Anyone been on topirimate/topamax and had a SN child?

[Chundle]

Hi all I take topamax as I have epilepsy an was told when I wanted to conceive dd2 that it was a safe drug etc etc. Dd2 born an 2 years down the line have had endless problems with her.

Now I find out today that topamax has recently been put into the most dangerous drugs category for women who are pregnant and it's been announced it can cause severe birth defects and other problems!

Whilst glad dd doesn't have a major malformation I can't help but wonder if her issues are down to the drugs....

Oh gawd, sorry to hear that. Worried! I'm breastfeeding DD and just been put on this. Does it carry any developmental risks post birth?

Gosh, just googled the news stories about it. Awful.

Smug I don't know I would ask mate

Thanks zzzz I will email my neurologist as he's very helpful. Interestingly there's a link between being on topirimate and verbal dyspraxia and that's what they think dd has.
Topirimate has done me well for my seizures but if I'd have known I would've switched

Smug sorry forgot to say, my dd had withdrawal type symptoms when I stopped breastfeeding her.

Thanks all, thats really helpful. I've only been taking it for about two weeks and it was prescribed to prevent migraines and as a mood stabiliser. There are lots and lots of others they can prescribe I am sure so i've stopped taking it. DD doesnt have any special needs yet, but her brother has ASD so I really dont want to mess about.

Chundle what withdrawal symptoms did your dd have? Sounds terrible.

Cant believe my shrink chose this one out of all the possibilities as one specifically to fit in with me breastfeeding.

I couldnt exactly stop breast feeding could I? I'd have to change my MN name

She screamed endlessly for weeks refused to sleep and was absolutely horrible to put it nicely. It seemed to die down after about 6 weeks

Just reviving this thread...I was on topamax for 3 years. It was a lifesaver for my hemiplaegic migraine though I did experience the delay when first started it.

Now we're TTC our next dc. I've weaned myself off the topirimate & was planning to give it a month out of my system before TTC. Is that enough? I was on a pretty low dose.... Have asked my gp but he seemed pretty clueless- told me there are no def risks for babies which is rubbish

Hi boy I think a month to 6 wks should be fine. Your gp is wrong there are definate risks as big lawsuits are ongoing at the mo in the US about this drug. Good plan to wean off before TTC.

It can cause hypospadius in boys and heart defects as well.

Leonie I took lamotrogine whilst pregnant with dd1 she has adhd, I was on a high dose of it. Took topirimate with dd2 she's under investigation still

I was on Topiramate a few years back. It was during the big gap between dc2 and 3 though so no pg or breastfeeding worries.

Just wanted to say that one of the reasons I was taken off it was due bad side-effects even at low-dosage, the worst of which were being unable to think of and form words and severe cognitive fog.

The problem did improve when I was taken off the drug, but remained low grade and have since increased. Neurologist isn't sure what's causing the problem, they have found multiple brain lesions, but can't identify a cause for them.

I often wonder whether my reaction to Topiramate is implicated in any way with my current neurological problems, as according to the neuro I seemed to he hypersensitive to it and it was extremely unusual to see such a severe reaction at such low doses.