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Topamax -- Good or Bad???
Fri, 08/18/2006 - 14:24Topic: Medication Issues
I am switching from Depakote to Topamax, and I have heard different stories of how people react to the drug. My Bro-in-law took it for migraines and HATED the side effects, but a lady who works with my hubby LOVES it. I usually don't have much of a reaction to meds, but we are trying something new because the Depakote was affecting my weight a little, but mostly it was because I feel a little foggy while I am on the Depakote. I would love to hear anyone else's Topamax stories, both good and bad. Thanks!
Comments
Re: Re: Topamax -- Good or Bad???
Submitted by kayakmom on Sat, 2006-08-19 - 06:19
These meds, everyone is different right?> You do not know until YOU try it....I am on it and have been since April. Started it for constant headaches and migraines. Abnormal EEG in June so I guess I am on it for more than that now....
I love my topamax, no one will take it away.....NOW, My PCP put me on it and she did NOT know how to titrate and did it TOO fast...made me a bit of a zombie.....nuero had me go down.Pain came back....after 3 weeks I could NOT stand it, asked for a 25 mg increase helped a wee bit, month later asked for 25 more......no zombie this way...so slow is best.....
Sides for me were terrible insomnia which I guess is rare. Most are tired on it....not me, i slept 2 hours a night for weeks. could not nap!! I did have a TON of energy and got SO much done. Call me the energizer bunny!!!
tingling in hands and feet, but that eased in time! Soda tasted funny as did coffee but that did not last more than a month or so...I can live with that when after ONE week, My ODD feelings and PAIN were GONE.... I had been having seizures I did not know for over 12 years..
(dx was fibro and brain fog from that)
The One big side effect that I did not get rid of was an increase in anxiety and I did have to add a med to handle that....I already had this problem so it was not a new thing, it just increased with this med. Again, it was something I could live with treating. I had the migraines grow worse after a botched surgery almost 5 years ago. I have been in constant pain ever since. So the relief has been incredible!! NOthing has touched that pain in all these years until topamax!!
(can you tell I like this med)
Again, these meds are so different for each person. I hope it works for you/
My son needs a new one....I am thinking of it for him. I do have SOme issue with word finding at times. It has gotten better over time. Not gone. There is a new version in phase 4 trial that does NOT have this side......no idea when it will be out.
Take care
G
Re: Re: Topamax -- Good or Bad???
Submitted by SHYGIRL on Sat, 2006-09-16 - 21:15
WHAT KIND OF SEIZURES DO YOU HAVE AND HOW MUCH TOPAMAX A DAY DO YOU TAKE? JENNIFER
Re: Topamax -- Good or Bad???
Submitted by tweetty1 on Fri, 2006-08-18 - 20:55
Missmelissa, I have just swiched from Depakote to Topamax and I love the change. I was on Depakote for several years and put on a lot of weight and at the end was suffering from spasms in my hands and arms and was beginning to have increased seizure activity. With the Topamax I have so far, lost 20 pounds and the shaking stopped and so has the increased seizure activity. I am happy with it. I have also talked to people who have taken it who were not happy with it. It did not work for them. I am just glad it works for me. I don't miss the depakote at all. Good luck to you.