Topamax and wks

Went of of T 'cold turkey" after being on for 1 mo. I am left with ringing in the lt ear and now 2 wks. being off T am experiencing hot flushes throughout my body and up in my head with throbing headache.

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!!!!!!!!!!

began taking 25 mg about 3 wks ago for headaches. stepped up to 50 when headaches didn't cease and, eventually, 100 b/c I still felt a slight tinge of one (though certainly not that bad). I've been at 100 now for about 1 week and will probably step back down to 50 mg b/c I am starting to get the negative symptoms such as tingling fingers and face, slight pain in the legs, dehydration and "floaty brain."

I most certainly intend on staying w/this med. b/c, 1. it got rid of my headaches, 2. I've lost 9 - 10 lbs. so far and no longer eat everything in sight, 3. I SLEEP again, THANK GOD!!! 4. I have NO mood swings

It should be noted that I take no other meds - not even over-the-counter! (Might want to see what the doctor suggests for menstral cramps. My normal dose of excederin (sp?) did not work - I was in agony. Not sure if this was a result of Topamax or not. )

Oh, and be very careful when consuming alcoholic beverages. If you begin to feel abnormally agitated, stop. Be sure to drink plenty of water so as not to get dehydrated!

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...