Topamax is a crapshoot with pain and the medication can have some nasty effects that don't always decrease with time. It's one of those meds that you just won't know if it works until you try it. The dose should be slowly increased to avoid side effects that will make you stop taking it before you reach a therapeutic level and know whether or not it works for you.
Topamax did nothing for my pain and I was one of the few people who had one of the more bizarre side effects. I first noticed my hands and feet going numb. With the next increase my face went numb and my tongue felt like a block of dried wood. It can also interfere with taste in some people. I can understand why - everything I put in my mouth tasted like metal including water. On the other hand, I've heard from people who never had a problem with it and it worked very well for them. Just read up on the medication and keep your doctor informed of any side effects and see how it goes. I really hope it works for your pain. :-)
Hello and Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. Sorry I do not have personal experience with Topamax. I have gathered some information from MedHelp members and others.
Topiramate (brand name Topamax) is an anticonvulsant (antiepilepsy) drug. It is now being used for multiple off label purposes. ... one of them being neuropathic pain.
I found this on the Topamax website: "To achieve best results, Topamax should be taken for 2 to 3 months and then its effectiveness can be determined." I do believe that is more true in other situations then in neuropathic pain. I have had ppl tell me that they noted a difference within a week.
How effective Topamax will be in your pain management will depend on a few factors... with the primary one being just how well your system accepts the medication and responds to it.
I have heard some great things about it's effectiveness and some not so great things. Again I think it will just depend on you well your body respond to the medicine. I hope you will let us know how you are doing. We'll look forward to hearing from you.
Take Care,
~Tuck