I have been taking Topamax for approx. 16 months. I began with 2...

I have been taking Topamax for approx. 16 months. I began with 25 mg at bedtime and have just a week ago worked up to 100 mg at bedtime. My Dr. was good to prepare me for some of the side effects so that I wouldn't freak out and want to discontinue the medication. I was having about 3-5 migraines a week. It was scary how much Imitrex/Phenergan I was taking just to be able to get through a day only to face another headache. When my Dr. offered me Topamax for "migraine prevention" and told me of possible side effects, he also told me that if I would work through them it would be worth it. He was right! I had tingling in my hands and feet at first that only lasted a few days. I had subtle hair loss after about 2 wks. The most noticable side effect that I've had has been how it has affected my concentration and memory. For the first month or two, I had a very hard time getting out the words I was trying to think of in a conversation and I would forget to do ordinary things. This has gotten back to normal!!!! I encourage you to hold on! The side effects aren't as bad as the headaches - at least not for me! My Dr. also told me that it was VERY important to drink LOTS OF WATER! I even noticed that when I would wake up in the morning and feel the tingling in my hands and feet - if I would drink a glass of water the tingling would get better. The higher the dosage of medicine the more the water; especially in hotter weather. I think my body doesn't sweat as much as it used to unless I drink plenty of WATER! Just hang on - if you can - and know that you can decrease your dosage and take it easy until your body completely adjusts to that dosage and stay there a while (months) then increase a little more until you get to the goal dosage. That's what my Dr. and I have done. It has worked!!!!!!!!!!