Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
I have been diagnosed with complicated migraines, which cause focal seizures. I am on topamax & maxalt for this as well as janumet and lipitor, recently prescribed, for diabetes and cholesterol. Lately I have been feeling really depressed to the point I don't want to leave the house or even get out of bed. Has anyone else experienced depression associated with migraine meds or is it just a result of me loosing my teaching job for the third time due to the fact that focal seizures scare children and school administration has no idea what to do?
Have you been tested for epilepsy (MRI, EEG, etc.)? It's rare for migraines to cause partial (focal) seizures and epilespy can conceivably develop at any age (despite what the "books" say). But proper treatment for epilesy could give you back your life and your livelihood (teaching).
Topamax is a great epilesy medication, but it generally needs to be prescribed at a dose much higher than that used for migraine prevention (100 mg in a split dose). And Topamax alone doesn't always work as an anti-epileptic in all patients just as it doesn't work as a migraine preventive in all patients. Sometimes you need an additional medication or a different one all together (especially if it's not preventing your migraines either).
I know right now it's hard to even get out of the house, but only you have control over you own health care. Please try to take charge of it and talk with your neurologist (a new one if necessary) about the possibility of epilepsy in addition to migraines and getting effective treatment for BOTH.
Also talk with your doctor about the depression. Losing your livelihood, being diagnosed with diabetes and feeling trapped are all perfectly reasonable reasons for feeling depressed (and it doesn't take any "reason" to feel depressed; you feel how you feel, no one can tell you what is or isn't reasonable).
I wish you the very best.
Ruth
I am so sorry that you're feeling depressed, you will be in my prayers. I actually haven't started Topamax yet, but I saw a nurse practitioner who said that Topamaz can cause depression. She said that she's had patients have to stop taking it due to the depression side effect. It sounds like you've got some situational depression too, and God knows it's depressing having these debilitating headaches, but if you're feeling unusually over the edge, I would suggest talking to your doc immediately. They can prescribe an anti depressant to help with that particular side effect. Take care and let us know how you're doing!
Katie