Topomax, does anyone have anything good to say about it??

I have had migraines all my life but they have become so frequent now that I am in my 40's.  
I had been put on Amitryptiline and Imitrex Nasal,  2 weeks ago.  I went back to the doctor today and I told him I used 5 of the six Imitrex. They helped 2 of the 5.  He said that is to many migraines in 2 weeks!  So,  now I have dropped the amitryptiline  and am going on Topomax (topamax).  Starting with a low dose and working my way up slowly to see what might work.    I am a basket case about starting another medication and constantly question myself on whether or not it would be better to just suffer the migraines. One side is saying the migraines aren't good for me but then the doctor hands you the big 2 page warning sheet on the drug and I just want to say forget it. I would like to know what others think of Topomax (topamax).
Jen

[Nancy041162]

I have also had migrains since I was about 20, I am now 45.  I used Imitrex for years and they really seemed to help but I also was using too many of them (about 6-10) a month.  My neuroligist started me on Topamax about 9 months ago and they did not work for me ( he said they work for 90% of his patients).  Now I have Axert and they seem to help quite well.  My neuroligist also has started Botox treatments.  I had the first on Nov 24 and have only had a migraine about 3 days in the last 2 months.  I took the Axert when I got the headache and it seems to help and the headache went away and did not come back.  I am now going for my second Botox treatment Friday and then I will need to go back about every 4 - 6 months.  It might be worth a try for you if your doctor thinks it will help.  The Botox cost about $450.00 (covered in alberta, canada) and I had to pay an extra $100. I was well worth it as my headaches are much less frequent and I hope they go away totally after the second treatment.  

On the down side, I have developed a pounding headache when I strain to do somethings or sit or stand too quickly, however I have been told that the Botox would not be the cause of this new headache.  I am still talking with the Dr's to try to find out what is causing it.  But the migrains are much better.

[jenhop4]

Thank you for the suggestions,  I will keep them in mind.  I will give the topamax a chance for a while.  I know what you mean when you say that you were using to many Imitrex because he gave me a prescription for 6, 2 weeks ago and I tried to refill it yesterday and they said no,  not until Feb. 4th.  I was using to many.  This may seem like a crazy question but,  where do they put the Botox?  I have never heard of it for migraines.  :-)
Jen

[kittycatpurr]

Let me know how you do on Topamax, because I had the same concerns about all those side effects.  I have the prescription, but have been worried about taking it.  Thanks!

[jenhop4]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with drug "anxiety"!    I stood at the kitchen sink last night for about 5 minutes debating with myself and the little tiny 25mg dose in my hand.
I took it and feel fine today.  I don't think it is the medication that has helped my migraines today,  it is just that I've had so many lately that I'm bound to get a break sometime!  Anyway,  I'm going to give them a shot.  I think when I was younger and was only getting a few a month I felt really good in between and could justify not taking any medication.  During the migraines however,  I always thought ' this time I'm going to the doctor'!  But the migraine would go away I felt "normal" and tried to forget until the next one.  Now, in the last 10 years I get them so frequently with headaches almost constantly that my family and I are really feeling the effects.  And am hoping for a better quality of life back.  I am reminding myself that the dosages are much lower than most of the side affects generally go along with.  I'm not sure how they were prescribed to you but this is how they were to me.  25mg once a day at bedtime,
for one week.  Then 25mg twice a day,  once at bedtime and once in the morning for one more week.  Then 1 50mg at bedtime and 25mg in the morning for one more week.  Then the final adjustment is 50mg at night,  50mg in morning.  If I'm feeling any better at the lesser amount I will tell my doctor and see if I could stick with that for a while.   We'll see.  If you decide to try it let me know what you think also.  Thanks for your reply.
Jen

[Liz03]

doesnt work for sever migraines

[goingcrazy101]

I have taken the topomax (topamax) for a month and it did nothing for my migraine as the doctor has called it but it made me start loosing my hair. Which is really weird because they didn't say that was a side effect. I noticed when I was taking a shower, then combing my hair that it was coming out in a litttle clumps. As soon as the doctor said he didn't believe that medicine was going to work (they were getting worse) he discontinued with them and on to something new. As soon as I stopped taking them within a week my hair stop coming out. Just letting you know one of my side effects. To let you know though when I went to another nuerologist I told him I wanted to try something holistic and he had me take Petadolex. Ever heard of it? They say that it works quite well for a holistic approach to migraines. Now I took it for about 3 months and it lowered by intensity of the headaches. And my real bad days were only a few times a month compared to a few times a week the way it was. Now I do have to tell you though I am a little bit of a different case. I have been diagnosed with migraines by my nuerologist simply because I believe they think they have ruled all other things out. He believes I am in a 4% bracket of migraine suffers who have it constantly. You see I have had a headache (migraine) for almost 2 years now, 24 hours a day, never goes away. And yes I feel of upmost dispair and frustration. Anyway I would try this Petadolex or at least ask about it. There is alot of good information about this on their website www.migraineaid.com. Hope this helps.

[Forever_3am]

I took Topamax for about 8 months before I had to start paying for it out of pocket, which is impossible since they don't have a generic in the U.S.(it's about $500 a mo.)  I don't know how it works for the majority, but it helped me a great deal.  I was in an accident 2 years ago, and I suffered a very severe head/brain injury.  Since that time, I've had extreme migraines for at least half of the days of the month.  Yes, you read that correctly, and no, I do not exaggerate.  Anyway, although it takes some time to get into the maintenance cycle of taking Topamax (at least a month for 100 mg a day,) once you get there it is amazing.  While it didn't prevent them completely, it did cut mine down to only 4 or 5 days a month - which for me is a Miracle!  On the days that I still got them, there is abortive medication that can be taken (and sometimes helps, sometimes not.)  The only side effects that I did experience in the long time that I took the medication was that I was a little less astute/sharp, and I lost a good deal of weight.  If nothing else, it is the craziest weight loss medication that you'll ever come across.  I am 5' 7", and I have never been overweight.  I was about 135 lbs. when I started Topamax and about 116 when I came off of it.  So, if that scares you, then either take less or don't take it at all.  As I understand it, it is the most common side-effect.  
Hope this info helps.  Good luck.

[kittycatpurr]

I haven't started the Topamax yet.  I am waiting to see how you like it.  I know we are all different, but I thought I'd hold out a little longer.  My problem is I don't want to lose weight and most seem to lose weight while on Topamax.  I really don't get alot of migraines.  Sometimes it can be once a month and then the next month several.  Please keep me informed.  If a get brave enought I might start with half.  I know I am not supposed to cut it, but I just want to have a little feel for it.  Thanks.