I was started on Topamax late 2007 after a week long migraine tha...

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