Question for those on topamax for migraines - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

luvwinnie · 01-07-2013, 07:53 AM

Thanks, all. Saturday I was a ZOMBIE. Gradually getting better. I am worried about the cognitive issues considering I'm an editor. I have made a decision to cut out all processed foods and cut my sugar intake WAY down. Let's see how that goes. Maybe then I can cut down the topamax.

daughtersrus · 01-07-2013, 07:59 AM

Several years ago, my DD was taking Topamax for seizures. She had many side effects from it. It got to the point that she was so lethargic that she could barely hold her head up. The doctor warned us that the nickname is Dope A Max because so many people have problems with it.

I hope that you adjust or can find something else to help with the migraines!

luvwinnie · 01-07-2013, 08:13 AM

The dosage is usually much higher for seizures than migraines, from what I have read.

Sorsha · 01-07-2013, 08:25 AM

HATED the stuff. I took it for seizures, not migraines, and ended up on quite a high dose. I never really had trouble with the tingling hands and feet, and the grogginess eased up after a while, but my other side effects were terrible.

I had short-term memory issues, as posted, but the worst thing seemed to be the barrier that it placed between my brain and my mouth or my fingers. I might know exactly what I wanted to say "Let's go get a soda" but what would come out of my mouth would be something like "Let's go get a fish". People looked at me like I'd lost my mind. I literally would have to stop and replay what I had just said before I'd realize that it had not come out right. Really affected my ability to type too; I could no longer spell properly! Now, mind you, I am quite a good speller under normal conditions. On Topamax however, I would have to spellcheck constantly, and when I would see the errors I had made, I would be like... "WTH??"

Sadly enough, I did NOT get the weight-loss side effect, which was the one I really wanted!!! It wasn't really working for my seizure disorder either, so instead of continuing on at such high doses with such awful side effects, my Neuro weaned me off it and we tried something else.

The two slang terms most often associated with this drug are "Dope-amax" and "Topamax-brain". There's a reason for this...

daughtersrus · 01-07-2013, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvwinnie

The dosage is usually much higher for seizures than migraines, from what I have read.

You're probably right. I was trying to remember what dose she was on but it's been awhile. I think that she was 25mg twice a day but upped it quite a bit over a year or so. These were probably high doses considering my DD was only about 30lbs at the time.

01-07-2013, 08:25 AM	#19
Sorsha People, don't be like the chickens Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northwest Montana Posts: 3,360	HATED the stuff. I took it for seizures, not migraines, and ended up on quite a high dose. I never really had trouble with the tingling hands and feet, and the grogginess eased up after a while, but my other side effects were terrible. I had short-term memory issues, as posted, but the worst thing seemed to be the barrier that it placed between my brain and my mouth or my fingers. I might know exactly what I wanted to say "Let's go get a soda" but what would come out of my mouth would be something like "Let's go get a fish". People looked at me like I'd lost my mind. I literally would have to stop and replay what I had just said before I'd realize that it had not come out right. Really affected my ability to type too; I could no longer spell properly! Now, mind you, I am quite a good speller under normal conditions. On Topamax however, I would have to spellcheck constantly, and when I would see the errors I had made, I would be like... "WTH??" Sadly enough, I did NOT get the weight-loss side effect, which was the one I really wanted!!! It wasn't really working for my seizure disorder either, so instead of continuing on at such high doses with such awful side effects, my Neuro weaned me off it and we tried something else. The two slang terms most often associated with this drug are "Dope-amax" and "Topamax-brain". There's a reason for this... __________________ Tanya in MT (me) (DH James) (DD 18 Ariana) (DD 12 Alyssa) (DD 9 Caitlyn) "Oh drat these computers, they're so naughty and complex." - Marvin the Martian in Duck Dodgers And The Return Of The 24½ Century Last edited by Sorsha; 01-07-2013 at 09:14 AM.

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01-07-2013, 07:53 AM	#16
luvwinnie And how are YOU feeling? My happy thought: Sitting on Main Street eating ice cream. Can't tell the difference between Burger King and Wendys Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 9,962	Thanks, all. Saturday I was a ZOMBIE. Gradually getting better. I am worried about the cognitive issues considering I'm an editor. I have made a decision to cut out all processed foods and cut my sugar intake WAY down. Let's see how that goes. Maybe then I can cut down the topamax.

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01-07-2013, 07:59 AM	#17
daughtersrus DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 5,479	Several years ago, my DD was taking Topamax for seizures. She had many side effects from it. It got to the point that she was so lethargic that she could barely hold her head up. The doctor warned us that the nickname is Dope A Max because so many people have problems with it. I hope that you adjust or can find something else to help with the migraines!

01-07-2013, 08:13 AM	#18
luvwinnie And how are YOU feeling? My happy thought: Sitting on Main Street eating ice cream. Can't tell the difference between Burger King and Wendys Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 9,962	The dosage is usually much higher for seizures than migraines, from what I have read.