Topamax And Eye Twitching (Page 5)

Hi, I have been using Topamax for depression for 12 months and must admit that it has been very sucessful. The one major draw back is that I have developed a very annoying eye twitch. It only affects one eye, but is very noticeable. I was taking 100 mg twice a day, but have decreased it to 100 mg daily. The twitch has decreased somewhat, and I realize that I now have to come off this drug completely to get rid of the twitch entirely.
Has anyone else experienced this problem. I read 1 other reader, but are there more?

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I was prescribed Topamax (Topimirate) for Emotion Regulation by my Psychiatrist about 6 months ago. I also have been on Remeron (Mirtazapine) since 2005 45mg and Wellbutrin (Buproprion) 150mg. The Topamax has been a Godsend and has helped me tremendously as I have several mental health diagnosis. I take 25mg in the morning and 50mg at night, the only side effect I got was pins and needles in my feet..which of course was dismissed. I was told to go to my Primary Care Doctor to see if my magnesium and blood work was okay and I did and was not deficient in anything. Then in October, Wellbutrin XL was increased from 150mg t0 300mg..and that's when I noticed muscle twitching/tics/spasms in my lower legs right before I would go to sleep. It was very annoying. Again..my concerns were dismissed, by Psychiatrist saying it was all in my head because I am going through alot of anxiety and stress. Then when I first would wake up..again twitching in both legs..then..the bottom of my left lip there would be one or two twitches..but only when lying down. But enough for concern. Then I could feel parts of my stomach spazaming. But only when lying down..and the deal breaker was when I felt a short spasm in my tongue. She lowered the Wellbutrin down to 150mg..now I feel depressed. Then today, my muscle under my right eye twitched for about 10 minutes. I don't know if it from Topamax or Wellbutrin. The twiches in my legs and stomach seem to have stopped. Its all very frightening..

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I would like to post an update to my October post. I have cut the lowest dose in half. I'm still getting the eye twitch on the 12.5 mg a day but not as bad. I have not had a headache in almost 3 months. It is so worth the trade off.

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I'm going to back on the Potassium CL ER MEQ 10. I was prescribed this by my Primary Health Physician when I was sent to ER due to severe muscle twitching in my left knee from Lisonopril. They took me off the Lisonopril and put me on on another water pill. Will see if the Potassium supplements work for the twitching. I wish I knew which med was causing the twitching..the Topomax, or Wellbutrin. I spoke to pharmacist who advised me she knew of several people who do have pins and needles in their feet from Topomax, as well as muscle tics/ spasms/twitching but it is not Tardive Dyskinesia which made me feel better. She said if it bothered me enough to talk to my Psychiatrist if Potassium and magnesium Oxide did not work..not sure what to do..just want it all to go away. There are days when I am at my wits end and want to throw these dangerous meds away, but I also don't want to live the severe depression. SSRI's don't work for me, or SNRI's. Not sure where to go from here except an older tryciclip medication..

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I still have my eye twitch under my left eye. It does not bother me. It is there all of the time.

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I don't understand how having a constant eye twitch under your eye does not bother you. I would talk to your Doctor about this or trying a different medication.

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Yes..At first, I thought it was from increasing the Wellbutrin from 150 to 300mg a day. But I decreased it because I noticed twitching everywhere - mostly at night when I am trying to fall asleep or when I wake up..it's there again..fast twitching in my lower legs..sometimes I'm my stomach..my buttocks..now my lower lips..now my right eye for about 5 minutes, then that went away, but under my left eye..it comes and goes..sometimes it's there very fast for about 1/2 hour..then a day goes by..no twitching..but it keeps coming back. I decreased the Wellbutrin..twitching did not go away..pharmacist said he hears a lot of complaints from patients on Topamax and eye twitching. The medication is doing wonders for me..not sure what to do..and of course Psychiatrists won't listen..

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I also have a pretty servere eye twitch. I was only on 50 mg but am weaning off. It is so bad I can barely see to drive! It is really annoying. I can't wait until I am off.

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The under eye twitching has finally gone away..thank goodness..keeping fingers crossed it will not come back..however two days ago, my left part of my knee by my knee cap started jerking and spasming..its been going on all day and night. My Psychiatrist says..she does not think it is Wellbutrin or Topamax causing this. My primary care Doctor dismissed my concerns saying that my electrolyte levels were all perfect and just said perhaps I could get Magnesium Oxide over the counter..and start taking Potassium supplements again..so I am taking "Methocarbamol" (Muscle relaxer..prescribed, Potassium, and Magnesium Oxide..nothing is helping..) so I guess I will have to go to ER..I don't know..this is all getting very overwhelming. So tired of this..at my wits end..

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I started Topamax a few weeks ago. Had a lot of tingling in my hands and feet. Doctor said to chew 500-to1000mg Vit C daily. Tingling is gone, it may work for the twitching as well.

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I'm still having a twitch under my left eye. It went away for a little while, when my Doctor prescribed Potassium. I tried magnesium supplement, but it has a laxative effect. Then someone mentioned I try tonic. I thought this was strange, so I tried it about a week ago, every day, just a small glass, and twitching has stopped.

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This is so frustrating. These meds are supposed to help us, and the side effects are awful, and the Doctors dismiss our concerns.

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Hi, I posted in January, I was taking 12.5 mg topamax and the twitching in my left eye was minimal. My headaches started to return so I increased the dose to 25mg. The twitching doesn't seem to have gotten any worse. I know for a fact it is a side effect from the topamax but the twitching isn't as bad as the headaches. October will be a year I have been on it and I haven't noticed any other side effects. Hope this helps.

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I'm doing the Chewable Vitamin C too. 500-1000mg a day with the ascorbic acid. Not doing much for tingling, but it has helped somewhat with my swollen glands. Perhaps it has been helping with the twitching too, along with the tonic, and potassium, twitching is less. I'm also finding I'm losing quite a bit of weight.

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Re: Vick (# 10)

I was on the generic, topiramate. I developed the twitch shortly after starting it. Then when I was really tired it became worse and my upper right eyelid started to twitch. I decided with my PCP, to come off the med to see if the twitching stopped. It did!!!

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Re: Donna (# 94)

I think the longer I'm on it, the less the twitching. Just have the twitching once in a while, usually when I'm anxious or stressed. Hate to go off the Med, it's really regulated my emotions. Hopefully, it will go away with the Potassium supplements..

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Re: Savannah (# 95)

I'm unsure of the potassium, as I'm pretty sure the culprit was the topiramate for me. As my twitching stopped one I was completely off of it. I was on the topiramate for over 2.5yrs. I was taking it for migraines. I was placed on propranolol about 1 mos ago. Well, good news is the twitching stopped??. Migraines about the same. I've gained about 6-8lbs over past 2 weeks!!! I have not changed diet intake or exercise.... this will not work. I've looked at other reviews on brand name topamax to see if people were having the twitching with it. Yes they are but I read if you go slower to the profession to your prescribed dose... basically taper up slowly. People were not gave this side effect as bad. Read that it could be an intolerance to the coating or binders in the chemical makeup. So I don't believe the vitamin supplements are gonna help...

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Re: Donna (# 96)

I'm really confused, because I talked to the pharmacist - I am also on Wellbutrin XL 300. Wellbutrin does have "stimulant" effects. He said he hears about alot of muscle spasms with people more so on Wellbutrin than Topamax. Since being on both meds. I was at 208 pounds. Now I am down to 171. Both are known to decrease your appetite. Sorry for TMI, but I also suffer from digestion issues (constipation) so, I have included alot more fiber in my diet and cut out cookies, soda, sweets. For some reason, Topamax reduces my cravings for junk food and sugar. My eye twitching is just about gone. If it does come its usually very brief and I drink a little tonic and the twitching stops. Have no idea why tonic helps. Saw someone had suggested it on here.

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Re: Savannah (# 97)

Some "behavior health" medications can cause something called tarditive dysconsia. U controlled muscle movements. I just went back on brand name topamax in hopes I won't have the eye twitch. Before on generic was horrible. Yes, topamax will decrease your appetite for junk and soda. I initially dropped 35lbs when I started the generic 2.5yrs ago. Tell me where I find this tonic and how much you take?

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Re: Donna (# 98)

Hi, Tonic water has Quinine in it, which has a natural calming effect on muscles. You take 1 ounce daily. About 7 days, you will notice a decrease in eye twitching, if not completely stopped.

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Yes it happens in one eye, then the other eye, and sometimes my chin.

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