Relpax symptoms and conditions

I was started on Topamax late 2007 after a week long migraine that did not respond to my usual migraine medication, Relpax 40mg and Xanax 1mg and I needed the second dose 2 hours later. I was given samples of Topamax 25 mg with a schedule to slowly increase the dose. The first 3 days I noticed an improvement in my migraine. By the 4th day, I started coughing. As I increased the dosage of Topamax, my coughing got worse and more frequently. I had to return to the doctor a week later for the cough. I thought I had been exposed to bronchitis because I had worked in the church nursery.
However, the doctor heard a wheeze with my cough and stated I had asthma. This came as quite a surprise because I have never had any lung problems or asthma problems and I am 52 years old. I was referred to a pulmonologist who put me on 2 inhalers (one steroid, one rescue inhaler, nebulizer treatments, chest x-ray, Oxygen to be used a night.
I was still having severe coughing spells every time I moved or tried to talk. I would have to run to the bathroom every time I started to cough because the coughing was so violent that I experienced severe urinary incontinence every time I coughed. I checked the internet and with my pharmacist, both stated that developing a cough was very common with Topamax. After learning this, I slowly reduced the Topamax until I could stop using it. As I was reducing the Topamax, my cough started to decrease. When I mentioned to my doctor about my problems with Topamax, he stated that Topamax did not have any respiratory side effects. I had a brochure from his office for Topamax that stated Topamax should be used with caution with people with lung or asthma problems.
I am now taking 800mg of Magnesium, CoEnzyme 100mg, and Vitamin B 2 100mg twice a day as a preventative. These supplements were prescribed by my neurologist. Since starting these supplements, my number of migraines has decreased.
Kay/redpoppies

I am almost 41, and have had migraine headaches most of my life which I could manage with 800mg of Naproxen Sodium, or a Norgesic Forte, and when Imitrex came out, I could just administer that. Six months ago, my headaches got so frequent that I had to start taking my Relpax (similar to Imitrex) and/or Fioricet more than 2X per week. According to my neurologist, this is a no no, as both of those meds can couse rebound headaches. He started me on Topamax, 50mg per day. It did nothing. He bumped it to a 100, nothing. Now I'm a 200 mgs, I am still have a migraine in left temple as I write this. I have the tingling, the daytime sleepiness, but my mind is fine, and my appetite is just swell (regretfully). What the hell am I going to do now? Ask him to bump me up to 400 mg? Now I have these headaches every "F"ing day, and I can't take anything. I just have to suffer.

Topamax is NOT working!!!!!

I have been on Topamax for 2 1/2 years at 250mg for migraines and have decided to get off because of side effects. I have had all mentioned: mood swings, dehydration, not sweating,tingling, dizziness, loss for words, short term memory loss,numbness, fatigue, GI problems, anorexic weight loss,rage... And this all began from the starting 25mg dose!
The migraines decreased from 24 a month to 12, at best down to 6 or 7, but I seemed to hit a plateau then back to 15.
I saw three different doctors and all wanted to simply increase the Topamax or add another med (Depakote, beta blocker, etc.)
Finally, I found that a problem with my neck may be causing the headaches and treating that has reduced them enough for me to try and get off the Topamax. I still rely on the Relpax to get me through the bad days, but I'm hoping I can get free of the Topamax for good!
I just encourage anyone thinking of starting Topamax to investigate all possible migraine causes before starting!! Topamax doesn't cure the migraine, it only blocks the pain! And the side effects are not worth it if you can find another way to alleviate the problem!

I have been taking Topamax for about 6 months now. I have been on several different everyday medications for migraine prevention and Topamax has been the best one. I was first prescribed Relpax to help relieve the headaches. I eventually got to a point where I was getting migraines every day/every other day (insurance only covers 12 pills per 20 days). I was later switched to Imitrex - which is MUCH more effective (1 100mg tablet) but my insurance only covers 9 pills per 30 days (unbelievable).

Just wanted to give you guys some background on my situation. I have been through 2 MRIs and a CAT scan, visited a neurologist, done 2 sleep studies, spent 2 months on a breathing machine for possible sleep apnea causing migraines. My family doctor, my neurologist, everyone I saw was unable to determine the cause of my migraines.

THE GOOD NEWS is I was referred to an UPPER CERVICAL SPECIALIST by my old chiropractor. This may not sound believable but my headaches have decreased to about 2-3 per month since I've been treated by my new chiropractor. My old chiropractor was the type who did a complete adjustment on my spine/hips and cracked my neck both ways every time I visited. The upper cervical specialist focuses on C1-C2 vertebrae and uses calculated heat readings to determine where there is inflammation and there is no twisting/turning involved. Look up upper cervical chiropractic on google and see if these treatments will help with any of your headaches. It has helped my situation dramatically and I will continue seeing this specialist and probably come off of the topamax in the next few weeks.

I've been taking Yasmin for 7 months now...at first it was brilliant! i have had trouble with other pills in the past and Yasmin seemed totally different.
however, after settling down with it, i am starting to experience some side effects. i appreciate that obviously they may not be related to Yasmin but after reading other people's experiences I'm thinking that they probably are!

my hair falls out more than is normal...i used to have really thick hair and now it's getting pretty thin.
i have developed a cyst on the side of my head?!
i get weird pains in the right of my chest and stomach as if I've been exercising too much or sitting balled up for hours.
i have gone off food.
my sex drive is none existent! my boyfriend and i used to do it pretty much every day and now i never want it. we haven't really had any proper sexual contact in over a month.
i had complete loss of vision in one eye.
I'm getting seriously anxious about things that are important, but overly so.
i feel permanently tired and drained no matter how much sleep i get.
i cry 24/7 over absolutely anything... songs, adverts... its ridiculous!?

if i come off Yasmin it'll be the 3rd pill that doesn't agree with my body. I'm gonna have to try something new i think...

I am going to begin taking 25 mg of Topamax at bedtime tonight. After reading all of these posts I am a scared. I was prescribed Topamax for bipolar disorder. I am currently taking Lamictal as well. I always gain weight on psychotropic drugs and need to lose about 15 lbs (all of which I have gained over the course of being on Lamictal). Any who-my psychiatrist said that this medication may help counteract the weight gain I have experienced. Although I do not consider my self an overeater now. I do hope that it helps me to not like the taste of sodas though. I am addicted to Mt. Dew and caffeine, which I wouldn't mind stopping. Anyway, I am supposed to increase my dosage by 25mg per week until I reach 75mg per day. I am also supposed to go back and see my doctor before I increase the dosage beyond 75mg. I just hope I do not have the horrible side effects I have read here. Some of them I know I can deal with especially if they are temporary but the anxiety/depression/shortness of breath/lack of energy/morbid thoughts are the main ones that concern me. My psychiatrist said that with this medication I should drink plenty of water. He said that it could cause headaches and other side effects if I'm not sure to drink plenty of fluids with this medication. So, I am planning on hydrating myself really well today before taking it this evening. I'll post back and let you know how the side effects are going. Is anyone else on a combination of Lamictal and Topamax or on it for bipolar disorder? I'd like to hear more of your experiences.

I didn't really have any side effects with Relpax. The most wonderful thing was that it made my headaches go away. Of course my Dr freaked out when she found out that I was taking them on average 3x a week and switched me to Topamax because the frequency of my headaches meant that I had chronic migraines. I HATE Topamax. It gave me a lot of side effects and I still have my headaches. I want my Relpax back!

Okay, my Dr. switched me to Topamax because I was taking my Relpax too often (3 x a week on average, but it actually stopped my headaches) which I did not realize meant that I had chronic migraines. So far I am less than impressed :(

I've experience a little tingling in one hand, the left, have no idea of why it hasn't occurred in the other. No weight loss. I am under great stress at work (I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder that's being treated with 40 mg Paxil and 150mg (?) Buspar. The side effect that's killing me is the confusion and memory loss. You have no idea of how long its taken me to write this post. My mind will think of one word, but my fingers will type another. I will go back to correct and the same thing will happen. I can't really afford to be stupid at work. At home no one really cares if I'm stupid. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but at least I have some place to be stupid.

The worst thing is I still have the freaking headaches. I want my Relpax back and they can keep these Topamax (and yes, I see why they call it that). I'm just to the point where I'm supposed to up my dosage to 25mg in the morning and 50 at night and I'm not sure if I'm going to do it or step the dosage back down. How long is this stupidness supposed to last, on average. At what dosage do you know if its working or not for your migraines? I'm very frustrated and about to toss in the towel.

Thanks for any help,
Just call me Dopey

I have been taking Topamax for chronic headaches migraines. I am really frustrated after trying Topamax for the second time. I tried it for about four months early in the year and here I am again trying the drug once more. I am using 100 mg both times and see no results even this time around. I have only been on it for about two months. My neurologist tells me to be patient, but it's really hard to when my life is ruined and I cannot work as a hairdresser (product fragrances and chemicals that trigger headaches). My career may be over and I am only 23. I just don't understand why I am on epilepsy medication. All of these problems have lead me into depression, which is a whole other topic. My neurologist keeps scheduling me for followups about once a month which seems pointless and extremely costly. I feel like I am getting taken advantage of money-wise. I want to stop taking my medication and try chiropractic care. I know better than to quit cold turkey... Should I just call my neurologist and cancel my appointment and ween myself off my medication???

I've been on Topamax for about a year. I think the worst thing that happen to me is I totally forgot my childs given name. We have called him a nick name all his life but I'm his mom!!! I was so upset I thought I was going crazy! I still get headaches daily but I know topamax has been the best meds I have been on so far. I have heard that if you combine Relpax with topamax it helps so if anyone has any information, let me know.

I have been on Topamax for approximately six weeks - 100 miligrams for migraine. I have to say that so far my side effects have been minimal and my results have been quite good. I am experiencing some parasthesia in my hands and feet - but it is transitory and mildly annoying at worst. I have found that a lot of foods don't taste very good - and I really only like highly flavorful things like fruits and vegetables. I don't enjoy anything fatty, starchy or sugary. I'd like to be able to complain about that - but let's get real - that's probably a good thing. I've lost about 20 pounds since I started on the Topamax, 20 pounds that I can easily afford to lose. I also find that I am quite thirsty. I was experiencing some tiredness, but by switching to dosing only at bedtime, I have minimized that side-effect. My appetite has diminshed a great deal. I am not noticing cognitive side effects. I have had two migraines since I started on the Topamax (I was having approxmitately 15-20 days a month of severe migraines before), but I was able to take 1/2 dose of Relpax, and the migraine was gone within a half an hour. Typically I woiuld have to take a whole dose, repeat the dose in 2 hours and still have a headache, and repeat for 3-5 days, so I am seeing a big difference in the incidence of my headaches. All-in-all I am feeling quite hopeful that the Topamax, for me, will be an excellent overall solution for something that has been quite debilitating.

update....
i have begun to ween myself off topamax as of last week. i was taking 75 mg a day, now i'm down to 25 mg a day. i have noticed a HUGE change..i am pretty much BACK TO MY NORMAL SELF...i will continue until i am OFF THIS MEDICATION.
my depression has ceased, my fits of rage, GONE. i no longer have anger fits towards my poor husband (i feel so horrible for the way i had been acting towards him because of this medicine), and the whole sex drive issue, completely back to normal again (THANK GOD...my husband was about to go crazy..as was I! lol)
i am making an appointment with my doctor next week to see about another preventive, but until then, i have to keep a few hydrocodones on hand in case i get a migraine (and it's a definite that i will...). Hydrocodones are the only thing that get rid of my migraines...the Relpax and such make me feel like i'm about to have a heart attack and really dont relieve my migraines.
I just hope i can find a preventive that will work...WITHOUT these side effects (depression, etc). My migraines are so frequent that it is a must that i find some sort of preventive.
Best of luck to you all out there that are either still on this med, or getting off this med. i recommend the latter of the two.

hi, i seem to have a lot of the less common side effects: hair loss, itchy, acne, back ache, frequent urination, yeast infection (started with vaginal bacterial infection when i first started and now have yeast infection around arrival of cycle each month and now doing preventative measures, but not sure of effectiveness yet), irritability, restlessness, inability to focus, sore throat, change in taste, and hot flushes, though sometimes tingling and coldness in my feet.
my dosage is low, 25mg, for migrane prevention. was supposed to work up, but will not. spoken to dr. and am now taking 25mg every other night before bed. i was very drowsey at first and had seemingly adjusted, but will only take it before bed. it does help curb my migranes, and with the relpax to kick them when i do get them things are manageable.
what i would like to know is if i finally get to the lowest possible effective dosage, does anyone know if over time will the side effects become manageable or will i continue to have them or worse get more of them. to be honest hair loss, acne, and yeast infections are not a girls best friends, then add aggression and aggitation and i am not sure if i even want to be around me, yet i have less migranes. ANY replies will be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sandy*

I am taking 250/50 for about 2 to 3 years now. My allergist says the side effects im having are a direct result of the advair. However, my asthma is so bad I cant discontinue it.
I have to deal with:
-sinus congesion(taking flonase)
-IBS (taking some other med)
-migraines 2 a week (taking topomax and relpax)
-sleepy and tired
-gaining weight even though I excerise
-wounds will not heal causing scaring

Began Topamax/Relpax rx in Jan 05...had been increasing the Topamax dose to 75 mg total/day until 3/05 but felt irritable, not sleeping well; Dr. added Elavil at bedtime to help me sleep and it has really helped. I have just inc. to the next level dose of Topamax :total now at 50 mg in the am and 50 mg in the pm . Side effects are tingling /buzzing sensations in my heels- this seems to calm down after I get used to a dose level... Forgetfulness and trouble getting my words out,mixing up words and even occas. slurring. This does frustrate . BUT, my headaches are so much fewer.So , it is working well I'd say .I have lost a few pounds but I am watching my intake and exercising .I notice that exercise helps my headaches too !

I began Topamax approx. 6 wks. ago for migraine prevent. Have Relpax too for when migraine attack breaks through. I have had some tingling in feet ,recently better. Have noticed my vision seems worse,but forgot to tell my Dr. at last chk. I have been quite discouraged with the fatigue and feeling tearful and even crabby sometimes! I have continued to have a fair number of headaches weekly, although 2 whopper sinus infections as well. Will these side effects get better? I take 25 mg am and 50 mg pm now. Dr. added Elavil 10 mg for sleep at last appt. because I wake up alot too. I'm pretty discouraged...