Does Topamax Help with Chiari headaches?

[jenniferk86]

I am awaiting my appointment with my ns Dr. Oro, but my headaches are so bad, i have tried a couple of things like immitrex and I forgot the other prescription, but it is a muscle relaxer that also has a muscle relaxer, aspirin and caffeine, I  am currently on percocet, have tried Excedrin Migraine, and man other over the counter pain relievers.  My last headache was 26 days straight.  I have a headache that is dull most the time or what I would describe as pressure, kind of pushing on my ears if feels or behind my eyes.  

My question is about Topomax, I recently gained quite a bit of weight even through proper diet and excersize.  I know that a possible side effect of this drug is weight loss, so that would be a plus and that is why I am thinking about this drug in particular over some of the other headache medicines.  

Is Topamax a good option for people with Chiari type headaches, and do my headaches seem the typical chiari headache?  Anyone have success with this? I also have severe low back pain and muscle issues.  I heard that this topamax might help with fibro type pain, which the doc thought I could possibly have.  Any insight on this at all?

[selmaS]

Hi Tina!! How r u doing.....I found it interesting u said it gave some food a metal taste, I have not noticed that. again it could be I am on too low a dosage....I am losing weight, but I also had a change in my Thyroid labs post op and wonder if that is more of the weight loss than the Topamax?

  "selma"

[jenniferk86]

How do you feel post decompression, and how long has it been

[dpulum]

Prior to my decompression, I was on Topamax.  I was having ocular migraines from the pressure in my eyes.  It did help with that, however, I hated the side effects and it didn't touch the pressure in my head or pain in the back of my head.  I developed nystagmus from it, I didn't lose any weight on it (it can cause that as a side effect because it makes some foods/drinks taste metallic). I never took it again after the surgery, it was something I was really glad to be rid of.  

I never really found anything that helped with the pain/pressure in my head & eyes.  The decompression was what I needed to help with that.

Sorry I don't have a more positive review of the drug,



Tina

[jenniferk86]

Omg ...lol. I didn't mean to put dirty lol. I'm on my phone right now and my phone apparently has its mind in the gutter...haha.

I meant to say I'm sorry to hear that and if theres anything  I can do, let me know.

[jenniferk86]

I'm dirty to hear about that, let me know if it gets better. If theres anything o can do for you, please let me know :)

[selmaS]

  I was all set to stop an d my Dr said that to get new HA's and types of HA's was "typical" or "normal" for this med.....

He claims there is a weight loss benefit for this, but I have just begun to lose some weight, and I can not give this med credit....I need to get back to my Dr to see if mayb an increase is in order or if it just is not working, I can not say for sure at this point. I know so many that r on such a stronger dosage, and I am sure that plays a huge role in how u feel and the benefits one would gain....Unfortunately, I had some family issues that have added stress and a time constraint on me and I am not able to give u much more. Sorry.

[jenniferk86]

so for you,  are you saying the side effects are definitely not worth the relief? and you are going to probably stay on it and up the dosage but if it provides you with the same type of relief you would prob. discontinue?

[selmaS]

  Hi, I am on Topamax, not for all that long, but long enuff to know that u can still have HA's and pressure with this med...and it all depends on dosage, I am on lowest dosage right now.....and it takes 2 weeks to adjust to this med, u get really foggy and fatigued.

I have EDS and that has pain similar to fibro, (get checked for that to rule it out) and the Topamax at the dosage I am on does not help that at all.

  "selma"