Delayed Side Effect to Migraine Prevention Med--Topamax

greenne · 09-08-2008, 09:34 PM

Hi,

From my previous posts...I was injured in a rocket explosion in Baghdad 4 months ago. I was knocked out for a few seconds and suffered a concussion. Since coming home, I started to have like headaches along with other post mTBI symptoms (dizzinessDizziness, cognative problems, etc).

Anyway, my neurologist is treating me currently with 25mg Nortriptyline and 25mg Topamax at night. They have helped (more so the Topamax). The week and a half I noticed absolutely no side effects of the Topamax. Today I have some slight trembling and also felt like my wasn't right. (Like I couldn't think of the right word).

The side effects are still better than the migraines. This is the only thing that has worked thus far--I still get about 1-3 times a week. Mine are short lived--1 to 2 hrs usually. With the Topamax, they seem to be dulled also. Before preventatives I was having 1-2 per DAY. Some were so bad I prayed I would just pass out so the would go away. I'll do almost anything NOT to go to that.

So my question is....is it normal for side effects to appear after a few days with Topamax? Does Topamax take time to "enter your system"...kinda like the anti-depressents?

Nate

Vowel Lady · 10-02-2008, 01:18 PM

25 mgs. of Topamax is a tiny dosage. Even 50 mgs. is small. If 25 or 50 mgs. does the trick or helps a lot...you would be in good shape. It might very well be that some Topamax and a little of a second medication will make a nice difference for you. Throw in a good diet and some supplements it could be even better. In terms of the Topamax side effects, it's hard to say. It has been my experience that if you increase the dosage, to go slowly. AND to try not to take any high dosages of this medication since the side effects are dosage related. I do think it could take a few days to fully enter the system. Drink lots of water because I do believe this helps a little as well.

ewizabeth · 10-02-2008, 02:42 PM

I was having severe migraines that sometimes lasted for weeks. I took 50-100 mg Topamax for a few years. It made me feel slightly "doped up" but it eliminated the migraines. It seemed to break a pattern too. I don't get them anymore at all.

SeamsLikeStitches · 10-02-2008, 02:50 PM

Hi Nate,

I am a Topamax user also. I take mine for Peripheral Neuropathy (PN).
I take 400mg a day. It helps with my pain. My kids used to call it Dopamax because they said it made me Dopey! Now I'm back to normal.

I have been on it for over a year now and the side effects will subside. I did have the symptoms you are talking about. Not being able to find a word you are looking for when speaking.

One time I was reading a book to my niece and saw a picture of a Zebra, knew it was a Zebra, but couldn't find the word for it. It was so frustrating... weird! As long as you know it's because of the meds, don't freak out.

It only happens occasionally, mostly when you are really tired. It was my signal to me that I needed to slow down and get some rest.

Good Luck!