more topamax

[deelee79]

hello all,

I am 4 years into my diagnosis and the symptoms keep getting worse. I had a follow up to my chiari dr this week and there is no change in the size of my syrinx but I do feel worse then last time. Also I have eds which I never knew about either. Doc says surgery is up to me for now and not necessary unless I cant handle symptons. They increased my topamax and 2 days later I felt like I was riding a speeding elevator. Anyone else have this effect from an increase?

[pamk5]

I wish I could take Topamax but apparently if you have a history of kidney stones is a no go! I picked up a stomach virus this week and had a few days of vomiting and all the other stuff that goes with it.  OMG! my head hurt so so bad for 3 days.  I wasnt able to move.  It finally broke yesterday I was so so thankful. I think I would almost trade another kidney stone to never have that pain again!

[lilmiss1999]

I have been taking Topomax for quite a while and my side effects have been all over the board. My dose was increased a lot a while back and did less to help than the lower dosse. I have now lowered it and even though the crazy side effects ae still there, I feel less of a zombie. I get the speeding elevator. I also have a lot more panic attacks but without the panic. I feel all speeding and the attack but my heart does not race. Don't know if that makes sence. Hang in there. The more your body gets used to the med the better it will be. Luckily my family is very understandable when I forget everything and stumble on my words. Although that was a problem before Topomax. Lol. It does help with the pressure headaches a bit but does not help my tremors. Wish those would go away.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari/Syringomyelia Forum.

I am new to topamax...and have noticed the brain fog and was not sure what it was doing to help me...so I stopped taking it one night, and forgot the next...well the following day I was in pain, and took it again and felt soooooooo much better.

There r some side effects....the buzzing and ringing in my ears is up and the fog, but the pain levels r down...so it looks like a trade off....I am for less pain....

I have not increased levels so not sure how that would affect me.....but, I did see how quickly  it took effect even after missing 2 doses......

Like Lizzy mentioned talk to ur dr and see if what u r experiencing is normal and if it may calm down or if u need to cut back.....

Glad to have u join us, but not happy for the reason that bring u.

"selma"

[n40066]

i am on topamx too and from what i have gleened from talking to others, it is different with just about everyone.  i did not really have a problem when my dosage was increased.  however, my brain fog has been getting worse and it was just brought to my attention the other day that this may indeed be a side effect from this medication.  i had just naturally blamed it on the chiari!  lol!  if it doesn't settle down after a couple of weeks, let your dr know and let him/her decide if you should continue a bit longer to see if it levels out or not....that's what i would do.  but i'm sure some others here would suggest you let your dr know right away.  guess it's all in how you feel, really!
elizabeth