Migraine
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Novice |
Hi Elizabeth:
I've been reading through the posts here, but I'm not clear as to whether or not you're still taking Topamax. The only thing I can share with you is from my experience with Topamax. I tried Topamax about a year ago and could not sleep while taking it.  I kept waking up during the night, over and over and over again. And everytime I woke up I felt like I was WIDE awake. I spent 2 days walking around like a zombie with my head buzzing. It felt awful. I quit taking it (I had only taken 25mg each day). I tried Topamax again (my neurologist LOVES this med). Instead of starting out at the 25 mg per day dose and titrating up to the 100 mg per day suggested, I cut the pills in 1/4's and started that way. I was up to 3/4 of a 25 mg pill per day when I noticed that I was feeling extremely agitated. Then came the depression. Mind you, I've been taking Welbutrin for depression for 7 years, now, and felt like I was doing extremely well. To have this ugly monster rear it's head after so long (and I was VERY depressed), it scared me really bad. I mean, I was crying for absolutely NO reason, and a LOT! SO... I made an appointment to see a therapist. I hadn't seen one in SO long. Anyway, after my first appointment with her I found out 2 things. One, of which, is that Topamax (along with several other anti-seizure medications) has been found to cause the kind of depressive moods I was experiencing, in some people. I made a decision to stop taking the Topamax immediately, as well. Keep in mind, though, that I was only taking 3/4 of a 25 mg tablet, so even though I KNOW it's not safe to just stop taking that type of med, I also knew that I'd hardly been taking any of it. The very next day, my depression lifted. WOW! That was scary and I don't ever want to purposely put something into my body that causes me to feel that way, again. I truly do empathize with you because it's a VERY SCARY thing to feel like you're not in control of your thoughts and emotions. I am extremely happy that you have a good support system. That's so important.  I hope that you find out what is causing your bipolar symptoms and that you can reverse it. I never heard of anyone being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and then have it disappear. That's awesome! HOORAY for you! That is a VERY difficult disorder to deal with. But if that can happen than a LOT of things are possible (like Topamax triggering bipolar symptoms). If it's anything like I experienced, maybe you will be lucky like me. In the mean time, I'm sending lots of prayers your way. Blessings, Sandi ps - how in the world does one put their picture on their profile here? I looked EVERYWHERE I could think of the other day but never could find the option to do so....  |
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Apprentice |
Sandi,
Nope, I'm no longer taking Topamax... I've been off of that for, I guess, a few months now... I know - I've never heard of bi-polar symptoms disappearing, but - I swear, they did for me... until maybe a month ago.  I just figured I was all free and clear from it forever, since it went away - but, obviously that's NOT the case. Grr.Thanks very much for your input and info on Topamax... my neuro seems to like that drug a lot, too - we'll see what she puts me on, next... My ex-stepmother and I are still really close... she said a colleage, at her work, has a daughter who sees a migraine specialist in Houston... his name is Dr. Ninan Mathew, at the Houston Headache Clinic. Has anyone heard of him, had good/bad experiences w/ him? Thanks in advance! Oh - I wanted to add - I don't remember how I put my pic on my profile! I'm SURE someone more experienced than me can help! Elizabeth |
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Apprentice |
UPDATE:
OK, Dr. Roy's office FINALLY called me back... I go see her tomorrow, at 1:30pm. We'll see how that goes... Suprisingly, my psychiatrist hasn't called me back... he may be out of the office today, or something - normally he's really good at returning calls. Hopefully, he'll call me back before I see Dr. Roy...  Elizabeth |
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Community Moderator Grand Wizard  |
I'm glad to hear you are getting to see your neuro.
I guess one good thing is that medications for both bi-polar and migraine can be the same - so hopefully Dr.Roy and your Psych. can work something out. I think it's been brought up before, but if not - see if you can get your doctors working together, this will be a big help in your healthcare. As for the doctor you are asking about, I am not familiar with him, nor do I think he is on our list.....but maybe someone else will know. Good luck tomorrow. Keep us posted!  Eileen Gray Community Moderator eileen@helpforheadaches.com "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to over come, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater then our suffering." - Ben Okri Please donate!!! Click below to donate to the AHDA - THANK YOU!!! http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=102755 my blog: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com |
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Community Moderator Grand Wizard |
Hey Sandi!
Welcome if I have not welcomed you already! You can get a picture in by going up to the top of the page, Click on Go, then Profile, then Edit Profile. You will see a bunch of stuff that you can do there. Go to where it says Avatar/picture and click edit - If I recall a little box will pop up and there are some pictures already there, or you can add your own! Good luck!
Eileen Gray Community Moderator eileen@helpforheadaches.com "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to over come, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater then our suffering." - Ben Okri Please donate!!! Click below to donate to the AHDA - THANK YOU!!! http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=102755 my blog: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com |
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Apprentice |
Thanks, Eileen.
Yeah, last time I saw my psychiatrist, he called Dr. Roy, and they did the speaker phone thing, when my psychiatrist wanted to discontinue Lyrica (suicidal thoughts) and put my on Seroquel. I'll see if I can get Dr. Roy to call my psy., and hopefully he'll be available to speak to her... I also hope I have a better experience w/ Dr. Roy than I did, last time I saw her. She was kind of short w/ my Mother in Law, and didn't spend much time with me AT ALL. The first visit w/ her was better, so - I'll give her the benefit of the doubt, unless she makes me mad/uncomfortable tomorrow... Elizabeth |
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Forum Moderator Grand Wizard  |
Please keep us posted about your appointment tomorrow, k?
Just a thought, if you are like me when I go to the doctor, I forget half the stuff I want to ask. I finally learned to write all my questions down before I go so I can make sure I ask them all and understand everything. Maybe this will help? and  tomorrowLaura Forum Moderator ***You're welcome to enter your birthday, etc in the Celebrate folder so we can party with you!! =) ***  |
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Novice |
Thanks, Eileen. I'll do it.
Good luck today, Elizabeth. ~Sandi~ |
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Apprentice |
Thank you! I just wanted to add: my psychiatrist, who I LOVE is Dr. Mark Esche, in Austin. He's WONDERFUL. I highly recommend him. FYI: to be a new patient, you have to call on the 1st of the month - that's how he weeds people out that really have no intent in going.... Thanks again! Yep - I'll give a report on how today's neuro visit went when I get home... I'm SO hoping it goes well... my husband is also going w/ me - I'm VERY happy about that. Sometimes, I tend to not listen well, and that's one of his forte's. Elizabeth |
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Community Moderator Grand Wizard |
Good luck today Elizabeth!
I'm thinking of you! I'm very happy to hear your husband is going with you. That is wonderful! Let us know how it goes!  + Eileen Gray Community Moderator eileen@helpforheadaches.com "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to over come, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater then our suffering." - Ben Okri Please donate!!! Click below to donate to the AHDA - THANK YOU!!! http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=102755 my blog: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com |
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Apprentice |
Thanks, Eileen!
Yep, I'm really glad he's going w/ me, too... our wedding anniversary is the 20th, so - he's been being ultra sweet, lately. I'll be sure to post an update, when I get back... Elizabeth |
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Apprentice |
UPDATE:
ok - I feel like crying. I just got back from my neuro's... she said to discontinue the Maxalt, and recommended I see Dr. Mathews at the Headache Clinic in Houston... I called there, and the doc in Dallas (had to leave a vm there). For the doc in Houston, he - of course, DOES NOT take my insurance. The consultation would be $450.00, and if he admits me to the hospital, it's be at least $1355.00 more. And, you know it'd be more. Like I said, I left a vm to set up an appt. w/ the doc in Dallas... I'm sure they don't take my ins., either. Oh, and I went ahead and scheduled an appt. w/ the doc in Houston (which I can always cancel), and it's not until April 14th. That's a LONG time away, considering the symptoms I'm having - the blackouts and all... I also just got off the phone w/ my current neuro's office, to see if Dr. Roy can get me in, sooner, w/ the Houston one - if I do choose to see him. That's a LOT of money to me... I'm not working, it'd be horrible to pay all of that... I'm all shaky today, have some mini-auras... I just don't know WHAT to do! Oh, and the doc in Dallas, his name is John Claude Krusz, Ph.D., M.D.? That's who I left the vm w/... I wish I had better news, Elizabeth |
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Community Moderator Grand Wizard |
Ok girl
I know you think it sounds horrible but look - you called how many places today??? And you have one that can see you on the 14th??!! That is only 3 weeks away! It's really not that far!!! I'm proud of you for making calls today. I really am!!!! What else did Dr. Roy say? Just no more Maxalt and see another Dr.? Well at least she seems to be able to admit that you would be better treated by a headache specialist, that's hard for some doctors to do! Hang in there! We are here for you! Even if you just want to chat about other stuff - we have the Tea Room and the Off Topic, so we are here for whatever you want to talk about. OK? One day at a time. You will get through this. Eileen Gray Community Moderator eileen@helpforheadaches.com "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to over come, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater then our suffering." - Ben Okri Please donate!!! Click below to donate to the AHDA - THANK YOU!!! http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=102755 my blog: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com |
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Community Manager Guru  |
Good job.
Like Eileen said, you are being proactive in your own health care. While not the greatest news, (not taking health insurance) at least you have two options. Dr. Krusz, I don't believe puts people in the hospital, rather day treatments in his office - but I could be wrong on this. I'm very proud of you. It takes a lot of work scheduling doctors appointments and keeping track of them. Between my neuro, GP, rheumy and so on....I get it! |
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Novice |
Hi Elizabeth,
If you need to cry... just go ahead and do it. Not hard, mind you, because that might trigger a migraine. If you're anything like me and you hold that stuff in, it can get you more wound up and cause more problems. I'm sure you must be extremely frustrated but just try to stay ahead of all that to hopefully prevent a potential migraine.  I think it's great that you are being so proactive. That can be hard sometimes, especially when one is scared, confused, stressed out, or in pain. I'm just glad that you have such a good support system. If you're shaky today, can you try to do some deep breathing and/or meditation exercises? That might help... You'll be in my prayers, girl. Hugs - Sandi |
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