Comments on: Migraine patients more sensitive to Topamax?

By: Alexia

Alexia — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 07:48:16 +0000

I’m 43 and have had migraines most of my life. Until 2008, my migraines were infrequent so I was able to treat with a dose Imitrex or Relpax. When my Peri-menopause symptoms began to worsen coupled with the stress my mother having had two heart attacks in one year, my headaches came to a crescendo. My headache was a daily companion. The pain was so intense that I named it “Pete the Icepick.” My doctor put me on Topamax. The dose climbed to 200 mg. per day. It reduced the pain to a dull roar, but it never went away completely, plus I had new symptoms to cope with such as tingling and numbness in hands and feet, cognitive slowing, memory loss, and an inability to perspire during exercise. It took me a long time, but I backed the dosage off to 50 mg. per day. Headaches were manageable w/o all the uncomfortable tingling. I asked doc for help, and he put me on Inderal. For nearly two years, this drug almost wiped them out completely, but my headaches were trying to make a resurgence. Plus I was living with constant pain and soreness in my neck, shoulders, and arms. Now I have stopped the Topamax completely (this was a long arduous process), and I am now taking Cymbalta. I have never had a drug work so effectively on the prevention of my migraines. Now I rarely have head pain, in addition to no more neck, shoulder, back, and arm pain.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 01:08:06 +0000

I used to take Fioricet for many years. I was becoming dependent on it and also got the rebound headaches. Then you take more pills and its all a vicious cycle. That is when I went to my doctor to get on maintenance meds. First they tried antidepressants, but they didn’t work for me. Now I’ve been taking Topamax for over 3 years and am up to 100mg 2x daily. I do get some side effects, but being able to function with less migraines over rule them. I get the nasty taste of soda & beer-basically its anything carbonated, used to get the tingling fingers/toes, still get the “at a loss for words”, and vision problems- I had to get glasses since I have been on topamax, I did loss a little weight too. I also take 4mg cyproheptadine nightly, which is an antihistamine, for my seasonal migraines. I take magnesium and B2 supplements as directed by my neurologist,and Maxalt, Naprosyn, muscle relaxers, or Imitrex Injection all on an as needed basis. I used to get migraines/headaches almost daily and am now down to only a few times a month unless I am stressed or other circumstances. I was diagnosed with menstrual migraines, seasonal migraines, and a third as yet to be determined, which is my most severe migraine.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 01:59:23 +0000

OK, here’s my take on Topamax. Alhough I have not recently continued the process that I should in taking the Topamax it has worked far better than any other drug. I became addicted to Fioricet (the first drug given to me), the other one (immediate acting once migraine comes on – can’t think of the name, gave me chest tightness), and Excedrin migraine does sometimes do the trick, but in severe cases nothing works. Taking something (topamax) every day has the best effect for me. And though I do experience the tingling in my hands and feet at times, it far outweighs all the other side effects of everything else I’ve been given in the past. So, I must thank the neurologist that suggested it to me after my daughter was born, because I am beginning to get back on it to avoid all the other problems I’ve previously experienced.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:06:59 +0000

I love Topamax. It works for me as a mood stabalizer and a migraine preventitive. It has stopped the near crippling headache I have had nearly my entire life. It has even reduced other forms of nerve pain. It has worked wonderfully for my mother as well. I can’t help but wonder how many people with chronic headaches take it believing they have migraines but are not experiencing neurologicaly based pain. This medication balance defecits in the tempral lobe. If you have a disorder originating in this region or percieved in this region you will experience relief if not you will experience horrible side effects.
I have heard many people complain of “migrains” over sinus and tension headaches and insist they have them but everyone I know with true migraines (the kind that will show abnormal patterns in EEG) have done well on Topamax.

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:54:46 +0000

I was prescribed Topamax during my most severe time with migraines. I was on a very high dose for over a year. The side effects were the same as what are listed under common side effects on drug description sites: cognitive issues, mood swings and warped sense of taste. Once I went off of it, all of these side effects went away.
A short time later I joined a migraine drug study. I was put on Gabapentin for migraine prevention. This drug completely changed everything. After some time of regular dosing, my migraine decreased in frequency and intensity. Before all treatments I was getting anywhere from 12 to 18 migraines a month. During the Gabapentin treatment, they lessened to 5-8 a month. The drug study has since ended and my neurologist put me on a daily regime of Metroprolol for prevention. I don’t know if the Gabapentin relieved my migraines and if the Metroprolol is working, but I at this point I only get maybe 6 a month and they are so mild that I can take a couple Aleves and they go away.
If you can get a prescription for Gabapentin, I highly suggest trying it.

By: Renee

Renee — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:45:27 +0000

I started taking 200 mg topamax 4 years ago; thought it was a wonder drug. It didn’t completely stop the migraines, but it did decrease the level of pain. However about one year ago the frequency of my migraines begain to increase. I seem to have developed a tyramine sensitivity (no bananas no soy products, no peanut butter). I’ve weined myself off the topamax. I figured if I was going to have migraines at least I wanted to be able to think coherently and not feel tired all the time. I’m 55 and my migraines have increased with age. I have 12 – 15 days of migraines per month. I’m just frustrated with no quality of life.

By: Denise

Denise — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:55:27 +0000

Well, I’ve been totally off for about a week now. I have been getting migraines but they have been a bit different. I still get the throbbing headaches but not as strong. Instead of aura or the feeling of dread before the headaches I now get numbness or tingling feelings in my face and on my nose.

The memory, the unsteady steps and the lose for words are still there but not as bad just only if I need to think quick. I still notice when a migraine is coming I can’t look up and down too quickly or the migraine comes up quickly. Strange.

One old problem that has returned, which is new as far as my migraines are concerned is the dizziness just before the migraine. I fully expected everything to go back to the way it was except for the memory and lose for words from what I was told and read but hmmm…?

I do notice when I get stressed I get migraines quicker then I use to. My eating habits haven’t returned and things still taste off but that’s ok.

I told another medical professional when my migraines first started to become worse then usual and the additional issues before using topamax and they stated it sounded like PTSD or Post tramatic stress disorder. I have several issues in private and work life that really got to me. But anyway, we will see what will happen in the next month or two.

I know someone who was in a medical study where it was used to help them quit smoking, it worked, however same troublesome side effects.

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:21:04 +0000

*edit “never used to take PROPHYLACTIC drugs”

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:18:39 +0000

I’ve been on Topamax for about 6 weeks now (had migraines for 30+ years, recently become 75% of my life with possible perimenopause). I get the pins & needles in both arms and right leg, and the loss of words, muddy thoughts, I am freezing cold all the time and cannot get warm. As for the depression, crying and aversion to socal situations, I’m just confused as to whether this is hormonal or drug related now – it’s very upsetting when you’ve been active all your life then suddenly you can’t do anything except plan your life around pain or the possibility of it. I’m dreading the first review as I know they’ll want to increase the Topamax dosage – I never used to take drugs but when it’s that or the migraines…. Jenn described it perfectly earlier when she said ‘you want to slam your head through a window’. Do I live as a depressive hermit and hope the migraines go – for what kind of life? Or do I carry on year after year trying different drugs? At the moment I just don’t know.

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:41:06 +0000

I went off topamax cold turkey once I found it might be a major cause of my kidney stones. I had no real issues. Of course, your mileage may vary…..