Topriamate

[jo37782]

I have just started taking topriamate for migraine and have taken 2 tablets instead of 1. Should I contact a doctor or is it ok?

[Onthemove1971]

No.. but you are not going to want to hear this...Please please stop taking this medication. I (and many people) have had serious and permanent memory loss. I took this medication for almost 2 year and now I can't remember short passwords and other things. As soon as this started I weaned myself off the medication and I am so sorry I ever took it.

I do not think it will make a difference you took 2.

[jo37782 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thanks, I only started taking it wednesday and I feel terrible. Will it be it ok to stop taking it or do I have to wean of it?

[Onthemove1971 in reply to jo37782]

I am no doctor, but I would think if you are only taking 1 you could do 1 less pill a week to go slow.

So glad you will stop soon.

Good luck

[jo37782 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thanks, after researching the side effects I think I would rather put up with migraines a fee times a year.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to jo37782]

Yes, please try some other things like ice on neck or back,.pepermint tea/oil and Naproxen.

Also try to find the right magnesium to help on a daily rate.

[Cb1963]

Well,we all take tablets for a reason, the headaches i was suffering with were absolutely horrendous, I was getting 2/3 per day and the ones at night during sleep were getting me to dark places I'd rather not think about (suicide) I had headaches over several months,sounds like you are on a low dose, I'm on 4 tablets in the morning and 4 in the evening, this was a gradual process and it took 3 weeks to get on top of the headaches, and I'm headache FREE ,I was on this forum begging for advice,I was originally put on propananol, which did help at first, but after around 6 weeks the headaches returned, I never used to suffer with headaches, but I believe age can be a factor,there are triptins medications you can take at the onset of a migraine, which do work, but if you are a regular migraine sufferer that's why you are being put onto a preventative medication to try and stop them happening in the first place, we all react to medications differently yes each person can have side effects, but I'd rather be free from the skull busting headaches I had,and hope that the side effects are minimal,I have noticed that they reduce your appetite,and that's about it so far,a small price to pay I feel,don't take co-codamamol, as this can induce headaches, try just paracetamol and stick to the correct dose and of course always have a regular discussion with your doctor if you feel like your headaches are getting worse, it took me several appointment to get some help, good luck.

[jo37782 in reply to Cb1963]

Thanks I'm going to go back next week and speak to the doctor. I have been constantly dizzy for the last 3 days, feeling sick and feel 'zoned' out. Not sure if it's the medicines or not

[Cb1963 in reply to jo37782]

Yes, your only on a low dose,it's so difficult trying to give 'advice ' long term migraines requires long term treatment,how painful are your headaches and how often do you get them? If I had to score mine I would honestly give them a 9 out of 10 in a pain factor scale, I've had a couple of life threatening conditions and this on a pain level was right up there with those illnesses,and there was me never having much sympathy for folk who had migraines ,seems someone has got payback in mind lol.

[jo37782 in reply to Cb1963]

I get regular headaches but full blown, take to bed cant move migraine about every 3 months. So maybe they can find a painkiller to help rather than a preventer

[Cb1963 in reply to jo37782]

Yep,like I said I was having 2/3 per day each and always would have one while I was asleep, they were brutal,I'm pretty sure thats why the doctor is trying to get you on a preventative treatment to try and break the cycle,have you not got any of the triptan medications to take at the onset of a migraine? Normally you can only take a maximum of two of these tablets in a 24 period, this is so it doesn't go into a full blown migraine ,I was on rizatriptan,but I'm currently using naratriptan,but thankfully, I've only used it once since I'm on the full dose of topiramate,so maybe ask about this as well,I believe smoking doesn't help which I am,tut tut,and age 55,goes against me,has the doctor suggested propananol yet,or are you only just starting this process of getting these symptoms sorted out?it could be a long process so be patient, I'm sure you'll get things sorted soon.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Cb1963]

I am curious do you take other preventives? Magnesium? Feverfew?

Yes every person is different, but the first side effect om that medication is is memory loss and I can't tell you (besides myself) how many person experience the same thing on this medication. I like you was on the highest dose and were still getting migraines ( which means its NOT the right treatment). I took it for almost 2 years and one day I could not remember my passwords and I knew there was a serious problem. I have gone complety off of the medication, knowing there are better options. The reason for the warning is you can not get your memory back for that I am sad.

There are 7 different types of Triptans that can be take some are short acting and some are long acting.

There is so much to study and learn, like external Neurotransmittors that you can use nightly.

From what I have learned there is always another condition which is causing migraines ( usually back and neck pain).

Where are a few resources to look at:

World migraine summitt

migraineworldsummit.com/

Podcast - Heads up ( download an App then download the podcast)

Best of luck!

[Cb1963 in reply to Onthemove1971]

I don't take any other preventative medication,due back at the doctors for a review regarding the topiramate, sorry to hear about the memory problems that this medication has caused you, I was at last chance saloon as far as I was concerned, ive had other life threatening conditions, and pain wise this was right up there with them,the pain was intense,and over several months I was at the end of my tether with them,I understand with all medicines that there is a possibility of side effects, but I had to weigh up my options, and I feel that to be pain free it's a small price to pay,i couldn't carry on any longer,its not normal to have 2/3 skull busting migraines everyday, and after several months, and you think about committing suicide,this isn't rational thoughts,i still get a small break through of pain occasionally but nothing that a couple of paracetamol takes care of,I have to take an omeprazole for lifelong reasons, each tablet carrys a side effects, but I have to take it,otherwise I could end up back in hospital, so life and tablets are a lottery, I understand your strong points against this medication, but this tablet stopped the agony and months of pain for me,I appreciate you pointing out your concerns, thank you very much.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Cb1963]

Please consider other preventives, studied show people with migraines have low levels of magnesium. TJ ou could start there. There are many types to consider. Then look at Feverfew both are life changing.

If you start to feel like you forget things please consider changing medications.

[Cb1963 in reply to Onthemove1971]

I shall certainly look carefully at your valid points, and other suggestions,I needed help so desperately,and I had put up numerous posts on this forum discussing the migraines,I thank you for advice, and I don't know if the doctor may want to reduce the dose when I'm next due to see him next, so I shall mention the reduction and see how things go, have a pleasant evening, thanks again.

[elryoe in reply to Onthemove1971]

Hello 1971,read your post on Topiramate. Just so happen ,on my Doctor visit on the 14 Nov. my doctor ask me if I wanted to try Topriamate starting with 25mg twice a day for a week, then 1/2 three times a week, then 50mg 2 times a week. After reading your post think I will stay on 1/2 two times a week for a while and see if any improvement in frequency in migraines, 1 per week, lasting an avg 6 hrs.

On my prior visit we have we determined that I should be taking 125mg of Magnesium citrate, which I did and now I will increase that to 500 mg today along with 400mg Riboflavin. Will also be doing a sleep study next month to determine sleep pattern. I will certainly be aware of the Topiramate as I have only takin it for a few days but in the mornings I can feel a little dizzy at times.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to elryoe]

I can also suggest that you try a small dose of magnesium 3x a day to equal the same amount.

Most days I take my AM dose and by 12:00 pm I feel a migraine coming on so I take a magnesium and that keep it from coming on strong.

Please give it 3-6 months before you change anything. If you don't get better after that try changing the type of magnesium there are many types. I am using magnesium glycinate and for me it helps a lot.

You should feel them decrease in how painful they are first then less in a week.

Hope it helps you. Remember a treatment is not complete unless the migrains stop, so contuine to search to get the help you need.

Take care!