Migraine

I have recently been to a Headache clinic in UK and after a discussion on medication for basilar migraine/vestibular migraine, the suggestion is to re-try topirmate. I first took this last December starting at 25mg for a week and then up to 2 x 25mg. However, after 3 weeks I was very very depressed and unwell/virally/flu-like symptoms + the other side effects common to topiramate - horrid taste, dry mouth etc.
Naturally I expressed my concerns at re-try, but the consultant neurologist suggested a much slower titration starting at 12.5mg every other day for 2 weeks and taking it up 12.5mg every fortnight.
The other two suggestions were Inderal and flunarizine. However, as I have psychological problems revolving around weight issues, and have battled up and down with obesity most of my adult life, I am very very very wary about taking any medication that has such high weight-gain profile as these two. She was sympathetic.

Has anybody here re-introduced a medication and had a successful time?
I have been on lamotrigine since February and have been weaning off it for the last month...now down to 25mg. I was unwell with it at 75mg - extreme nausea, virally, fuzzy head, dizziness etc...
The irony is that for the last couple of weeks I have had some pretty good days and have been coping well with work, exercise etc. I am quite worried about compromising all that with the introduction of good old topiramate again.
Any ideas anyone........

Hi Ali!

The way our bodies react to medications can be different when re-introducing them.

We have quite a few members whom have tried a medication and had it work for a while, tried something different, then went back to the original medication and had different side effects and results.

It sounds like you may already have info on Topamax, since you've been on it before, but just in case, let me give you some information:

Topamax Profile

Dosage and Tapering Topamax for Migraine Prevention

Also, I see your doctor recommended a few other medications that they may try with you. Did you know there are over 100 medications currently being used for Migraine prevention? So if the re-try of Topamax does not work for you (which my that it will!!!) don't give up!

See: Migraine Preventive Medications: Too Many Options to Give Up!!!

Good luck with the Topamax! Let us know how you are doing!

Hi Ali47 -

I had the same side effects from Topomax - really, really horrible. My parents said that it completely changed me and really freaked them out. I feel like my doctor had me ramp up to higher doses too fast. I don't know if it would work or not, because I have not tried it, but I wonder if ramping up slower would help. This is the approach I am currently trying with verapamil, because I had bad side effects with a similar drug last year. But I just started taking it, so I can't report any progress yet.

Keep us informed of your progress. I hope you have more success this time.

Best of luck to you - Sara