Click this link to read a post I like on the clusterheadaches.com message board...

Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 6:33pm

	Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
	Search box updated Dec 3, 2011... Search ch.com with Google!

New CH.com Forum › Cluster Headache Help and Support › Medications, Treatments, Therapies › Topamax - working but keeping me awake...

(Moderators: DJ, Mrs Deej)

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

Pages: 1

Topamax - working but keeping me awake... (Read 5218 times)

Ali 7

CH.com Newbie

Offline

I Love CH.com!

Posts: 2
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Topamax - working but keeping me awake...
Jun 7^th, 2012 at 6:22pm

Hi all...

currently on:

75mg Topamax aaaaaaaand finally had my neurologist prescribe my Imigran subject autoinjector to abort and its been keeping me going since April now!

however...since roughly November i've put up with Topamax causing me to stay awake until quite late at night - roughly 2/3AM...

now that my neurologist has also stopped Nortryptiline as of a few weeks ago...

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for knocking out a bit sooner...

i've tried taking topamax at 8/9/10/11....
i go to bed between 11-12 however i'll be WIDE awake until the early morning!

any advice?...

IP Logged

AppleNutClusters

CH.com Old Timer

Offline

2012, Year of the Honey
Badger

Posts: 261
Richmond, Virgina, USA
Gender: male

Re: Topamax - working but keeping me awake...
Reply #1 - Jun 8^th, 2012 at 6:59am

I would hazard a guess that the nortriptyline was helping to overcome the insomnia from the Topamax. Is it a possibility to re-start the nortrip for its sleepy effects, or possibly try another sleeping med? You could start with melatonin, as that's beneficial for both sleep and CH for many folks.

As a side note, make sure to drink plenty of water as Topamax tends to dehydrate you. If you'd like more ideas for sleep, I could probably write a dictionary on insomnia and the crazy things I've tried to combat it. Cheesy

IP Logged

Bob Johnson

CH.com Alumnus

Offline

"Only the educated are
free." -Epictetus

Posts: 5965
Kennett Square, PA (USA)
Gender: male

Re: Topamax - working but keeping me awake...
Reply #2 - Jun 8^th, 2012 at 8:55am

Good suggestions (above). If you try Melatonin for sleep, keep the dose between 1/2-3/4mg. Controlled study says that, for sleep, doses outside this range were not effective. Take 1-hr before bedtime. Avoid caffeine after noon.

Has you/doc considered Verapamil over Top? Overall, looks like it has more to offer us.

Bob Johnson

IP Logged

Guiseppi CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline San Diego to Florida 05-16-2011 Posts: 12063 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA USA Gender:	Re: Topamax - working but keeping me awake... Reply #3 - Jun 8^th, 2012 at 9:44am I'm with Bob. I know we hate the idea of moving away from what has been working, but Verapamil remains the leading prevent for a reason, it works for a lot of people. Joe
Back to top	"Somebody had to say it" is usually a piss poor excuse to be mean. IP Logged

JHK07 CH.com Junior Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 98 Gender:	Re: Topamax - working but keeping me awake... Reply #4 - Jun 11^th, 2012 at 2:12pm Drink more beer. Works for me, along with the Topomax. Cheers. or......Here is an idea..... Take it in the morning !
Back to top	IP Logged

lydia nichole

CH.com Veteran

Offline

I Love CH.com!

Posts: 139
Manassas, Virginia
Gender: female

Re: Topamax - working but keeping me awake...
Reply #5 - Jun 21^st, 2012 at 3:26pm

I am on topamax to 100mg right now final dose will be 200 mg and I have the same problem! My neurologist prescribed me Ambien which I will not take because of the dependence issue. But my Primary care told me to try taking two Benadryl an hour before bed and it really does help well I take it about 2 hours but it he said it is much safer then any sleeping pill.

Only the strong survive!!!

IP Logged

Pages: 1

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

« Home

‹ Board

Top of this page

©1998-2013 Web Vision Enterprises LLC All rights reserved. All information on this site is protected by international
copyright laws. You may not re-distribute any information from this site without written permission from
Web Vision Enterprises LLC and the webmaster of this site. Violators will be prosecuted.
You may view our privacy policy and financial disclosure statement here

DISCLAIMER: All information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only. It is in no way intended to be used as a replacement for professional medical treatment. clusterheadaches.com makes no claims as to the scientific/clinical validity of the information on this site OR to that of the information linked to from this site. All information taken from the internet should be discussed with a medical professional!