March 27th
2009
7:08 PM
Ok, so here is a new one for you. I have had migraines for a very long time, since I was a teenager, and never really sought physician treatment because in our family a headache was "nothing to cry about". So, now that I am married with 4 kids and an advancing career, having migraines on a weekly basis isn't something I can live with anymore. So I went to my doctor. He said what about preventing them with Topamax. I know what Topamax is, I'm a nurse, I know what the potentials are, but I had not really heard of the side effects when using it in a perfectly healthy person. ANd I must say it has to be my own fault for saying "sure" and not investigating first. WARNING= Topamax is a drug for seizures, effecting the central nervous system, and will have effects on a healthy person's central nervous system. Now, not doing my research I will also not have known that you are supposed to be titrated very slowly up with increasing doses, starting at a suggested dose of 15-25 mg per day for the first week the 50 then to 100, etc. I was begun at 50 mg/day for a week then 100 mg a day thereon out. Please, if you experience the symptoms the pharmacy warns you about, but they are exaggerated, go back to your doctor!! Here are my symptoms by day
Days1-3- Normal effect- tingling hands/feet, taste loss of some drinks, foggy unable to think clearly
Day4-5- horrible head pain, back of my head, not like my migraine pain, stabbing and pins/needles in hands/feet, still can't taste, nausea, dizziness, confused (like I couldn't find my way to my doctor's office confused)
Day 6- And I am entirely embarrassed to say this one because I am a nurse, and I know what it implicates... Pseuedoseizure. I was in the doctors office, in the waiting room and I could not control my muscles. I knew it wasn't a seizure because I could hear some of what was going on around me, but something was not right. I couldn't move anything and I didn't remember everything. And all the above symptoms, along with. But, naturally normal CT...
Day 7- It happens again... And this time I have some right sided weakness and all the above, that's it, it has to be the Topamax, we are done. It's only been a week, so cold turkey.
That is my experience with Topamax, and unless I am actually seizing, it is a journey I will never take again, I have 4 little ones that depend on me too much. PLEASE research before you try whatever is handed to you!!
-- By j4god | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 22th
2009
8:23 PM
Hi Everyone...I've been on a bipolar cocktail for 3 years and one ingredient is LAMICTAL along with Lithium and Wellbutrin. Overall the drug has worked and I feel pretty healthy mentally. Of course I am particularly concerned about my memory loss, putting a sentence together and finding the simple words for basic objects. I really do feel dumb, especially at work, as I am in sales. Many times I stutter, fumble and go blank in front of customers. I have not told my boss or anyone else that I'm on the meds, so I know they think I'm just a dumb-ass. I'm ok with that. I also quit going to school for my master's because of the short term memory loss and general mushiness of the brain. I was once an honor student and very outgoing, now I just keep my mouth shut when I can in fear of making a fool of myself. My balance is off and as weird as it sounds I have trouble parking my car straight in a parking space. My co-workers have commented a few times that I don't know how to drive. At first I thought it was my car, the tires, alignment, etc...but when I got another one, it's still happening no matter where I park. I'm 43 and have acne and underlying bumps on my face, chin and neck. I did lose weight though! So, I can empathize with most of you. I'm not thrilled with being on these drugs for what may be forever, so I guess I need to decide whether to stay on this stuff, reduce, taper or change drugs. LOL to all.
-- By meojessup | Reply | Private Message me
May 26th
2008
8:46 PM
I had minor cramping when I first got the Mirena put in. But, it was much milder than when I get period cramps. I didn't have any trouble with it (unless you count extremely light periods as a bad thing) until I did air travel (cross country airplane flights). Now, keep in mind, I travel a fair amount by car & have had zero Mirena issues from sitting in a cramped position for hours in car travel. Flying on the airplane caused really weird lower back cramping that put my out of a lot of activities. It was quite definitely core muscles cramping severely, to the point of pulling my lower back vertebrae & tailbone slightly out of alignment. After 3 weeks of pain, I finally went to a chiropractor & got realigned. This has happened with 2 flights thus far out of 4 (it doesn't seem to happen on short 1 hour or less flights). I have NO idea why this happens. I normally have no issues when flying. The mirena is the only thing that's changed. I can only assume it's the combination of the position when in a plane seat for so long & the mirena. Maybe it's poking one of my fibroids in that position?
Mirena has had zero effect on my PMS. PMS is just as bad as without any BC. My acne is just as bad as it is w/o BC. I guess I need Retin A & Midol. LOL
Things to keep in mind when reading the above: I've never had a child. I've been pregnant once & miscarried. I'm in my early 30s. I'm a light smoker. I have uterine fibroids. I rarely drink. I have lupus. Some of these things may or may not have an effect on what happened to me. So, keep that all in mind.
Also, as with all of these experiences, keep in mind it's personal experiences & we're all unique individuals. I'm keeping my Mirena because this is the only big issue I've had & I don't travel a lot.
August 16th
2007
8:22 AM
Guys this isn't a side effect it is a good option. Why the doctor put me on this is beyond me, but from reading the comments below this may help some of you it is worth looking into rather than poisoning your body with drugs. Google NUCCA chiropractic. It has to be NUCCA not regular chiropractic. Believe me I have been dealing with pain for years from a car accident and have done EVERYTHING to stop the pain. I had the headaches under control with NUCCA after many years until I broke a fusion plate in my neck. Still the chiropractor was able to keep them to a reasonable amount but every time my alignment went out I got a headache, go to the chiropractor, put me back and I was ok within hours. If I hadn't broken the plate, I would be good to go. So as I sit here sick as a dog after throwing the pills in the garbage I am wondering where a broken plate in your neck needs mind-altering medication. It is worth a try guys at least my chiropractor will turn you away if he can't help I ran into someone at my neurosurgeon's office who he turned away, he is credible not all of them are you have to judge their character and talk to the patients and see what they think. I HIGHLY recommend it over these side effects.
-- By d04pony | Reply | Private Message me
April 13th
2009
8:23 PM
About a month ago I noticed my left thigh was going numb. I had been a little less active due to tennis elbow, so I stepped up my exercise a bit. The whole side of my thigh hip to knee became completely numb. A few days later I began to tingle in my hands and face and by big toe and foot. I went to my Chiropractor 3 times a week and he really felt I was in good alignment and should not be having these extreme problems. He scheduled me for an MRI and x-rays. He kept asking about ANY other changes in life. I lost my brother to polymyositis 5 years ago and was starting to have scary thoughts. I woke up at 2am on a Friday 2 weeks ago and remembered my Dr. had started me on Lipitor 6 weeks earlier !
-- By q4446 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message meI got up and googled "Lipitor numbness" and found this page and a host of others. I stopped taking Lipitor. It has been 2 weeks since I quit and numbness has turned to shooting pains and burning so bad I can hardly stand my pant legs or my bed sheets touching me. I continue to have tingling in my hands and feet and I am a professional musician. (guitar player) Will somebody please tell me that over time all of these symptoms will wear off and pass ?