Topamax as an Alternative to Lyrica

[dustybrown]

I have been prescribed Lyrica and couldn't deal with the weight gain, bloat, and tiredness/laziness that it caused in me. Topamax which is used for severe Epilepsy and Migraines works just as well for Fibromyalgia and Neuropathic pain as Lyrica I have found.

There are a couple of key things to note with the drug however:

First, you must be titrated slowly (no more than 25mg per week increases) because of side effects like nervousness and insomnia, hand and foot tingling and loss of appetite. These side effects do go away after about 6 weeks. By increasing slowly your body has a chance to adjust.

Many inexperienced doctors make the mistake of increasing people WAY too fast. (I think they believe Topamax is tolerated just like Gabapentin or Lyrica.) Because of this their patient's side effects become unbearable to the point where the person gets confused, panicky, anxious and just plain fed up with it all and quit the medication before the benefits are made clear. This doesn't happen when the medication is increased slowly.    

Second, you need to be at 150mgs or more to get pain relief benefits. You may start to notice relief of your migraines at as little as 75mgs, but to get the full benefits of the pain relief and of any neuropathic pain, you have to be at a higher dosage.

One thing to note is that most people will lose weight on Topamax. Those who have good eating habits when they start Topamax, will lose the most. Those who have the worst eating habits will lose the least. The average percentage I think it 3.5% of your body weight. I have lost about 20lbs, which is 15%. I was an avid Weight Watchers member before Topamax. I know many people who weren't and only lost a few pounds. It just depends on your habits. The one thing is for certain though, this med is not like Lyrica- it's not likely to make you gain weight!

[FurballsMom]

Thank you for the information.  I have FMS and I see my neurologist soon.  I see him for chronic migraines.  I will ask him if he thinks Topomax (topamax) might be a good idea.  I'm leery about trying Lyrica myself, because I am very sensitive to pharmaceuticals, and I've heard a few bad experiences about it.  I've heard positive reports, too, but since my cousin and I have so many similarities in our FMS/MCS symptoms and she had bad experience with Lyrica, I have good reason to be fearful of even trying Lyrica.  Since these migraines are so bad for me, I think I will consider Topomax (topamax).

[dustybrown]

There are always pros and cons to every medication. Everyone's bodies are different, so it's nice that there are alternatives out there. Lyrica wasn't completely a dud for me, in fact it was quite effective for pain for me. It just cause me to feel bad about myself after awhile when the pound started packing on and I became extremely lazy. I already have trouble with energy. Lyrica made me even more tired. Topamax actually gave me energy.

[FurballsMom]

Yes, I sure understand that we all respond differently to these medications.  Otherwise there would be a one size fits all type of protocol for FMS.  I just know how sensitive to medications, so I know that if there are a lot of people with bad reactions to something, like what I've been reading about Savella, then I know I should steer clear.  I don't need something that's going to cause me to pack on the pounds and make me more tired.  And, since I have chronic migraines, I can ask my neurologist what he thinks about Topamax before I make any decisions about trying it or not.

[concerned621]

Tried Lyrica, gained weight and my vision was blurry. It was bad.  My friend told me about topamax.  It's wonderful.  Helps headaches and I've lost weight.  I'm exercising and eating right.  We FM people need a break and this is the first one I've found in a long time.  You are so right about ramping up though. I wasn't told that at first and I gave up on it.  My friend was the one who made me aware of that.  Good luck.