Migraine
Make a connection, ask a question, share a concern, give advice or just chat. Our message boards connect you with a community of people who understand where you’re coming from and what you’re going through.
Migraine Community MyMigraineConnection Medications & Treatments Questions about Topamax for Menstrual/Rebound MigrainesPage 1 2
|
Go
|
New
|
Find
|
Notify
|
Tools
|
Reply
|
|
|
Fledgling |
Hi All,
I'm new here. My neurologist just started me on Topamax (25 mg last week, just upped to 50 mg this week) for migraines that I've been getting at least on average once a month with my period (sometimes more than once a month), but that I'm now getting rebound headaches from with all the triptans (Relpax, Frova, Zomig, Midrin, you name it). I also get migraines at other times, but mostly with my period. Can anyone tell me if they've had any success with Topamax and menstrual migraines? My neurologist waited forever to try me on Topamax because I'm 5"5 and weigh about 98 lbs. I guess it sometimes causes weight loss, but I've been this weight ever since I got married (13 years ago). My migraines have progressively gotten worse after each baby (I've had four - and that's plenty!) I did okay on the 25 mg dose, but when I upped it to 50 mg I felt like my face was going to fall off, but that seems to get a little better every night as well. Right now I don't think my doctor plans on taking my dose any higher than the 50 mg. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance! Jodi |
||
|
Grand Wizard |
Hi Jodi! Welcome to the forum!
Topamax is one of only four other medications approved for migraine prevention. That said, there are still over 100 medications currently being used for migraine prevention. Using triptans more then 3 times a week can cause Medication Overuse Headache aka rebound. If you think you are in a MOH cycle now, you should contact your doctor for help on how to break it. As far as the menstrual migraines go, are you on birth control now? Some migraineurs, myself included, find birth control pills an effective way to help with menstrual migraines. For some, it may make them worse, it depends from person to person. Welcome again to the forum! We look forward to learning more about you! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask away!  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 |
|||
|
|
Fledgling |
I am currently taking Yaz for birth control, which did decrease my migraine frequency. I tried the continuous birth control option (skipping the placebo pills) but then I ended up having migraines every week instead. Also, I found out my mom has estrogen receptive breast cancer, so birth control isn't really a viable option for me anyways.
Jodi |
|||
|
|
Grand Wizard |
I'm sorry to hear about your mom.
Also phooey that the continuous option didn't help! I take Jolessa (Seasonale generic) and it cut my migraines drastically. There are other members on the board with the same issues, as far as birth control and migraines....I'm sure they will be popping in to let you know their story as well. I hope the Topamax helps you out!
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 |
|||
|
Guru |
First off, hello and welcome. Second off, we're in a similar situation. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last week. Her estrogen receptor part of the test was positive, too. Weak, but positive. My heart goes out to you.
 Dragondrool Forum Moderator ~~8=:>>>> |
|||
|
Wizard |
Hi, Jodi. Welcome to the forum.
Take care of yourself. As you and Droolie know only two well, it's very stressful to have a mom with breast cancer. Looking forward to seeing you around the forum. Nutcracker Forum moderator  |
|||
|
|
Fledgling |
Thanks for the support. My mom's actually doing great. I'm really hoping the Topamax works. My side effects seemed to have only lasted a few days and I barely notice them anymore (except a little pins and needles), so I'm REALLY hoping they quell the migraines, since it seems like something I could tolerate. I just don't know if menstrual migraines are somehow different than regular "anytime" migraines.
Jodi |
|||
|
|
Newbie |
I am taking Topamax, and I have found that it works very well for me (fun and entertaining side effects nonwithstanding, at least they make good stories). However, yes, when that time of month comes around, I do find that Topamax seems to be less effective against it than at other times. But my periods don't last too long, so I can pop a couple of pills and be done with it. Anyways, hope that helps. Oh, and it took a while for Topamax to start actually preventing my migraines, although the side effects started kicking in a lot sooner, so just be patient and it will work itself out. Medications are bizarre like that.
 Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics... |
|||
|
|
Fledgling |
Thanks for the advice. When you say it took a while before it helped preventing your migraines, how long would you say? I've been taking Topamax for almost two weeks now and the side effects are almost gone, except for a little sleepiness and some tingling. My migraines are mostly the week of my period - and they last for about 3 to 4 days. My periods supposed to start next week, so I'm just wondering if it's possibly too soon for the Topamax to start helping. Also, I do sometimes get migraines at other times and I haven't had any since starting the Topamax.
Jodi |
|||
|
Supreme Guru |
Jodi,
It may well be too soon to see any help from the Topamax. It can take up to three monts to know if that type of medication is helping. I don't know why doctors don't tell their patients this. Do you know what your triggers are when your Migraines aren't during your period?
 Teri Robert Lead Expert, MyMigraineConnection terimmc@helpforheadaches.com
|
|||
|
|
Fledgling |
Thanks for the info. That's good to know - I guess I was just hoping to avoid a massive attack this next go-around. I have tried in the past to avoid "triggers" like chocolate, caffeine, cheese, etc. - but these things don't really seem to be triggers for me, like they are for most people. The only thing I can see is a "trigger" for me, or at least that seems to be, is when I'm under a lot of stress (and, of course, that time of the month). I'll just cross my fingers and hope for the best, I guess.
Jodi |
|||
|
|
Wizard |
I'd encourage you to keep hunting for triggers, although not everyone has food triggers. Stress is not a trigger itself, but it will increase your sensitivity to your triggers. If you blame your migraines on stress, you may miss your real triggers and the opportunities to avoid them.
Do you keep a migraine diary? I suppose it would be nearly impossible to identify triggers without one, and a diary is also a big help for your doctor. If you need help getting started, see this article: Your Migraine and Headache Diary Good luck! Nutcracker Forum moderator |
|||
|
|
Fledgling |
I don't know. I go back and forth with the triggers thing. It seems sometimes I've tried really hard to be careful and I still get a migraine.
Jodi |
|||
|
|
Supreme Guru |
Jodi,
I just noticed something about your question that I missed before. Are you asking if Topamax will help with rebound? If so, the answer is no. In fact, the Topamax may not work at all as long as you're in rebound. Most preventives cannot start working when we're in rebound.
Teri Robert Lead Expert, MyMigraineConnection terimmc@helpforheadaches.com
|
|||
|
|
Fledgling |
I was mostly wondering if Topamax worked as a preventative for menstrual migraines. My neurologist and I have tried everything else it seems and the migraines have just gotten so bad that he decided to try this one. I did try Frova, but I got too nauseous to continue taking it. I've now been on the Topamax almost four weeks and I'm supposed to start my period any day now (yippee) - so we'll see. I know I shouldn't expect any results this soon, but I'm still hoping it will do something. I'll keep you posted.
Jodi |
|||
|
| Previous Topic | Next Topic | powered by eve community | Page 1 2 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
|||
| Site | healthcentral.com/migraine | ||
| Servlet | eve1da058 | ||
| Version | 1.2.22 build 9062 | ||
| Module | Forums 4.0.3 | ||
| Stylesheet | "Migraine" | ||
| Wordlet Set | "Default Wordlet Set" | ||
|
Migraine Community MyMigraineConnection Medications & Treatments Questions about Topamax for Menstrual/Rebound Migraines
