Migraine

Let me start by saying like so many other I am very excited to have found this site. I was finally diagnosed with migraines about 6 months after countless years of suffering. I was prescribed Imitrex but keep finding myself trying to refill before my insurance will allow me to. I am averaging 2-3 migraines per week. I met with a new family doctor on Monday and he agreed to put me on Topamax (I was unable to get back into the neurologist for another 5 months). I started Monday evening. He has me taking the entire dose at nighttime which I have read can be a good and bad thing from the posts on this site. He started me at 50 mg and wants me to continue that for 2 weeks and then go to 100 mg. As far as side effects that I am already noticing after 2 days... I have slept the past two nights. This is NOT so much a bad thing for me. I also suffer from insomnia, so sleeping is not something I am used to.

LoL I have to say I don't feel so great since I am not used to having slept, but I am sure it is something I can try to get used to again. I alsodo drink pop daily which has tasted strange the past two days. I know I shouldn't drink pop, so maybe that isnot such a bad thing either. From what I have read here, it seems that what I am experiencing is normal as far as the side effects and the dosage. If anyone has any other advice it would be greatly appreciated. I was also told to keep using my Imitrex as needed (just took one as I feel a monster coming on). Also as far as the "weight loss" side effect, my doctor and I agree that might not be such a bad thing. LoL I was wondering for those of you that have noticed it, how soon do you usually notice it? Thank you all in advance for your support and help!

Jen

Hi Jen,

Welcome to the forum. I've been on Topamax for about 8 months. I've lost about 20 pounds in 6 months. My doctor just recently (2 days ago) increased my dosage to 225 mg. My previous neurologist is the one that started me on the Topamax and he had me taking it all at night so I wouldn't notice the side affects. So far so good for me.

My new neurologist has me taking 25 mg in the morning and 200 mg at night (I'm increasing every two weeks until I get up to 100 mg in the morning). I've just started the morning doses but I haven't noticed any side effects, yet.

Everyone is different. I know some people can't tolerate Topamax. I'm hoping to be able to lose more weigh 'cause I could sure use it. LOL

Hi, Jen, welcome to the forum. We're glad you found us.

I broke your post into two paragraphs. Shorter paragraphs are easier for people who are trying to read during an active migraine.

We have some info on Topamax you might be interested in:

Dosage and Tapering Topamax for Migraine Prevention

TOPAMAX Oral

And here's some general info for you:

Learning About Migraines and Headaches - Where To Start

We're here for you, Jen. Hang in there.

Hi Jen

Welcome to another recent (this week) arrival to the forum.

mary in nm

Hi Jen!

Welcome!

Please see the link on Topamax titration that Nutcracker gave you.

50mgs is actually quite high to start on, were you on another preventive medication before hand?

Usually - the titration is 25mgs a week - that is normal. This doesn't mean every doctor does it this way, which could be why you are already experiencing side effects too.

My personal experience with Topamax when I started was 25mgs the first week, then 25mgs added the 2nd in the morning. 25mgs added the third week in the evening, and so on.

We look forward to getting to know you better!!!

Let us know if there is anything we can help you out with ok?

Hi Jen!
Welcome! I am on my second try with Topamax. I tried it a few years ago but gave up I think too soon because of the side effects. This time when the side effects got to me, I lowered my dose by 25mg. and they subsided enough to stay on it. I am so excited to say I have not had a Migraine for 1 week!!!!!! which is great for me. I forgot what it felt like to be normal! I have taken it for about 3 and one half months. I have tried many other preventatives to no avail. My rescue med is Zomig. I like you was taking 3 or 4 a week. I have not lost any weight on Topamax yet. Good luck to you and welcome again!
Trish

Trish,

Dear, Zomig is your abortive medication.

See this article here: Preventive, Abortive and Rescue medications: What's the difference?

quote:

Originally posted by trish:
Hi Jen!
Welcome! I am on my second try with Topamax. I tried it a few years ago but gave up I think too soon because of the side effects. This time when the side effects got to me, I lowered my dose by 25mg. and they subsided enough to stay on it. I am so excited to say I have not had a Migraine for 1 week!!!!!! which is great for me. I forgot what it felt like to be normal! I have taken it for about 3 and one half months. I have tried many other preventatives to no avail. My rescue med is Zomig. I like you was taking 3 or 4 a week. I have not lost any weight on Topamax yet. Good luck to you and welcome again!
Trish

Welcome Jen--

I'm on my second round of Topamax. I take 75mg twice daily--have been on this for 1 and 1/2 years and have tolerated it well. I've lost 40 pounds since I started the Topamax this time around, and am currently at my ideal weight. I may be starting to have some side effects now though, so will be checking with my new neurologist when I see him in June. Hope it's not the Topamax; it works the best for me.

Topamax often seems to make sodas taste funny. My drink of choice is Cherry Coke Zero and a lot of other migraineurs seem to like that one too. Maybe the Topamax doesn't affect its flavor as much.

We're looking forward to talking with you around the forum.

Tracie

Welcome to the forum family Jen! I'm so glad you found us

You've come to a fantastic place for information and support. You're going to be amazed at how much you will learn and how wonderful everyone is here.

I'm going to give you some links to help get you started:

Types of Headaches and Migraines

Migraine Diary - To track triggers, migraine patterns and the effectiveness of medications

Migraine Specialists

I hope I didn't overwhelm you with links! Again, welcome to the forum and if you have any questions, just ask away!

Hi Jen, welcome to the forum

Hi Jen! Welcome.

I tried Topamax several years ago, and had to discontinue it due to the fact that it totally shut down my GI system. I'm told this is rather rare.

I have always found that I'm pretty medication sensitive, and therefore always do better with slow increases and decreases. It makes trials slower, but a more accurate test of the medication.

I think my Topamax was more spaced out evenly during the day than you're taking it, and I remember getting irritable on it personally.

I also remember that soda and any kind of carbonated water tasted flat and icky. There were a few other things that I abruptly lost my taste for too. However, I've found that a lot of meds are like that - they might change how food tastes.

I'm really glad you're trying a preventive medication. It sounds like it was high time for it. Good luck and keep asking questions and looking around.

Lynne