Has anyone taken Topamax for migranes and what was your experience?
344719
Many of the drugs used to treat migraines were originally designed for other purposes.  Many of them were first used as antiepileptic meds (antiseizure) or antipsychotic meds.  This does not mean that they are unsafe. \n\nAs far as Topamax goes, I have personally seen great success with it in my neurology internship.  Topamax is relatively mild with regard to side effects.  These include: Anxiety, depression, sedation, speech problems, double vision, abnormalities in vision, decreased appetite, impaired cognition, memory impairment, dizziness, impaired muscular coordination, tingling in the extremities, an unsteady gait, nausea, respiratory infections, and weight loss.  See your doctor immediately if you experience blurred vision or eye pain.\n\nAvoid alcohol and ask your physician if you have any questions.\n\nHope this helps!\n- a first year medical student
293907
I have suffered from migraine headaches all my life and threw pain killers away years ago!  I use Imitrex (or Relpax, Maxhalt, Frova are some of the others). They are vasodilators, not pain killers. They work in about 20 minutes and usually don't cause dizziness or such side effects.  They changed my life!  Headache gone!  Ask your doctor. If you don't have prescription coverage, he can give you samples, cause the drug reps give out tons of samples.  Good luck.
168581
Topamax is actually a drug used in the treatment of seizure disorders, namely epilepsy.  At one stage there was some research done into its suspected benefits to those wanting to lose weight. Of course on the surface, you would be forgiven for wondering what the possible connection could be between an epilepsy medication, and obesity. \n\nSo is Topamax as weight loss drug approved?\nIt ends up that phase 3 weight loss trials had to be discontinued, because the drug produced significant, unfavorable side effects.\n\nAlthough Topamax isn't suitable for weight loss, it turns out that it does have significant benefits in providing some relief to migraine sufferers. It is used for adults for the prophylaxis of migraine headache.\n\nIt is also used for as an initial monotherapy in patients 10 years of age and older with partial onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures and in patients 2 years of age and older with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
69315
My friend was in  inpatient treatment and took Topomax, he described feelings of rage adn anger.  He said he thought he was going to explode.   My friend is mid mannered, smart and kind.  Go figure.  Maybe there is something to what you are saying.\n\nSOmeone wrote in on a board:           * comments: We tried topamax as a replacement for the Carbatrol because Carbatrol causes overweight. After the 2nd week on topamax Lucas began going into extreme physical rages, striking out at his family and surroundings. We have since taken him off from topamax, and now after about 3 weeks the anger problem is gone. Will meet with Doctor again in 2 weeks.\n\nMakes you wonder....\n\nI hope he feels better.
843437
I am currently taking topamax right now. Topamax is used for different reasons. The reason I'm taking it is because ever since I was diagnosed with epilepsy I started to get severe headaches. Topamax also helps me with my mental disorders. I have bipolar and other illnesses. Hope I answered your question enough.
1048988
Was.  Not anymore.  It didn't help me.  It just messed with my memory and attention span.  \n\nEdit:  Of course, it has different effects on different people.  So if your doctor is suggesting that you try it, then you can try it and see what happens.  If it works, that's great.  If not, then try something else.  Don't let me keep you from trying to find a solution to health problems.\n\nto Nelly:  topamax is a medication for seizures and migraines
746362
I have a friend who found herself in the same situation and she tried someone's suggestion of something called Gelstat.  It's a homeopathic sublingual with ginger and feverfew.  She tried it and it worked for her better than the presciption medication she was taking (Zomig.)  You take it when you begin to get a migraine and she used one dose, and was pain free in less than two hours, where her migraines normally last for 3 days and she has to keep taking the Zomig every 12 hours for that 3 days.  Here's the link: http://www.gelstat.com/newmigrainehome.asp \n\nThe company that makes Imitrex (GlaxoSmithKline) does have some prescription drug assistance so you could go here to check that out: http://www.gskforyou.com/10_programs_under.htm\n\nGood luck!
418967
You can take a look at this new health drink. I use it, but not for migraines, but there is alot of people who have had their migraines actually cease by using it. I can give you the link and you can draw your own conclusions. I hope this will help you, it has for many others.
111759
See your doctor and ask about Imitrex.  It's great for migraines although doesn't work for everyone.
1173041
600-800 milligrams of ibuprofen will work for me, if anything is going to.  Sometimes with a migraine, it just has to "wear out".  And the effective medication seems to be very individual--the same thing doesn't work for everyone.  Sometimes pressure on the worst pain spot, or a cold wet washcloth, and lying down seem to help.
855116
I had migraines in high school.  Had my wisdom teeth - no more head aches.  Then I had meningitis - migraines back.  I had to take codeine and lie very still in a dark room for two to three days.  (I had the kind where the tiniest light felt like a laser, walls and ceilings moved wavily, and keeping anything other than a little oatmeal or rice down was impossible.)  I used to use Imitrex.  It helped me quite a lot.  I also found I had them right after I used anything from a package mix...allergic to additives.  \nThen my doctor put me on an anti-seizure medicine, Neurontin, (Gabapentin), for the side effects (helping neuropathy).  Shazaam!!  Not a migraine since.  I wish I had it when I was working.  I used to go in with dark glasses on.  I think one look at me was explanation to all.  I hope this may help you.  You have all my sympathy.
1088886
no. as a female whose taken topamax, there may be a slight bit of irregularity to your cycle, but it will not stop it. In fact Topamax has been known to give you anemia
597228
Zomig is one of the newer medications used for migraines. Imitrex and Maxalt are two others.\n\nThey are a class of medications called 5HT receptor agonists which are serotonin receptors.
258913
I have the secret!!!!! My friend who uses and is a sales Rep for Topamax passed it on to me. Eat something with potassium. I use Topamax and used to get the tingling fingers and toes. Eat a banana or drink juice with potassium, like orange, banana, pinapple... \nI've actually timed it and the juice seems to take effect about 20 seconds faster than the banana, but a banana is handy in the car!\nIts amazing what we do to keep these migraines at bay!!
855557
I feel your pain... literally. I get the worst migraines. They started when I was in 5th grade, but they went away until i got into high school and were about 5x as intense. \n\nWhen I get a migraine I can't move. It really messes with my brain and I can't remember simple things like my home phone number or how to get house from school. I need complete silence and darkness. I usually spend the day lying on the cold bathroom floor (the cool tiles feel good on my hot head plus I usually spend most of the day throwing up, so it's pretty convenient).  When I started having migraines that lasted for 3 or more days they made me get a CT scan. It didn't show anything, and they still haven't found a medicine that works for me. \n\nSo sorry, I can't really offer any advice on how to make your migraines better, because I'm still having that problem myself. Well, I guess the best advice I can give is to talk to your doctor about different medicine's you could be taking. Once you find the right medicine, you can control your migraines and your life will get back to normal. At least, thats what I keep telling myself....
1169240
If Advil, Tylenol Excedrin hasn't worked. Have you eaten any protein today that might be it. If it's hot try a cool rag or pack of ice on your neck. or a ice pack on your forehead. I get migraines quite allot, I forget about food so I eat a tbsp of peanut-butter, drink a cup of coffee, then I take two Advil, if it doesn't work I take two Excedrin migraine, if it is still persistent ice packs on my neck and forehead really work. Rub your eye brows down real hard and if you have someone around with strong hands pressure to the base of your skull is a dream. Hurst at first but it does help. Eventually a combination of the above will work. I also read Lavender, rose, and Mandarin oils work really well as a aromatherapy.  Lavender I have tried it helps but I didn't want to wait so I popped the pills. I like immediate pain relief when it comes to my headaches. I wish you well.
424211
A friend of mine was on Topamax and she experienced tingling in her hands and feet.  She also had a change in her taste.  Anything with artificial sweetners tasted very metallic to her and she couldn't stand the taste of anything alcoholic.  She also suffered from weight gain (about 25 lbs).  All of the symptoms went away when she stopped taking the med.