I have begun taking one of my 2 100- mg topamax tablets in the morning and the other in the evening. My headaches had begun again starting up in the mornings when I wake up. I take one topamax upon rising.
The compounded Midrin had not been working very well. In fact, if I had taken an Advil, it would have worked better. So, I will tell my neuro at my February appointment.
Also, I refilled my Topamax with the generic last week. I still have Topamax left, so I won't actually begin the generic right away.
I must say that the last migraine headache I had that lasted 4 days was the worst one I ever experienced. I must take all my notes and discuss with my neuro and get his feedback. I don't think I can look forward to another one like that again. We must do all we can to prevent another one like that last one.
Thanks to you who offered your suggestions and advice so I can try something different to try to find something else that will work for me. I am going into my 6th year of migraines. They had been under control until just a few months ago.
I am replying with an update. I have been feeling really good lately. The 2 changes I've made were that I refilled my Topamax with the generic Topiramate, and that I had recently begun taking one in the morning and one at bedtime. For years, I was taking them both and bedtime.
I hope I continue feeling so well. I an anxious to see my neurologist on Feb. 17 to discuss the other medications and options that were mentioned on this thread.
Thank you, MamaMary. I have been doing so much better lately. You are very fortunate to have gotten approved your first application. I'm sorry to hear that your migraines are so severe that you actually have enough of a disability to have had to collect.
Thank you for your response. This is exactly the type of information I was looking for.
The following user gives a hug of support to CaringWmn: MamaMary (02-11-2012)
I have a great update for you! My headaches have been relieved since I began taking my Topamax generic Topirimate, one in the morning and one in the evening at bedtime. I have no fullness in my head, or lingering hint of a headache trying to develop.
I am so grateful for the advice that was offered regarding the generic brand, as well as the suggestion about splitting up my 2 pills during the day. There has been no difference between the name brand and the generic as far as effectiveness. Instead of paying $60, I pay $15, so that makes a big difference to me each month.
Thank you, and I just wanted to give this significant update.
Thank you for providing us with an update...and with such great news! I'm happy to hear that you're finally starting to feel some relief now (and at a lower cost). I hope that it continues!
I just wanted to add that the generic is just as good as the brand name of topamax..I waited forever for the generic.. I was paying a small fortune every month until the generic came because I had insurance that would not pay for brand names but I had to have my topamax,,It was the only thing that helped my head pain (along with methadone ) I took 400 mgs a day of topamx and 90 mgs of methadone and it would get my head pain in half..which is livable with out I am in a fetal position , in bed, rocking back in forth in agony..One does not work without the other..I found this out with trial in error with many many drugs in 2 years..I have a nice size inoperable brain aneurysm , and with every heart beat it pulsates amd hits my nerve (occipital nerve ) which it has been doing now for 11 years ,,I have constant 24/ 7 , 365 horrible head pain..I did get SSDI, Not for the brain aneurysm but for the pain,,So I really think, you can get ssdi for pain from migrains,,But it has to be prooven from your docters..Good luck in what you, Studey
The following user gives a hug of support to studey2: CaringWmn (05-03-2012)
I have taken topamax but had to stop due to kidney stones, I now take keppra in combination with cymbalta and amitriptlyne.
Yes I went on disability due to migraines. I have a mixed disability though in that I also have neuropathy.
It is possible to get disability due to migraines but it is difficult. You need a good history from your doctor in how your migraines are affecting your work, especially how much time is missed from work. Keep a headache diary and document if stress is adding to your migraines. This helps your doctor and you in that documentation is important when applying for disability. If you have a documented history it works better because the SSI doctor examination is usually negative in migraines. The judge can overrule a negative examination if there is a positive history of your migraines affecting your employment. In my case I had gone on FMLA and after my time ran out my employment was in jeopardy due to lost time.
I do not know what else to say other than to keep trying to work as long as you can.
Good luck.
The Following User Says Thank You to tingles For This Useful Post: CaringWmn (05-03-2012)
studey, I'm so sorry to read about your experience with such painful migraines. That's so much medication to have to take for relief.
My insurance company offered for me to get the Topiramate instead of Topamax, and not pay any copay at all. I have been taking the generic instead of the name brand, and have not noticed any difference, except in my bank account. I got a refill this week, and paid nothing.\
Thank you for your reply to my thread. I wish you more relief for your migraines in the future.
tingles, thank you for the informative post in response to my questions about disability due to work related migraines. I actually have missed probably only two days of work due to a migraine headache, and have not documented it with my doctor. Although I take the Topiramate and have Treximet as a rescue medication, I've taken the Treximet only once. I take only 200 mg. of Topiramate.
I think I'm fortunate that my migraines are basically controlled my the medication, as compared to others who have responded, who take much more medication and have had to go on SSI with more documentation.
Your information has been extremely helpful. Thank you. I'm sorry you had to leave your job, but I wish you good health in the future.
The Following User Says Thank You to CaringWmn For This Useful Post: tingles (05-03-2012)
It is indeed possible to get ssdi for migraines. I would suggest using a lawyer with experience in this area. I took topamax when it first came out and it was so controversial that many neuros would not prescribe it for migraines. I found it effective but I had cognitive problems. There are a number of different types of preventatives including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, Anti-seizure meds , some antidepressant, etc. And of course. lets not forget botox. I think the best abortives are the triptans or migranal.
I told my boss that my last day is going to be June 30. I am anxious to retire, not because of the migraines. He is coming into the office in a couple of weeks, so we are going to discuss finalizing everything, getting files in order, forwarding mail, etc.
I do think I've developed cognitive difficulties, just with my 200 mg of Topamax. My boss overloaded me with work in the past 6 years, and I'm completely burned out. I would work, but I don't want the responsibility I've had for the past 20 years.
I hope everything works out well. I believe that you may have developed cognitive disorder using Topamax. It is a great medication but some of the side effects can be disconcerting.
A letter from your employer if he is willing will help out too. It should focus on your problems performing your duties now and lost time from work has affected your abilities to perform your duties.
The Following User Says Thank You to tingles For This Useful Post: CaringWmn (05-11-2012)
Thanks, tingles. It's great the Topamax helps with my headaches, but I am sad it has taken away my ability to do the great accounting work I used to do. Nothing has been documented, though.
I have never missed time from work, except maybe a couple of days over the years. I've work thru the headaches.
I might want to apply for additional life insurance and also long-term care insurance, so I don't want any problems with my health, or any disability documented on my health records.
My husband has wanted me to retire for a couple of years, anyway, so this is a good opportunity to do so. His mother and my dad are aging, and I would like to spend more time with them. I don't want to let time get away from me by working so much if I don't have to. I'm usually gone from the house about 11 hours a day. I'd rather spend quality time with our parents at this time.
My husband has always been able to keep good health insurance for us thru his company.
Thank you for offering the helpful information. I'm not sure I have anything that is sufficient enough that would qualify me for long-term disability. There might be a time later on, though. I am only 56 years old now.
