[JudyAnn]

Hello to everyone out there. I am a mother, whose 31-year old daughter suffered a concussion a little over a year ago abroad, when a violent massage ended with her being hit in the head twice. She has had numerous small hits to head since, through accident, which she feels have started her back at square one.

She recently started taking Topamax 25 mg. for her migraines, but 1 1/2 weeks in, she is having horrible migraines, she cannot sleep more than 3 hours, and she cannot hear sounds without agony. She told me that even swallowing or hearing the joints in her neck creak start her migraines over. She wants to know if these could possibly be side effects from Topamax (she has also started in Gabapentin). I called her doctor and was told that these are probably not side effects. My daughter is desperate for help. Thank you for anyone who can assist her with advice.

[Lara]

Hello JudyAnn,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I'm very sorry that your daughter had such a shocking experience. For more information and support you could perhaps post over on the

Traumatic Brain Injury & Post Concussion Syndrome Forum

There is also a Headache Forum that includes migraines of course, however, due to the circumstances of her injury you might find more info on the TBI/PCS forum.

take care.

[razzle51]

[ Has she been checked for chiari malformation .... she needs a MRI for that .. could be you never know

[Darlene]

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. We have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

[pinkswede17]

Topamax can occasionally cause insomnia, anxiety and depression. It's biggest issue is it's well know for causing cognitive difficulties (every neurologist I know refers to it as "dopamax". However, I can also cause dizziness, sleepiness, etc. It shouldn't worsen her headaches. It can very, very rarely cause an encephalopathy.

Gabapentin most commonly causes drowsiness, dizziness, amnesia, difficulty with motor coordination, but it can cause headaches.

Does she have an abortive med for her migraines - a triptan (sumatriptan or Imitrex, Relpax (eletriptan), Axert (almotriptan), Maxalt (rizatriptan) etc is most commonly used.

IF it was ME, and it sounds like she's miserable. I would try tapering off of the gabapentin (don't stop suddenly) to see if that's the cause, you can always re-start it, and give the Topamax a little more time to work. If it hasn't kicked in in a week or so, I'd go back to the doctor and ask for another prophylactic, there are several others she can try.

I hope your daughter finds something that works soon. Headaches are miserable.