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"Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

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BaadDawg	Dec-08-09, 10:02 AM (CMT)
"Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
I have finally agreed to try Topamax pretty much as a last resort. My primary preventative was nadalol but I have switched to a different beta blocker (sotalol) which does pretty much nothing for migraine prevention. My schedule for titration (slowly increasing dose) starts me off at 25mg every other night for 2 weeks, then every night for 2 weeks etc. There is no mention of a split dose (twice a day) just once a day at night, even at the higher doses. I have just put in a request for clarification to my neuro, because in checking on the net, I see most if not all dosing recommendations call for split dosing. Does everyone here who takes it take it twice a day or do some people take it once a day? After nearly a week of the baby dose every other day I don't feel any side effects.
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Table of contents

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., almostangela, Dec-08-09, (1)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., BaadDawg, Dec-08-09, (2)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., lovegia, Dec-08-09, (3)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., BaadDawg, Dec-08-09, (4)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., Chinookgrl, Dec-08-09, (5)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., lovegia, Dec-08-09, (6)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., kimwa;, Dec-08-09, (7)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., kimwa;, Dec-08-09, (8)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., BaadDawg, Dec-11-09, (9)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., mgb, Dec-11-09, (10)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., lovegia, Dec-11-09, (11)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., thetsarisa, Dec-11-09, (12)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., lovegia, Dec-11-09, (13)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., thetsarisa, Dec-12-09, (14)

RE: Another Topamax Question (Singl..., brookelinn14, Dec-13-09, (15)

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Messages in this topic

almostangela Dec-08-09, 10:10 AM (CMT)

1. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

Twice a day is prescribed, but now that it has been a year and side effects are gone, sometimes I take the full 100mg at night with no side effects.
Baby doses to start is a good idea.
I don't see what benefit there would be to taking a full dose at one point of the day in the beginning of the treatment.
Probably your doctors' oversite. I'd ask.
Angela

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BaadDawg Dec-08-09, 10:37 AM (CMT)

2. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

LAST EDITED ON Dec-08-09 AT 11:26 AM (CMT)
He already got back to me. He said research shows no difference between once a day or twice a day for migraine prevention.

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lovegia Dec-08-09, 10:45 AM (CMT)

3. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

oh my goodness 25mg increase every other day! man how much of this stuff will you end up taking at the end! my neuro wrote it out for me like this and my pills are 25mg
week one
one pill at night
total mgs: 25
week two
one pill morning
one pill at night
total mgs: 50
week three
one pill morning
two pills at night
total mgs: 75
week four
two pills morning
two pills at night
total mgs: 100
Then back to him for re-evaluation to see how its working after a month of 100mgs.
I'm worried for you about side effects of this medication. If you go up that fast you might get whacked with these crazy things. I mean the mental stuff is crazy for me and i'm going up very slowly, let alone some whole days i'm on the couch because of killer leg cramps. I love myself some good exercise and I was a couch potato when I was pregnant so when I started running again I was in a lot of pain with my muscles and nothing compared to the cramps I got from this medication. I'm not saying it will happen to you but if your going up that fast I have a feeling you are more likely to get killer side effects. This stuff is pretty serious and i've read up about it a lot since i've started taking it. I really suggest you talk to your doctor about dosage because it doesn't seem right as i haven't heard of one person yet dosing up as fast as you plan to. Keep us updated and let me know what you are up to and your experiences. Like i said i'm going up much slower than you are and among the leg cramps I get facial, feet and hand tingling and numbness, burning in my toes, overall la-la-land as estre put it in another post, lack of coordination, inability to drive, occasional back pain (which could be caused by other things, i haven't pinned it down yet) and crazy crazy lack of appetite and changes in the way food tastes. Be careful if you are at normal weight or underweight. Make sure to take nutritional supplements. I find a lot of people complain of this at even very low mg doses. I don't eat anything anymore and in the last two weeks alone I have lost about 9 lbs.

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BaadDawg Dec-08-09, 11:24 AM (CMT)

4. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

LAST EDITED ON Dec-08-09 AT 11:25 AM (CMT)
No, 25 mgs evey other day for 2 weeks. Not increasing by 25mgs every other day.

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Chinookgrl Dec-08-09, 11:43 AM (CMT)

5. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

Watch water intake as well. Keep up with lots of water to decrease risk of kidney stones. I think my neuro told me 6 glasses a day.
I drink a glass as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning one with each meal and then space the last couple. It pretty easy I'm actually thirsty a lot of the time on Topomax.
I have also read that potassium can help with the tingling. I don't know if this is true but it is worth a try.
Jo

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lovegia Dec-08-09, 04:03 PM (CMT)

6. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

oh oh sorry about that

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kimwa; Dec-08-09, 09:24 PM (CMT)

7. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

It made all carbonated drinks taste awful to me. Which was a great thing because it made me stop drinking my Cokes and I lost weight.

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kimwa; Dec-08-09, 09:25 PM (CMT)

8. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

It made all carbonated drinks taste awful to me. Which was a great thing because it made me stop drinking my Cokes and I lost weight.

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BaadDawg Dec-11-09, 06:37 PM (CMT)

9. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

Only 2 people have answered my question about whether they take Topamax once or twice a day for migraine prevention. There must be more than 2 people who read this forum and take this med.

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mgb Dec-11-09, 08:05 PM (CMT)

10. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

Baad,
I was on Topamax back in the day when it was very new on the scene for migraine.
My dosage was titrated to a max of 200mg/day (that was supposed to be the max therapeutic dose for migraine).
I took a single dose at bedtime, since it made me sleepy. On occasion, it would keep me up.
It was discountinued due to major neuro-cognative (do-do bird) side effects.
Good luck,
mgb

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lovegia Dec-11-09, 08:47 PM (CMT)

11. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

maybe you can try to post on http://migrainepage.forumotion.net
i dont know how many people still check this one.
this forum will be switching over there starting january,
so everyone moved over there.
you may get more replies.

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thetsarisa Dec-11-09, 09:21 PM (CMT)

12. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

yeah, we are moving toward Forumotion.
I tend to be there more often nowadays - I love that I can use emoticons and post piccies so much easier.
And see the previous messages while replying as I tend to forget what was written before, and don't have to toggle back and forth anymore.
as for Topamax I take it once a day 100mg at night and don't feel any worse for not dividing it into smaller doses.
I have to because i would forget to take it otherwise.
Risa

You re getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

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lovegia Dec-11-09, 09:29 PM (CMT)

13. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

yeah and risa your note at the bottom about being old on this page made me think you could be my gramma.
then i saw your picture on the other site and YOU DO NOT LOOK THAT OLD!
I just happen to think you haven't been on a rollercoaster in a while LOL!

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thetsarisa Dec-12-09, 03:54 AM (CMT)

14. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

lolol maybe not quite gramma but certainly your momma now that's old enough
Risa

You re getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

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brookelinn14 Dec-13-09, 11:26 AM (CMT)

15. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"

I take 400mg/day 200mg in the morning and 200mg at night. I started like you at 25mg a day and worked my way up very slowly. Be patient with the medication. The side effects are hard at first but they do go away and it has been a great drug for me. It has cut my migraines down by 50%. I was having 6 a week and now I'm down to 3. I've only been on it for 4 months so I'm hoping that it will take cut them down even further.
When I first started taking it I was on the generic but the numbness in my face and limbs was making me crazy. After doing some research I found out that the fillers that they put into the generic intensifies the side effects. I switched to the name brand a little over a month ago and am having way less side effects. It's more expensive but for me it's worth it.
Good luck, I hope it works for you!

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almostangela	Dec-08-09, 10:10 AM (CMT)
1. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
Twice a day is prescribed, but now that it has been a year and side effects are gone, sometimes I take the full 100mg at night with no side effects. Baby doses to start is a good idea. I don't see what benefit there would be to taking a full dose at one point of the day in the beginning of the treatment. Probably your doctors' oversite. I'd ask. Angela
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	BaadDawg	Dec-08-09, 10:37 AM (CMT)
	2. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	LAST EDITED ON Dec-08-09 AT 11:26 AM (CMT) He already got back to me. He said research shows no difference between once a day or twice a day for migraine prevention.
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	lovegia	Dec-08-09, 10:45 AM (CMT)
	3. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	oh my goodness 25mg increase every other day! man how much of this stuff will you end up taking at the end! my neuro wrote it out for me like this and my pills are 25mg week one one pill at night total mgs: 25 week two one pill morning one pill at night total mgs: 50 week three one pill morning two pills at night total mgs: 75 week four two pills morning two pills at night total mgs: 100 Then back to him for re-evaluation to see how its working after a month of 100mgs. I'm worried for you about side effects of this medication. If you go up that fast you might get whacked with these crazy things. I mean the mental stuff is crazy for me and i'm going up very slowly, let alone some whole days i'm on the couch because of killer leg cramps. I love myself some good exercise and I was a couch potato when I was pregnant so when I started running again I was in a lot of pain with my muscles and nothing compared to the cramps I got from this medication. I'm not saying it will happen to you but if your going up that fast I have a feeling you are more likely to get killer side effects. This stuff is pretty serious and i've read up about it a lot since i've started taking it. I really suggest you talk to your doctor about dosage because it doesn't seem right as i haven't heard of one person yet dosing up as fast as you plan to. Keep us updated and let me know what you are up to and your experiences. Like i said i'm going up much slower than you are and among the leg cramps I get facial, feet and hand tingling and numbness, burning in my toes, overall la-la-land as estre put it in another post, lack of coordination, inability to drive, occasional back pain (which could be caused by other things, i haven't pinned it down yet) and crazy crazy lack of appetite and changes in the way food tastes. Be careful if you are at normal weight or underweight. Make sure to take nutritional supplements. I find a lot of people complain of this at even very low mg doses. I don't eat anything anymore and in the last two weeks alone I have lost about 9 lbs.
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	BaadDawg	Dec-08-09, 11:24 AM (CMT)
	4. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	LAST EDITED ON Dec-08-09 AT 11:25 AM (CMT) No, 25 mgs evey other day for 2 weeks. Not increasing by 25mgs every other day.
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	Chinookgrl	Dec-08-09, 11:43 AM (CMT)
	5. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	Watch water intake as well. Keep up with lots of water to decrease risk of kidney stones. I think my neuro told me 6 glasses a day. I drink a glass as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning one with each meal and then space the last couple. It pretty easy I'm actually thirsty a lot of the time on Topomax. I have also read that potassium can help with the tingling. I don't know if this is true but it is worth a try. Jo
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	lovegia	Dec-08-09, 04:03 PM (CMT)
	6. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	oh oh sorry about that
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kimwa;	Dec-08-09, 09:24 PM (CMT)
7. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
It made all carbonated drinks taste awful to me. Which was a great thing because it made me stop drinking my Cokes and I lost weight.
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kimwa;	Dec-08-09, 09:25 PM (CMT)
8. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
It made all carbonated drinks taste awful to me. Which was a great thing because it made me stop drinking my Cokes and I lost weight.
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	BaadDawg	Dec-11-09, 06:37 PM (CMT)
	9. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	Only 2 people have answered my question about whether they take Topamax once or twice a day for migraine prevention. There must be more than 2 people who read this forum and take this med.
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	mgb	Dec-11-09, 08:05 PM (CMT)
	10. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	Baad, I was on Topamax back in the day when it was very new on the scene for migraine. My dosage was titrated to a max of 200mg/day (that was supposed to be the max therapeutic dose for migraine). I took a single dose at bedtime, since it made me sleepy. On occasion, it would keep me up. It was discountinued due to major neuro-cognative (do-do bird) side effects. Good luck, mgb
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	lovegia	Dec-11-09, 08:47 PM (CMT)
	11. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	maybe you can try to post on http://migrainepage.forumotion.net i dont know how many people still check this one. this forum will be switching over there starting january, so everyone moved over there. you may get more replies.
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	thetsarisa	Dec-11-09, 09:21 PM (CMT)
	12. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	yeah, we are moving toward Forumotion. I tend to be there more often nowadays - I love that I can use emoticons and post piccies so much easier. And see the previous messages while replying as I tend to forget what was written before, and don't have to toggle back and forth anymore. as for Topamax I take it once a day 100mg at night and don't feel any worse for not dividing it into smaller doses. I have to because i would forget to take it otherwise. Risa You re getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
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	lovegia	Dec-11-09, 09:29 PM (CMT)
	13. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	yeah and risa your note at the bottom about being old on this page made me think you could be my gramma. then i saw your picture on the other site and YOU DO NOT LOOK THAT OLD! I just happen to think you haven't been on a rollercoaster in a while LOL!
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	thetsarisa	Dec-12-09, 03:54 AM (CMT)
	14. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	lolol maybe not quite gramma but certainly your momma now that's old enough Risa You re getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
	Remove \| Alert	Edit \| Reply \| Reply With Quote \| Top


	brookelinn14	Dec-13-09, 11:26 AM (CMT)
	15. "RE: Another Topamax Question (Single Dose vs Split Dose)"
	I take 400mg/day 200mg in the morning and 200mg at night. I started like you at 25mg a day and worked my way up very slowly. Be patient with the medication. The side effects are hard at first but they do go away and it has been a great drug for me. It has cut my migraines down by 50%. I was having 6 a week and now I'm down to 3. I've only been on it for 4 months so I'm hoping that it will take cut them down even further. When I first started taking it I was on the generic but the numbness in my face and limbs was making me crazy. After doing some research I found out that the fillers that they put into the generic intensifies the side effects. I switched to the name brand a little over a month ago and am having way less side effects. It's more expensive but for me it's worth it. Good luck, I hope it works for you!
	Remove \| Alert	Edit \| Reply \| Reply With Quote \| Top

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