Is Topamax effective for migraines?

13 May 2007

I was a chronic migraine sufferer! I have been on Topamax for 2yrs now and have been migraine free! That is why I joined this board-today... my concern is that I will have to be on the medication for the rest of my life! I swear by this medicine. My migraines were horrible!! Topamax has kept me migraine free now! I take it twice a day..morning and night. I do notice weight loss with it though. Small price to pay for relief.

27 Jun 2009

I regret to say that Topomax is useless. I have found that for me so far the only thing that I have found is Imitrex Stat with Amerge. I know that I am committing grievous error in reporting this to the group but I have had migraine so bad that I have taken two needles; then the darkened room, cool, and without sound. Some of these episodes have been known to go on for 3-4 days. My Doc is aware.

9 Sep 2009

I am NOT a medical professional. The way I understand it is Topamax is a seizure med and it calms the blood vessel activity in my brain. My migraines are most likely caused by a combination of blood vessels that get too much stimulation and an anuerysm that was recently discovered. Which Topamax helps with as well. I take a pretty large dose and like you, I take full dose at night. My only bothersome side effects are numbness/tingling in feet and hands and loss of energy in the evening. I can live with the tingling. But recently let the nuerologist know that the energy level was too much to bear and he replaced part of the Topamax with a Calcium Channel Blocker. I am still in the tranisition process, but so far I am regaining some energy and not seeing an increase in headache frequency. So I am pleased. Topamax has been a successful drug treatment for my headaches. I have taken it for over 2 years and seen a dramatic decrease in my headaches from 2 a week to less than 2 a month.
Best Wishes to you.

10 Feb 2010

11 Jun 2010

I am in my 6th week of taking it to treat my migraines, and am at 100mg. I take 50mg at night, and 50mg in the morning. I do not notice any drastic fatigue during the day. But I also have had severe insomnia for years, and thanks to this medication, I am sleeping 2-3 more hours per night than I have in years, so that may have something to do with lack of fatigue for me!

As far as the mechanism it affects, my understanding is that is works to calm overexcited nerve cells in the brain. Whatever it is, it seems to be working for me. I do have all the common side effects listed, but they pale in comparison to the pain I was dealing with, so as far as I am concerned, they are worth it. But that is just my opinion, and a personal decision that everyone has to make individually. I hope that it offers you some relief from you pain! I know it has for me! Living with the terrible pain of migraines is so draining.

17 Jun 2010

it has worked after trying everthing on the market, but seeing a neoropsychiatritst, and the haed aches arec a suspected brain injury, it took about 3 weeks to work, and i was in cronic pain. may have saved my life, it was a guess by mydoc but he sad it balances the electrical imulces in the brain keeping them even. i have mental ilness to so im on a cocktail of stuff and will sort through with specalist.

28 Sep 2010

I've been taking Topomax for over a year now. I started out on 100 mg and am now on 150 mg. 50 mg in am and 100 at night. If you can find an alternative to this med. please do. This drug has effected my memory, concentration, and causes fatigue. At first it was a God send. It worked. But I built up a resistance to it. So Dr. increases dosage. All along little side effects, not so bothersome, not compared to the debilitating migraines. Now, I have anxiety, insomnia, personality changes. The drug will effect you the next morning. Maybe not at first, but it will build up in your system. Be careful. As soon as you notice side effects, call your Dr. to get off it. Good Luck!

27 Oct 2010

I am not a medical professional but suffer migraines at least weekly. Topamax does not work for me, as a matter of fact it actually has an averse effect - it makes me extremely anxious. So much so that I pace the room after it is given. Compazine has the same effect on me. I have found that these two medications along with stadol is a favorite for ER's to give during an episode. So far I have found that solmedrol works extremely well for me, ask about it.

23 Mar 2011

It took a while, but Topamax decreased my occurrence of migraine from 4-5 a month lasting 3-4 days down to one very horrible menstrual migraine lasting about as long... I was on the drug for some time before it washed away my other migraines... I have yet been able to get that menstrual migraine under control... Imitrex injections fail... :o( So I have been really happy with the Topamax... the side effect of weight control isn't too shabby either... ;)

18 Jun 2011

I take 50mg 3 times a day and the last is before bed and I have no problems in the morning. I like it as there is no after affect and I have maybe 1 migraine every three months and they are not real bad but once you are on this don't go off as your migraines will come back and could be real bad. I also use this for pain and I have lost weight with it too.

7 Sep 2011

i still have headachke and not puting words together , not being happy with not being told why i was put on the meds with out doing my own research. and no one told me the most important part and that was MAYBE DRIVING ON THIS MEDICATION WAS ADVISED FOR EVERYONE ! Why doesnt any one talk about that ? i know i have been only taking it four on 2 weeks but i think this is something any doctor should advise evryone !