Topamax

[ceeceek]

Hey Deb..
So sorry you had yet another headache.....are you sure you are being treated correctly? also, I am unsure if anyone has mentioned it..but there have been good studies..and no..I cannot find the links so you will have to have faith..about dehydration and migraines..and I have found that if I am even the tiniest bit dehydrated, I get a killer migraine...
Maybe if you really up your fluid intake..keep practicing that yoga meditation etc relieve some of that stress by imagining killing your hubby..only in movie images...you will feel better..in the interim picture this..

"image yourself by a nice calm stream, the water trickling down, splashing on the riverbed ever so gently. Wild life in the background, little birds chirping, the ruslte of leaves in the trees, and grabbing the head of whomever is bothering you and shoving thier them under water over and over again!"
Feel better???
Ceecee

[Captain Deb]

ceecee,
Actually, my headache-per-week number is way down from what it used to be, and the doc who put me on the Topamax told me to drink alot of water with it, which I've done. I sort of sip on either green tea or water all day long. I'm pretty aware of the dehydration thing.  The doc treating me is one of the best headache specialists in the state.

Loved the visual! Thxs fer the chuckle!

Capt Deb

[badkins]

Hi,

I've been on Topamax for 1.5years 400mg. 200 am, 200mg pm. I have been luck no side effects. I only lost 10 POUNDS. My headaches are still daily and at times very severe. Staying on Topamax because the drs say it helps. I thought it was suppose to get ride of the headaches. I am also taking Aviza on top of this 60mg 2-3x a day with breakthrough headaches. Good Luck I hope you find some peace and you are out of pain soon.
Beth

[Captain Deb]

OK another update--after my brainwreck on (AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!!!!) International Talk Like A Pirate Day--the holiest of holidays in my book--I upped me Topamaxdose to 50 mg. This killer was following my Tuesday appt at the Headache Wizard that I drive 1 1/2 hrs each way to see on twisty mtn road and freeway (Dr Love drives!) Didja miss me on ITLAPD?  Anyway I'm anxious to get up to the actual dose thats supposed to prevent these suckers which is supposedly around 150 mg or so, but to prevent the weepies and snarlies, I need to remember to go slowly like I'm supposed to. Next week will be 75 mg.  I asked the HW about the exertion headaches I get and he said that the Topamax will raise the threshold so I'll be able to be more active with less pain.  That's the plan, mateys!

Capt Deb

[ronr]

I am new to all this, what is Topamax?   Ron from Pensacola.........newly DX with AN

[Brendalu]

Ron,

Topamax is an antiseizure drug now being used to help prevent migraines.  It has to be taken before the headache.  It won't help it once it starts but it does help the level of headache and for me it has help how many a week I have.  I have gone from daily to two sometimes three a week and from all day running into days on end to a few hours in a day to several hours.  I am on 200 mg at the present along with some other meds to help keep me alert.
Brendalu

[Larry]

I hear a whisper that there is a new neuronting type drug coming out shortly - I'll keep ya posted.


Laz

[Brendalu]

Laz,
Have you heard anything about side affects or anything else??Always interested.
Brendalu

[Larry]

B,

Haven't heard anything yet. Neurontin just makes you a little sluggish if you take lots. I'm taking 1200mg per day and find that I can still function Ok. Topomax was a nasty for me re the eye pressure.

laz

[Captain Deb]

Are you sure you weren't just having the weepies? That's what alot of us have been getting. It goes away.
 OK folks Day 3 at 75 mg and no weepies or snarlies (well, that's a little bit of a lie, a little snarly at Dr love on Sunday, but he was really nice and ignored me.) Sure wish I had some prescription drug coverage for this stuff. Costs me $175.00 a month right now. When the doc ups my dose it'll be even more. Anyone have any they ain't using? January can't come fast enough.

Capt Deb

[Captain Deb]

BTW, Every time I up my dose, POOF, there goes another 2 pounds. My size 6 jeans are hanging off me and all my belts have no more holes to buckle. Anyone have any spare suspenders? I don't hate it exactly, but I'm going to think about eating some ice cream soon!

Capt Deb

[Larry]

Tim Tams for the menu.

[Captain Deb]

Someone'll hafta ship me some cuz there's nowhere to buy any up here in the Landupabove! At least not where I am.
(Hint, hint, Black Forest, Dark Choccie Cherry)

Capt Deb

[Static]

Same here Deb.  Ever since Batty gave me some Tim Tams to try at the Symposium I was hooked, but I can't find em anywhere around here and believe me, I've been looking!  I don't know about you, but chocolate always makes me feel better   Unfortunately, even though I'm up to taking 300 mg of topamax daily, I've only lost 10 lbs total and it doesn't look like I'll be losing any more since I've been on this does for almost 3 mos now!

[Captain Deb]

OK folks 100 mg and holding--had a breakthrouhg migraine on Saturday, but that was after climbing up a ridge and down into a ravine in search of a waterfall to photograph. Unfortunately I took the risk of hiking solo as my dear Dr Love is down with a ruptured disc and awaiting surgery.  I got my pix, and hiked back to the car which seemed to take for ever.  But when I stopped to take a pic on the way back the headache seemed to ease up. Head position? I wear bifocals and have to look over the tops of them to see my feet on the trail, so neck extention?

Anyway, I got back to the car, blah, blah blah, then drove to the pharmacy, to get Dr L's meds and gave myself a shot there and the migraine "bloomed" (you know what I'm talking about if you've ever had one) pretty bad there. I finally drove home and collapsed moaning on the bed beside the already groaning Dr Love. and the two of us had a pain pity party all night.

I have to say despite the breakthrough migraine, that the Topamax is working.  That is the first migraine I've had in a long time and I really pushed myself, hiking my a$$ up the side of a mtn and into a ravine! Me! Doing something normal people do! For once! Yay! And I will do it again until I can do it without GETTING a headache as I up my dose to 150.

So that's the news from Lake Headachebegone!

Capt Deb