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Avatar universal

Med worries

Hello, All, I have been reading lots of posts about complex migraine.  I have been diagnosed with this and my neurologist said it is due to hormonal changes. I am 48.  I tried topamax and stopped b/c of confusion but had to try it again b/c the numbness just wouldn't quit.  But this time my eye is red and I am going to have to try a different medication.  My doctor mentioned depakote the last time I saw him.   Waiting for a call back.  I don't like the liver problems mentioned with depakote.  My neurologist did say that this is temporary and believes this will all get better.  How I hope this is true.  I know everybody is different but I see in reading that this affliction likes to hang on.  
I am thankful to have found a group who will understand the boat I have found myself in.  
I have stopped caffiene, chocolate, yellow cheese, all meats with nitrites, they always gave me a headache btw, and I never liked msg.  I have only had two real headaches.  The numbness and dizziness is the major problem for me.  I had a serious episode that sent me to the doctor that lasted several days.  The numbness hasn't subsided and that's been about three weeks now.  But, the numbness is better.  
I know everybody is different but can any of you who have taken depakote tell me if it affected you harshly.  I would hate to ruin my liver in addition to all that is messing with my body already.
Thanks so much
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875426 tn?1325528416
I'm sorry I just recently saw your post here.  I was on Topomax and did not tolerate it well.  It made me extremely nervous and changed the pitch of my voice, so I had to go off it.  Did you try it and if so, how have/did you done/do with it?
Helpful - 0
1985088 tn?1327810108
Hi all my neurologist wants me to take Topomax what do you think
the side effects there's so many? has anyone has it before? think everyone tolerates it differently
any help be great
Helpful - 0
875426 tn?1325528416
Are your blood pressure and lipid blood panel in normal range?  

I was diagnosed w/ common intractible migraines many years ago.  I took depakote (generic) in combination with voltaren (generic) as preventatives, one period for close to 3 months, and years later, for a second period of even less time.  

I don't believe it damaged my liver with those brief times, but with the first period of time I took those, I got the side effect of losing about a third of my hair.  But later, I was desperate enough for a preventative I was willing to take them again and risk losing hair again.  But the pills didn't really seem to help prevent migraines that time, so I discontinued them a second time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My husband ended up in the hospital taking Topamax with pancreatitis and nearly died. They don't warn people enough about this drug. I took it for 'complicated migraine' and had a metallic taste and felt like I was in a fog.

My complicated migraines (2 of them in my lifetime) were accompanied by 8 hours of amnesia, vomiting and severe pain. My first neurologist didn't call it that, he thought it might be due to stress. The second one called it the complicated migraine which is odd to me since I've only had two in my life. The symptoms were also very stroke like so we aren't accepting the second diagnosis really but I did start a low dose aspirin daily routine.

Take good care of yourself, get enough rest each night, ask your doctor about vitamins and a good diet. I'm not doing anything about migraine triggers food wise at this point.

I had my hormones tested a few months ago, my doctor was surprised I asked for it and the results were no less than stunning. He immediately put me on hormone replacement patches and I feel so much better. If your headaches are attributable to that, perhaps it would be good for you to be tested and evening out your hormones could help the migraines.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.
Helpful - 0
1552758 tn?1304928419
My sympathies - I also went through extra migraines due to hormonal changes. Don't like the sound of your medication. I found Maxalt a great medication to take which worked really well for my migraines. It is the new generation rizatriptan and the side effects with me anyway were minimal in comparasion with other tablets like cafergot, migral and zomig. With zomig it used to give me a terrible sensation of my head been squeezed in a vice and with time it just got worse. I believe all medication messes with your liver and kidneys - the secret is to find one that works for you and has minimal side effects. If it is any consulation, I found that after time the hormonal migraines also lessened and eventually dissapeared completely once I left off dairy products! I cannot emphaside enough to everybody here that one must keep a food, drink AND medication diary to work out ALL the triggers. Don't suffer like me for twenty years before figuring out your triggers. GOOD LUCK and let us all know your outcome.
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