Migraine

Hi
I am on Topamax the last month, and am now taking 50mg at night for my chronic headache.
I am getting tingling and pins and needles in my legs and it feels as one of my legs is asleep. I thought it was sciatica, as at first my leg was sore and I have been going to the physio but now I am thinking it is the
drug. Has anyone else had the same? Does it get better once the dose is increased?
My dr wants me to go up to 100mg slowly.
I have had the tiredness and the headache is yet to improve.
TK

Hello!

You state you are currently taking 50mgs at night....do you take this twice a day? Topamax is often taken twice a day due to the half life of the drug. We have an article all about Topamax for Migraine and headache prevention: Dosage and Tapering Topamax for Migraine Prevention.

As far as the "Topa Tingles" as we so lovingly call it around here, that may subside as your body adjusts to the Topamax. I remember getting pins and needles in my heels, feet and hands very frequently when I first started it. It was pretty consistant, but subsided a bit after a few months.

You mention pain in your leg. I had pain in my calf - it would hurt only in my left leg and felt like cramping. It seemed to start around 100mgs. for me. I ended up lowering my dosage due to this side effect. It was so bad that I had difficulties walking. Once I lowered my dosage, this went away. You should let your doctor know about this. It could be a few different things, such as a potassium difficiency, but you wouldn't know for sure until you had some testing. Let your doctor know - I'm sure they can help you figure it out. Also, drink water! That really helps with the tinglies and also possibly, the cramping.

Keep us posted on how you are doing and let your doctor know about your side effects! I wish you the best of luck with the Topamax. It worked really well for me for quite some time.