Hi Franny, I take 50mg topamax am and 50mg at pm for migraines associated with RSD. If I dont take it my headaches turn in to migraines. It has been very effective for me in controlling my headaches. It does nothing for my pain elsewhere. And I am not familar with it being perscribed for pain. I have had no side effects, however there have been many lawsuits involving topamax. If you go to the epilesy forum in this board and search " topamax" there have been a lot of problems with it there and it is not well regarded. Hope this helps youl. CZ