Original Comment:
| Leann | Zonegran and Topamax | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 5.8000 |
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| I'm 19 yrs. old, I have had migraines for as long as I can remember. Nothing had worked until I was put on Topamax (which is a med for epilepsy). I was so relieved except that I had severe side effects. Although I did lose a few pounds, I couldn't concentrate, I couldn't speak very well (slurred, mixed up words, incoherent, etc.), I tingled so badly that I would be awakened out of a dead sleep at 3 or 4 am with my feet practically burning. It's been interfering with my schoolwork so much that it's been sending me back into depression (I've also been on Zoloft for 4 years for depression/anxiety attacks) because I feel so stupid and incompetent. So my neurologist is systematically putting me onto Zonegran and taking me off of the Topamax because it supposedly has less severe side effects with pretty much the same effect on the brain. Also, once that gets establsished so to speak, he's going to start me on Welbutrin. Does anyone know or have anything similar to this concoction of drugs? If so, that would be much appreciated. Also, if anyone has any questions about my experience with Topamax or Zoloft, feel free to contact me. Thanks! | |||
Replies:
| Ashley | you're my twin! | December 2nd, 2005 |
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| Your problems sound identical to mine. I've suffered from migraines for years, but only recently sought treatment. I was on Zoloft for about one year, but just switched to Welbutrin about three months ago, because of the weight I was gaining on the Zoloft. Welbutrin seems to be working for me - the weight I had steadily gained on Zoloft is coming off and my moods are more elevated. There is an increased level of irritabilty you may want to be aware of though with the Welbutrin. Also, when I first started taking it, I couldn't sleep sound for about a week, until my body got adjusted to the meds. While taking the Welbutrin, I started seeing a neurologist about my migraines and he prescribed Topamax. At first, I thought the meds were a God-send. I soon changed my mind. After about 2 months, I started getting very severe eye pain. I attributed it to other things, until about I endured about two weeks of the pain and I looked on the internet about Topamax and started reading about how it has been known to cause glaucoma and other serious, "although rare", eye problems. Seriously, the pain was almost unbearable. I called the Dr. and just yesterday went and picked up samples of Zonegran. I am weaning off the Topamax and increasing my dosage gradually of the Zonegram until I'm up to 200 mg/day. I've been reading these horror stories though from people who say they're constantly tired. That side effect will be unacceptable in my line of work. PLEASE let me know how the combination of meds are working for you, so I know what to expect. | ||
| Regina | Zonegran | December 3rd, 2005 |
| Currently I just started taking Zonegran and have been taking Wellbutrin and the doctor , my neuroloigist is talking about changing me to Lexpro possibly or Zoloft due to my depression because of the pain and the anxiety and bipolor disorder.. .. I have been suffering with severe headaches.. migraines since 2001 (car accident) disc protrusion in my neck and I have had sucidial thoughts due to these headaches...I also take Ultracet (aka) tramadol.. and then not long ago she prescribed Toradol 30 mgs injectable/... side effects have not been so bad that I have stopped any of my meds and I am concerned about the Zonegran but I am willing to give it a try ... when I have been suffering so long .. If the side effects are too severe or bad then I will ask her to wean me off the Zonegran and try something different.. I will post as I increase my dosage as eveyone responds differently to medications .. | ||
| Marj | No Subject | December 3rd, 2005 |
| I'm on zonegran and welbutrin for bi-polar and have had no side effects at all. I've been on welbutrin for 7 yrs. and have just changed to zonegran 3 months ago from topamax. After my third child the topamax didn't work anymore. I've been pleased with the combination. | ||
| erin | Topamax, Zonegram... | December 3rd, 2005 |
| Hi Leann, I'm 24yrs old and I had the same experience with Topamax. I had the same side effects you did as well as I was so moody & angry all the time. I always felt embarressed at work because I would try to say something to a client or co-worker and it would come out all backwards or sluured. I finally after a 1 1/2yrs of dealing with the horrible side effects, couldn't take it anymore. So my dr's switched me to Zonegram. I just started a week ago so I'm not sure how it's working yet, all I know is I want the pain to go away and I'm tired of medications, but I do hope this one works. I also have botox shots every 3months which lesson my migraines. It makes it so my headaches start later in the day (better than all day), but one it wears off about 3weeks before the 3month period, it's terrible pain again. I don't know if you've tried botox in conjunction with your medications, but it may help a little. For some people it rids all the pain and for others it lessens it to certain degrees. For me it's worth it if it lessons the daily pain by 1 degree. I was wondering, when you went off topamaz did you get really sick? I felt awful and wierd and my migraines felt more severe than before. | ||
| Sherry | Zonagran/Topomax | December 3rd, 2005 |
| I was givin Topomax and lost with that medication. It was prescribed for muscle spasm in my back and for fybromyalgia. It seemed to lose effeciveness for spasm and relief from pain. After having back surgery (lower back) the spasms got worse and then I wa told it was merely arthritis...I'm not sure doctors really know the answers and the good ones do hang around HMO plans. I feel like an experiment for the past 5 years, being put on effexor, Zyprexa, Zoloft, Celebrex, Vioxx, and now Mobic. So the doc put me on Zonagran. I experienced no weight loss, just he opposite. Plus I got bruises on me where I hadn't noticed any before. The Zonagran was to keep my moods steady as I continute to take Wellbutrin for depression. My moods are not steady and I am more agressive that with any other treatments. I did well on Wellbutrin alone with ocassionally Vicoprophin. Why do doctors mess with what is working? I dont' abuse pain pills; a prescription of 30 pills oF Vicoprophin lasted me nearly 4 months. He is hesitant about giving pain pills out because of the HMO. | ||
| lynn | No Subject | December 3rd, 2005 |
| I was put on zonegran for migraines as well after trying depakote (which is nasty) and pamelar (which was worse than topamax for cogntive problems). I have had two other doctors other than my neurologist suggest topamax as well but since I already have cognitive dificiency problems, it doesn't sound like a good idea. The zonegran has worked for me. Not great, but from daily migraines to only weekly, it's an improvement. I also have my cocktail of wellbutrin and they just switched me from lexapro to prozac. The migraines, the depression, the memory and cognitive problems didn't start for me until my mid 40's and all generate from the hypothalmus. Although none of the doctors have come up with a logical explanation for any of it, please remember, they are playing with the chemicals in your brain. Read everything you can about what they are doing and don't allow anything that you are not comfortable with. some of their little cocktails have been disasterous. Good luck! | ||
| Jamie | Migraines | December 3rd, 2005 |
| Leann, I too have tried the Topamax, it worked great for me. the side effects were about the same.I'd pick up a fork -n- call it a spoon??? I had to stop taking it! have you had a good reaction to the Zonegran thus far. Any side effects you could share with me would be greatly appreciated. Thankz, Jamie | ||
| Joe Rivera | Zonegran | December 3rd, 2005 |
| My wife has suffered from migraines since the first time that she had her period and we have been on and off medicines and not one of them has worked except Zomig but now with the high blood pressure medicine she is taking she can no longer take Zomig due to the interaction it has with her high blood pressure medicine. Her neurologist has now suggested Zonegan but by the side effects that I have read she does not feel comfortable taking it. You seem to be the only person that also suffers from migraines since everyone else seem to be having epilepsy and seizures and that is probably another reason why she does not want to take it. could you tell me how it is working for you and if you are sill taking it? thanks | ||
| Twila | Zonegran | December 3rd, 2005 |
| My 17 year old daughter has suffered from 2 confirmed concussions since March 04 she received them during wrestling matches. Needless to say her wrestling career is over now. She was ranked #1 in the State of TX and # 6 in the nation. But that is ok she will always be # 1 with us. She now suffers from Migranes. They interfer with everthing she does including our lives. Took her to a neurologist today and he prescribed Zonegran. She will take 50mg at bedtime for 10 days then 100mg for 10 days then 150mg for 10 days then up to 200mg a day at bedtime. Also put her on Calaflam 50mg a day and Magnesium 400mg a day and at the onset of a migrane she is to take an additional pill of the above meds including a Zomig-ZMT. We are so hoping this will work. Anyone else done this regiment? | ||
| rhonda | topamax vs. zonegran | December 3rd, 2005 |
| My neuro had me on Topamax for miagraines for two years - I eventually started having the same side effects as you. So we have stopped the topamax and am not fixing to try the Zonegran. I am so hesitant to take this medication - because the side effects are almost the same. I would like to hear from any one that was taking Topamax and is now on the Zonegran for Migraines - how you are doing and does it seem to be working ?? | ||
| Anonymous | Topamax | December 3rd, 2005 |
| Yes i became severely depressed on topamax. I was on it for 2 years until finally my regular dr took me off it and the depression went away completely, I began to have energy again. I know this drug helps some people, but it almost killed me through the depression and suicidal thoughts | ||
| Anonymous | No Subject | May 12th, 2008 |
| I also had to stop topamox due to side effects and started zonegran a few months ago. I do not take any other meds but I am very pleased with zonegran so far. There is a lot of info on about.com about drug interactions. good luck | ||
| Lori | topamax | February 7th, 2008 |
| I've been on topamax 50mg am 50mg pm for over a year and headache free. I've had only minor tingling in the fingers and feet at first but it did subside. You must start at a low dose and increase slowly. I have been very lucky because I have not had any other side effects and it has worked great for my headaches. | ||