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587778 tn?1261397118

Dr. Did not Prescribe Topamax Correctly

I have officially stopped taken Topamax.  Since my last post to this blog, I have been to the ER 2 times for the pain in my lower back and and left side.  It turns out that the reason that my left kidney is enlarged is because of a stone.   I did not have any problems before taking this medication.    A group of doctors consulted me in the ER and all agreed that my dosage of Topamax, 100 mg 2X's a day, is two much!!!

Upon further conversation, I learned that by neurologist was supposed to gradually increase my dosage to that amount.  And reading the rest of the blogs, I see that nearly everyone was gradually giving Topamax in doses of 25mg.   My neurologist started me at 100mg twice a day and I have been there every since.  This is very upsetting to me, because my body has gone through HELL for the last nine months.  I have experienced all of the severe symptoms and his response was,  " your body has to adjust,".   I have been overdosed by the doctor.  I could have died.

How can I report my former neurologist?
2 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hi,

Hope you are feeling better.
The dose of Topamax should always be titrated gradually. You are right when you say that the starting dose is 25 mg -50 mg daily twice a day and then it is gradually titrated by 25-50 mg per week to reach a maintenance dose of 100-200 mg daily.
The maximum dose that can be given is 1000 mg per day.


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Avatar universal
I can feel your pain having taken Topamax myself.  However, my neurologist started me at 25mg and had me titrate the dosage by 25mg a week at a time until i reached 100mg. i never made it to that dosage.  By the time i reached 75mg, i honestly thought i was going to lose my mind.

I will be honest and say that this drug "did" reduce the daily headaches to almost none, with migraines diminishing to some degree as well.  However, the side effects of this drug is absolutely phenomenal.  I stayed on the drug for 2 1/2 months to allow enough time for the medicine to be at a correct blood-serum level and hopefully for the side effects to subside.  That never occurred.

I chose to wean myself from this drug totally.  I started my previous medicinal regimen which I must say, is not as effective in controlling the daily headaches, but I feel so much better overall that I will in no way return to using Topamax .... ever.

I cannot for the life of me imagine your taking 100mg, not only daily, but twice a day. My goodness, this certainly seems a bit extreme for a first-time user.  If you do a "google" on this drug you will find that this is a seizure drug and extremely powerful in its effects.  While I cannot offer legal advice, I certainly believe you have ever right to address this issue with your doctor.  If you don't feel comfortable with doing this, I personally would change neurologist first then contact your state medical board.  They can advise you for a course of action.

Remember too, just like in real estate that the main ingredient is "location", in this matter will be "documentation".  I hope you all the best.  First in taking care of your health issues, then the physician issue.

tonyb
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