OT Topamax? XPost
I have been taking Topomax for several years to help prevent migraines. I did have trouble with memory loss and delayed reflexes when I first started on it so my doctor kept reducing the dosage until we found one that helped with the migraines but didn't mess with my mind. Thankfully, I haven't had a migraine since I've lost weight so for my annual check up next week I'm going to ask about going off of it. I would like to get yet another medication off my list!
Good luck.
Ruth Ann Combs
Lexington, KY
RNY 7/26/11
Lexington, KY
RNY 7/26/11
I really recommend you not trying to go off of it. I had the same thought and didnt feel like going to my neurologist since he is an hour away and only sees patients from 7:30 and to 9 am every day since he is Head of Neurologist at a big teaching hospital and he has to make rounds and then teaches class at the medical school in the afternoon but it isnt great for patients. I live 45 minutes away if it was in the afternoon but during rush hour traffic, it could take 2 hours because I have to cross a major bridge to cross the Hudson River in the NY metro area. It isnt easy getting = it is bumper to bumper for the entire time.
so, I figured I would try to lower my dose - I would never stop it completely. I take 150mg at bedtime and I went down to 100mg at bedtime. Within 1 week, I was getting migraines almost daily - it was horrendous. I was finally doing so well with the topamax working and keeping them under bay to only getting one about one every 2 months. Years ago before my topamax, I would get them daily and they would last for 3 days at a time and I ended up in the ER atleast 2 times per month.
I really recommend if your migraines are under control - it isnt an easy thing to do, please dont fool with what works. For me it took about 6 or 7 years to get to the point that I could go months without a migraine
so, I figured I would try to lower my dose - I would never stop it completely. I take 150mg at bedtime and I went down to 100mg at bedtime. Within 1 week, I was getting migraines almost daily - it was horrendous. I was finally doing so well with the topamax working and keeping them under bay to only getting one about one every 2 months. Years ago before my topamax, I would get them daily and they would last for 3 days at a time and I ended up in the ER atleast 2 times per month.
I really recommend if your migraines are under control - it isnt an easy thing to do, please dont fool with what works. For me it took about 6 or 7 years to get to the point that I could go months without a migraine
I have taken topamax for years for my migraines and to me it is a miracle pill. I used to get migraines daily and sometimes they lasted for 3 days landing me in the ER atleast 2 times per month - it was horrendous, I couldnt take the pain. I saw my neurologist and he put me on Topamax and immediately they lessened but not enough - they were still 3-4 times per weel/ So he increased my dose and it was much butter, more like 2-3 times per week, at that point he added verapamil which is known for helping migraines as well. So, I was now getting them once per week and I was very happy.
Then I had my RNY and could no longer take my verapamil - made my BP and heart rate way too low (45-50), so they again increased my topamax to 150mg at bedtime and my migraines are practically gone. Basically I get them about every 1-2 months, so to me if there are side effects it is worth it. I take them at bedtime so I dont get the really groggy affect.
As far as mild degenerative disc disease and bulging discs causing severe headaches and neck pain, my pain management doctor says it doesnt happen. I was having terrible neck pain, even going down my arms and losing feeling in my neck with terrible burning feeling at some times. I went for an MRI and I multiple herniations, cervicle spondiolosis which is a form osteoarthritis and degernerative disc desease but a litle more advanced. After the MRI - I was told by 2 pain management doctors and a Rheumotologist (arthritis specialist) that it wouldnt cause those symptoms. In order to have things that are affecting the nerves, you need to have herniated the discs putting pressure on the nerve roots - mild bulges dont do that. I have had mild bulges for 15 years and that is why they dont like to do MRI's unless people are really, really bad with radiating pains down the extremities because if they did MRI's on the majority of the population, 50% or more would have disc bulges and degenerative disc disease.
It turns out that my radiating nerve pain and all the burning pains were because of ergonomics - it was the way I was sitting at my computer and leaning my neck. As soon as I got my laptop it pretty much went away - I use it in my bed and position my neck with a pillow for support. When I went in for PT, the first question he asked me was how are you sitting at your computer? He told me he gets patients all the time with neck problems and 50% or more it is due to ergonomics. You might benefit from a steroid injection to bring down whatever inflamation you have at this point.
Then I had my RNY and could no longer take my verapamil - made my BP and heart rate way too low (45-50), so they again increased my topamax to 150mg at bedtime and my migraines are practically gone. Basically I get them about every 1-2 months, so to me if there are side effects it is worth it. I take them at bedtime so I dont get the really groggy affect.
As far as mild degenerative disc disease and bulging discs causing severe headaches and neck pain, my pain management doctor says it doesnt happen. I was having terrible neck pain, even going down my arms and losing feeling in my neck with terrible burning feeling at some times. I went for an MRI and I multiple herniations, cervicle spondiolosis which is a form osteoarthritis and degernerative disc desease but a litle more advanced. After the MRI - I was told by 2 pain management doctors and a Rheumotologist (arthritis specialist) that it wouldnt cause those symptoms. In order to have things that are affecting the nerves, you need to have herniated the discs putting pressure on the nerve roots - mild bulges dont do that. I have had mild bulges for 15 years and that is why they dont like to do MRI's unless people are really, really bad with radiating pains down the extremities because if they did MRI's on the majority of the population, 50% or more would have disc bulges and degenerative disc disease.
It turns out that my radiating nerve pain and all the burning pains were because of ergonomics - it was the way I was sitting at my computer and leaning my neck. As soon as I got my laptop it pretty much went away - I use it in my bed and position my neck with a pillow for support. When I went in for PT, the first question he asked me was how are you sitting at your computer? He told me he gets patients all the time with neck problems and 50% or more it is due to ergonomics. You might benefit from a steroid injection to bring down whatever inflamation you have at this point.
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