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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by blackswamp on July 19, 2000, at 11:32:48
I started Topamax 3 weeks ago as a preventative for Migraines.
So far, the only side effect has been tingling in my feet and
one day, numbness and tingling in one arm. My neurologist says
this is rare. Anyone else have this? On the good side,
the headaches have definitely diminished. I've tried
about every anti-migraine drug in the book and none
worked. All I have to show for 2 years of drugs is
an extra 40 pounds. My Dr. says Topamax may help
with weight loss as well. Anyone lose weight on Topamax?
Posted by Janice on July 24, 2000, at 22:34:08
In reply to Topamax side effects, posted by blackswamp on July 19, 2000, at 11:32:48
I've heard that weight lost begins after 200 mg of Topamax. I'm at 100 mg and I've had NO weight gain, no weight lost, and this is good enough for me.
The best of luck to you, Janice
Posted by blackswamp on July 28, 2000, at 10:12:27
In reply to Re: Topamax side effects, posted by Janice on July 24, 2000, at 22:34:08
> I've heard that weight lost begins after 200 mg of Topamax. I'm at 100 mg and I've had NO weight gain, no weight lost, and this is good enough for me.
>
> The best of luck to you, JaniceRight now weight is minor. The tingling/numbness and now cramping in my arms, hands, legs and feet is making
me crazy... and my dose is only 50 mg/day. Today
I woke up with a new symptom: chest pain. I'm
about ready to give up on the Topamax. I don't
know what else can be causing all this. And I still have
the headaches...< sigh >
Leigh
Posted by dove on July 28, 2000, at 10:32:19
In reply to Re: Topamax side effects, posted by blackswamp on July 28, 2000, at 10:12:27
I don't know your dx or med history, but either way, those side-effects sound pretty rough. Have you called your Doc? If you're taking the topamax for migraines only, then those side-effects are not worth the trouble.
I have migraines with an aura and followed by a black-out/fainting sort of thing. Three different meds have worked for me, but I've had no luck with pain-killers or anything taken after the fact.
Verapimil (sp?), a calcium channel-blocker helped a lot, but I did have break-through migraines while on it, though they were mild in comparison to the non-medicated ones. Amitriptyline does an even better job at preventing them. And I'm now taking Neurontin (Gabapentin) also an anti-seizure med, for mood stabilization and migraine prevention. I've only been taking it for about a week but so far so good. I've had no real side-effects what so ever and I'm taking 600mgs.
I hope you figure something out, because no one could really function under those conditions. Keep us updated, and the best of luck to you!
dove
Posted by blackswamp on July 31, 2000, at 10:53:14
In reply to Re: Topamax side effects, posted by dove on July 28, 2000, at 10:32:19
> I don't know your dx or med history, but either way, those side-effects sound pretty rough. Have you called your Doc? If you're taking the topamax for migraines only, then those side-effects are not worth the trouble.
>
> I have migraines with an aura and followed by a black-out/fainting sort of thing. Three different meds have worked for me, but I've had no luck with pain-killers or anything taken after the fact.
>
> Verapimil (sp?), a calcium channel-blocker helped a lot, but I did have break-through migraines while on it, though they were mild in comparison to the non-medicated ones. Amitriptyline does an even better job at preventing them. And I'm now taking Neurontin (Gabapentin) also an anti-seizure med, for mood stabilization and migraine prevention. I've only been taking it for about a week but so far so good. I've had no real side-effects what so ever and I'm taking 600mgs.
>
> I hope you figure something out, because no one could really function under those conditions. Keep us updated, and the best of luck to you!
>
> dove
Dove-I tried Verapimil and Amitriptyline and neither of them worked.
The calcium channel blocker and beta blocker (inderal) made
my heart beat irregularly, so I quit taking those. I took Elavil for 1.5 years and
it didn't help my Migraines, only made me gain weight. Same for Depakote. I have chronic
daily headache with migraines several times a week. The Topamax seemed to be working
on the Migraines, but the side effects are rediculous. I've dropped
the dose back to 25 mg. and am hoping I can tolerate that. My Dr. really
hasn't been of much help, unfortunately. I have a bottle of neurontin at home that I
tried a couple of nights. My heart nearly pounded out of my chest.. so much for that one too.
Luckily I can can get rid of a "normal" migraine with Zomig, Maxalt or Imitrex. Some
last for days and nothing helps.Nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with this... Hard to make people at work
understand how a headache can make you completely non-functional.leigh
Posted by Cam W. on August 5, 2000, at 9:51:52
In reply to Re: Topamax side effects, posted by blackswamp on July 31, 2000, at 10:53:14
Leigh - Any relief from the side effects yet? Some people have to raise the dose of Topamax very slowly and you may be one of those people. Hope you are hanging in there since the Topamax is helping the migraines. Have you tried Celebrex? Celebrex is usually used for arthritis, but some docs are trying it for headaches. I haven't had any real feedback from those trying it, as of yet.
Hope to hear from you - Cam
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