I took the topa for 3 weeks. I immediately experienced eye pressure and tingles in my face as well, all the time. But by the third week, one afternoon I was really hot and I just lost it. I couldn't handle the feeling at all. I don't know if what you or I experienced is the same at all, but I found I just couldn't tolerate it, although I was really willing to keep going if I could. But my brain was mal-functioning, and I started thinking about drinking, feeling even a bit aggressive. They tell you in the leaflet insert to be wary of the heat when you're taking the topamax. I completely fell apart...

ANYWAY, I went off the topa. Got into the supplements and hypnosis big time. I IMMEDIATELY felt better off the topa, and continued on with the rest. However, I think the topamax, even for 3 weeks, did help ALOT with re-wiring my brain somehow.

I switched to Campral back about a week and a half ago. I have no symptoms and it doesn't seem to alter my brain waves, the way the topa did. But I also realized that I had to stay off the liquor, which I have. I have had no desire to drink at all... whether it's the campral or just the change in lifestyle, feeling so much better, I'm not sure what it is that has changed, but I feel good taking another "drug" to control the drinking. Somehow my messed up mind thinks that at least if I'm taking a drug to control my drinking, it will work. And the best is that I have no symptoms and no cravings.

I don't want to advise you either way, because apparently sometimes the topa can make you feel crazy for awhile, and then level off to almost zero side effects. I NEVER once felt in a fog on the topa, on the contrary, I was zinging along and tingling the whole way! One thing that really bothered me was my hair, which changed texture almost overnight! Most people don't experience that, but I hated it, on top of not feeling good.

No matter what you decide, know that there are alternatives out there that work. And I REALLY believe that the kudzu and other supplements, together with the hypnosis, have been the key to my success. I'm starting to feel like a health nut, taking Coenzyme Q10 daily, as well as all the other supplements still (and it's been over 2 months now). You'll make it, no matter what, if you stick with everything. Everybody's body is different, mine is apparently pretty sensitive, so I feel good doing my switch. And it's working.

Let us know how you're doing. Hang in there!

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USAnne