topamax for headaches after aneurysm

[texaspoinciana]

greetings.

[FireflyR7]

I took it for a short time, but had an allergic reaction. (I have reactions to everything though!!) It did help my headaches while I was on it though. My niece is on it right now and is doing very well with it. I take Gabapentin now & works really good! I am also on several other meds too. (Plavix, baby aspirin, depakote, paxil, atenolol...) :confused: I had a rupture though. Are you taking Topamax??? Tricia

[texaspoinciana]

Yes, Tricia: I am taking topamax and a whole bunch of other things too. And, yes, I had a rupture. I have been taking topamax for two days. So we will see how it goes. All the drugs bother me intellectually...I don't like taking them. As does just being so plugged into the health care system, such as it is. Oh well, at least I am still alive!!

[collins]

g'day;

am on topamax also, 50ml 3 times a day, was on a higher dose
but doc cut it back, had problems with vision and speech.

had two rup annies.

regards jack

[FireflyR7]

:o I know it gets so old going to the Dr., hospital, the drugs... It just takes a lot of patience and time. I broke out in a rash and felt terrible on the topamax?? I can't remember hoe long it took, a week or so?? All of these drugs mess with my mind too?? :p I can't handle the headaches... without them though?? :( That is why I try to take it a day at a time!! I write a lot of poetry and songs, listen to music... I miss being a firefighter so much!!! I miss a lot of things, but I am glad to be here!!! :) I am lucky to have an EMT for a husband too! He has taken very good care of me!! And my sis! My husband has ben a firefighter for 33 years now. He is a LT., that's how I got into it!!
We just have to give it time hun!! I have been homebound since June 05, I know it is hard!! I will keep you in my prayers!! Keep us posted on the topamax?? Tricia

[thed0ct0r]

See http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/showthread.php?p=24593#post24593 .

[cindybear]

Hi there,
I;m on 200 mgs a day, it helps (IMO ) the jolts and jabs that I have behind my left eye , These "jabs " can put a fellow to there knees..This topamax really helps this...I also take quite a bit of narcotics for the pain and pressure. I call it my cocktail..It all helps together...Takes my horrible pain down from a 10 (daily ) to a 4-5..That is a miracle in itself.. It did take me a long time to get use to 200 mgs..about 6 -7 months..I took it real slow..It has been years ago..I've been on this dose for a couple of years..It may have took me longer to get to 200 mgs..I just know I would take 25 mgs every month or 2 until I adjusted to it.. Hugs, Cindy

[blindblessings]

I was given Topamax eight months after and an auto accident 4 years ago. I only took half of a 25mg tablet for 11 days. With in 48 hours I had complications, blurred vision, sharp pain in my eyes, memory issues, speak delays and passed out at church. Was rushed to the hospital that day they released me and set an appointment to see a neurologist for 3 days later. I continued the Topamax as the doctors didn't know what was causing the problem. They NEVER check the side effects Topamax. (I had ALL of them!!!) Over the next seven days I became very mentally unstable (memory Problems) got lost driving couldn't remember basic skills like cooking, I became very emotionally sensitive, the sharp stabbing pain in my eyes became worse ( I thought it was due to stress from the pain I was in) on day 10 I was going over home work with my daughter when I noticed that she was writing very lightly on the paper ( so I thought!) My daughter explained " Mommy if I press any harder I will rip the paper. I felt the paper and realized that she was right, I then looked around the room and noticed that everything was blurry. I figured that I was just overly tired so I told the girls that we needed to go to bed. We all knelt to pray after my two youngest daughters 3yr and 7yrs old were thru it was my turn, not long after starting I evidently blacked out and my 7yr old daughter had to dial 911 and get me help.
At the hospital again they still did NOT check the side effects of Topamax. While in the hospital the next day at 3 a.m. I woke from SEVER pain in my eyes. The last thing I saw was the clock as it diapered before my eyes. I looked around the room and everything went creamy, then gray, then black. I buzzed the nurses and told them what was going on and they said " the doctors will be in at 8 a.m to see me, just go back to sleep!" Needless to say I told them they were crazy. To make a long story short. They continued me on the medication Topamax from Wednesday (when I went blind) until Saturday when they finally decided to send me to an Ophthalmologist. They had already determined that I went blind do to STRESS!!! There is times in my life when I could believe this would have been possible, however My life at that point was very calm and very blessed.

The ophthalmologist after 4 hours figured out that it was the Topamax and immediately did laser surgery ( with out numbing I might add) to lower my eye presser. The Topamax causes Acute angle closure Glaucoma causing the eye presser to shoot sky high. My pressures were so high for 3 days that it damaged the optic nerve, fractured the lenses of my eyes, caused Glocken Fleckin, and gave me full blown cataracts in less that 24 hours.

Now here is the kicker I would NOT be BLIND right now if they had stopped the medication soon enough. I pray that no one else has to endure the challenges of blinds because of this drug, especially when it is preventable.

Other side effects this drug causes is PERMANENT tremors not painful but very irritating. I look like some one with Parkinson’s I am only 42 yrs old. This is not constant but happens quite often. I also get uncontrolled head jerking movements and facial distortions. I still do not have a short term memory and it has been 3 1/2 years since I took Topamax.

I am the 25 person that the FDA KNOWS has gone blind as a direct result of Topamax. As far as they know all the blindness’s have happened in the first 30 days of starting the drug. However I have personally met two individuals who obviously had a much stronger tolerance than I, to the drug who didn't get the same side effects until years later. One lady was actually at a conference I was attending recently and heard me speak about what happened. She had been on Topamax for over 2 years. When my husband saw her he gasped. Her eyes looked just like mind before I went completely blind. I convinced her to cut her meds back to half and contact her doctor immediately. She did and the next morning her eyes were back to normal.

Well that is enough sad stuff for now, on to a positive note. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and that some time we are allowed to experience things so that we may be able to keep others from having the same burden, challenge, bump in the road or what every you may choose to call these interesting experiences.

I am truly thankful to the Daytona School for the Blind. They gave me my life back. I now have the ability obviously to work on the computer, care for my family, and do many other things that for over 2 years I chose not to see out of the cloud I was in, and cause great stress for all those who were around me at that time.

God is truly wonderful to me, so I started a non profit to help others that have a variety of challenges to find success in their lives. I pray that this post helps some one to realize that Topamax is NOT the answer. May the lord bless you in all that you stand in need of.

[Kyria Dylan]

I was given Topamax eight months after and an auto accident 4 years ago. I only took half of a 25mg tablet for 11 days. With in 48 hours I had complications, blurred vision, sharp pain in my eyes, memory issues, speak delays and passed out at church. Was rushed to the hospital that day they released me and set an appointment to see a neurologist for 3 days later. I continued the Topamax as the doctors didn't know what was causing the problem. They NEVER check the side effects Topamax. (I had ALL of them!!!) Over the next seven days I became very mentally unstable (memory Problems) got lost driving couldn't remember basic skills like cooking, I became very emotionally sensitive, the sharp stabbing pain in my eyes became worse ( I thought it was due to stress from the pain I was in) on day 10 I was going over home work with my daughter when I noticed that she was writing very lightly on the paper ( so I thought!) My daughter explained " Mommy if I press any harder I will rip the paper. I felt the paper and realized that she was right, I then looked around the room and noticed that everything was blurry. I figured that I was just overly tired so I told the girls that we needed to go to bed. We all knelt to pray after my two youngest daughters 3yr and 7yrs old were thru it was my turn, not long after starting I evidently blacked out and my 7yr old daughter had to dial 911 and get me help.
At the hospital again they still did NOT check the side effects of Topamax. While in the hospital the next day at 3 a.m. I woke from SEVER pain in my eyes. The last thing I saw was the clock as it diapered before my eyes. I looked around the room and everything went creamy, then gray, then black. I buzzed the nurses and told them what was going on and they said " the doctors will be in at 8 a.m to see me, just go back to sleep!" Needless to say I told them they were crazy. To make a long story short. They continued me on the medication Topamax from Wednesday (when I went blind) until Saturday when they finally decided to send me to an Ophthalmologist. They had already determined that I went blind do to STRESS!!! There is times in my life when I could believe this would have been possible, however My life at that point was very calm and very blessed.

The ophthalmologist after 4 hours figured out that it was the Topamax and immediately did laser surgery ( with out numbing I might add) to lower my eye presser. The Topamax causes Acute angle closure Glaucoma causing the eye presser to shoot sky high. My pressures were so high for 3 days that it damaged the optic nerve, fractured the lenses of my eyes, caused Glocken Fleckin, and gave me full blown cataracts in less that 24 hours.

Now here is the kicker I would NOT be BLIND right now if they had stopped the medication soon enough. I pray that no one else has to endure the challenges of blinds because of this drug, especially when it is preventable.

Other side effects this drug causes is PERMANENT tremors not painful but very irritating. I look like some one with Parkinson’s I am only 42 yrs old. This is not constant but happens quite often. I also get uncontrolled head jerking movements and facial distortions. I still do not have a short term memory and it has been 3 1/2 years since I took Topamax.

I am the 25 person that the FDA KNOWS has gone blind as a direct result of Topamax. As far as they know all the blindness’s have happened in the first 30 days of starting the drug. However I have personally met two individuals who obviously had a much stronger tolerance than I, to the drug who didn't get the same side effects until years later. One lady was actually at a conference I was attending recently and heard me speak about what happened. She had been on Topamax for over 2 years. When my husband saw her he gasped. Her eyes looked just like mind before I went completely blind. I convinced her to cut her meds back to half and contact her doctor immediately. She did and the next morning her eyes were back to normal.

Well that is enough sad stuff for now, on to a positive note. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and that some time we are allowed to experience things so that we may be able to keep others from having the same burden, challenge, bump in the road or what every you may choose to call these interesting experiences.

I am truly thankful to the Daytona School for the Blind. They gave me my life back. I now have the ability obviously to work on the computer, care for my family, and do many other things that for over 2 years I chose not to see out of the cloud I was in, and cause great stress for all those who were around me at that time.

God is truly wonderful to me, so I started a non profit to help others that have a variety of challenges to find success in their lives. I pray that this post helps some one to realize that Topamax is NOT the answer. May the lord bless you in all that you stand in need of.This post is so important,since topamax is now being discussed again. Kyria Dylan

[rmbing64]

I am glad to have this information. I am seeing a new neurolgist on November 26 th for headaches and I hope he doe not try to give me this. I have had so many vision problmes already, not to mention I am already have the beginning of a cataract in my right eye and a much higher risk for developing glaucoma. I think I will be sure and tell him I don't want to take this. Darn, because I read about the weight loss in another thread. Guess I may have to resort to diet and exercise. Rose

[heartland]

Rose... While that post is scary, this drug doesn't effect everyone the same way either... in reading the other post... several of us have no problem w/ it. But if the new neuro does offer it and you decline, maybe there is another he can offer. Good luck at your appointment.

Lisa

[TitaniumCranium]

Hi Rose -
Be honest with your neuro about your vision problems, he may not even suggest topamax for you. To hopefully ease your fear some, as Lisa said, not everyone has these side effects. Not to be morbid, I almost died from dilantin (Stephens-Johnson Syndrome) and I survived but that was MY body's reaction ... dilantin helps many others with no problems. Just discuss your concerns with the neurologist ...... best wishes to you.

Lori (T.C.)

[Mike1061]

What I have to say is keep an open mind. I would also say you should have someone else watch you who as an open mind. This drug may not be a help at all, in fact it may make things worse. This drug is nicknamed "dopamax" because it makes people slower, frequantly.
My experiance with this drug is that it was perscribded to my wife after being taken to the hospital, with what appers (in hind site) to be a seizure. Though her records clearly state she is "highly sensitive" to drugs, she was given this durg at the hospital to control sizure activity in the brain. She turned into a walking zombie for months, and months. We finally got an appointment at another hospital, and they weened her of of it and onto lamactal. She is doing much better, but she will never be right on this drug either.
This is a strong drug, and I highly recomend that you have someone who knows you, watch you, along with a doctor monatoring you. Atleast for the first month or two. Keep an open mind, because there are other drugs that do basicly the same thing.
That's just my opinion.
Thanks MIke

[Kyria Dylan]

I am glad to have this information. I am seeing a new neurolgist on November 26 th for headaches and I hope he doe not try to give me this. I have had so many vision problmes already, not to mention I am already have the beginning of a cataract in my right eye and a much higher risk for developing glaucoma. I think I will be sure and tell him I don't want to take this. Darn, because I read about the weight loss in another thread. Guess I may have to resort to diet and exercise. Rose

Hi. did you dcide to go ahead with this? if so,are you having any problems with side effects?

[rmbing64]

I was able to ask him about possible vision problems , since I had read about them here. I told him I was a dangerous combination- a well-read nurse with internet access and a lot of time on my hands. He said that Topamax can cause acute glaucoma in rare instances, usually occurs within the first 30 days. He said there is not much research with Terson's syndrom, I think because there are not very many of us. He had me check with my retina specialist first. He said the glaucoma is usually reversible if the medicine is stopped right away, but because of the damage that has been done to my eyes if that would be the case but my retina doctor said it was okay. I am seeing the retina doctor on the 12th and they check the pressure in my eyes. I was very anxious about taking this but I am so desparate for some relief and it sounded like it had helped so many others with their headaches, that I am willing to try it. I was grateful for the eye information though, because until I brought it up, I don't think it occurred to the doctor. It is really bothering my stomach more than anything but I am hoping for relief.Rose

[thed0ct0r]

Kyria,

I was extremely hyper-sensitive to the drug and was not properly prepared for its effects and monitored by my physician. While it does provide relief for some I would not risk it as I now have a permanent seizure disorder. The GOOD news is I'm at 200mg/day of Lamictal (that's two thirds of the minimum "therapeutic dose") and I feel fantastic! Soon I will be completely seizure-free for the rest of my life. Things will be completely normal again (except I seem to have a mild form of dyslexia now!) A small price to pay!

Good luck and choose wisely. Diet, exercise and regular sleep can help prevent migraines. My only enemy is the weather (pressure changes are bad).

TheD0ct0r

[Kyria Dylan]

Kyria,

I was extremely hyper-sensitive to the drug and was not properly prepared for its effects and monitored by my physician. While it does provide relief for some I would not risk it as I now have a permanent seizure disorder. The GOOD news is I'm at 200mg/day of Lamictal (that's two thirds of the minimum "therapeutic dose") and I feel fantastic! Soon I will be completely seizure-free for the rest of my life. Things will be completely normal again (except I seem to have a mild form of dyslexia now!) A small price to pay!

Good luck and choose wisely. Diet, exercise and regular sleep can help prevent migraines. My only enemy is the weather (pressure changes are bad).

TheD0ct0rHi i am so glad you answered! i am not taking the drug my post was for Rose who has started taking it. thanks for the info about the weather and headaches, i have had some bad ones the last couple of days and just realised the weather has also changed the last couple of days. so thanks for the reminder. now for the main reason i am glad you answered...your photo is too cool! absolutely love the expression on your face !! God Bless your evening......Kyria

[wonderland]

Kyria: I could be wrong, but I don't really think that is his picture! But here is mine: *cg15

Pamela

[Kyria Dylan]

Kyria: I could be wrong, but I don't really think that is his picture! But here is mine: *cg15

PamelaHi. it doesn't make any difference who the guy is.....i love the expression on his face!!! and he choise to run it ,so i give him the credit. yours is cute but...........