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"Has anyone increased Topamax dosage too quickly and results? thanks"

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sarahd	Jun-01-05, 10:06 PM (CMT)
"Has anyone increased Topamax dosage too quickly and results? thanks"
without telling me they went up to 150mg cause I seemed to being so well on 75mg. not such a good idea bad sida effects-has anyone done well at 75 but not any higher?
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Table of contents

RE: Has anyone increased Topamax d..., mgb, Jun-02-05, (1)

RE: Has anyone increased Topamax d..., Kathy W., Jun-02-05, (2)

RE: Has anyone increased Topamax d..., sdbdds, Jun-03-05, (4)

Topomax ramp up, Catherine, Jun-02-05, (3)

RE: Topomax ramp up, Richard, Jun-03-05, (5)

RE: Topomax ramp up, sarahd, Jun-04-05, (6)

RE: Topomax ramp up, sarahd, Jun-04-05, (7)

RE: Topomax ramp up, miss_good_fairy, Jun-09-05, (8)

RE: Topomax ramp up, blunt_chef, Jun-09-05, (9)

RE: Topomax ramp up, blunt_chef, Jun-09-05, (10)

RE: Topomax ramp up, miss_good_fairy, Jun-10-05, (11)

RE: Topomax ramp up, sarahd, Jun-12-05, (12)

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Messages in this topic

mgb Jun-02-05, 07:37 AM (CMT)

1. "RE: Has anyone increased Topamax dosage too quickly and results? thanks"

Topamax is supposed to be titrated (stepped up or down) in 25mg increments/doc's discretion. I was never moved faster up/down past 25mg.
When I went off, I went from 175 to 150 and 25mg down per week until 0.

Top

Kathy W. Jun-02-05, 07:56 AM (CMT)

2. "RE: Has anyone increased Topamax dosage too quickly and results? thanks"

My dr. started me out at 15 mg. and slowly increased it by 15mg. every few weeks. I had side effects at the lowest possible dose and only made it to 60 mg. I do not like this drug at all...........I had the RARE side effects even at my highest dose of only 60 mg. I slowly decreased it and went off competely about a month ago. However, I am very sensitive to meds and I am a small person (110 lbs.). My GP thinks that with those two considerations the side effects are not surprising. My neuro disagrees but I know how I feel and going off was the right decision for me! So far the migraines have still been infrequent.
It seems to me that 75 mg at once is too much but that's my opinion based on my experience. Call your dr. if it continues to bother you.
Kathy

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sdbdds Jun-03-05, 07:46 AM (CMT)

4. "RE: Has anyone increased Topamax dosage too quickly and results? thanks"

If you were doing well at 75mg, I see no reason to go up. I have many patients that do well at that dose. Most research indicates a dose of 100mg to be effective for most patients. As has been said, increases should be by no more than 25mg per week.
SB
"Giving Up Is Not An Option"

Top

Catherine Jun-02-05, 08:07 AM (CMT)

3. "Topomax ramp up"

Hi,
I am taking 100mg topomax at night. I have been on it for almost 2yrs. It is best to increase slowly, most common is in 25mg increments.
If you had benefits at 75mg and are now at 150mg and having bad side effects, you can go down to 100mg for a few weeks as see how that dosage does for you.
If after 3-6wks at 100mg you find more benefit or the same, you will know then if the higher dose is better or not, you will also know how the side effects are and they will of course continue to decrease over time. The brainfog dosen't seem to diminish though from what I've read on here. The tinglies, dizzyness, numbness, etc all continue to decrease for several months.
If 100mg is better for you, you can then try 125mg to see if that is better yet, and so on. The key is to try to find that perfect balance between benefit and side effects with this med. I stayed on 75mg for 1yr, then went to 100mg. It has worked wonderfully for me and 100mg is still a very low dose of this med.
Good luck
Catherine

Top

Richard Jun-03-05, 10:12 AM (CMT)

5. "RE: Topomax ramp up"

Several years ago I was frustrated at 100 mg and ramped myself up quickly to 300 mg. then to 400 mg ... my max dose at the time. Got many "good days" at that dosage.
this time around I am at 200 mg ... the current max dose recommended. Am doing pretty well ... decreased duration at any rate. Frequency and intensity of episodes are the same these last few days ... but duration is less.
My side effects disappeared after a week or two of use.
Hang In There! Tieni Duro! Non Mollare! Tiens Bon! Ne Laches Pas!
Richard

Top

sarahd Jun-04-05, 02:23 AM (CMT)

6. "RE: Topomax ramp up"

I'm just trying to get myself back together after an awful reaction jumping from 75mg to 100mg--I had a little apprehension at 75mg cause I found not saying a word exactly right or forgeting something simple, But really wasnt sure it was really much so agreed to move up.uggggggggghhhhhh
Big mistake.. we had a horrible week -in fact Im not even going to describe it because I think this kind of reaction is very, very unusual.
I don't want to scare off any topamax users. Let me say I did nothing illegal that I know of.
Anyway When they feel Topamax is out of my system and im talking and walking normally, we're going to start it all over just verrrry verrry slow! I do believe in the drug but i think its something you have to be careful about. Build up slowly-and remember this.....this ain't just a aspirin we're using here make sure you keep up with the amt you take every day.....God Bless!!!!!

Top

sarahd Jun-04-05, 02:38 AM (CMT)

7. "RE: Topomax ramp up"

When I read the first message again, I'm not sure my heart or stomach sank first. this was part of the side effects --I don't remember very much about Mon, and very very little about Tues, Wed or Thur-that includes conversations-speech-actions,etc. I couldn't belive that I wrote that during that time. I don't remember doing it but it makes me extremely happy that I was making some sense. I apologize so much- I really not a nut case-although it's going to be had to prove now.
They say its okay to ask questions-but when you start anwsering them yourself your in trouble?? Kinda looks that way sorry again.

Top

miss_good_fairy Jun-09-05, 09:54 AM (CMT)

8. "RE: Topomax ramp up"

just read this thread. i was put on topa in november starting with 25mgs. i got bad side effects like absolute freezing, not being able to eat and speech problems to tell just a few) after 6 weeks i was taken off again as my weight was a real problem. it was a shame as it was great for the migraines from day 2.
nothing else has helped since so the doctors now told me i should try it again. ANY thoughts on it or suggestions?
miss_good_fairy

Top

blunt_chef Jun-09-05, 10:05 PM (CMT)

9. "RE: Topomax ramp up"

>just read this thread. i was
>put on topa in november
>starting with 25mgs. i got
>bad side effects like absolute
>freezing, not being able to
>eat and speech problems to
>tell just a few) after
>6 weeks i was taken
>off again as my weight
>was a real problem. it
>was a shame as it
>was great for the migraines
>from day 2.
>
>nothing else has helped since so
>the doctors now told me
>i should try it again.
>ANY thoughts on it or
>suggestions?
>
>miss_good_fairy

"Anyone can become angry - that is easy, but to be
angry with the right person, to the right degree, at
the right time, for the right purpose, and in the
right way, that is not easy."

- Aristotle

Top

blunt_chef Jun-09-05, 10:07 PM (CMT)

10. "RE: Topomax ramp up"

Hi Miss,
I am moving from 100 to 150mg a day and am in the side effect
phase of Topamax and yes it is a huge drag. But for me it has
been the only thing to work even a little so I am sticking with it.
My side effects are optical and I have lost over 20 lbs... the list
goes on. The 8 week barrier is the key for most of us I think.
That is where most of the side effects have died off if they are
going to. I hope this helps and I wish you luck.
lo lo mai,
chef
>just read this thread. i was
>put on topa in november
>starting with 25mgs. i got
>bad side effects like absolute
>freezing, not being able to
>eat and speech problems to
>tell just a few) after
>6 weeks i was taken
>off again as my weight
>was a real problem. it
>was a shame as it
>was great for the migraines
>from day 2.
>
>nothing else has helped since so
>the doctors now told me
>i should try it again.
>ANY thoughts on it or
>suggestions?
>
>miss_good_fairy

Top

miss_good_fairy Jun-10-05, 11:22 AM (CMT)

11. "RE: Topomax ramp up"

chef, thanks for your kind words...i am sure i will have to try again...but now i have become ill as well and taking antibiotics i can't face starting the topa just yet,
miss_good_fairy

Top

sarahd Jun-12-05, 00:37 AM (CMT)

12. "RE: Topomax ramp up"

Thanks everyone for the responses. It really is a scary drug when you get the full whammy of the side effects. They took me completely off for a week and started back slowly. I'm now back up to 50mg a day and only showing minor side effects. Trying a combination of tripians, excedrin migraine, topamax, zanaflex....I'm now on about 38th day of migraine almost totally bed ridden getting very angry with neuro cause I'm really worn down--- it seems like there should be something they could do to stop this nagging pounding pain!

Top

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mgb	Jun-02-05, 07:37 AM (CMT)
1. "RE: Has anyone increased Topamax dosage too quickly and results? thanks"
Topamax is supposed to be titrated (stepped up or down) in 25mg increments/doc's discretion. I was never moved faster up/down past 25mg. When I went off, I went from 175 to 150 and 25mg down per week until 0.
	Top

Kathy W.	Jun-02-05, 07:56 AM (CMT)
2. "RE: Has anyone increased Topamax dosage too quickly and results? thanks"
My dr. started me out at 15 mg. and slowly increased it by 15mg. every few weeks. I had side effects at the lowest possible dose and only made it to 60 mg. I do not like this drug at all...........I had the RARE side effects even at my highest dose of only 60 mg. I slowly decreased it and went off competely about a month ago. However, I am very sensitive to meds and I am a small person (110 lbs.). My GP thinks that with those two considerations the side effects are not surprising. My neuro disagrees but I know how I feel and going off was the right decision for me! So far the migraines have still been infrequent. It seems to me that 75 mg at once is too much but that's my opinion based on my experience. Call your dr. if it continues to bother you. Kathy
	Top


	sdbdds	Jun-03-05, 07:46 AM (CMT)
	4. "RE: Has anyone increased Topamax dosage too quickly and results? thanks"
	If you were doing well at 75mg, I see no reason to go up. I have many patients that do well at that dose. Most research indicates a dose of 100mg to be effective for most patients. As has been said, increases should be by no more than 25mg per week. SB "Giving Up Is Not An Option"
		Top

Catherine	Jun-02-05, 08:07 AM (CMT)
3. "Topomax ramp up"
Hi, I am taking 100mg topomax at night. I have been on it for almost 2yrs. It is best to increase slowly, most common is in 25mg increments. If you had benefits at 75mg and are now at 150mg and having bad side effects, you can go down to 100mg for a few weeks as see how that dosage does for you. If after 3-6wks at 100mg you find more benefit or the same, you will know then if the higher dose is better or not, you will also know how the side effects are and they will of course continue to decrease over time. The brainfog dosen't seem to diminish though from what I've read on here. The tinglies, dizzyness, numbness, etc all continue to decrease for several months. If 100mg is better for you, you can then try 125mg to see if that is better yet, and so on. The key is to try to find that perfect balance between benefit and side effects with this med. I stayed on 75mg for 1yr, then went to 100mg. It has worked wonderfully for me and 100mg is still a very low dose of this med. Good luck Catherine
	Top


	Richard	Jun-03-05, 10:12 AM (CMT)
	5. "RE: Topomax ramp up"
	Several years ago I was frustrated at 100 mg and ramped myself up quickly to 300 mg. then to 400 mg ... my max dose at the time. Got many "good days" at that dosage. this time around I am at 200 mg ... the current max dose recommended. Am doing pretty well ... decreased duration at any rate. Frequency and intensity of episodes are the same these last few days ... but duration is less. My side effects disappeared after a week or two of use. Hang In There! Tieni Duro! Non Mollare! Tiens Bon! Ne Laches Pas! Richard
		Top


	sarahd	Jun-04-05, 02:23 AM (CMT)
	6. "RE: Topomax ramp up"
	I'm just trying to get myself back together after an awful reaction jumping from 75mg to 100mg--I had a little apprehension at 75mg cause I found not saying a word exactly right or forgeting something simple, But really wasnt sure it was really much so agreed to move up.uggggggggghhhhhh Big mistake.. we had a horrible week -in fact Im not even going to describe it because I think this kind of reaction is very, very unusual. I don't want to scare off any topamax users. Let me say I did nothing illegal that I know of. Anyway When they feel Topamax is out of my system and im talking and walking normally, we're going to start it all over just verrrry verrry slow! I do believe in the drug but i think its something you have to be careful about. Build up slowly-and remember this.....this ain't just a aspirin we're using here make sure you keep up with the amt you take every day.....God Bless!!!!!
		Top


	sarahd	Jun-04-05, 02:38 AM (CMT)
	7. "RE: Topomax ramp up"
	When I read the first message again, I'm not sure my heart or stomach sank first. this was part of the side effects --I don't remember very much about Mon, and very very little about Tues, Wed or Thur-that includes conversations-speech-actions,etc. I couldn't belive that I wrote that during that time. I don't remember doing it but it makes me extremely happy that I was making some sense. I apologize so much- I really not a nut case-although it's going to be had to prove now. They say its okay to ask questions-but when you start anwsering them yourself your in trouble?? Kinda looks that way sorry again.
		Top


	miss_good_fairy	Jun-09-05, 09:54 AM (CMT)
	8. "RE: Topomax ramp up"
	just read this thread. i was put on topa in november starting with 25mgs. i got bad side effects like absolute freezing, not being able to eat and speech problems to tell just a few) after 6 weeks i was taken off again as my weight was a real problem. it was a shame as it was great for the migraines from day 2. nothing else has helped since so the doctors now told me i should try it again. ANY thoughts on it or suggestions? miss_good_fairy
		Top


	blunt_chef	Jun-09-05, 10:05 PM (CMT)
	9. "RE: Topomax ramp up"
	>just read this thread. i was >put on topa in november >starting with 25mgs. i got >bad side effects like absolute >freezing, not being able to >eat and speech problems to >tell just a few) after >6 weeks i was taken >off again as my weight >was a real problem. it >was a shame as it >was great for the migraines >from day 2. > >nothing else has helped since so >the doctors now told me >i should try it again. >ANY thoughts on it or >suggestions? > >miss_good_fairy "Anyone can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not easy." - Aristotle
		Top


	blunt_chef	Jun-09-05, 10:07 PM (CMT)
	10. "RE: Topomax ramp up"
	Hi Miss, I am moving from 100 to 150mg a day and am in the side effect phase of Topamax and yes it is a huge drag. But for me it has been the only thing to work even a little so I am sticking with it. My side effects are optical and I have lost over 20 lbs... the list goes on. The 8 week barrier is the key for most of us I think. That is where most of the side effects have died off if they are going to. I hope this helps and I wish you luck. lo lo mai, chef >just read this thread. i was >put on topa in november >starting with 25mgs. i got >bad side effects like absolute >freezing, not being able to >eat and speech problems to >tell just a few) after >6 weeks i was taken >off again as my weight >was a real problem. it >was a shame as it >was great for the migraines >from day 2. > >nothing else has helped since so >the doctors now told me >i should try it again. >ANY thoughts on it or >suggestions? > >miss_good_fairy
		Top


	miss_good_fairy	Jun-10-05, 11:22 AM (CMT)
	11. "RE: Topomax ramp up"
	chef, thanks for your kind words...i am sure i will have to try again...but now i have become ill as well and taking antibiotics i can't face starting the topa just yet, miss_good_fairy
		Top


	sarahd	Jun-12-05, 00:37 AM (CMT)
	12. "RE: Topomax ramp up"
	Thanks everyone for the responses. It really is a scary drug when you get the full whammy of the side effects. They took me completely off for a week and started back slowly. I'm now back up to 50mg a day and only showing minor side effects. Trying a combination of tripians, excedrin migraine, topamax, zanaflex....I'm now on about 38th day of migraine almost totally bed ridden getting very angry with neuro cause I'm really worn down--- it seems like there should be something they could do to stop this nagging pounding pain!
		Top

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