Migraine

Without preventives, my migraines are just too frequent, a couple a week that are debilitating enough to disrupt both my job and family life.

After trying a couple of beta blockers, a couple of calcium channel blockers, and Depakote ER, my doctor prescribed Topamax. At 150 mg a day, I only had a couple of migraines a month, a HUGE improvement that I was thankful for and pleased with.

The bad part was that I developed a couple of kidney stones and am having to go off Topamax.

My question is if anyone here has been successful with Topamax then had to find a replacement for it? I'm going to see my doctor next week so we can discuss a replacement, and I thought it might help to know how other people have handled this situation.

Hi, Jon.

First off, welcome to the forum.

Odds are good that you'll be able to find something to replace the Topamax, since there are over 100 medications currently used for prevention. Here's info on that...

Preventatives for Migraine

I don't think I'd place too much stock on what others have been successful with, since everyone reacts differently to individual meds. It would probably be wiser to print the list of preventatives and take it in to your doctor, so that the two of you can look over it together and decide what's best to try for you, based on your medical history and needs.

Hi Jon,

As Droolie said there are so many medications used for Migraine prevention, I bet you'll be able to find something.

Since you had good luck controling your Migraine attacks with an neuronal stabilizing agent (antizeizure med)which topamax is, you may find another medication in that same class to be helpful. Many people have had success with neurontin, and I am using lamictal right now.

Let us know how it goes.

Jon,

I won't repeat what the others have said. ;-)

There are many options in the same class as Topamax -- Neurontin, Keppra, Lamictal, Trileptal, Zonegran, Lyrica, and more. I had cognitive issues with Topamax, but have done fine with Zonegran.

Good luck. Sounds like your doctor is working with you.

I also take Topamax and often wondered about developing Kidney stones.

My question is if Topamax works for you, could't you just make sure you drink extra water so that you don't get more stones?

I know it sounds dumb, but if both work, then why not do both?

Sheri

I have the same question, but don't have an answer for you.

I have yet to develop kidney stones, but have had a variety of other side effects that when combined are bad enough, that my doc and I have finally agreed to take me off of Topamax completely. I am very worried because before Topamax, my migraines were 4-5 a week with at least 2 of them being so severe, I could not move or ended up needing more meds than I could take at home to get thru the pain.

I wish we could get the same results of Topamax without any side effects, but that might be too much to ask?

I'm sorry about your kidney stones & migraines. I hope you find another med that helps and if you do, please let us know what it is, even though everyone is unique and each person responds to meds differently.

Nancy

Hey, thanks for the link, dragon!

Yeah, I do realize that everyone is different and that nobody else's success can green-light mine. I was just kinda curious about what others have done.

thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by dragondroolHOST:
Hi, Jon.

First off, welcome to the forum.

Odds are good that you'll be able to find something to replace the Topamax, since there are over 100 medications currently used for prevention. Here's info on that...

Preventatives for Migraine

I don't think I'd place too much stock on what others have been successful with, since everyone reacts differently to individual meds. It would probably be wiser to print the list of preventatives and take it in to your doctor, so that the two of you can look over it together and decide what's best to try for you, based on your medical history and needs.

Thank you, Nancy.

Yes, that was my thinking too, to stay in the same family as Topamax. I appreciate the info.

Neuronal stabilizing agent? Never heard that description before.

quote:

Originally posted by Nancy Bonk:
Hi Jon,

As Droolie said there are so many medications used for Migraine prevention, I bet you'll be able to find something.

Since you had good luck controling your Migraine attacks with an neuronal stabilizing agent (antizeizure med)which topamax is, you may find another medication in that same class to be helpful. Many people have had success with neurontin, and I am using lamictal right now.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks, Teri. Doc and I primarily discussed Lyrica and The Zonegran you use.

Question for you. Do you know why Lyrica seems to be the only one of that type of drug that's scheduled by the DEA?

quote:

Originally posted by Teri Robert:
Jon,

I won't repeat what the others have said. ;-)

There are many options in the same class as Topamax -- Neurontin, Keppra, Lamictal, Trileptal, Zonegran, Lyrica, and more. I had cognitive issues with Topamax, but have done fine with Zonegran.

Good luck. Sounds like your doctor is working with you.

Sheri,

Yes, I probably could try the Topamax for a while longer, but since I also have type 2 diabetes, I'm more concerned about the kidney stones that I might be without the diabetes. My doc agreed that stopping the Topamax is probably best.

Oh, and I was already drinking at least a gallon of water a day. Don't want to up and float away!

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by WnaBPainFree:
I also take Topamax and often wondered about developing Kidney stones.

My question is if Topamax works for you, could't you just make sure you drink extra water so that you don't get more stones?

I know it sounds dumb, but if both work, then why not do both?

Sheri

Neuronal stabilizing agent is the "offical" drug class name....

quote:

Originally posted by Jon:
Thank you, Nancy.

Yes, that was my thinking too, to stay in the same family as Topamax. I appreciate the info.

Neuronal stabilizing agent? Never heard that description before.

quote:

Originally posted by Nancy Bonk:
Hi Jon,

As Droolie said there are so many medications used for Migraine prevention, I bet you'll be able to find something.

Since you had good luck controling your Migraine attacks with an neuronal stabilizing agent (antizeizure med)which topamax is, you may find another medication in that same class to be helpful. Many people have had success with neurontin, and I am using lamictal right now.

Let us know how it goes.