topamax - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

LCOMER · 09-23-2001, 05:52 PM

WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS TAKEN TOPAMAX FOR MIGRAINES? I HAD TAKEN EFFEXOR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. DURING THIS TIME MY NEUROLOGIST HAD STARTED ME ON TOPAMAX FOR PREVENTION OF MIGRAINES. IT WORKED WONDERS. I HAD NO HEADACHES AND IN ADDITION I WAS LOOSING WEIGHT.HOWEVER I STOPPED THE EFFEXOR ABRUPTLY, MAYBE BECAUSE I FELT SO GOOD BEING HEADACHE FREE, THAT I NO LONGER FELT DEPRESSED. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER STOPPING THE EFFEXOR (STILL TAKING TOPAMAX) I HAD AN EPISODE OF WHAT THEY ARE CALLING AMNESIA. I HAD HAD TWO GLASSES OF WINE WITH DINNER. TOOK TOPAMAX AROUND 11:00 PM AND WENT TO BED. AT SOME POINT AFTER MIDNIGHT I GOT IN MY CAR AND DROVE. I REMEMBER NOTHING UNTIL I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HIT ANOTHER DRIVER HEAD-ON. TOTALLING MY CAR AND HAVING TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A BROKEN ANKLE. MY MD TOOK MY OFF THE TOPAMAX ALTHOUGH HE SAID HE HAD NEVER HAD THIS REACTION BEFORE. THIS INCIDENT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE. EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT INTOXICATED, I RECEIVED A DUI AND MY AUTO INSURANCE HAS INCREASED HORRIBLY. ANY INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT WOULD BE GRATEFULLY APPRECIATED.

Karla · 09-24-2001, 11:09 PM

Yes I take 200mg of Topamax along with 900mg Lithium to prevent migraines and cluster headaches. I also take Effexor and Risperdol for depression. I have been taking my ha meds for over a yr. I have had no problems with the topamax.

Vickie · 12-04-2001, 11:13 AM

I took Topomax for a few months. I lost 10lbs. and it made my hair really curly!! But the headaches came back so my doctor switched me to Neurontin. It has really helped especially with barometric headaches. I still get them, just not as bad and sometimes not at all. However, I did gain back the 10lbs. I had lost. (So I will work on that!!).
If you ever go on Neurontin, be aware that you will feel groggy or lethargic until your system gets used to it, generally about 1-2 weeks. It doesn't last all day but it certainly felt good and headache free. It is the kind of thing that you gradually increase the dosage. But it is not a narcotic.
Hope this helps.

04-21-2002, 08:06 PM

I take 200 mg of topamax and have for 2 months I am a 20 year migraine sufferer. I have had alot of side affects but over most, my new side effect is night driveing, headlights kill me they make me sick to my stomache! My hubby to be thinks the flashing lights are going to throw me into a seizure what do you all think......tomarrow I go to the eye doctor. Wish me luck!