My daughter was recently started on a small dosage of Topomax for her headaches.  In the past she took medication only at the onset of her migraines.  she hoped getting on something to prevent them would make live better.  She has only been on it a little over a week and the only side effect so far is tingling in her face and hands.  Has anyone else had success or problems we need to be aware of?

I have been on Topamax but the past 6 months or so. I was pretty scared by the tingling for the first few months but it did go away. I was especially scared because the tingling could be signs of stroke as well. I was on another headache medication when my nuero put me on Topamax because the previous headache medication was not doing the trick. I was still having horrible headaches - could not work, walk, eat, talk - anything without horrible pain. Topamax has cut out about 90 percent of my headaches. I have had a little bit of trouble remembering small things but no long term or big memory loss. What side effects have you been told about or are you worried about?

I have been on Topomax for about 5 months now. I too very rarely have headaches now. The side effects got better. However every time I went up on my dosage I did have increased side effects. I think the only one I have to really battle is dry mouth. However my dosage is a little higher than the typical migraine dosage. I also am a little scatter brained but it's worth being in less pain. I do hope it works for your daughter.

Reagan

So far she has only had a noticible problem with the tingling in her face and hands.  She hasn't complained about memory problems yet.  she was actually having some issues before the Topamax with concentration and forgetting things like the word she wanted to use when talking to friends. It's still too early to know how it will affect the number of migraines she'll have.

When I am at work and forget my words, I am always like "you know, well um - you know the word thats a ceremony...you stand up, everyone claps, you wear a gown with a hat, you go to college...you know" and when they answer I say "its a new medication, just deal with it - it makes me possible to deal with!". :)

I have heard good and bad things about topamax but to do from literally unbearable pain where I was going to have to quit my job to a few side effects, its worth it.

Thanks for all the great feed back.  I really hope this works for her.  I hate to see her have to deal with the headaches so often.

Why do you guys still need to take Topamax? after the surgery, do we only need to take baby asprin?

Destin takes an asprin every day but the Topamax is because she is still having migraines.  Her doctor wanted to try it to see if it helped keep them at bay.

Topamax for MAJOR headaches that made it hard to eat, read, work, walk etc. I am also on agreenox, not on baby aspirin. I was only on baby aspirin for a short time right after surgery.

Our five year old had a BAD reaction to Topomax, extreme psychotic experience for about three hours.  Never again.

The only side effect i had was dry mouth, and I was on it for a year right after my surgery. I was getting daily headakes. But now I take a just as needed medication; it is like Excedrein lased with vickaden (sp?). I have been needing it less and less. I also am on 81mg of asprin a day. I think everyone reacts do medication diffrently so I would try it (with your neurologest's ok) and if it doesn't work then Inderal is another choice. I was on that before my surgery but i was building up a tolarance to it so after the surgery they switched me.
I hope this helps
Becky

My son (16) tried Topamax last Nov. for migraine prevention & everyday headaches (that he has EVERY DAY!).  He stopped taking it after 1 month bc it hadn't any effect on his headaches and the side effects were negatively affecting him: loss of appetite (lost 6-8 lb those 4 wks and he is in the 40th %tile for weight as it is); very lethargic; difficulty w/ verbal expression.  Unfortunately, he hit his peak dosage/side effects the week of semester exams.  it was not pretty. :(
He has now been on Depakote for 2 1/2 mo's and no ill side effects, no migraine for 2 months and the everyday headaches are a tiny bit better.  The neurologist's next approach to relieve the everyday h/a's is to add physical therapy since she noticed he has musculo-skeletal imbalances most likely from the stroke-weakened side.  She thinks it is causing pressure/pinching of the occipital nerve area. Interesting - will post results when if get any.
BTW - I watched most of the video from the Stanford MM Symposium (last June) and most of the Dr's said they keep their MM pts on aspirin for life - this is not for pain relief, but stroke prevention/good blood flow. Kyle only takes 1/2 baby aspirin/day.   Check w/ your neurologist.