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.
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...
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.
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??
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??
I meant to say, aspartame is in REGULAR Wrigley's Spearmint gum now, not ONLY in the sugar free gum. Thanks again Judy for helping me in the direction that helped me, I've always stayed away from Chinese / asian foods because of the headaches I would get...just didn't realize MSG was in so many of the other things that I had been eating, took 2 days off complete detox to not have headaches.