Does anyone take Topamax for migraines?

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 25, 2008

I take Topamax for daily maintanence, 200mg a day. And for breakthrough migraines (which sadly, I get anyhow) I take Relpax. I also take NSAIDS at times, and even Vicodin (PRN) if none of the above work. I break one of the narc pills in half and try to keep it at that. I also have Compazine PRN for the vomiting that sometimes precedes my migraines and can be unremitting. Migraines have plagued me for about 8 years now and they continue to do so. But the Topamax DID decrease the frequency and severity to a large extent. I just wish they would go away altogether. They have robbed me of a lot of time and joy.

Also, I get massage therapy as an adjunct and it helps. I am considering acupuncture as well. I would like to use less meds and more complimentary treatments, as I think there is no ONE way to tackle this problem. Also, some women have hormonal considerations, so don't neglect this. There are ways, hormonally, for some people, to help control frequency and severity of outbreak.

Clearly, migraine is a complicated problem for many. I believe it takes a multidisciplinary approach to treat them.

Good luck finding (along with your physician) the therapy that works for you.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Nov 25, 2008

Have a friend who is a naturopath and says that acupunture/acupressure is AWESOME for migraines. Now, to find someone you trust to actually do that well....different story, at least for me.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2008

[off topic]

Every time I see this I see, "Does anyone take Tampax for Headaches?"

[/off topic]

Aneroo, LPN · Nov 25, 2008

[off topic]
Every time I see this I see, "Does anyone take Tampax for Headaches?"
[/off topic]

Bwhahahaha!

Yes, the need for tampax usually does go along with a lot of my headaches. LOL

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Nov 25, 2008

I tried it and hated it I got presistant pins and needles in my feet. I "became dyslexic" and started writing words backwards and lost 15lbs in about as many days.

dekagirlsRN · Nov 25, 2008

I decided to get weaned off the Topamax when I was accepted into nursing school. I experienced several side effects: speech problems, hallucinations, altered taste, tingling in hands/feet. BUT, I was migraine free! I just didn't think I could comprehend the material while on topamax--it made me feel and sound stupid. That's why it's also called Dope-a-max!! I was up to 100 mg BID but they were slowing starting to return anyway.

PreRN Katie · Nov 25, 2008

I take 120 mg of Inderal (propanolol - sp?) every day to prevent migraines and it works pretty well. It's decreased them down from every single day to maybe 2 a week. I also take Midrin when they get started and it will usually cut them off before they get too bad. It's not a perfect treatment by any means but I'm afraid of the memory issues that come with Topamax. Good luck, I know how miserable migraines are!

RNKel, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2008

i used to take 100 mg of it years ago and then was weaned off after 1 year of no migraines. now they are back and range from full force with nausea/photophobia/vision changes to a dull omnipresent ache that is always threatening to become a full-fledged migraine. i've had a headache for over a month straight every day and sometimes waking up at night from it, but no insurance until february to start on anything again. i remember the topamax worked but i forget how it made me feel. does anyone take it and have any problems working? any trouble with your memory? i'm not looking for medical advice as i've been on it before and just reread through the side effects, just looking for personal experience with using it daily while being in such an intensive field like nursing. thanks in advance.

i take 75 mg a day for migraines. it definitely works. i was up to 100 mg, but it was too much for me. at 100 mg, i was forgetful, couldn't concentrate, was ataxic, had lots of paresthesia, etc. doc took me back to 75 mg and it works perfectly.

i'm not a nurse yet but i'm a senior student and i have clinicals two full days a week and it isn't affecting my performance at all. it did at the higher dose ~ it was hard for me to concentrate.

the only side effects i really notice are thirst (i drink tons of water now, which is good anyway), and i had some weight loss, which i needed since i put on 35 lbs in ns. (i've lost 30 :yeah: )

good luck ~ i've suffered from severe migraines since i was six. they're no fun. :bluecry1:

RNKel, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2008

and she lost her taste for carbonated drinks.

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Oh, yeah! Another side effect I get. Not a bad one, though.

Babs0512 · Nov 26, 2008

I was on 150 mg daily for headaches, but I could'nt tolerate the s/fx.

I couldn't think straight, my voice would sound drunk for a few hours and I found many of my favorite food, even my morning coffee tasted different. So, I took myself off it.

I have nothing good to day about it.

Blessins

nelcoy4 · Nov 26, 2008

I have nothing good to say about it. I had word finding issues, my extremities were tingling.

lgnurse20 · Dec 5, 2008

I just took my first dose of Topamax for headaches and I am really nervous. Do you really feel "stupid"? I feel like I have a lot of trouble concentrating and trouble word finding because my head is pounding all day every day. Are the side effects worth it? This is the only side effect I am truly concerned about. Help please