Hi all been to the drs today and been told to stop taking propanol and take topiramate instead , I don't really like taking tablets at all

[Poppet1]

Because of the side affects can anyone tell me if they take it how they get on with them and the side affects please,I don't like the feeling of beeging sleepy or sedated 15mg of topiramate she has given me

[Tidewatch]

Hello Poppet1 - I have been stricken with Migraine for these past 4 years - it comes in various forms and intensity at least twice a week. My experience is that virtually all prescription drugs give me unacceptable "Side Effects" - these generally take the form of the migraine symptoms that I am trying to effect - nausea, sickness, headache, dizziness, general body aches etcetera. I have long concluded that for me the best solution when I feel really awful, like yesterday, I limit myself to "Zapain", (Codeine & Paracetamol) which generally proves effective. As too much Codeine can give you shadow headaches, I support these as necessary with just Paracetamol - not 100% effective but better than nothing. After yesterday's dreadful day, apart from feeling somewhat fragile, I'm OK. I had to wait 1/2 hour to type this as I had a spell of the visual disturbance which comes under the heading of "Aura" - sometimes part of a migraine, sometimes just on it's own. I am retired and have the immeasurable support of a caring wife which makes it easier to cope. I can only suggest that you try my pill solution. Certainly it is no cure but as the Medicos have little idea, and jump from pillar to post, you can only try. It helps that we are all in this together - Good Luck, Tidewatch.

[Tidewatch]

A PS to my reply Poppet1. I omitted to mention that if I have had a rough day and still feel fragile at bedtime I take a single DIAZIPAM which does help me sleep. Obviously you would have to get these on prescription from your GP. Insist - don't be messed about, only those of us that have migraine know what it is really like! Tidewatch.

[misstah]

Topiramate is great for some people and bad for others. For me after being on it a year and suffering memory loss and bad pins and needles feeling in hands and feet and on my face, and then there's the muscle twitching as well I couldn't stand it any longer and came off them last month. I used to take them twice a day. I didn't really feel sedated or sleepy with them though. I'm now just on gabapentin which I've been on for about 6 months and triptans. 15mg of topiramate is a tiny dose, I know someone who takes a lot larger dose and is fine on the topiramate. Every one is different, unfortunately migraine medication is very trial and error.

[Hidden in reply to misstah]

As you say, its great for some, but not for others. I've been on it for at least 4 years, having been a lifelong migraine sufferer, and its been a miracle worker for me. I gradually worked up to a max dose of 200mg twice a day. I certainly had pins and needles/tingling but it wasn't a major problem for me and I rarely get it now. If I feel a bit drowsy with it then I'm not aware, and its worth it for not getting migraines or daily headaches. As you say, its trial and error with migraine medication because everybody is different.

[Monty123]

I've worked up to 150mg twice a day of Pregabalin (Lyrica ) , so far so good .I have been taking about 10 Triptans ( Maxalt ) a month , so far this month only 3 so looking good . I,do feel sleepy on them but it's getting better , I think generally side effects like that are worth working through if you can . Or lower the dose and increase very gradually . I do sleep really well which was a problem for me before so a bonus . By the way I'm 54 and don't work so it's easier for me too , must be difficult if you have to work / drive etc . Good Luck all , it's a difficult one this migraine problem and Tide watch is right that only those with it understand !

[Beckygeorge]

I'm afraid I had terrible side effects including memory loss and severe depression. See how you go - watch for mood changes. Personally I hated it, but as all the previous replies say, everyone's different.

Good luck

Becky

[Ghost2345]

Hi

We are all different, some meds will be great for some but not for others, I took Topiramate for only 2 weeks it didn't agree with me at all. I think you have to give it a go if you could be relatively pain free.

[franb16]

Been on both! The Topiramate worked fantastically for a long while until the side effects became too much -

(knitting fog! balance loss, exhaustion etc). It did take a long time to build up and the honeymoon period was wonderful..... As for propranolol.... coming off those was like rediscovering sunshine! I hate tablets too but if they work for you, or even just hold out the hope of migraine free periods,do it. I have a record of trying, going without, trying again, Been through the list of migraine favourite meds, physio, acupuncture, now botox. Just got to keep on trying..... (still at stage of gazing in mirror and trying to frown, if this works may try to persuade them not to inject on one side of forehead- always wanted to be able to do the Spock eyebrow thing )