Complete sentence symptoms and conditions

My doctor put me on topamax for daily chronic headaches. I worked my way up to 200mg and had all the symptoms, tingling in my hands and toes, short term memory loss, hard time putting sentences together, etc. I backed myself down to 100mg. and the side effects lessoned up significantly. I stayed on 100mg for almost a year (lost 10 lbs.) One day I decided that I was going to ween myself off and started going down 25mg every week until I stopped altogether. Since I have stopped, I do get headaches, usually 1 or 2 per week, nothing like when I started out on the topamax. I have gained 20lbs since stopping the topamax but no longer have a memory problem or putting together a complete sentence. In my opinion, you should try to take the lowest dose possible that gives you the greatest relieve from your pain.

I am 48. Family history of Cholesterol problems. Tried a change of diet with some success, but, according to my Doctor, not enough. Doctor strongly encouraged me to take Lipitor to lower cholesterol. I had never been on any meds, so I was reluctant. I asked about niacin as opposed to a statin. He said no.

for 2 years, I've been on Lipitor-10mg/day. I was informed to look for side effects related to liver and muscle. I have never experienced any of the muscle aches/side effects described in the postings I just scanned, with the exception of mild lethargy. Liver tests have always been normal.

However I have been experiencing what I consider significant cognitive decline. I have experienced difficulty concentrating, short-term memory loss (e.g., did I take my medication, or only THINK I took it). I feel inept when trying to carry on conversations, helping my kids with homework, reading an article in the paper. Ask my age--I have to think about it. recalling words to put together a complete sentence--challenging at times. I also have experienced occasional feelings of dizziness/floating.

For a long time, I blamed much of these symptoms on stress and a preoccupation with a variety of family problems, however when these problems subsided, and the symptoms persisted, I then assumed that they might be menopause-related.

Until a week ago, I didn't realize there might be a possible link between Lipitor and cognitive decline, until I read an syndicated medical advice column in our local newspaper.

My annual check-up was 4 days ago, and was prepared to discuss with him, my concerns/fears about my cognitive decline in relation to menopause or early-onset alzheimers. Instead, I asked him about a connection between Lipitor and cognitive decline. He acknowleged a link, but minimized it in relation to the studies performed. Never-the less, he agreed that I go off lipitor and come back into the office in 2 months for a recheck. I have been lipitor-free for 3 days.