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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
        
(Message started by: docdog on Jan 22^nd, 2005, 6:13am)

Title: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by docdog on Jan 22^nd, 2005, 6:13am

Good morning all. Just coming back from a trip with the devil. I wanted to share some script info and see if anyone else has familiarity with it.

My neuro put me on Topamax about 2 weeks ago and it has been helping reduce frequency and severity of CH. It is an epileptic seizure medication. I was in the earlier stage of cycle (about 3 weeks in) and was up to having 3-4 daily in 7-10 kip range. Also using Trex occasionally and O2.

Until this morning, had been pain free except for shadow pain and a few infrequent 3-5 kip HA's for 6 days. Really manageable compared to full blown cycle.

The side effects are pretty bad but we have reduced the dosage from 50 mg 2x day to 25 mg 2x day. Neuro said in many cases, side effects diminish in 3-4 weeks. Side effects I've experienced include sinisitus/upper respiritory congestion, dizziness, some confusion, depression, (but who isn't to some degree with CH's), tingling in the extremities, trouble concentrating, and difficulty sleeping. The side effects are getting a lot better with reduced dosage but may have to kick dose back up if severe HAs start to come back.

Anyone else have any experience...success w/Topamax?

Title: Re: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by E-Double on Jan 22^nd, 2005, 7:20am

At first I went PF for 2 days then hits started back at their usual random hellos.

I could only handle 1 week on it brother before I forgot my name.....

Jokes aside..... In my profession, confusion, absent mindedness is not an option and I was truly hurting "mentally" and that was at the same dosage as you.

Some do well. Some don't.

Just like everything else.

E.

Title: Re: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by Renee on Jan 22^nd, 2005, 7:24am

Good Morning Docdog,

There are many threads under the Medications, Treatments, Therapies topic area of ch.com pertaining to Topomax. Check those out as they are very informative.

Some find Topomax very helpful, many many others can't handle it's side effects, me included.

Good Morning,
Renee

Title: Re: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jan 22^nd, 2005, 10:11am

Yep. Look in the meds section.

I have 'Topamax' tattooed on my ass.
If I were to have another kid, its name would be 'Topa Max Lobster'.

Title: Re: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by Karla on Jan 22^nd, 2005, 8:21pm

I tried up to 600mg of Topamax and beccame stupider than a rock. It did nothing for my ch.

Title: Re: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by nancyc on Jan 23^rd, 2005, 10:09am

Topamax helped me but I could not deal with the side effects...Dopeymax. smiles,nancyc

Title: Re: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by Magick on Jan 23^rd, 2005, 11:12pm

Still ramping up on the dose. @ 100mg now on the way to 250. (that's a day dose split in two) Number of hit went down at first but have had a few bad days. (This may be flu related though). I'll let you all know.

Title: Re: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jan 23^rd, 2005, 11:17pm

Hmmm... above 200mg triggered for me, Mag. Topa has a therapeutic limit... exceed it and pay.

Title: Re: Anyone else having success w/Topamax?
Post by Gator on Jan 24^th, 2005, 3:32am

Made me dumber than a bag of hammers. Wife took my car keys away as I was a danger to anyone on the road. Made my attacks worse and I had vivid terrible nightmares.

But hey! It works for some. Crazy how this disease and the meds that treat it effects different people different ways.

Gator