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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Topamax and Depakote Cocktail
        
(Message started by: bothofus on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 4:25am)

Title: Topamax and Depakote Cocktail
Post by bothofus on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 4:25am

Has anyone taken these together? My doc just put me on depakote yesterday and said it could be used together, but I told him I would rather not. But now I'm thinking about it. The topamax didn't seem to be helping after about a week. 100 mg @ bedtime In fact they seemed to get worse. The depakote is 250 mg 2x @ day.
Thanks, Carl

Title: Re: Topamax and Depakote Cocktail
Post by E-Double on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 7:47am

better be ready to be spoon fed and have diaper changed.

here's some reading:
http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

what else have you tried?

Title: Re: Topamax and Depakote Cocktail
Post by bothofus on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 12:24pm

Thats all I'm taking in this title bout. In the past about 10 yrs ago, it was dexamethasone taper for a week I believe. 2 or 3 yrs ago a beta blocker inderal? seemed to do the trick after a week or so. They seem to be worse this time around. I was told by a doc in '97 I think, that the older ya get the less likely ya are to get them. I was in the Seton hospital at the time for pneumonia and my wife asked them to check my head while I was in the cat scan, so I can't remember what kind of doc he was, (saw so many) but he did say they were the classic cluster headaches. And oh yeah about '88 I took cafergot and whatever pain pills the doc thought (HA HA) would work.
Carl

Title: Re: Topamax and Depakote Cocktail
Post by SophiaK on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 4:17pm

I had a adverse reaction to Topamax, and Depakote did a number on my liver. I now have scarring on my liver, can't do anything about that. I hope all Ch'ers get their liver blood done no matter what they are on. I never felt anything, skin was a bit yellow, blood test showed elevated liver enzymes, like out to lunch count, took 2 months to settle down.

Title: Re: Topamax and Depakote Cocktail
Post by bothofus on Sep 3^rd, 2006, 4:55pm

Scarring on your liver? I read the patient leaflet about possible liver damage but don't remember scarring. Sorry to hear that. Is your liver functioning normally? What dosage were you on? You just scared the liver right out of me!!!!!
This sort of problem is why I didn't want to mix the two drugs. As much as I don't like steroids I believe I would rather take them than take these risks.
Carl