Papercut symptoms and conditions

I have been using Topamax now for 8 years off and on. I stopped the Topamax about 3 months ago, something I do once or twice a year to try and feel 'normal' again. Then last month I went to see my regular doctor because of numb, pale, swollen, achy fingers, swollen ankles and feet, and for a papercut on my knuckle that overnight turned into a radical staph infection. The NP ordered a full blood panel and the results came back positive for Lupus. I have had so much pain in my hips and knees, more frequent headaches (not migraines), insomnia and vision trouble. The past two weeks I have been super irritable and nauseous. I still need to have a 2nd opinion and/or referral to a rheumatologist, but is all of this related to taking the Topamax? I take 2 Imitrex injections if a migraine comes on and am hesitant to start the Topamax if it has indeed induced Lupus. Am I crazy or is this common??? THANKS for the feedback...SM.

I started taking Lisinopril-5MG on 1/9/06. I did not notice any side-effects immediately as I was also recovering from double ear infection, cold and cough. The general, miserable feeling gradually became worse within a week. I was also on TOPROL XL 50mg and HCT 25mg. I later ditched the Toprol due to feelings of depression and nightmares and was switched to Benicar 20mg. Well...2-3 wks. later, I suddenly noticed I was coughing more than I did when I was ill prior to starting my medications. The incessant coughing is painful and very annoying. It later caused me to feel nauseated and I would vomit one to twice a day due to so much coughing. There is that constant salty taste--the phlegm and mucus tasted salty. Ick!!! My throat is still sore! I feel like I have a papercut injury from the hacking cough. That "tickle" in the throat really feels more like pin pricks!!! You cough so hard your head hurts and start leaking urine. That's another thing....I inadvertently developed stress incontinence from forceful coughs. Great...now I should be in diapers too :P

I never felt so MISERABLE in my entire life. I am glad to have found this board and read other people's experiences. I, too, have suffered the same side-effects. I thought my symptoms were psychosomatic. I didn't want to complain to the PA too much, so I thought I should grin and bear it for a bit longer until my body gets used to the meds. I've been generally healthy all my life except for 3 pregnancies in which I would later develop preeclampsia. My bp went back to normal after delivery. I'm 37 and now my bp seems to be up and down, which is why the PA prescribed the meds. I probably should have tried to bargain first :) I could have gone on a diet and lose some wt. Maybe the HBP can be controlled. (pipe dream, lol) My only consolation is that my cholesterol is good (160). That's one less risk of heart disease.

Anyway, I should have stopped taking these NASTY pills two weeks earlier but I thought I'd give it another chance....plus, I just refilled my Rx because we went on vacation! What a waste, but I finally wisened-up and stopped taking Lisinopril last Sun., 2/12. But from what I gather here.....it seems like the symptoms can linger a lot longer than a few weeks. I wonder too if there are any irreversible damage done. The PA told me to call back in two weeks if the symptoms persist. She previously offered to give me rx for codeine, but I refused. I tried otc cough suppressant but that didn't solve it. I just can't fathom taking any more new drugs at this point. I FEEL WORN OUT! I hope my bp will continue to stay normal with just HCT and Benicar.