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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> New to Topamax? Need help with results
        
(Message started by: FREDRICKS on Feb 21^st, 2008, 3:36am)

Title: New to Topamax? Need help with results
Post by FREDRICKS on Feb 21^st, 2008, 3:36am

Hi all

I am currently in my cycle and have been told by my Nuro to try Topamax for the first time which i started taking a month ago at the first signs of the cycle starting. the build up was different to normal more tension type headances, more milder, shorter KIP 4-5 type clusters for 2-3 weeks then into cycle which normally is as follows 9am, 2pm, 1am daily like clockwork for 4-6 weeks. I have been in cycle now for just over 2 weeks but am waking in the night with milder clusters than normal & much shorter, having 2-3 days for 9ams treating with imitrex and then nothing for 4 days the nightly ones contine but then for the last 5 night they have also gone away until last night so for 5 days and nights i havent had a CH until last night???. so its far less frequent and less like clockwork than normal. I do get shadowing, i have lost weight and get wierd sensations in my cheeks and under my eyes as if i am wearing a mask.
Is this the Topamax working ?, is this what it is supposed to do?As i am Episodic i guess the Nuro is tying to help reduce, abort the cycles, rather than control.
Im not complaining far from it but im used to the old 3 a day, also how do i get myself of these things as i dont want to just stop, ie if i stop to soon can the beast come back straight away?. Do i lower the dosage?. I take 100mg a night.
I am due to travel on holiday soon so would welcome any feedback about this drug and your experiences as it seems to be doing someting right?

thanks all

Title: Re: New to Topamax? Need help with results
Post by Karla on Feb 22^nd, 2008, 11:44am

I tried up to 600mg of topamax and it didn't do anything for me unfortunetly. I would not lower the dose since 100mg seems to be working for you. If you do need to go off you need to taper off carefully because it is an anticonvulsant medicine and it could cause you to have seizures if you quit taking it all of a sudden. You need to taper down under a drs supervision. Be careful.

Title: Re: New to Topamax? Need help with results
Post by Charlie on Feb 22^nd, 2008, 11:19pm

Topamax is a weird drug for some and one you have to taper getting on or going off. Tell your doctor about anything strange. Now for me, I used it as an anti-convulsant for my epilepsy. Never in my nearly 50 years of seizures has any drug been so effective in killing my seizures. It was incredible. Unfortunately, for me, it made me a bit paranoid and pretty forgetful. I had to taper off the one drug that worked so well. Nice.

Good luck with it though but keep on your toes.

Charlie