Topamax question
 

I have been taking Topamax for migraines and recently underwent a colonoscopy which I have had twice before, this one was very painful and the nurse told me that topamax increases my tolerence to pain medication effectiveness does anyone know if that is accurate? I am now concerned about other proceedures I have to have done and pain meds not working. Thanks. M.

I'm far, far from an expert but I've been taking Topamax since it was released and I've never heard or read that or anything like it.

And I've been through two surgeries and was not told anything like that.

It is widely prescribed for epilepsy seizures (that's why I take it) so maybe you'd like to ask this in the Epilepsy forum too.
Best wishes.

I have never heard of anything like that either. Didnt the Dr. put you to sleep while having the colonoscopy. It wasnt the Topamax

I actually spoke with my rheumotologist today who told me that topamax makes the pain meds metabolize faster and that the Dr. should have compensated for that. He was the one who had referred me for the test. He said his son is on topamax for seizure disorder and they compensate his son's meds when he has a proceedure. M.

what do you mean compenste?

Topamax
 

I have been on this drug for 5 years...and finally I have had the common sense to come off...always feared I would put weight on....when I came of..not worth all the other diasters that have happened to my body.

As far as pain meds, I do not know if this is related..however I can not take any PAIN medication while I am on this drug...I get severely ill. Stomache cramps to the point where it is like labour. These are any prescription meds, codine or no codine. I have had surgery, and was treated interveiously, with a pain medication, demeral but since then nothing orally.

Topamax - Rx for about 4 years...
 

I have been on Topamax on and off for about 4 years, so that would have made it 2002 when I started the Rx. I went from 100mg twice a day from my Primary Care Doctor to 200mg twice a day by my pain doctor about a year ago. I have been on pain meds since 2001 and have not noticed an issue with them being less effective while on Topamax. I started on Percocet and took a dose all the way up to 10/325mg tablets. Then I was given Dauldid 4mg twice a day. Then to the Duragesic Patch 50mcg with Percocet for breakthrough pain. At which time my Topamax was doubled for nerve pain. Then to Duragesic with Dauldid. Then Duragesic was changed to 75mcg and Oxycodone (pure) for breakthrough. And now back to the Dauldid for breakthrough pain. I have not noticed the Topamax has effected my relief. Maybe it has something to do with the dose you are on before there are any effects. The only side effect I have is that soft drinks taste like dirt. I wish the best of luck!

I have been on Topamax for the last several years for migraines. It's been helpful. I haven't noticed it influencing how pain medication works, which I have taken both for my migraines and for other issues. However, as a side note, I have found Topamax to be a very difficult medication...the side effects are very debilitating.

I am on topamax for migraines, and have had to take pain meds for both a dislocated elbow. And a concussion. ANd had no problems either time with
the amount taken.

Donna

Real Talk With Topamax!!......
 

?
 

Never heard of Topamax doing that either.

SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS w/TOPAMAX.................
 

Memory? What memory? I forgot I had one!
I take 150mg a day, 75 in a.m., 75 in pm. honestly, i can't remember what i did the day before, or often an hour before. It's the pits.
I've been taking it at this dose since sept 2006

I can't remember!lol............................
 

yes it can

Any other side effects from Topamax you know about..
 

When I was on Topomax I was on Zonegran as well and I lost 65 pounds in about 2 and a half months. Half of my hair fell out as well and I was dumb as a stump.

I Think Topamax Helps Some People Lose Weight!
 

I started taking Topamax a couple months ago for Meralgia Paresthetica. I have experienced memory problems, I am always thirsty, soda is flat, and get tired. My appetite has decreased and I have lost some weight :) . The memory problems are the most challenging, but I'm finding most of the time I can deal with that. I can't tell you how many times I have driven past my own street. I am the post it note queen at work. I have them all over my desk with notes, names, phone numbers, reminders, etc... But the Topamax has helped tremendously and I am willing to put up with the symptoms!

dopamax
 

This is the most common problem people have with Topamax, thus the nick-name dopamax.

I've been on Topamax for a little over 4 years now. I take 200 mg am and 200 mg pm. No problems with it whatsoever except for the tingling fingers and tingling around my nose and mouth. We solved that by adding Urocit-K to my daily meds - 30 MeQs. It's basically potassium citrate. It counteracts the acidosis caused by the topamax.

No weight loss, no hair loss, no dopiness, no memory loss. AND NO MORE MIGRAINES!!! WOOHOO!!! That's the reason I started taking it. It is this only medication that has ever worked to get rid of my migraines. I have been on every drug on the market, every treatment there is for migraines and nothing has ever worked.

It is sad when the ER staff knows you on first name basis and just pulls your chart and escorts you to a room when you show up! That's how often I got migraines before Topamax. It's my miracle drug. ;)

Oh yeah, and anything carbonated tastes absolutely horrible....yucky yucky yucky....

for the tingling fingers and tingling around my nose and mouth. (Quoted)
I've had a lot of tingling in those areas over the years,but I just assumed it was my spinal injury! I have Degenerative Disk Disease in my Lumbar spine,and Sciatica.So maybe it could be the Topamax,it hasn't been untolerabe,or painful,so it's something I can deal with,but that's good to know,thanks!;)

Now I've never felt drowsy from it,and I take it in the morning and the night,but I have ADHD,so most stimulants,act the opposite to me,and some depressants act the opposite to me,for example,my morphine gives me insomnia,when it would knockout most people,especially the dose I'm on! Also if I drink too much caffiene,it will put me to sleep! Weird huh?:confused:

I have to laugh because I read your posts and it sounds like me. I am happy because I can amuse people with my 'forgetfulness'. I make a joke out of getting up to go somewhere, being distracted and forgetting where I was going. But it sometimes gets frustrating because it takes me all day to get things done. Dopamax is a great nickname for it! I get the tingling too in my hands and feet but my neurologist said this would happen. It happens mostly at night when I am tired. Av8girl-Is the Urocit-K over the counter and does it help with other side effects? By the way congratulations on being migraine free! It must be such a relief to have no more pain. And Justice-the beach is my happy place too. The sound of the waves, smell of the air, the feel of the sun. Such a soothing environment. I look forward to the summer. Good luck finding your way back to the ocean. I could never be more than 15 minutes away from it. :p

IVIG treatments
 

Does anyone on this site take these treatments. Am waiting for an approval from my ins. co. so that I can start on them, but since they are so darn expensive, the ins. co. may deny me, but sure hope not.

Celia

If I knew what it was,I could probably help you! I know what the IV stands for ,but not the IG! I've had so many treatments for so many things,I forget what they are all called unless reminded!;)
And one of these day's I will get back to that beach,you just watch! LOL.......................:D :hug:

Urocit-K is an RX. The only side effect it helps with is the peri-oral tingling and the tingly fingers. I also found that if I don't drink a lot of water, the Urocit-K is worthless! I have to stay hydrated.

Oh yes, being migraine-free is a godsend! I used to have at least 1 -2 a week! Nothing helped!

IViG = Intravenous ImmunoGlobulin!

Side-effects
 

I have just been prescribed Topamax by my Neurologist yesterday for my Occipital Neuralgia, and after reading all the comments here about the different side-efects, I'm scared to even start taking it! I have tried many different meds for my headaches, and they all have had horrible side-effects, and it looks like Topamax will probably be the same! I don't know if it's the right med for O.N. considering it is listed as just for epilepsy and now migraine.
The only good thing is I hope I can lose weight on it, because I really need to. But all the other side-effects, like drowsiness, slowed thinking and memory loss, scare the hell out of me! I don't want it to kill my creativity!
:(
~Jaime~

topamax
 

Don't be scared off. Side-effects do not happen to everyone, and it is usually those who have the worst side-effects that speak up the loudest.

side-effects
 

After 2 days of taking a low dose of Topamax, I feel so tired and dizzy. Hope it doesn't last too long. So glad I don't have to go anywhere for a few days...
:confused:
~Jaime~

Hang in there. Hopefully you are just taking the low dose at night. Thats the way you are supposed to start on it.

I know for me, this drug is a godsend for my migraines. It is the only drug that has ever worked for me. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it certainly has for me!

Jaime,

I had quite a few side effects when I started taking Topamax in March. Extreme tiredness, thirsty, soda was flat, memory loss. I could go on and on, however most of the side effects have subsided to tolerable after about a month. I still have a problem will the memory and I don't drink soda anymore but the pain in my leg (meralgia paresthetica) has been much much better. Those are sacrifices I am willing to make. Take care and feel better.

Doing OK, taking the night time dose, but haven't completed the first week on the low dose yet. Still feel dizzy and nauseous mostly. But I guess things might change when I start taking the higher dose...

~Jaime~

2 weeks on the Topamax, and I'm feeling OK so far. Still having dizziness and nausea, but it seems to be helping lessen the headaches, even on the low dose of 50mg. Hope it continues when I raise the dose again tomorrow!
:)
~Jaime~

well, this is humorous. I was going to reply to this post - then I read the thread and saw that I already HAD replied to this post... I just forgot that I already had! ha ha ha.
and now I am increasing my dose from 150 mg to 200 mg. We'll see whether I can even remember how to spell or write.

side-effects
 

I think I spoke too soon...my stomach is not liking this higer dose of Topamax, I have had nothing but dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and stomach pains for the last few days! I went to my Dr. yesterday, but he just told me to keep taking it, and it should settle down soon, and gave me some meds for the diarrhea. I sure hope it settles down soon, the stomach pains have been so bad, I can't sleep, and I'm always running to the bathroom!
I know it sounds crazy, but I think I'd rather put up with the headaches than the stomach pains, right now!
:confused:
~Jaime~

I posted before on this thread...but wanted to add that the memory issues have been very tough for me with reference to Topamax. I can't stress that enough. You can take Aricept to help a little with this problem. Not all doctors are willing to do this for you, however my guess is if you are having work related difficulties or big problems at home due to memory loss...they would be willing to try. I feel compelled to take it due to my very very difficult migraine problem, but the memory loss in and of itself is also a big problem. I think those who take it, should take the lowest dosage possible....one that helps with the problem at hand, but causes the very least amount of difficulties. BTW, have you ever thought about how Topamax might influence your driving? Your personal relationship? Your ability to work, get a promotion, go to school....learn...advance in life? Yes, it's better than being in daily chronic pain, but did you want to have a very serious problem in addition to the one you already suffer from? Please weigh all the pros and cons and make your decision carefully.