Does anyone take Topamax for migraines?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

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.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I take 100mg twice daily...no problems here! For me it's been a miracle drug, after having migraines since I was 14 years old. I haven't had a migraine in almost 2 years :) I LOVE IT! Definitely worth investigating...good luck!:yeah:

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I wish I was on something stronger for mine...I take Corgard (sp?) which they told me was for blood pressure, but I'm still gulping down Motrin 800mg bid. I think Topamax didn't jibe right with my other psych meds...if I remember correctly that is what my p-doc said at the time.

Good luck to you!

Blessings, Michelle

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Specializes in NICU.

My MIL takes it. I know her side effects are weight loss, depression, and she lost her taste for carbonated drinks. She takes an antidepressant and she says this is the best she has ever felt. Her migraines were so bad before. Now she can function and never gets migraines.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele.

I was on 150 mg a day and tapered myself down to 100 mg. The reason: I have problem with the memory and speech (finding words) quiet often. My migraines did get better on the meds, and I wish I could keep taking it, but the side effects are very strong for me, and unfortunately I do need all my "marbles" in nursing.

For my migrain attacks I take Zomeg (spelling?), which helps great and does not effect me in any way.

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Specializes in Endoscopy.

I took 100 mg, and yes the migraines were prevented for the most part, but I had to come off because I found myself unable to sleep through the night while I was on it. I have not found any research on that particular side effect, but it happened, so I came off. The other side effects I experienced were weight loss, tingly sensation in hands, and significantly impaired memory. I too am experiencing some miserable months with up to 20 migraines, often beyond my monthly limit of Imitrex, so I am learning to refill the prescription whether I have an immediate need or not so i don't run out. My doctor also tried a mild diuretic as a preventative (pertaining to fluid levels around brain), but that did not appear to work.

Oh my head... :banghead:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

I tried Topomax several years ago. It did not help with the migraines and made me feel "off". I had trouble with my memory and word finding. This was right before I entered Nursing school, so I decided to go off the medication before school started. For me, this was the right decision. I take Calan SR as a preventative and Fiorinal when I get a migraine. For a separate issue, I recently started taking Neurontin and have not had a migraine in four weeks!

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck in finding relief. No one understands what it is like to be in so much pain from a migraine.

Best wishes,

Michelle

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

I take Reglan prn.

I have a student who has severe migraines (are the mild migraine? HA), and was on topamax. She is a honor student, and started failing a math class she had been doing well in- due to the meds. It was making her so "fuzzy" she couldn't concentrate in class. Luckily, she's had good luck with the meds she is taking now (but I don't remember what it is).

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Specializes in LTC & Correctional Nursing.

I take a 100mg of Topamax daily. It has helped my considerably. I still get a few migraines a month but I used to get several a week so I am happy. When I first started taking it I did have some memory trouble and increase appeitite. But I have been on it for about two years and have had no problems other than the time I was stupid and stopped taking it and got terrible migraines for about a week until I straightened myself back out on it. :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Emergency.

Everyones "cocktail" of what works for them is different. My doctor started my on it to cut down on the amount of NSAIDs I have to use due to my frequent complaints of GERD. I do find myself using significantly less ibuprofen or naproxen but have other things that I do use that he has provided when a headache occurs. I also think the side effects tend to dissipate over time.

Who know how much our chosen professions play into our health problems. As I write this i am fighting a cold I can about bet I caught from one of those little germ factories that didn't cover their mouths in the last couple weeks.

Rj

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Specializes in School Nursing.
i take reglan prn.

i have a student who has severe migraines (are the mild migraine? ha), and was on topamax. she is a honor student, and started failing a math class she had been doing well in- due to the meds. it was making her so "fuzzy" she couldn't concentrate in class. luckily, she's had good luck with the meds she is taking now (but i don't remember what it is).

hi aneroo, so you take reglan.....as in the gastric reflux reglan ?? :nurse: praiser

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
hi aneroo, so you take reglan.....as in the gastric reflux reglan ?? :nurse: praiser

yep! we gave it a lot in the er for migraines. i don't know why, but it works. i managed to get a doctor to write me a script for it. i take my combo of tylenol/motrin/reglan when it gets bad. sometimes i'll just do the motrin/tylenol and if it continues to worsen i take the reglan and that usually knocks it out.

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