![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ed_uk on August 13, 2005, at 19:27:15
The summary of product characteristics for Topamax (topiramate; Janssen-Cilag) has been updated to include an additional indication for the prophylactic treatment of migraine headache in adults. The recommended daily dose for this indication is 100mg a day administered in two divided doses, although some patients may experience a benefit at a total daily dose of 50mg a day. Dose titration should begin at 25mg nightly for a week. The daily dosage should then be increased, at one week intervals, by 25mg. If the patient is unable to tolerate the titration regimen, intervals longer than a week should be used. Dose and titration rate should be guided by clinical outcome. Discontinuation of treatment should be gradual.
~ed
Posted by Nickengland on August 13, 2005, at 19:27:16
In reply to Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the UK, posted by ed_uk on August 12, 2005, at 14:51:45
Posted by Nickengland on August 13, 2005, at 19:27:16
In reply to Thanks for the up-date Ed (nm) » ed_uk, posted by Nickengland on August 12, 2005, at 16:35:12
Hi Ed!
Too addictive, I have to write a message :-O
Just wanted to add that I get alot of headaches and sometimes migraines, but since starting Topamax I no longer get them at all. Nice added bonus for me as I used to have to take alot of ibuprofen!
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by ed_uk on August 13, 2005, at 19:27:16
In reply to Re: Thanks for the up-date Ed, posted by Nickengland on August 12, 2005, at 16:43:59
Perhaps you'll never need the new dexibuprofen!
King regards
~Ed
Posted by Nickengland on August 13, 2005, at 19:27:16
In reply to Re: Thanks for the up-date Ed » Nickengland, posted by ed_uk on August 12, 2005, at 16:50:30
Very True!
Ps...I'm thinking, perhaps when I have my life sorted out in a year or 2 with regards to more stability in other areas, I may strongly consider studying pharmacy/drugs or as close as I can get to working with them. I think of alot of things though Ed so don't hold me to it just yet though lol Honestly though, I really am very interested in drugs :-)
Posted by ed_uk on August 13, 2005, at 19:27:16
In reply to Re: Thanks for the up-date Ed » ed_uk, posted by Nickengland on August 12, 2005, at 17:21:35
>I really am very interested in drugs :-)
You certainly are :-)
~Ed
Posted by fairywings on August 13, 2005, at 21:21:11
In reply to Re: Thanks for the up-date Ed » Nickengland, posted by ed_uk on August 13, 2005, at 8:55:41
Hi Ed and Nick,
I've had migraines for years. After our last son was born, 2 1/2 years ago they started getting really bad -they're mostly hormonal, over the past year I've had some terrible ones around my menstrual cycle (more than you wanted to know, I'm sure!). One lasted 2 weeks, the last one 6 days, and after the headache was gone I had facial nerve pain for days, and every day after that I woke up with a migraine.
I'm on Midrin for the non-hormonal migraines, and Vicodin for the bad ones, but the last bad one even 6 Vicodin didn't kick out. My doctor finally put me on 25 mg. Topamax about a week ago, with the Midrin, Vicodin, and Maltex as backup. Every day has been a bit better. After 2 days I was at least not waking up with them, but I'd get them in the early afternoon. Today it was 2:00 before I started to get one, but it went away.
fairywings
Posted by Dinah on August 14, 2005, at 13:43:03
In reply to Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the UK, posted by ed_uk on August 12, 2005, at 14:51:45
I was told my neurologist that it was off the table for me because of my kidney stones, which greatly surprised me.
I've been putting off using Lamictal because I just plain don't like it every time I start.
Yesterday I had one of the rare (for me) headaches where I seriously considered going to the hospital. I get them all the time, many bad enough to lay me up, but rarely so bad that I halfway wish they'll kill me.
Egads, if I had ones like that all the time I don't know how I would stand it. Someone I know has a teenage daughter who is in the hospital all the time with them.
It makes me realize how lucky I am.
Posted by fairywings on August 14, 2005, at 17:24:32
In reply to Re: Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the, posted by Dinah on August 14, 2005, at 13:43:03
> I was told my neurologist that it was off the table for me because of my kidney stones, which greatly surprised me.
>
Hi Dinah,I get kidney stones too, but I've been trying to drink tons of water. I'm hoping it won't be an issue. Keeping my fingers crossed.
fw
Posted by ClearSkies on August 15, 2005, at 9:18:19
In reply to Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the UK, posted by ed_uk on August 12, 2005, at 14:51:45
I have been taking Topamax as a mood stabilizer and recently was bumped up to a more beneficial dosage of 50mg per day, and I have not had a migraine since.
What a fantastic side effect! I am used to having 7 to 10 migraines a month on average.
ClearSkies
Posted by Nickengland on August 19, 2005, at 6:34:59
In reply to Re: Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the UK, posted by ClearSkies on August 15, 2005, at 9:18:19
I have suffered with headaches/migraines all my life from when I was a small child - I cannot believe since starting the Topamax I really have no headaches and certainly never any mirgraines at all. Such a relief, this stuff has some excellent benefits for healthy side effects...I actually find as well that i now eat healthier food,. because my appitite has decreased, now I mostly just want to eat 'good food' when I do eat, I really do feel alot better for that too.
And its the main the drug which keeps my mood in shape in terms of manic depression ~ thats pretty healthy too! :-)
Kind regards
Nick
Ps Dinah..kidney stones are awful, but I wonder whether it would be benefitial to at least ry the Topomax and see how it goes, you may find that with a low dose and drinking more water, you'll avoid them altogether?...If you did get them then at least you know for sure you couldnt take the topamax. I took lamictal before too and hated it :-(
Posted by Dinah on August 20, 2005, at 6:11:55
In reply to Re: Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the UK, posted by Nickengland on August 19, 2005, at 6:34:59
I was a bit iffy on Topamax before because of the Dopamax reputation. I wasn't altogether unhappy about having it ruled out, although I am impressed with the testimonials here. :)
My neurologist is very clear that neurologists are more conservative and cautious about meds than psychiatrists are. It seems to be an important thing to her. And my psychiatrist ruled out Topamax a while ago, because of the demanding nature of my job. He's ruled out a few medications on that basis.
I don't think anyone would prescribe it for me.
I did however start taking the Lamictal again. It's not that I am getting migraines more frequently, but I'm getting the sort that make you wish you were in the hospital or knocked out on pain pills. I don't get those too often, so I figured I'd better give the Lamictal another try. I never did give it an honest shot.
Posted by fairywings on August 20, 2005, at 8:23:32
In reply to Re: Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the UK, posted by Nickengland on August 19, 2005, at 6:34:59
> I have suffered with headaches/migraines all my life from when I was a small child - I cannot believe since starting the Topamax I really have no headaches and certainly never any mirgraines at all. Such a relief, this stuff has some excellent benefits for healthy side effects...I actually find as well that i now eat healthier food,. because my appitite has decreased, now I mostly just want to eat 'good food' when I do eat, I really do feel alot better for that too.
>> Kind regards
>
> Nick
>Hi Nick,
I'm on 25 mg, which is helping a just bit, what's your dose? Any side effects? My GP won't take me over 50 mg w/o me seeing a neuro, and my p-doc won't Rx it because he said my migraines are too complicated. ARGH!
fw
Posted by Nickengland on August 22, 2005, at 5:55:14
In reply to Re: Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the » Nickengland, posted by Dinah on August 20, 2005, at 6:11:55
I see what you mean Dinah, perhaps its best for the best then that you don't try Topamax...
I remember when I was on Lamictal it didn't seems to make headaches worse, I think I used to feel them coming on but as soon as I would feel the need to take a pain killer, like Ibuprofen or something for the head ache ~ the head aches would just disapear.
I hope that Lamictal works well for you this time round..
Posted by Nickengland on August 22, 2005, at 6:05:39
In reply to Re: Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the UK » Nickengland, posted by fairywings on August 20, 2005, at 8:23:32
Hi fairywings,
I'm 25mg as well at the moment. I was taking 37.5mg a couple of weeks ago, but had a flu at the time of the increase, had afew sleeping problems and so decided to drop back down to 25mg ~ which really seems to be going fine so far. I am prescibed to take 50mg though, so i'm going to have another go at pushing the doasge up again soon..(have to go really slow with the increase on this stuff though ~ helps to avoid unwanted side effects)
Not much side effects to be honest, none that are that bothersome. No sexual side effects thank god! lol Sometimes feel abit sick in the morning with the loss of appitite thing. Sometimes hit the wrong keys on when typing LOL But nothing that really bothers me too much i'm glad to say, the benefits seem to outweigh the side effects.
Sounds frustrating about your psychiatrist! At least you have it prescibed from your GP though..perhaps 25mg - 50mg is all your need? I'm finding that this drug is very powerful, not so sure I'd want to be taking high dosages lol (may get extra unwanted side effects at the higher dosages too?)
What side effects are you having?
Kind regards
Nick
Posted by fairywings on August 22, 2005, at 11:02:46
In reply to Re: Finally! Topamax approved for migraine in the UK » fairywings, posted by Nickengland on August 22, 2005, at 6:05:39
> Sounds frustrating about your psychiatrist! At least you have it prescibed from your GP though..perhaps 25mg - 50mg is all your need? I'm finding that this drug is very powerful, not so sure I'd want to be taking high dosages lol (may get extra unwanted side effects at the higher dosages too?)
>
> What side effects are you having?
>
Hi Nick,Hi NickE,
Not much in the way of side effects, like you the keys sometimes, and sometimes finding a word here or there. Actually, my sex drive is higher, and it's already high, so hmmmm....I won't complain, but.....if it goes back to normal I'll be okay with that too. I think if I get another several day long migraine this month I'll ask both the GP if she'll go to 50, if she won't I'll ask p-doc if he'll just try me on 50 b4 making me see a neuro. He's a reasonable guy.
fw
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Health | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.