Migraine

Hello...so glad I found this forum!

I had been on propranalol for about 8 months and gained over 30 pounds, and it really came out of nowhere!

Propranalol did however control my migraines greatly! I finally had relief!
Then my pharmacist was telling me that weight gain on it was a serious side effect and I should tell my doctor right away.

I called the doctor and he said since the propranalol works, I should deal with the weight gain and just stay on it.

I really can't stand to gain more weight!

I'm wondering if Topomax would be in the same class as propranalol, would it work for me if propranalol did?
Hopefully that makes sense!

My daughter is Topomax for seizures and it also helped her headaches as well.

I did go off of the propranalol and have had two major migraines in 3 days!

Any info?! Thanks

Welcome to the forum. We are so glad you found us.

Topamax and propranolol are not in the same class. Propranolol is a beta-blocker blood pressure med, and Topamax is an anti-seizure med. Both, however, are FDA-approved for prevention of migraine.

There is no way to predict whether a drug will work for you or not, even if other drugs in the same class do (or don't) work for you.

There are a lot of preventive options. Click HERE for a list of meds used for migraine prevention.

Here is some information about propranolol (Inderal) and Topamax:

Inderal Oral
TOPAMAX Oral

Good luck! It can take time, patience, and courage to find a preventive regimen that works for you, but it is worth the effort.

Welcome Kalaim.

Propranalol is a blood pressure medicine, a beta blocker. Topamax is an anti epilectic. They are not in the same class.

It's hard to say if Topamax would work just as well as the propranalol; every medication affects everyone in different ways.

I'll give you information on both drugs.

Propranalol (Inderal)

Topamax

Welcome to our forum, Kalaim. Take a look at the links that Nut and Deb provided you as they have some great information.

I also wanted to add that just because a med may be working wonders for you, if *you* feel the side effects are too much to stand, then it is your choice whether you should "just deal with" the side effects or not. Remember, it is your body, not your doctor's, and you have to live in it. However, I will strongly urge you not to discontinue *any* medication without talking to your doctor first.

Perhaps you should bring this up with your doctor again. If the weight gain is a big concern of yours (and it sounds like it is) - tell your doctor firmly that you want to try something else. If he gives you the same answer, then it may be time to fire his sorry butt and find someone else!

What kind of doctor are you seeing? Is he a neurologist, primary care? Have you ever seen a headache specialist? Primary care and neurologists can be excellent doctors, but may not be as up-to-date on headache treatments as headache specialists are. We have a list of patient recommended headache and migraine specialists on this site, which you can find HERE.

In the meantime, let us know if you have any other questions. Welcome again!

Just addin' a droolie welcome to the pile, Kalaim!

Thanks all!

I did go off of it, which I probably should have stayed on it until I see a new doctor, but I just couldn't go out and buy yet another size up on pants! I was very depressed!

I've had a couple whopper migraines, so I know it's out of my system now too. My appetite is completely gone also, which is good for right now.

I did see my gyno nurse practioner today and she referred me to a headache clinic.
She however also said if the propranalol works, I should keep it.

With hundreds of other options, why can't I try something else?!

Only you can decide what side effects you are willing to tolerate.You are right; you have plenty of other options. If you do not want to stay on propranolol, talk to the headache doctor about trying something else.

Kalaim, thanks for giving us the update! Definitely talk to your new doc about other meds you can try, and don't be afraid to bring the list of preventive med choices with you - many members here do just that!