Topamax

Wait....isn't it that seizure med. that is said to help Migraine sufferer's???? I know because I am one and my doc. wants me to take it!!!!

Is that it?

yup - that's it

I haven't taken it, but my doc. is at his wits end with me and my migraines and really wants me to....I have taken beta blockers, anti-deppressants and if it weren't for Imitrex....I couldn't go on!!!!

Jen - do you get them too?

FYI - I had this article saved....

Migraine headaches are among the oldest known health complaints, but doctors are still learning new tricks to help people cope and even prevent the painful attacks. In fact, a new study suggests many migraine sufferers may find relief in a drug traditionally used to treat epilepsy.


By using about half the normal dose prescribed for epilepsy, researchers found treatment with the drug Topamax cut the number of migraine episodes in half for more than 50% of the migraine sufferers.


About 500 people with chronic migraine were in the study -- presented last week at a meeting sponsored by the American Medical Association in Washington, D.C.


Using a 100 mg dose, the study found 54% of the patients enrolled experienced a 50% or more reduction in the number of migraine episodes, vs. 23% who reported similar effects on the placebo. In addition, those treated with Topamax also reported a reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks, their duration, and the average number of migraine days.


Some drugs used to prevent migraines have the unwanted side effect of prompting weight gain. But researchers say Topamax also had the added benefit of inducing weight loss rather than weight gain.


'This is first medication we have that actually produced nearly 4% weight loss on average,' says study researcher Stephen Silberstein, MD, director of the Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.


Silberstein says there are two types of treatment for migraine: acute and preventative. Acute therapies involve taking a medication after the migraine starts to alleviate the pain and other symptoms. Preventive therapies use daily medications to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of migraine attacks.


Triptans, a class of drugs that include Imitrex and Zomig, are commonly used to treat the migraines after they occur and work by blocking the pain receptors in the nerve endings in the nervous system.


In contrast, Silberstein says preventive drugs, such as Topamax, work in a different way to dampen down the entire pain relay system.


He says unlike epilepsy patients who must take the medication for the duration of their illness, some migraine patients may get long-term relief from short-term use of Topamax. Research shows the drug can effectively turn off the migraine process in some patients after about 3-6 months of use.

I have always suffered from Migraines and have them bad. In the last few months I am getting them for 2 to 3 days in a row a few times a month. It is starting to be a problem with work.

So I am going to be starting Topamax tonight and was wondering what to expect.

I know we have a lot of migraine sufferer's on here.

Why aren't you going to take it?

I actually might take it. I am just nervous about taking an anti-seizure med. in general.
I get 3-4 migraines a month and am out for 1-2 days for each (mine unfortunately usually happen on the weekends when my sleep/eat/drink pattern changes)

The beta blockers did squat for me, ditto to the anti-depressants...I am tempted b/c I am up to 100mg. of Imitrex per headache and that is the highest allowed dose.

What do you currently take?

I have had migraines since I was 11 yrs. old (they are hereditary in my moms side of the family)
and I know your pain....(lterally)

What have you tried ???

I have done the anti-depressant thing and it did nothing. I also take Zomig now which works great if I can get it into me at the exact onset of a headache (which rarely happens) And once I have a headache the Zomig is wothless.

I am starting the topamax tonight so I will keep you posted.

Please do - I would love to hear how it goes for you.
All the best with these headaches....

Maybe if it works for you - I may just do it!!!!!

For all those interested in information related to Topamax, you can FM me and I will send you the link for the web page that has a lot of information about the drug. I cant figure out how to post it here. If you have any questions about what something means (since the page is directed towards medical personell, it may have unfamiliar terminology) I would be happy to explain anything.
Just a word of warning, this interacts with birth control (as well as other drugs) so be careful ladies! Good luck, and I hope you all feel better! (maybe a week off every month on a tropical island will make them go away)