Posted by Snoozy on June 23, 2003, at 23:14:49
In reply to Topmax for Migraines, posted by Sprgrvr on June 23, 2003, at 17:02:37
Hello and welcome. I've had migraines for about 15 years and I've found it very interesting to compare notes here. Very briefly, I have tried many migraine prophylactic drugs with little success (beta blockers, calcium blockers, Depakote, lots of antidepressants). I do get quite a bit of relief (especially from the vomiting) with Imitrex. I have not tried Topamax yet, but I am considering it.
If you don't mind, could I ask you some questions? You were given Lamictal to prevent migraines? And you also were tried on prednisone for the migraines? Are there any other meds you've tried?
I'm curious about the cluster theory - when you have them, is the pain more like a cluster headache than a migraine? (My general understanding of cluster headaches is that the pain is worse than migraine but lasts 1 hour or less, and may recur over several days.) And are you now seeing an adult neurologist?
Good luck with the Topamax, and as I said, I'm happy to compare notes!
> I’m new here – I'm glad I found all your comments. I was recently put on Topamax for migraine (my full history follows - I didn't want to bore everyone at the beginning) starting at 30mg per day (2 15mg pills instead of 1 25mg pill) and maxing out at 240mg within 8 weeks. I wondered if anyone thought the difference in mg would make a difference. I'm also a business student and hoping the side effect of "fuzzy brain" that everyone keeps mentioning won't be too much of a hindrance in my classes. Does anyone have any tactics that have helped them?
>
> I've suffered from migraines (originally thought to be cluster due to short-two-week-absences) since I was a junior in high school (roughly 10 years) with all theories ending up in the garbage can and no relief. Recently, my younger sister was treated for a type of epilepsy that was very similar to bipolar, which included horrendous vomiting episodes, behavioral problems, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and other problems. Because of our genetics (alcoholism, anxiety disorders, etc), her pediatric neurologist allowed me as a patient. She first put me on Lamictal to which I broke out with an allergic reaction after a week and a half. While I was on Lamictal, my migraines were worse, my psycho dreams were more common and more psycho, and I was very dizzy. The Prednisone was not much better. She's now trying Topomax and I'm afraid of a reaction as well as the side effects. I think we’re going in the right direction due to the fact that the Lorazepam (Ativan) works wonderfully when a migraine does slip through while I’m getting my dosage up. I’m just hoping the side-effects don’t cause more distractions than the migraines themselves.
>
poster:Snoozy
thread:5053
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030619/msgs/236502.html