Topiramate for migraine prevention
Common Questions and Answers about Topiramate for migraine prevention
topamax
I'm day 5 into taking Topiramate 25mg at night for migraine prevention. My migraine is a daily pressure headache at the base of my skull. I have Chiari malformation type 1 but neurosurgeon says I don't need surgery, thankfully. He and my neurologist advised i try Topiramate as Amitriptyline didn't suit me (made me suicidal) and my asthma prevents them trying me on beta blockers.
[15] A pilot study suggests that Topiramate is possibly effective against infantile spasms.[16] A study by Harvard recommends topiramate as an effective treatment in the prevention of Periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants after an hypoxic-ischemic injury.[17] In May 2006 the U.S. National Institutes of Health web site clinicaltrials.
Paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), triptans, ergot alkaloids and anti-emetics are used for treatment of migraine. Topamax (topiramate) is indicated in adults for the prophylaxis of migraine attacks. Hormone therapy may help some women whose migraines seem to be linked to their menstrual cycle.
In the meanwhile, you may try some stress management strategies, such as exercise, relaxation, and biofeedback to reduce the occurrence and severity of migraine attacks.
Topamax is used to prevent migraine. It will not stop a migraine that's already occurring. It is not a pain medication.
You can read about it at Topamax.com.
Hi and so very sorry you are having all this trouble. I have a migraine variant that in my 20's just gave me vomiting and no headache. It only came on at night. They gave me Klonopin and I haven' t had that since. But I don't recommend Klonopin for the vertigo. So, then I started getting the migraine headaches and aura in my 30's and took Imitrex and that worked some for the migraine headaches. Only this last year and a half I started getting double vision then severe vertigo.
It is also Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for, and now most frequently prescribed for, the prevention of migraines. It has been used by psychiatrists to treat bipolar disorder,[6][7][8] although it is not FDA approved for this purpose. This drug has been investigated for use in treatment of obesity,[9][10] especially to aid in the reduction of binge eating,[11][12] and also as a possible treatment for alcoholism.
She recovered completely but since some years ago she developed a chronic migraine. Of course we went to a lot of neurologists, made tomographies, magnetic resonances, etc. etc. and everything looks ok.
Currently she takes 75 mg of Topamax (topiramate) in the morning and 75 mg more at night. Additionally, she takes 1 or 2 Acetaminophen (650 mg) daily and when the pain is very strong she takes 1 Maxalt (Rizatriptan) 10 mg.
t had the follow-up appointment with my neuro yet to discuss where to go from here, but I am wondering if the drugs (topiramate) that I am currently taking for migraines affected the results in any way? I was prescribed and began taking the Migraine drugs by a different doctor a couple of months before I took these tests. Maybe 2 months.
Also, the side effects of this drug are terrible making my initial MS-like symptoms even worse.
s original indication was for seizure disorders at a much higher dose than I listed above, numerous post-marketing studies have been done showing benefit for anxiety, migraine prevention, sleep cycle disorders, and panic attacks. You might want to discuss this with your provider on your next visit.
I hope this helps...
I have recently been prescribed Verapamil for migraine prevention but I'm also taking Norvasc. Should these medications be taken together? The Norvasc was prescribed a number of years ago by a different doctor for Migraine prevention. It hasn't helped my migraines but I've continued to take it. Since they are both blood pressure meds, I'm doubtful I should take both.
I had an MRI of the head done w/out contrast and Sinusitus showed but nothing else. However, I was diagnosed with silent migraine or migraine equivalent by my neuro. I was given Topiramate and Maxalt. The Maxalt did absolutely nothing and the Topiramate put me through two weeks of constant dizziness and vertigo not to mention a couple of panic attacks. I quit the Topiramate and had severe withdrawal symptoms that put me in the E.R.
I was just prescribed the drug for frequent migrains and was wondering why and how it causes weight loss? Does it decrease your ap?
Hi. My son is 15 yo and has recently been prescribed Topiramate 50mg Daily preventive use for Classic Migraine HA and "added bonus to decrease mood swings." Amongst many other concerns I have, I am concerned with remarks of weight loss. He is already very thin with a very good appetite. How much weight loss can I expect and does anyone have experience with the mood swings issue?
I had periorbital migraines and was placed on Topamax, technically an anti-seizure but also great for migraine/headache control and mood stabilization in bipolar disorder. That for a while was the only thing that worked for me. It can have a sedative and appetite suppressant effect. I was also shortly on a low dose of Elavil for migraines. Carefull with that one, take only the amount prescribed.
Some of the common side effects of topiramate that are seen when it is used as a preventive therapy for migraine are tiredness, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, depression, pins and needles sensation and difficulty with language.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topiramate
The trembling of hand could be because of increased anxiety and difficulty in speech due to trouble with language.
Hope this helps!
My wife is 49, white female, who has experienced migraine headaches throughout her life (1 per mo ). She has been post menopausal for 10 years. She is not taking any hormone replacements. She has ITP (platlets <100K). For the last 1.5 years she has been experiencing more frequent migraine headaches (2-4 per week). She is seeing a neurologist who has her on 100 mg/day of Topomax and 40 mg/day of Prozac. She also takes Imatrex with the onset of a migraine.
Hi. Anxiety can cause all this, and you were right in suggesting this to your doctor. Migraines can be odd. I used to have them real bad, and the MRI said everything was fine. Now I never get pain with the migraine, but my vision starts to break up, first in one eye and then the next. I know I have about ten minutes to stop somewhere and just sit because I can't drive, or walk when my vision is like this. It lasts about 15-20 minutes total, then I'm fine and move one.
Topamax or topiramate is a seizure medication, which is also used to prevent migraine headaches in adults. However, it will only prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of attacks and will not treat a headache that has already begun. Celebrex or celecoxib, on the other hand, is used to treat pain or inflammation including headaches. Medication effect usually varies from one person to another. What is effective to one may not be as effective to another.
I take topiramate, trazadone for sleep, and a beta blocker. I also have heart issues, so the beta blocker does double duty, as beta blockers can help migraines.
Vestibular migraines are thought to originate in the ear, so you might need to add something like ativan, an antihistamine, phergan, etc., for dizziness.
I wish I could tell you that your journey will be easy, and that find a treatment that works will be smooth. It probably won't.
I have been on topirmate for 2 years and have lost 1/2 of my hair. Never thought it would be topirmate and did research. I've been off for about 3 months and I'm wondering if anyone has had regrowth.
Hi I have a question for any one that might can give me an answer. I have been having headaches for the last 2 months .According to the ER doctor they are migraines. I go there get shot and go home it will ease off but end up going back within a week for another shot and I think they think that I am just playing or something. Anyway I have had migraines before but only maybe once or twice a year.
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