Not everyone experiences the weight loss side effect, and that is all it is a side effect.

Two: Are you in therapy for the ED?

[Meggie]

Yeah, I'm in therapy for my ED.

[Shrlyjo]

I was on Topamax for migraines. I lost alot of weight on it. I wasn't that I didn't want to eat because I did. I just lost weight no matter what I ate. When I quit it I did gain my weight back but just what I had lost not more. I could handle the side effects from the med but it made me so tired.

[Meggie]

Well I've come completely off of the topamax. I haven't really gained any weight (yet), but I find that my appetite has increased and I'm craving "bad" foods a lot more!  I hate that! I'm really worried that I'm going to start gaining weight during the holidays b/c of the cravings and stuff. It's like somehow when I eat some type of junk food, I just don't care as much and I just eat it. I'm really trying to stay away from the Halloween candy!

I miss the topamax!!! 

[MoparGuy1991]

Both times I took Topamax, it never decreased my appetite really. I still eat the same amount of food in one sitting as I do without it, and I still have some cravings and love to eat. Maybe it does take some edge off of cravings, and reduce slightly obession with eating, but I still get excited about eating, and eat my food fast. So, I never had any weight loss that was caused by the drug itself.

When I started taking Topamax recently, I 'did' start losing weight that 'coincided' with starting it. But I had already starting losing weight before starting it and well before I was at the target dose.

This was because the Chromium Picolinate, a mineral supplement, I was taking before was causing me to gain weight/fat kinda fast previously. It induced hypoglycemia in me, and I binged in response to that. I took the Chromium in a supplement Stack that also contained Taurine/Niacin/Kelp. It was supposed to help weight lifters keep the muscle and burn the fat. When I stopped that supplement combo/mix, I started to lose weight again. I'm down from 155 to 145 lbs. I'm 5'10".
Overall, I just reacted badly to that Chromium/Taurine/Niacin/Kelp supplement Stack, and it caused me to gain weight.

[anafagodma]

I'm really unhappy to be off topamax ("Gracia, say 'goodnight bulimia'") and have unfortunately moved to a state where I will have a hell of a time getting it covered via Medicaid.

Actually, I'm really unhappy in general, and I think it's more than just a coincidence that I'm off topamax and miserable as I've ever been.
 
I stabilized in a weight range 10-15 lbs below my "set point" (as I know it) while I was on it.  I now weigh 20lbs less than that.