Hi Sara, what is trokendi XR? My neurologist wants me to start topirate for my migraines & to help with the weight I’ve gained from taking propranolol for 18 months but I’m really worried about the side affects - I’m a nurse (paediatric) and really can’t afford to have any stupid moments! Any help much appreciated! Thank u
Not banned in USA I am in Kansas and been on it for 3 years now. Having some very bad side effects now doctor does not seem to care. I am sleeping like almost all the time now. my skin is dry and itchy and on my head its pealing and red. I take 75 mg twice daily for nerve pain.
Can anyone recommend anything else to switch to that does not cause weight gain. I hate the meds that cause rapid weight gain ( 9Xs out of 10 I am sensitive to those anyhow and have to stop them) .
I have suffered from migraines for about 20 years. I was recently put on Topamax at 25mg at night. It’s been 3 weeks. I normally had 2-3 migraines a week a now it’s 1-2, so I’m sure my doctor will want to bump me up to 50mg. As far as side effects...I fall asleep much easier at night, within an hour of taking it. I feel better rested. I didn’t notice many side effects until this past week. My appetite is changing, I’m not really hungry for breakfast or lunch. I do find myself having a little bit of brain fog and have to think about finding the right word to say from time to time. I have lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks as well. I have always been hesitant to take medication like this, but after so many years of migraines interrupting life I think this might be working. Give it some time and start slowly. Don’t be so eager to jump to the next higher dosage, it takes time to work. Good luck.
Completely agree! Unfortunately, my insurance company switch my formula late December to generic topiramate and the impact is awful. That stupid feeling described above-know it very well. Combined with brain fog, the feeling of being hit by a train every morning, persistent sore/itchy throat, and just general ‘don’t feel good’ thoughts daily, I had absolutely no idea what had changed. It just occurred to me in the last week that it was the change in my migraine suppression medicine.
I posted here 2 years ago… an update is required.
Since I stopped taking Topiramate. I went to a different doctor, who was NOT a neurologist and told him my rather depressing story. My migraines were somewhat different. I only had migraines during the night and none of the typical precursors. My doctor immediately said, that he wanted to check my blood pressure… which was 140 over 90, which is not great but usually not the trigger of the migraine. I thought my high blood pressure was the effect of the migraine and not the other way around… because I had little sleep day after day.
He put me on Amlodipine 5mg, which is a Calcium Channel Blocker (whatever that is). To be sure I am on a diet as well … and I keep Sumatriptan around for a rainy day.
I did not have migraines for more than a year.
To be sure, migraines can have any or no causes, but this was my cause. The diet is mostly low sodium
< 1000mg, low carbohydrates, low alcohol.
What my mental deterioration under Topiramate concern… I am doing rather well as an Engineer… so it is not permanent. My advise: Try to “manage” migraine with diet and general health and lifestyle.