![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jackie S on November 26, 2002, at 16:21:19
hi my name is jackie and i am 17 years old and my doctor wants to put me on topamax. i dont really know anything about it except that i will have to take it all the time. im kinda worried though about it.i have had migraines since i was little since i can even remember and they have only gotten worse. i get them almost everyday or everyother day and thats how its been for a long time. i have tried everything over the counter literally and my body is easily immune to everything and ive tried alot of perscription drugs too but one time they work and then my body rejects they dont work again. i get alot of side effects from alot of medicines too. i have had lots of blood work done and it all comes back fine. ive even had a cat scan and nothing. im tired of going to the doctor and not getting results. if anyone could give me some information on topamax that would be helpful i could sure use it..........
Posted by Mr Cushing on November 26, 2002, at 16:39:14
In reply to IM 17 AND ABOUT TO GO ON TOPAMAX............., posted by Jackie S on November 26, 2002, at 16:21:19
AHS: Anti-Epileptic Topamax (Topiramate) Appears Effective For Pediatric Migraine
By Bruce Sylvester
Special to DG News
SEATTLE, WA -- June 24, 2002 -- The anti-epileptic drug topiramate (Topamax) provides substantial migraine relief for patients ages 8-10, investigators from Pediatric Epilepsy and Neurology Specialists of Tampa, Fla. reported at the annual meeting of the American Headache Society.
"Topiramate therapy was associated with a substantial reduction in migraine headache frequency and severity, and reduced the degree of associated disability," the researchers wrote.
The research team performed a chart review of pediatric and adolescent patients who had been under care at their clinic for migraine and migraine-like headaches and who had been treated with topiramate. They assessed frequency, severity and disability associated with migraine before and after treatment. They studied the patient charts for comorbid conditions, body weight, adverse events and use of other drugs during treatment.
The investigators identified 10 male and 24 female adolescents, mean age 14 years, who were diagnosed with migraines (16), chronic daily headaches (17) and headaches associated with hydrocephalus (1). The mean dosage for topiramate given to the subjects was between 138 +/- 85 mg (range 15-325 mg).
Upon examining the charts, the researchers found that migraine episode frequency among the topiramate-treated children decreased from a mean of 19.4/month to 4.5/month (77 percent). Mean severity decreased from 2.66 +/- 0.53 to 0.85 +/- 0.82 (68 percent) on a five-point scale. Disability associated with migraine attacks decreased from 2.09 +/- 0.71 to 0.90 +/- 0.61 (71 percent).
Fifteen patients reported adverse events (cognitive slowing, paresthesias, appetite loss and weight loss) -- an incidence of 44 percent. Mean loss of weight was 6 lbs.
The authors concluded that, "A growing body of evidence suggests that topiramate is efficacious in the treatment of migraine both in pediatric and adult patients. This efficacy data, combined with safety data from the use of topiramate in pediatric epilepsy patients, suggests that topiramate may be a primary option in pediatric migraine prophylaxisFor side effects, I've heard of Topamax causing such things as blurred vision or eye pain, concentration problems (for example, trouble finding words), tingling feelings in the hands or face, fatigue, feeling slowed down, tremors, nausea, and dizziness.
Posted by Jackie S on November 26, 2002, at 19:03:36
In reply to Re: IM 17 AND ABOUT TO GO ON TOPAMAX............., posted by Mr Cushing on November 26, 2002, at 16:39:14
thank you mr. cushing for the information you gave me. i really appreaciate it. if any one else has any information i could use it. thanks
Posted by comftnumb on November 26, 2002, at 21:51:07
In reply to IM 17 AND ABOUT TO GO ON TOPAMAX............., posted by Jackie S on November 26, 2002, at 16:21:19
I was on topamax for about a month, and it was a very educational experience. I couldn't wake-up in the morning at all. And I was slowed down considerably. Lethargy I guess you could call it. This is the thing I found most interesting: I have always been a fast eater and a fast smoker, and I smoke really fast. So when used to go smoke with people I always found that I finished my cigarette first. Then when I went on topamax, the opposite started occuring. I was smoking really slowly, and my friends were finishing their cigarettes before me. It's really weird. When I went off the topamax I became a fast smoker again.
Posted by Jackie S on November 26, 2002, at 22:03:34
In reply to Re: IM 17 AND ABOUT TO GO ON TOPAMAX............., posted by comftnumb on November 26, 2002, at 21:51:07
hey thanks for the infocomftnumb.im nervous about going on it because ive researched it a little and saw all of the side affects that it has and they are not all that good. what really worries me is that i will get them. almost every perscription ive had, i have gotten the side affects along with it. plus they never helped so now what if i go on it and it doesnt work my body will get used to it and then go through withdrawl.... then what??????????
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.