Topamax and sleep apnea

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.

Has anyone experienced hypersomnia with Topamax? My son just started taking it a couple of weeks ago and now I can't wake him up in the mornings. Not just tired... but literally unwakeable. Then he has sleep drunkenness once he eventually wakes up in the middle of the morning. I have taken him off it to see what happens.

I've been on topamax for 3 1/2 months & was on 25 mg & then was pushed up to 100 mg when I started to have more severe migraines & "seizing" in my arms & legs. Here are a list of my symptoms: increased sleepiness, gait problems, word recall, more difficulty w/dysgraphia, increased ADD problems, increased lability, increased hypersensitivity to stimuli (seizing in limbs increased), pins & needles, metallic taste in mouth, asthma worsened, sleep became more disrupted, lost weight (already skinny), increased facial hair, strange menstrual symptoms, basilar migraines worsened, hemiplegic migraines started occuring at increased rate, suspicious that it may cause or excacerbate pre-existing sleep apnea (haven't been evaluated yet), feel like a stroke patient, weakness on right side of body, can't drink soda, increased impulsiveness, confusion, increased speech problems, increased GERD...this has really messed me up.

you really should be careful giving this to patients who may have a sleep disorder, previous head injury or breathing issues...Is this safe for people w/ asthma, sleep apnea, cerebral palsy, sleep disorders, etc.? Will these side affects wear off or is permanent?

I have nothing to thank Topamax for.

What is being done to answer these people who have concerns regarding this drug? I was thinking of taking a low dose for sleep apnea related problems, but now I just want to read responses to all of the concerns.

People need to know.