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.

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Dana312 07/29/2011

Hello- I just joined this group. I've had severe hormonal and TMJ migraines for years.

I just started Topamax to help with migraines and Fibromyalgia pain. My doctors have not been getting back to me so I was hoping some of you would share your experiences.

1) Did you experience the tingling/numbness? Did it subside after a while? I'm getting it very badly at a low dose.

2) Did/do you take Potassium to combat this side effect? Did it help? If so, how long did it take to work?

Has anyone's doctor mentioned whether Topamax causes a Potassium deficiency, or is Potassium simply supposed to help the symptoms?

I'd like to hear any info or advice you may have about this medication.

Thanks so much!

angee7 07/29/2011

Yes, I experienced the tingling/numbness, but it went away after awhile. However, everytime the Doctor upped the dosage I would experience side effects (but they go away after awhile).

I am taking 300mg of Topamax a day now.

There are 2 side effects that haven't gone away yet. They are: tiredness and confusion. Topamax is nicknamed "Dopamax".

Good Luck to you!
BIG HUGS.

RichieD 07/29/2011

Hi Dana.

I saw that you joined, so I signed up too. Don't know why I haven't joined before now, I have horrible migraines at times.

Dana312 07/30/2011

Hi, Richie! Hope we both get some good info.

Thanks, Angee...have you tried Potassium for the side effects?

angee7 07/30/2011

No, I have not tried potassium for the side effects. I did not know that helps.

deleted_user 08/01/2011

I also experienced the tingling, pretty badly and consistently. I had it in my hands, feet and lips/tongue. When I would exercise (particularly anything where I would have a weight in my hand for instance) it made the tingling a little worse. At night relaxing the tingling was by far the worst and I would get restless and have to walk around in order to make it subside some. But it did get better as my body gained a tolerance to the medication. It took a couple months before that happened however, as I was increasing the dosage of the medication.

I did not take potassium to combat any side effects from the medication. The Topamax helped make my headaches less severe so it was kind of a give-take with what the medicine gave me and what it took away. I haven't read anything that states that potassium helps combat these side effects, but I would be more inclined to do something like light exercise (walking, jogging) to help decrease the numbness (that helped mine) rather than take another pill/supplement.

I also experienced the "Dopamax" effect, and have recently re-upped my Topamax dosage, and have thus experienced this effect again, but not the tingling.

Dana312 08/01/2011

Thank, Cougr. Unfortunately, I have very severe Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so adding exercise is not really an option for me. I totally understand the desire to do that to combat the tingling though! I WISH I could without intense pain!

deleted_user 08/03/2011

I would agree mostly with angee7. the tingling does goe away. My migraines and headaches almost completely stopped for two years. Then I forgot to take it and noticed I still wasn't having headaches. I had no dopy feelings, but slight vertigo at heights.

deleted_user 08/03/2011

Sorry, no I never took potassium for that.

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