Topamax for migraine

Hi everyone,
I've read the recent postings and thank you for your encouragement. Just so there is no misunderstanding I have had in the last 2 decades: 5 neurologists, 6 general practitioners, four gynecologists, 2 physical therapists and one really great lady who does my waxing, facials and the occasional massage. :) Out of all these "professionals" only the facialist didn't try to "cure" me. I am sick and tired of neurologists who demonize painkillers and GPs who think migraines are just stress. I have decided that I'm sticking to what works for me until an entirely new type of medication comes along. I hope that is sooner rather than later. It is, as another writer testified, demeaning and embarrassing to ask for narcotics. If that is what works and I've taken it for 30 years who am I harming? I have never even seen a street drug, but if you suffer from crippling pain, medical professionals look at you as if you are on a very friendly basis with them. Pain management in this country is reprehensible and our Doctors should be ashamed of themselves for asking patients to pay their fee without alleviating chronic pain. Citizens of other countries are not humiliated in this manner and a patients pain is not considered a side effect of stress or some other ailment but as a disease in itself. You should not be considered an addict because you have pain and are treating it. An addict has her own issues to deal with.
Another possible misunderstanding coming from my first posting is the issue of depression. The Topamax caused the entire psychological breakdown, including the resultant depression/suicidal thoughts. If you read the package insert for Topamax you will clearly see that of the thousand or so people on Topamax during the study 4 became suicidal and one unfortunate soul achieved death. Of those without Topamax there was no incidence of suicide. Since the medication left my bloodstream in mid December, I am not depressed or suicidal, nor am I on anything for suicide or depression. I am really happy I had this site to "vent" on because the entire episode was bewildering and terrifying. I can only say that if Topamax works for you, thats wonderful. Anything that conquers a migraine has its benefits. Mine is a cautionary tale, and that is don't ignore side effects that increase in severity. My doctor advised me that they would go away and they didn't.
Thank you all for listening.

WAKING FROM THE NIGHTMARE - I weaned myself of this medicine against the GPs advice as the side effects eventually became unbearable e.g I hardly slept which my doctor said was a side effect of the drug, when I did sleep I awoke at about 3:00am to a thumping headache. My hair thinned and my skin looked yuk. I've weaned myself off this drug (day14) and thank God I am sleeping again without waking with a headache, my memory has returned and it is so wonderful to be able to not be scared to speak and to finish a sentance without someone else finishing it for me. I was on this drug for 6months and yes my migraines are now just dull headaches so if it was you thank you topamax, but I believe my lifesaver is that for the last 3 months I have been taking 450mg of magnesium and a vitamin B complex tablet and taught myself self hypnosis which I use(thank you Glenn Harrold) each day and yes I have cut out caffeine. I feel in hindsight that this drug took away part of my life as it was hard to feel or have empathy for others - I just did not care! I feel born again!!

I have a young person who threatened suicide shortly after starting this. Got back to normal fast after he got off it. Tried Keppra and the same thing happened. Got off it, got better. Tried Neurontin and the same thing happened, got off it, got better. Turns out they are all related. Really watch these drugs if you are under 21. They can work for some, but for others it can be much worse than the illness they are supposed to help cure. Most of the docs who prescribe them don't have lots of young people in their practice and so don't pay attention to those warning labels. I'm telling you: Pay Attention.