Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
Hi, everyone--i used to take it a long time ago and i remember it worked well, but i forgot words etc. and my mood went down...i'm so desperate though, my headaches are a lot more frequent and much worse--all tests came back fine--may be hormone-related.
anyone who takes Topamax, please let me know what dosage works for you--
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
salty: I don't take Topomax but I recently saw on Dr. Oz that taking Melatonin can help with migraines and also adding magnesium to your diet can help. Look into those before you try to get back on the Topomax. One of the long term side-effects of Topomax is kidney stones.
The Following User Says Thank You to 92261 For This Useful Post: salty (08-13-2011)
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
Salty,
I suffer from the worst migrains! I can't even sleep when I get them. Most people are able to go in a dark room and hide from noise and light, but not me. To make matters worse my 16 year old daughter gets them just as bad. But back to the question at hand, I have tried every pill under the sun to help ease the pain of my headaches. ( Gabapentin, Toporal, Indural, Celebrex, Perocete, and a few that I can't remember) I started out last year on Topamax at 100mg a day for six months. This was good for a start. But my body quicky bulit up a tolorance for it. We then went to 200mg for another six months.
Right now I am at 400mg a day. One thing that you need to consider is where you live before you get on such a high dose. The heat here and the humidity causes instant migrains for me. At times during the summer I can not go outside. I like the winter much better, but even extream cold triggers migrains so I can't win.
As far as kidney stones go, I do have stones. I have the same amount of stones that I had before I started Topamax. They have not changed. I have not had anymore develope. A way to lower your risk of getting them is to drink alot of water. I hate water so that is a major problem with me!
Topamax is the only medication that has reduced my migrains down from one every other day to one a week. This pills has made it so that I can have a semi-normal life! The only side effect that I have from it is that I over heat. It figures, that I would get the side effect that only 5% of people who use this get, but I will take it, as long as I can have a life!
The following user gives a hug of support to synisterz: salty (08-13-2011)
The Following User Says Thank You to synisterz For This Useful Post: salty (08-13-2011)
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
Hi. I take 150 mg, 50 in the morning, and 100 at night, and for the most part, it works. I still have them on my period and when the barometric meter changes (I think that's what it's referred to as), but for the most part it has helped a lot.
The Following User Says Thank You to AnxietyGirl74 For This Useful Post: salty (08-13-2011)
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
laides: There's a guy on another post about migraines that says he uses apple cider vinegar capsules. It was only a few days ago. See if you can find it. Who knows - maybe it could work.
The Following User Says Thank You to 92261 For This Useful Post: salty (08-13-2011)
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
I was on 200mg Topamax twice daily. At first (lower dose) it worked for approx 6 months, then I built up tolerance but doc had me stay on it for over 2 years, it did nothing for me but give me problems titrating away from it.
Went to next drug, lasted 3 months when new Pain Management doc ripped me off it and on to Lyrica. Best thing results wise - very very limited migraines, felt like I was alive for the first time in 2 years (fibro sufferer also), however, the weight gain and swollen joints- ankles and wrists unbearable so I am asking to come off it. Doc not really responding, but going for my 3rd RF nerve ablation, hopefully it works.
One thing that really works is exercise. Took me over 2 years to get going, but I have a gym that is almost like personal training and costs very little compared to insurance costs. I feel brand new, but look 80 years old! Anyway, talk this over with your doc as alternatives. I take Magnesium & B2 on a daily basis in the hopes it helps. Best of luck
The following user gives a hug of support to jmaxwell3333: salty (08-13-2011)
The Following User Says Thank You to jmaxwell3333 For This Useful Post: salty (08-13-2011)
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
salty: the post is titled "13 yr old with constant migraines" and the original poster is "Searchin". The poster's name recommending the vinegar is John18. He posted on 9-19 and the last post was on 9-20. See if you can find it.
The Following User Says Thank You to 92261 For This Useful Post: salty (08-13-2011)
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
hi i just started taking tomapx 25mg at hs for igrains prevenyion it dose work some i ent from 3 haedaches a week yo maybe two going to see my neru. on friday to re ck things good luck
The Following User Says Thank You to trocks72 For This Useful Post: salty (08-13-2011)
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
trocks72: the only thing I can tell you to be careful about taking topomax is that is can cause kidney stones. Be careful. It's a seizure med that's used to treat migraines.
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
Hi, I have been using Topamax 50mg, one in the morning and one at night, for almost a year. It has been the only thing to knock out my migraines completely, thank god! No side affects so far. For me it is a blessing, I had these headaches for 15 years and they are completely gone.
Re: Anyone Take Topamax To Prevent Headaches (Migraines)?
This is a helpful thread! I was wondering about Topamax and will probably try it in the near future. A friend of mine used to take it and said it did wonders for her. I'm not sure what dosage she was on. She had to stop when she was pregnant. She did say she lost around 10 pounds while taking Topamax, but didn't get any other side effects.
I found research that showed that Topamax might help improve moods too! I found this interesting.
I have cut down my number of migraines considerably over the years, but still suffer from some big ones. I am not so concerned with a moderate migraine that is painful, but more with the ones that cripple me and make me very ill. Those are definitely the worst!
