Posted by hurtinhead on April 13, 2005, at 11:21:03
In reply to Re: topomax pain-ramping schedule » hurtinhead, posted by Cairo on April 12, 2005, at 9:25:50
>Thanks for the input. After reading all the posts, I have decided to ramp up 25mg every 2 weeks. I have been on it 1 week now, and I was a bit sluggish at first, but I seem to be adjusting well. I also haven't had any more issues than usual with the stupids. I will be adding the next 25mg next week in the pm, and then 2wks later I will add the 3rd 25mg in the morning. That's the one I'm afraid of. I seem to do OK with taking it at night, I don't know how it will hit me once I start taking it in the morning as well.
I've been prescribed Topamax for Fibromyalgia pain . Because I am extremely sensitive to meds, my doc suggested the following schedule: 15mg at bedtime for two weeks (during that time I felt very dizzy and had difficulty writing, like the instructions to form the letters couldn't make it from my brain to my hand; it went away after two weeks. Fatigue was extreme, but is better now); now we're up to 15mg twice a day; after that 25mg at bedtime for one week, then increase at weekly intervals by 25mg, always adding the extra 25mg at bedtime. If fatigue or other side effects are too much, stick to previous dose for two weeks before increasing. If fatigue is too much, we may consider adding Provigil. She says that in her experience with Fibromyalgia and all the various meds she's tried with her patients, her "desert island" choice as of today is Topamax, though she is waiting for Pregabalin to be released in June.
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> Weight loss doesn't kick in until higher doses, she said, as does muscle relaxation. Hope this helps.
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> Cairo
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> > I have had issues with migraines for years now. I am a 34 year old woman, and back in 2000 the doctors think I had a small stroke, as they found a "lacunar infarct" on my MRI, accompanied by localized numbness in my face and extremities. Therefore, the docs are afraid to prescribe the normal migraine meds like Zomig and Imotrex due to my "stroke" history. So today, a neurologist I've just begun seeing prescribed Topamax to prevent the migraines, since I can't take the other stuff. However, after reading these threads, I am scared as hell about it. First, I am an attorney and I can't afford to get "the stupids." (Especially because I've just started a new job and the stupids can get you fired right quick, although I know popular opinion is who would notice a lawyer with a case of the stupids)
> > Second, I could stand to lose about 60 lbs (all gained w/in the last year-coincidently my first year of work as an attorney.) However, I'd rather lose weight on my own than get stupid.
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> > Third, my doctor has me starting Topamax at 25mg daily for the first week, and then increasing 25mg each week until I reach 100mg. Is this too fast? I'm really afraid of the cognitive side effects. Do you all think it would be OK to double the time it takes me to work up to 100mg?
> >
> > Also, please, somebody tell me this drug did not make you incapable of thinking straight.
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poster:hurtinhead
thread:5053
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050413/msgs/483729.html