I have suffered with Migraines for almost 8 years now. My doctor has tried a bunch of meds but none seem to help. My cousin is a nurse and she told me that many people that visit her office have been successful with Topamax...so I got hopeful. I came online to do research and I hear so many bad things. I guess my question for you is...Is Topamax worth the side effects? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Melissa

It was for me!

I am on 200mg per day; 100mg every 12 hrs. and it seems to have lessened my migraines although it has not helped the hormonal headaches that I am suffering from now. I am still hopeful though. My suggestion is to try it and see what happens. Not everyone has the bad side effects. The only side effect I have is the tingling in my fingers and toes and I take folic acid to help with that side effect. It seems to help and it is going away.

Molly.

I am on 250mg a day and think it's worth it. yes there are side effects as there are to almost all meds. but it sure beats having migraines. Only you can decide what's best for you. best of luck. my worst problem is saying the wrong words. All I can warn you is if you do take it is to start off slow & increase your dosage slowly!!!
Alicia

I used it for my migraines two times. The first time it didnt work, and the second time I lost 10 or so pounds on it. The side effects are what did me in, but it IS really a very good drug for many things including migraines. It just depends on the person really. Try it out and if the side effects arent bad then stick to it. Dont go up to a high dose right away though, it can be too much!

When you say up the dosage of Topamax SLOWLY, what do you mean... as far as what will happen to you if you don't up it slowly?? What type of side effects occur? How slow should you up the dose. I've been considering the use of Topamax after I talk with my doc. at my next appointment.

When you say up the dosage of Topamax SLOWLY, what do you mean... as far as what will happen to you if you don't up it slowly?? What type of side effects occur? How slow should you up the dose. I've been considering the use of Topamax after I talk with my doc. at my next appointment.
Your questions will be best answered by a qualified physician. The reason being is that Topamax effects each person differently including the side effects because it affects the brain.

Topamax is a drug for Epelipsy. That fact that it also helps lessens the frequencies of migraines is a side benefit. This drug affects the *brain*.

As a general rule, when Topamax is first prescribed for migraine sufferers, they are given 25mgs for approximately 2-3 weeks & are carefully monitored by the doctor prior to increasing the dosage up to 75mgs & so on every 2-3 weeks. Again, it depends on the patient.

If the dosage increase and/or decrease is not administered correctly Topamax can cause seizures. :eek:

Again, you must discuss your concerns w/your doctor.

Good Luck! :angel:

it was not for me but I was not taking it for migranes, I was taking it for fibromyalgia pain. It made my face, hands and feet feel like they were pins and needles all the time. my migraines were triggered by hormonal imbalances. i got on birth control and it has been a lot better.

Topamax wasn't worth it for me. Didn't help my migraines. And made me lose about 70 IQ points!
One good thing, though -- I lost weight. Food just didn't interest me much.
I've heard it really helps some people, but the key is to increase the dose very, very slowly.

And made me lose about 70 IQ points!

Reason why it's also known as Stupidmax & Dopeamax among longtime users. :D

What are the side effects? I am 39 years old and never had a migraine until August of 2004. Since that time I have had them every month exactly 1 week before my period. Now I am to the point that I have them at least 1 time per week sometimes more.
Imitrex seemed to work great in the beginning but now it seems like I am eating a tictac or something.....I am dreading the thought of going through these hours sometimes days of pain with out anything that will help!! I feel like these migraines are ruining my quality of life!! I know that sounds very dramatic but they are simply horrible.

trixie1987, do a forum search for Topamax. There you will find a many users listing their side effects.
Not everyone suffers from them all nor suffers from them the same way.

Another source: Health Guide tab at the top of this site. In the search field type Topamax.

Google

Good luck :angel:

I just wanted to give an update on my Topamax condition...
I started at 100 mg a day, 50 in the morning and 50 in the evening. The first 2 weeks were awful but I promised myself I would go at least a month. I didn't have any of the pins and needles, instead I felt very racy, I couldn't sleep well, I had no appetite and my brain was shot! After the two weeks most everything went away my appetite returned and all I had was some brainfog which I still have. Occassionally I will get the pins and needles in my hands and feet but I have been taking folic acid as suggested and drinking plenty of Orange Juice and it seems to have helped.
As for the most important thing...my headaches don't come as often and are not as strong. I actually can't remember my last one!! :D
My doc wants to up me to maybe 75 in the evening but I'm not sure if I'm ready yet. Right now I'm content with less headaches and a little brainfog. :bouncing:

Cheers,
Melissa

I am on a fairly low dose 75mgs. This is the 2nd time I have been prescribed this drug. Both rounds of it I have had success.

Weight loss usually occurs as your sense of taste changes. For me, I cannot drink anything carbonated.

My migraines are down from 3 per week to 1-2 per month. Tension headaches are also down.

Yes, it is worth it for me.

It didn't work for me at all. Really BAD side effects and no weight loss. :( But I know it has done wonders for others. I guess you'll never really know unless ya try it. :)

I think that stopping it for a while and going back on it can yield different results.

I was on it for about 8 months with side effects. Depression, loss of words were the main problems for me. The usual bad taste of carbonated drinks and eye pressure was there as well but it worked wonderfully to prevent headaches from Migraine. The depression was getting very bad and I was very emotional all the time. I could not speak very well any longer. Everytime I would go to say something I would not be able to come up with the words. I decided to go off of it and back onto a TCA as a preventative.

After a year I went pack on Topamax and am back up to 200mg a day with the only side effects being the bad taste with fizzy drinks and eye pressure but it is not working to prevent headaches.