Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelly in MD
I have been on Topirimate (Topamax) for about 5 years. My old neuro told me it was for pain and headaches. New neuro (I really like her) said that she won't be able to tell if my cognitive function is from my MS or the Topamax until I come off of it! I was taking 200mg/day. She is a headache specialist also and said there are much better things than that out there.
I had some migraines but never went to the Dr. for them, I don't even know why he used this med on me. I remember lookin it up online and people call it Dopeamax because it makes you so stupid! Hopefully my brain will work better too!!  |
I was taking 150mg/day. My neurologist pretty much said the same thing - that he would not know if Topiramate or MS was causing cognitive. For me, now down to 25mg at night only (almost done!) it was definitely the medication causing cognitive for me. I noticed a 'turn around' once I had decreased by 50mg (to 100mg), and it got better from there.
I'm being sent to more specialists now. Rheumy, ophthalmologist, neurologist. Basically, my doctors don't know what's up with me, again. Back in limbo it feels like. Mid-August I developed literally overnight these dime to quarter sized red bumps on both my shins. I only had a couple at the time on either leg. I figured they were a result of the Topiramate, as when I was starting to taper off, these bumps started to also subside.
Wishful thinking. Fast forward to just over a week ago. October 5 to be exact. Woke, didn't notice a thing wrong. By noon, I had to descend/ascend the stairs to retrieve a package from UPS. I noticed then my legs from knees to ankles were hurting. Like when you've walked a lot in ill fitting shoes. By 5 pm, hubby gets in from work, and I check my legs which are now in dreadful pain. Fresh bumps, only a lot more than previously, and they're super inflamed. Same thing - red, no 'point' in the centre, hard lump under skin, tender to touch.
I'd shown the older ones to doctors previously who had NO idea what these were. But here I had a case that was starting up/fresh to show the doctor. Who was able to look and diagnose "Erythema Nodosum".
I then went to my GP, who looked them over and saw that my ankle (left) was swollen badly. When I read about E.N., I wasn't at all surprised to see it's associated with various conditions, but notably Bechet's Syndrome (Disease) which I've long suspected I may have, or something very similar, as I have the other hallmarks of this.
So... now we're investigating arthritis and other possible conditions that may be present. Ugh.. fun!
Considering I was on steroids for the MS relapse, one would think that they would help reduce the inflammation for the legs, but nope.
Now I am left wondering what is MS, what is mystery condition X? Are my symptoms attributed to MS alone? My headache/migraine pattern is certainly more indicative of Bechets.
Argh!!!