Is Topamax effective for chronic back pain?

23 Dec 2009

Topamax is a anticonvulsant and is useful only if you're having muscle spasms, in your case, the back. It is not a painkiller and should be use in conjunction with a pain killer... Good luck... Dave

23 Dec 2009

"blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels, augments the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyrate at some subtypes of the GABA-A receptor, antagonizes the AMPA/kainate subtype of the glutamate receptor"

-voltage dependent= slows how fast these neurons fire and there for decreases rate of pain in pain patients
-GABA relaxes the body and mind which prevents overactivity of muscles and activity in the brain (which is what causes seziures and anxiety)
-glutamate is a excitatory neurotransmitter which with an ANTagonist means the excitatory effects will be reduced relaxing the body

all of this leads to benzo like effects without the addictive and quick acting ability. (benzos can be used as pain killers)

23 Dec 2009

I take Topamax for fibromyalgia -- 200 mg/day: 100 mg/a.m., 100 mg/p.m., and have been on it for about five months now. It has helped some with the pain, but I still need painkillers and muscle relaxers daily. You should consult your doctor about the correct dosage for you, and what your titration schedule should be; mine was several weeks to reach my current dosage, since the side effects can be unpleasant. That's probably why he/she put you on only 25 mg at first. As the first two answers indicate, it's actually an anti-seizure med that is also frequently prescribed for migraines, but is not uncommonly prescribed off-label for fibromyalgia, and I suppose other chronic pain conditions. Good luck with it, but be patient. It doesn't work immediately like a painkiller does: It took about three weeks before I noticed any change when I began taking it. Hope you get good results and feel better soon! :)

27 Dec 2009

Are you going to take topamax because you have it? Topamax is an anti-convulsant used to treat speecific chronic pain. I would not take it if you only have some it is not something that you should start or stop on your own.Talk to your doctor maybe he can prescribe something specifically for you pain. Topamax cam also have weir dise effects. I was on it and had to stop i couldn't deal with the side effects. good Luck with this and God Bless. I hope this helps and I hope your back feels better soon

28 Dec 2009

29 Dec 2009

i've been taking topamax for 15 years for for miagraine management never was i told it was for pain , i was told it was for seizures and it may help me loss weight all i can tell you is it took my migaines away far far away it never took my back pain or any other pain and i take 300 mg aday. and it has never helped my fibromyalia. missy2

13 Apr 2010

I was given this medicine as well for back pain. I broke from T12 - S1 and have been in severe pain for several years. I have been on it for a few weeks now and seems to be helping. I am concerned though because they say it will mess with my birth control - one doctor say it doesnt effect it if it is under 150 mgs and the OBGYN says it will even on a low dose. I'd like to know who's right on that one. But it has helped the pain a lot - I was on gabapentin but developed pretty severe side effects with that as well as a lot of weight gain.

12 Oct 2011

I am also wondering the answer to this question! Topamax has helped my migraines tremendously, where as amitriptyline (Elavil) did not seem to help at all, but amitriptyline helped my chronic back pain, whereas I am not sure yet that Topamax is having any effect on my back. I kind of think it has not helped. I have only been taking topamax for 3 weeks though so I may need to allow more time... I was hoping for the miracle drug to help both problems simultaneously.

5 Mar 2012

Please be extremely careful. I was given Topamax for pain management. Doctor started at a low dose and increased two pills a week. From the start, I told him of, first, tingling, numbness, then as I kept taking more and more, I lost it. I was as mad as as the Mad Hatter. I was so suicidal at the end, the police intervened just as I was going to hang myself. Sadly, the quack didn't read up on it. I have had severe depression for many years, as well as PTSD. I have a pace maker and defib. Also, kidney problems all my life. Now, my health way wickedly compromised. NOW, I need an attorney. No more doctors and their pills. Please be careful.