There are a few people who can take Topomax, and find that they do really benefit from it. But like I said, for so many, it caused such severe problems, that I did want to bring it up.

The Lyrica is the one that caused the blood sugar to spike (400 to 500, and now, I am diabetic. Just recently, I was able to control my blood sugar by diet alone, and finally get off of Metformin.)

I actually went off of the Topomax again. I found that it was doing nothing for pain.

I find with TOS, that if I can go without a med, or it's not working, I sure don't want to burden my kidneys and liver with anything more.

I thank everyone for their posts and their concern. I do feel a little uncomfortable sharing about meds, but then again, I don't want anyone to have the permanent (or temp.) side effects like I did.

Tam like you and I have discussed I am on 3 different meds to help control my neropathic responses.

Topomax 200mg BID Migraines
Neurontin 800mg TID CRPS/RSD lower extremities
clonidine both oral and infused into my intrathecal pump for my TOS and CRPS/RSD
Each one of these meds were introduced over time to address each disorder individually, however it has been attemted to do away with individual meds only to cause near imideadate flares. I have schedule my driving times around my meds, and than , I usually do not travel more 15 miles far cry from my 500-600/day at one time?

Yes, M, that's what I meant to say after I read this thread again, that yes, Topomax, and perhaps even Lyrica, could really help some people. So it's just to keep in mind when one is starting a new drug, or one of these, what to watch out for.

You know, with the Lyrica, I am really also a little shocked that the side effects clearly warn about pain and tingling of the hands and feet, and isn't that what we already have going on? So why would the docs even risk giving that med to us, if it might make the situation worse? I don't know, if anyone else feels this way, but I really felt that is was just a case of "here's a new drug, I've been sold this new drug by a drug rep, so I'm going to just willy-nilly give it to you", without the doc really KNOWING that it would help...and I think that it is (or may be?) an off-label use for Lyrica to give it to TOS patients...

So yes, Dday, I agree with you totally that not everyone has a hard time with these meds, and with all of our meds side effects, it just depends upon the person.

I took neurotin (gabapentin) for a while, and got nearly NO relief - it made me feel... odd and foggy. Stopped that and went to Lyrica- I didn't notice weight gain, but I did have an allergic reaction to it, so I stopped it. I had been getting some relief from it. Started taking Keppra - Levetiracetam 500mg 2x, 1000mg 1x. It helps me more than the neurontin. I don't notice the relief unless I miss a dose.
I have taken Mirapex for migraines several times over the last 4 months. The only problem with that (and this WORRIED me) is the major side effect- rebound headaches. If you take it too often, you will actually wind up with more headaches. Fyi.
I haven't (knock on wood) noticed side effects from pain medication. I will occasionally feel fuzzy, but thats really it.