Migraine

Dear Teri,

I have been having some issues with my blood pressure dropping and feeling very light headed and dizzy. When I saw my PCP he mentioned Topamax could be a result of this.

Friday evening my DF had to call 911, when they arrived my BP was low, the ekg was abnormal and my sugar was at 54. They gave me a nitro tablet and glucose and I spent the last few days in the Hospital. I came home this afternoon. I explained to the dcotors there, my migraine history, due to the nitro they gave me dilautid for a severe migraine that came on and I was vomiting like I never did before.

THis is all new to me, I have never in my life had a sugar issue let alone the pain inmy chest that I had Friday. The Cardiologist there is settingme up for strees test and he will be doing the echo and ultrasound I had scheduled, but I am very concerned that this in fact may have been brought on from medications.

Do you have any thoughts on the Topamax? I never heard this to be a side effect and aside from topamax, axert and reglan are the only drugs I primarily take.

I appreciate any thoughts or advice you have. Thank you.

Lori

Lori,

I went to the full prescribing info for Topamax, which you can find on their web site.

I found every one of your symptoms, including hypoglycemia, listed there as potential side effects and/or events that occurred in one or more of the clinical trials of Topamax. This section, in particular, may interest you...

quote:

"TOPAMAX may cause the following side effects which can be serious:
• metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is a condition that happens when there is too much acid in your blood. Metabolic acidosis can cause symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat, and impaired consciousness. Call your healthcare professional right away if you get these symptoms with TOPAMAX. Your healthcare professional should do a blood test (measurement of serum bicarbonate) to monitor your bicarbonate level while you are taking TOPAMAX."

Certainly, you should follow up and rule out other causes for the EKG abnormalities, but the Topamax could be the culprit. Sorry I can't remember, but did your GP prescribe the Topamax for you. IMO, you need to talk to whomever did.

PLEASE keep us posted?

Thank you, Teri for this information.

I have printed the info off of their website to take with me to my appt tomorrow and hopefully this will aid in getting some attention drawn to these issues.

My PCP put me on the Topamax prior to my first appointment with my current neuro, who increased it as needed, and since then I have been on it for close to 4 years. I have been at 225mg for about a year now, if not longer.

I will most definately keep you posted and I can't Thank you enough for the help with this one. I feel confident now that I have some facts on hand..

Many Blessings,

Lori

So, here's the update from my visit this morning.. It has been decided that the events that occurred are from the Topamax. My dosage is titrated down to 150mg daily from 225mg. I have been diagnosed with Hypoglycemia so I was given a meter to test my sugar and I think I mentioned I have a cardiology appointment next Monday.

I feel a little better since today my PCP and my Neuro were on the same the page! I am optimistic that in time I will start to feel better, and before then I will have my appointment at Jefferson!(woohoo!!)

It's been a rough couple of weeks and I was advised that I could migraine more on a lower dose over the next few weeks, so as usual, I am Praying for the best and preparing for the worse.

Having the info you gave me helped me a lot. Thank you again, Teri and as always.. Many Blessings!

Lori

Lori,

Thank you SO much for the update. I'm glad I was able to give you helpful info.

It will be helpful to be able to check your glucose levels. Hope they gave you a meter that lets you test by sticking your arm instead of your finger tips.

I've forgotten -- who are you seeing at the Jefferson? When?

Please keep us posted?

quote:

Originally posted by Riley73:
So, here's the update from my visit this morning.. It has been decided that the events that occurred are from the Topamax. My dosage is titrated down to 150mg daily from 225mg. I have been diagnosed with Hypoglycemia so I was given a meter to test my sugar and I think I mentioned I have a cardiology appointment next Monday.

I feel a little better since today my PCP and my Neuro were on the same the page! I am optimistic that in time I will start to feel better, and before then I will have my appointment at Jefferson!(woohoo!!)

It's been a rough couple of weeks and I was advised that I could migraine more on a lower dose over the next few weeks, so as usual, I am Praying for the best and preparing for the worse.

Having the info you gave me helped me a lot. Thank you again, Teri and as always.. Many Blessings!

Lori

Good Morning Teri

I am seeing Dr. Silberstein on May 27th. I am told he is the best so I waited since February for an appointment with him.
I have my fingers and toes crossed!

My meter is a Freestyle make that does come with the two caps so I can use my finger, arm or thigh. It's an adjustment and I am learning.

Take care and stay pain free..

Many Blessings,

Lori

Great! Thanks for the info. Sorry you're waiting, but it will be worth it. Now that they have more doctors, the wait is far shorter than it was. I waited nine months for my first appointment with Dr. Young. If you think of it, please tell Dr. Silberstein hello.

Glad you have your choice with your Freestyle. I was SO glad when so many of them started coming out with the option to use my arm instead of my fingers!

with a hug,

quote:

Originally posted by Riley73:
Good Morning Teri

I am seeing Dr. Silberstein on May 27th. I am told he is the best so I waited since February for an appointment with him.
I have my fingers and toes crossed!

My meter is a Freestyle make that does come with the two caps so I can use my finger, arm or thigh. It's an adjustment and I am learning.

Take care and stay pain free..

Many Blessings,

Lori