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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Delilah O'Riley on March 22, 2002, at 19:39:51
I've spent 7 years on the medicine go round with migraines-A.D.s, methadone, vicadon, imitrex and lots and lots and lots of et ceteras. Topamax is a MIRACLE, SQUARED. I have little airy, fairies brushing any potential pain out before it even starts. I am taking 100 mgs Topamax a day. That is it. Not even Tylenol. My question: I am trying to find the right prophylactic dose along with my doc who has never used this amazing drug for migraines. He wants to leave us a little wiggle room. The standard dose is 200mg. Does anyone have any experience with the difference between 100 and 200? John 2x I know you are on 400 for bipolar. Do you remember any significant difference in side effects or effectiveness between 100 and 200, even though we are comparing apples and oranges since we are using it for different reasons. Any advice?
Posted by JohnX2 on March 22, 2002, at 19:54:52
In reply to HEY JOHN2X AND/OR TOPAMAXERS! NEED ADV., posted by Delilah O'Riley on March 22, 2002, at 19:39:51
Hey,I'm glad you bumped into a medicine that really helps you. Topamax is very unique in some of its action, so it is not surprising to find a few people who find it as a "wonder drug" where all the others have failed (particularly for pain management). Regarding the medicine dosage, I really don't know what to say. Everyone reacts so differently to medicines. My headaches were so bad and my response to Topamax was so benign in regards to side effects, my pdoc just decided to push the dose to the limit.
So all I can say is you just need to tinker with the dose to find the right range that works for you. I'm not sure what is working out there for the general public for headaches. A neurologist that was treating me was pretty hot for the medicine for treatment of tension headaches, but he never mentioned dosing. My pdoc put me on the medicine.
PS: may I ask an off the wall question: Do you drink a lot of diet coke (aspartame containing products)?
Best Regards,
John
> I've spent 7 years on the medicine go round with migraines-A.D.s, methadone, vicadon, imitrex and lots and lots and lots of et ceteras. Topamax is a MIRACLE, SQUARED. I have little airy, fairies brushing any potential pain out before it even starts. I am taking 100 mgs Topamax a day. That is it. Not even Tylenol. My question: I am trying to find the right prophylactic dose along with my doc who has never used this amazing drug for migraines. He wants to leave us a little wiggle room. The standard dose is 200mg. Does anyone have any experience with the difference between 100 and 200? John 2x I know you are on 400 for bipolar. Do you remember any significant difference in side effects or effectiveness between 100 and 200, even though we are comparing apples and oranges since we are using it for different reasons. Any advice?
Posted by Delilah O'Riley on March 22, 2002, at 20:07:18
In reply to Re: HEY JOHN2X AND/OR TOPAMAXERS! NEED ADV. » Delilah O'Riley, posted by JohnX2 on March 22, 2002, at 19:54:52
Hey John,
Thanks for the prompt response. Actually, I did drink a lot of Diet Coke before I started taking Topamax. Now, I just drink water because everything else tastes like aluminum. Everything sweet tastes "funny." I've dropped about 15 pounds AND the headaches. When I first started to get migraines 7 years ago I went through all the experiments to determine what were the triggers of my migraines, including getting rid of all aspartame products and caffeine. There was no rhyme or reason to anything. I think I am going to stick with 100 mg of Topamax for now. I have only had to use 3 Imitrex injections in the last month and that is a flat miracle. So I can live with it and leave myself an opportunity to move up.
Posted by zero on March 22, 2002, at 21:53:38
In reply to HEY JOHN2X AND/OR TOPAMAXERS! NEED ADV., posted by Delilah O'Riley on March 22, 2002, at 19:39:51
New at posting.
Just wanted to add that 50mg./day of Topamax has reduced my migraine frequency from 2-3 per week, to 1 or 2 per month (and they are now "baby" migraines) - the benefit has been lasting for 1 1/2 yrs. now.
Best of luck.
Posted by Delilah O'Riley on March 23, 2002, at 5:50:07
In reply to Re: HEY JOHN2X AND/OR TOPAMAXERS! NEED ADV., posted by zero on March 22, 2002, at 21:53:38
> New at posting.
>
> Just wanted to add that 50mg./day of Topamax has reduced my migraine frequency from 2-3 per week, to 1 or 2 per month (and they are now "baby" migraines) - the benefit has been lasting for 1 1/2 yrs. now.
>
> Best of luck.Hey,
Isn't it amazing. I'm thinking about buying stock in the company.
Posted by speck on March 23, 2002, at 16:02:53
In reply to HEY JOHN2X AND/OR TOPAMAXERS! NEED ADV., posted by Delilah O'Riley on March 22, 2002, at 19:39:51
The difference between 100mgs and 200mgs of topomax was like night and day for me. I use the med for bipolar stuff not migraines but at 100 mgs all of the side effects passed while at 200 mgs I remained in the state of "dopomax" that some posters refer to. It just goes to show: It all depends on the person!
> I've spent 7 years on the medicine go round with migraines-A.D.s, methadone, vicadon, imitrex and lots and lots and lots of et ceteras. Topamax is a MIRACLE, SQUARED. I have little airy, fairies brushing any potential pain out before it even starts. I am taking 100 mgs Topamax a day. That is it. Not even Tylenol. My question: I am trying to find the right prophylactic dose along with my doc who has never used this amazing drug for migraines. He wants to leave us a little wiggle room. The standard dose is 200mg. Does anyone have any experience with the difference between 100 and 200? John 2x I know you are on 400 for bipolar. Do you remember any significant difference in side effects or effectiveness between 100 and 200, even though we are comparing apples and oranges since we are using it for different reasons. Any advice?
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 27, 2002, at 0:33:09
In reply to Re: HEY JOHN2X AND/OR TOPAMAXERS! NEED ADV. » Delilah O'Riley, posted by JohnX2 on March 22, 2002, at 19:54:52
Howdy Topamaximizers,
Got a question regarding pain. Most of what I've read on this board mentions Top's pain relief for migraines. Anyone know of how it would manage the pain of fibromyalgia - a deep muscle aching and stiffness? I've gotten input about neurontin being good but haven't heard much about the other mood stabilizers.The reason Topamax appeals to me is that I've gained alot of weight on my Remeron/Lithium combo and would like to replace some or all of the above with it. My dx is depression with anxiety, perhaps BPII, so I don't want to exacerbate the anxiety in any way.
Posted by JohnX2 on March 27, 2002, at 0:40:30
In reply to Topamax and PAIN questions, posted by BarbaraCat on March 27, 2002, at 0:33:09
It does wonders for tension headaches.
I'm not sure about other muscle stiffnes, etc. It works on GabaA receptors not too unlike benzos.From what I can tell, some people feel a bit of agitation, some people don't. I was able to replace most of my Klonopin with Topamax.
John
> Howdy Topamaximizers,
> Got a question regarding pain. Most of what I've read on this board mentions Top's pain relief for migraines. Anyone know of how it would manage the pain of fibromyalgia - a deep muscle aching and stiffness? I've gotten input about neurontin being good but haven't heard much about the other mood stabilizers.
>
> The reason Topamax appeals to me is that I've gained alot of weight on my Remeron/Lithium combo and would like to replace some or all of the above with it. My dx is depression with anxiety, perhaps BPII, so I don't want to exacerbate the anxiety in any way.
This is the end of the thread.
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