Migraine
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Fledgling |
Hello
I'm new to this forum, but not new to migraines being a sufferer for nearly 25 years. Over the years I've tried many preventatives - none of which worked for me. My PCP recently tried me on Topamax and oh my goodness - the side effects were awful! YUCK! Because of some other symptoms I'm having AND the migraines, he referred me to a new neuro, whom I saw today. He prescribed me Zonegran. I did a quick search of the forum here and see most tolerate this better than Topamax - did I gather that correctly? I know everyone tolerates medications differently, but the side effects of Topamax were just awful for me, and I'm really hoping I can find something that will work, without making me all dopey, numb and struggling to think! I'm in menopause for goodness sakes, I don't need any more "help" in doing all that! LOL I'm also wondering about long term side effects of migraines in general. I'm not sure if I'm searching with the proper phrases to find what I'm looking for - if it exists. Is there any research to indicate that long term migraineurs suffering other neurological symptoms as a result of migraines? I know migraines have been linked to some auto-immune disorders, but have any neurological conditions/symptoms, etc... been linked or been known to have been caused directly from migraines themselves? Any research on that? Thanks :: Traci :: |
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Community Manager Guru  |
Hi Traci
One thing we cannot stress enough is that side effects are POTENTIAL, meaning they WILL not happen to everyone, everytime. If all the side effects happened to everyone the FDA would never be able to approve any new drugs. Not taking a med because you have read about the potential side effects is not prudent health care on our part. Trying many different meds seems to be the norm for Migraine suffers, but once we find the right combo of drugs, it is a wonderful feeling. The effects of Migraine disease are now being linked to increased Stroke Risk http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/complications-33527-5.html; Cariovascular Disease in Men http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/complications-29721-5.html; and Cardiovascular disease in women who have Migraine with aura http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/complications-29726-5.html Now, no panicky please. This is for informational purposes only. It is in our best interest to reduce the number of Migraine attacks we are having. If that means using preventive meds, or triptans, or resuce meds so be it. Of course relaxation, biofeedback and other complementary therapies couldn't hurt either. I hope this helps. Keep us posted on how you are doing. |
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Maven |
I've taken both Topamax and Zonegran. I had similar side effects to you on the Topamax and had to stop it. I didn't have many side effects on the Zonegran. I got a partial response for my migraines too. Everyone has different side effects and different results, but I think it's worth a shot.
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Wizard |
Be careful if you're allergic to sulfa; people that are may not be able to take Zonegran.
Deb [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]  |
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Fledgling |
Thanks everyone. Nope, not allergic to sulpha, the neuro mentioned that at the appointment yesterday. Hopefully this one will work.
:: Traci :: |
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MMC Lead Expert Supreme Guru  |
Hi, Traci,
I couldn't take Topamax, but I've been using Zonegran for several years now. My Migraine preventive regimen already had my Migraines down to one about every six weeks when I developed chronic tension-type headaches. My doctor suggested Zonegran, and it stopped those headaches within a couple of weeks. It also lengthened my Migraine-free periods. The only side effects I had were a slight stomach ache and diarrhea for a few days whenever I increased the dosage. They quickly went away though.
 Teri Robert Lead Expert, MyMigraineConnection terimmc@helpforheadaches.com
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Master |
I was taking--and loving with a deep, abiding love--topamax when I had my heat stroke last fall.
I'm taking zonegran now and I'm not getting as good results. Due to a problem with pharmacy ordering, I'm having to take the brand-name zonegran this time and I'm noticing a slight difference between how it makes me feel compared to the generic which I usually take. Can't tell a difference in the number or intensity of migraines--the best preventative I ever took was topamax, but it was the sole cause of my heat stroke so for me, it is no more.  One thing I can say about zonegran: be sure, and I mean SURE to drink water, water, water. Don't count on any other fluids to hydrate you. I'm also taking a diuretic for this Meniere's disease so I'm in a fluid battle for my life, or so it seems. I drink, drink, drink, and go, go, go. Oh well! I'm very slowly losing weight, so I'll stop whining and complaining now.   http://sparklingwithcrystals.blogspot.com/ basilar-artery migraine, MAV, BPPV, migraine with and without aura, cluster headaches, but no tension headaches! W00t!  |
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Newbie |
My daughter has recently started taking zonegran for migraine and daily headaches, she had TERRIBLE mental side effects from topomax and is very apprehensive about starting zonegran. Have many of you experienced confusion, depression, anxiety and general dopey-ness on zonegran?
karen |
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Fledgling |
I too had severe cognitive side effects on Topamax, but have had none on Zonegran. While no one can say for certain your daughter's experience on Zonegran would be the same as mine, or anyone else's, it does appear that many who can not take Topamax, can take Zonegran. It's worth trying.
:: Traci :: |
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Forum Moderator Wizard  |
Hi Karen,
Welcome to MyMigraineConnection, and to our forum family. I'm happy you found us, but of course I wish you didn't have the need to be here, and your daughter didn't have these migraine beasts! Now, about Zonegran. Have you read the posts above? See, it works for some people- not for others... just like all of the other migraine drugs. I personally don't remember much about my experience with zonegran- I slept through it. Tell your daughter not to be concerned. When starting a new drug, it's always best to keep an open mind. If you start digging for things that "can happen"- there's a higher chance that you may "just find them happening to you." I'm not saying to go staggering blindly into the night... Get some information, and shoot for the moon! Maybe this will be her perfect "wonderdrug." It would be awful if she had psyched herself out of taking it, or kept looking for side effects that were either -not really there (power of thought again) -there, but not horrible- like something that you can live with. Like mild sleepyness- So, instead of taking it in the morning, one could take it at night! I hope I've helped at least a little! Again, welcome, and best wishes to your daughter as she starts on this part of the journey towards finding a good preventative regimen.
Jamie Forum Moderator  |
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Fledgling |
At first zonisamide (generic for zonegran) made me sleepy with some mild stomach proplems but they went away with time. I also think it has helped my daily headaches to diminish.
Darlene |
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Sage |
Hi, everyone!
My headache specialist once referred to Zonegran as "Topamax Lite," meaning that it is common practice for her to gradually switch people over from Topamax to Zonegran when side effects happen with Topamax. In fact, that was the course of action she followed when I started having difficulty with Topamax! I found the Zonegran was MUCH easier to tolerate!! Here's hoping it will work well for you, Traci!! jenny |
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Fledgling |
So far, the zonegran is working pretty well for me, no noticeable side effects anyway. If drowziness is one, it's one I could use, and I do take it at night. I've had a few migraines, but considering the extra stress of this past week, I'd say it is working - as I only had really one migraine, when I would normally have had more than that. That's progress. I've not been on it long enough, supposedly, for it to be in full effect, so hopefully it will provide even better results soon. So far, I'm pleased.
:: Traci :: |
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Newbie |
Thank you soooo much for your quick responses. Chelsie, hasn't had the sleepiness side effects - it seems nothing makes her sleepy - and hasn't noticed anything so far but it's been less than one weeek. I'll relay your messages to her and hopefully she won't be so worried. Her cognitive side effects were so severe, complicated with a bout of mono in her first year in college that she was nerely done in by it. She's back to normal now, (happy healthy), thankfully, so I hope she stays good.
Good luck to all of you and I'm going to start praying for everyone in this forum. karen |
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Forum Moderator Wizard |
When you do talk to your daughter, let her know that if she wants someplace to "chat" with others who also have migraines, we'd love to have her as a forum member! It really is nice to know that you're not alone... and we're all here for each other, sharing in joys and supporting each other through the tough times. (I also had mono my freshman year... uggh! Not a fun way to start off the college experience!) Best, Jamie Forum Moderator |
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