Topamax

[fixit]

Very reluctantly starting Topamax after trying various other meds as now have constant daily migraine with aura & no quality of life. Can anyone share any positive experiences with me please.

[Hidden]

Hi fixit,

I had a good response to Topamax, it made me a bit nervous, but I had fewer and less severe migraines for about 4 years. I led a normal life, then it stopped working.

[fixit in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Liseanne. I’m desperate for it to work. Forth day in bed now with a bad migraine & no let up yet.

[KatherineM_PBC in reply to Hidden]

That was very positive , until "I led a normal life, then it stopped working"......probs better if you hadn't added that

[Jaiessei]

Hi I was on Topamax for 2-3 years they were a great help... sorry that word but is coming... I started getting an awful change in my mind. I’ve had PMT but never suffered from depression before, not even through divorce, fibromyalgia nor migraines. It came on very gradual, small anger outbursts then tears. It felt like bad PMT, until I felt life wasn’t worth it.

Luckily my husband remembered we were told to watch out for dark thoughts and I came off right away, after 3 months migraines were back so I had some left over and decided to try again, as they really did help, within a week I came off. We were really shocked at how a drug could make me feel suicidal when I’ve never been anywhere close to these thoughts before.

Now believe me I’m not scaremongering because the Headache Clinc make a big deal of speaking to family about watching out for suicidal thoughts

I would take it again tomorrow because it really did work with no problems for nearly 3 years but remember if you do take it make sure family no to watch for changes to personality.

HRT, imigran injections and anti sickness suppositories are how I cope now

Good luck and my apologies for long reply

[fixit in reply to Jaiessei]

Thanks for that. I didn’t realise that it could cause depression after such a long time of use. I assumed it would be within the first few months. I have had very bad depression in the past so I will be on my guard for this. In fact my regular GP didnt want me to risk taking it. I’m up to 50mg daily & still having daily headaches but it’s early days.

[fixit]

Just an update. I’ve been on 75mg Topamax for 2 weeks now am at last headache/migraine free. Never thought it would happen! Side effects are still there, but hoping they will fade in time. Glad I stuck it out. Far from perfect but pain is now in the background and not ruling my life.