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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by suzern03 on January 19, 2006, at 8:05:10
Ive read through all of the drug inormation regarding Topamax, however, withdrawal symptoms are not listed. I was taking 200mg qd for migraine prevention and stopped it abruptly about 5 days ago (neurologist hadnt called in refill yet.) Now, ive been awake for 3 1/2 days. Im starting to go crazy from not sleeping.
So, is this a withdrawal symptom?
Posted by jpgolf17 on February 2, 2006, at 19:12:19
In reply to Topamax withdrawal, posted by suzern03 on January 19, 2006, at 8:05:10
My daughter just began a staged withdrawal from the 200mg dosage, and she is experiencing trouble with sleeping also. i am curious as to whether you have found any additional information?
thanks,
Posted by suzern03 on February 3, 2006, at 7:13:04
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal » suzern03, posted by jpgolf17 on February 2, 2006, at 19:12:19
i haven't found any information regarding topamax withdrawal, however, considering the effects it has on the brain, im not that surprised that it caused insomnia. I have an appt with my neurologist soon, so i will let you know. i did ask some of the pharmacists that i work with and they hadn't heard anything.
Posted by rkp68 on February 10, 2006, at 0:20:41
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by suzern03 on February 3, 2006, at 7:13:04
I did find something that suggested that you slowly get off of the drug-- wean down. It said that if you don't then you could get seizures. I am wondering if that is only for those with epilepsy, or if you could have a risk of seizures from just being on the Topamax and quitting it cold turkey. I am NO doctor... I am guessing to quit it as slowly as you got on it. I got on 25/day for a week, then 50/day for a week then 75/day for a week then 100/day for a week. I am just about to go off of it and I am planning on going backwards from that. I still can't decide if I will go the full week for each dose cut-back. I hope I don't end up with the insomnia. The sound of that gives me some anxiety.
~Rach
Posted by donnacarp on April 16, 2007, at 17:07:39
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by rkp68 on February 10, 2006, at 0:20:41
i have tapered off from Topamax 100mg to 50 mg and was doing alright. last night i didn't take any and i was awake about every hour or two. severe migraines today............really severe. i was having them on the topamax and lyrica and beginning to feel really medicated even after being on the meds at the same dose for quite a long time, 2 years, approx for the topamax and about 8 months for the lyrica. tapering and coming off the lyrica was really hard, but the headaches didn't get any worse. today is the first day completely off the topamax and the headache is horrible, even after Imitrex.
Posted by Troy T. on August 24, 2007, at 10:53:18
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by donnacarp on April 16, 2007, at 17:07:39
I'm on 200mg as well for Migraines. It has worked wonderful. In fact, I feel so good and have so few headaches that I want to go off. This last time I went off... I cold turkey'd. Bad Idea. Insomnia (major), anxiety, depression, sensations of itchy tingly skin, can't concentrate and tired as a dog. Had to start again. Don't go off Topomax cold turkey. The time before landed me in the ER. Talk to your Dr. about coming off if you want to go off.
Posted by jjjaspar on March 3, 2008, at 7:48:11
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by Troy T. on August 24, 2007, at 10:53:18
My daughter is now 20. She has had migraines since infancy. She has been on Topamax for about 7 years, which only partially controlled them (and for that she was grateful). After research came out about pediatric migraineurs and Ubiquinone (CoQ10) deficiency, the doctor put her on it. The result has been astonishing. So... the neurologist is having her slowly slowly come off the 200mg Topamax.
Even going down just 12.5mg every couple weeks, she is having problems. Each time, she has a few days of headache (not migraine), nausea, minor depression, and irritability. She is miserable and wants to know what she can do RIGHT NOW to ease these withdrawal symptoms!?
Posted by jjjaspar on March 8, 2008, at 9:56:55
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by jjjaspar on March 3, 2008, at 7:48:11
I guess I'll answer my own question. Apparently things like hydroxizine (Atarax) and benzodiazapines help withdrawal symptoms. It was suggested she take some Xanax.
Posted by MissyKissy on May 6, 2008, at 16:35:45
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by jjjaspar on March 8, 2008, at 9:56:55
I've just recently gone off Topamax after about 4 years. Wanted to see if I could do without it. Has anyone experienced edema with Topamax withdrawal?
Posted by kimpossible on May 21, 2008, at 12:20:27
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by MissyKissy on May 6, 2008, at 16:35:45
> I've just recently gone off Topamax after about 4 years. Wanted to see if I could do without it. Has anyone experienced edema with Topamax withdrawal?
I've been off for a couple weeks and noticed today that my ankles were swollen and I feel very bloated....I am not sleeping well either and am very irritable. I imagine these things have to be related.
Posted by TNIris on May 23, 2008, at 12:38:47
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by jjjaspar on March 8, 2008, at 9:56:55
Hello,
I'm in the midst of withdrawing from Topamax. I've been on it for almost 4 years.
I'm now down to 75mg. When I first started 4 years ago I was taking 250 mg .
I have searched the web like many of you to find little info. on how to get off this medication. I've also found plenty of info. on all of the side effects...but none on getting off of it.
I guess the drug co. just really wants to keep us on it .I just decided I would wean myself 25 mg a week like I started on it.( My GP didn't know any info. on getting off of it either )
My question is, what do you do the last week ? Would you take one every other day , and then put more days in between the next week and so forth ?I'm having some pretty bad withdrawals.
I woke up during the night in a cold sweat and felt like I was about to have a panic attack.
My joints are aching, I've been having mood swings.
I'll be fine one minute and then the slightest thing will upset me and I'll break down in tears, I've been having bad headaches and feeling nauseous and have had diarrhea( sorry so graphic )I am assuming this is all part of getting off Topamax...or do I just have a wicked Flu , because that's what it feels like minus the sleeplessness and the crying spells ?
Can anyone else relate or does anyone have any advice ?
Sorry so long, thank you for your patients.TnIris
Posted by seline on May 27, 2008, at 2:33:33
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by TNIris on May 23, 2008, at 12:38:47
i have taken topamax for 2 years @ 300mg. i am going off for financial reasons. my psychiatrist told me to go down by 100mg every 4-5 days until i hit 100mg, and then take 50mg for 4-5 days, and then stop.
however, 100-50mg, i started having sleeping difficulties, then dizziness. i'm having a hard time getting below 100, so i'm just staying at 100 for maybe a week longer to see how it goes.
Posted by kellyO on May 28, 2008, at 16:41:56
In reply to Re: Topamax withdrawal, posted by seline on May 27, 2008, at 2:33:33
I'm using the topamx for my bulimia with prozac and it works great. But I feel guilty that I'm staying thin with help instead of willpower , also, I've gotten concerned about the long term effects of Topamax and asked if I could go from 100mg to 50mg. I went down,this week, by 25mgs and feel a little dizzy and tiered and slight headache, the last few days, it's cool that I don't have to work right now, so I can just lie down when i want, but I'm not getting anything else done, should I just go to 50 and take the maybe bigger side effects and get it over with all at once? What if I start to gain weight or throw up and this going down was for nothing?.it's hard to stand on medication when it's working just fine, I get spooked that it's forever and I'll be sorry that I got relief now, and pay for it with side effects later. To press on and lose a few days now or to go back to 100mg and think about it another day?
This is the end of the thread.
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