Anyone taking Topamax or Elavil??

[sunny78]

I have recently been diagnosed with migraines without headaches and my doctor wants me to start taking Topamax. I am a little worried about taking Topamax because I have heard that it has horrible side effects.

I heard Elavil also works to prevent migraines.
  
I was just wondering what other peoples experience was with either one of these drugs. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

[sunny78]

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it.

I just found out that Topamax can increase kidney stone develpment.

I have a history of developing kidney stones. (I had it with both my pregnancies). So I think my doctor is going to want to put me on Elavil instead.

I am just concerned about weight gain because I hear that is one of its side effects.

Anybody have any experience with this??

[sunny78]

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it.

I just found out that Topamax can increase kidney stone develpment.

I have a history of developing kidney stones. (I had it with both my pregnancies). So I think my doctor is going to want to put me on Elavil instead.

I am just concerned about weight gain because I hear that is one of its side effects.

Anybody have any experience with this??

[safire571]

I have had migraines since the age of 12 and I am now 47.  I have taken 50mg Imitrex tablets plus injections of 6mgs if needed for several years now and has worked most of the time for me.  Then the migraines started getting worse a couple years ago.  They were following my menstrual cycle and could last for days.  Nothing seemed to give me relief.  I had changed doctors and he asked me about trying Topomax.  I take one 50mg every morning and two at night.  I have fewer migraines and headaches in general than I have ever had.  I even lost some weight!!  It did take a little adjusting to at first, but not too long.  My feet tingled and it causes dry mouth.  Tingling went away when he adjusted dosage.  I no longer have dry mouth, but still have a healthy habit of drinking lots of water.  I have no other side affects that I know of from taking this med.  I couldn't of asked for anything better!  I suffered for so long and highly recommend it to anyone as long as your doctor approves.  

[Nikki1381]

Hello... another side effect of Topamax is it can inflame your pancreas. I ended up in the ER with the infection. It had been helping with my migraines, but it does have some nasty side effects. I am taking Elavil now... it has been working well. I have also heard it can cause weight gain, but it hasn't for me. I think it's different for everyone. Another thing that has helped me.. I broke the cycle of rebound migraines I was getting from painkillers. If you take them too much, you can give yourself worse migraines than you had in the first place...

[LifesAHeadache]

I could be a sales rep for Elavil, I feel so strongly about how good it is.  Yes, there is a weight gain issue but only for 25% of those who take it.  I'm one of the 25%.  So if you would try it, you would know pretty fast if you are one of the 25% or not.  It would make you crave sweets.  Some people say they tried taking 25 mg a night and it didn't work at all.  Some people respond at that level but I had to take 150 mg.  It is safe at higher dosages - it is used quite often for depression at the higher dosage.  You usually take it at bedtime because it can make you sleepy - which is often a good thing.  It makes you sleep hard - so you get restorative sleep.  It's not really hard to ween of - so you can always try it and if you start gaining weight - go off of it and try one of the other meds.  Good Luck.

[andypants4]

my daughter and neice both used topamax and both felt loop.  They had a hard time concentrating in school (both are straight A students)  felt spacey so they both stopped using it.