I am a 42 year old woman. I started taking Topamax in March of 2...

I am a 42 year old woman. I started taking Topamax in March of 2008 for severe migraines. The migraines often caused vomiting and for my body to jerk similar to having seizure. I have had migraines for the last 15 years, but prior to starting Topamax I was having migraines almost every day (for about 6 months). My life had come to a stop. I had been through all of the neurological tests, and CT scans, etc. with no results. Topamax has nearly halted my migraines. I have a severe "head-ache" about every 6 weeks now that last 3 days. A huge improvement! However, my doctor had said that I should not be on Topamax long term so I have tried going off of it twice in the last year, each time on the 5th day to be hit with an all consuming migraine. I had come to this website to find out why I should not be on Topamax long-term to discover that many of the other health problems that I have been complaining about in the last year are probably a result of Topamax and the doctor did not ever suggest that was the case. I have TINGLING IN MY HANDS AND LIPS...the doctor thought this might be my thyroid, but that test was normal. I have had REDUCED VISION, the doctor said it is due to age and working on a computer all day. I have had JOINT PAIN which they are treating with an anti-inflammatory and suggested it’s probably the onset of arthritis. I have had WEIGHT LOSS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, and the PAIN IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD. These are all things that I see others describe as symptoms of Topamax! Wow! I wish my doctor would have told me this so I didn't think there was something else wrong. I WILL NOT STOP TAKING TOPAMAX. Even if taking Topamax meant that my life would be 2 years shorter or something like that, there is no living in that kind of daily pain. But I am grateful to know that the symptoms are normal. Topamax has giving me back my life.