Topamax and Exercise

I've just begun taking Topamax for migraines I've been having almost daily for 3 years. I am only on 25 mg right now, but will increace slowly over time... My question is with regard to exercise... Can anyone who is on a higher dose help me know what to expect when exercising? I work out almost daily, mostly cardio, and wonder what you all have experienced as you increaced your dose of Topamax, and if you were able to keep up your work out regimen or not. I really appreciate your help!
Any other tips on taking Topamax would also be welcome! =)

jessie F/27
Rx:Topamax/Doxycycline/NuvaRing/Magnesium supplement

jessie,

i am currently up too 100 mgs of topamax and i am a runner training for a 5k. my stamina does seem to be lower, i am having a harder time running for long periods but to be honest i also have asthma and its cold, could be that. I truly think it's the topamax though. a side effect is overheating and lack of sweating so i make sure i have a full bottle of cold water before i begin my run.

my left leg has the "pins & needles" too, it's weird but i've learned to deal with it, it only happens when i run. i don't regret one day of going on topamax, it has helped me that much. my ocular migraines were getting worse and i kept getting more and more auras like numb limbs, severe vertigo(i couldn't walk w/out using the wall), severe nausea and then the "PAIN".

i hope you find relief. feel free to ask question about topamax, i think there are quite a few of us here that either have been on it or are currently using it.

Hi Jessie -

I've been on Topamax for 3 mos now, was at 50 mg, now at 75 mg per day, I'm on it more for minor seizures, but it helps with the headaches I did get. I take it all at night. I don't have a strict regimen of working out, but I do an incline treadmill 3 - 4 times a week for 30 minutes a day and haven't noticed too much difference. Like Kanani said the pins and needles thing will come and go every once in a while, but you get used to it.

Good luck

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I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.
  Author: Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924), 28th U.S. President

I have been taking Topamax for 3 years now.   I can definately say that Topamax has had an impact on my stamina.  I truely don't know why, though.  I wish someone could explain it to me.  I guess with the drug you are less likely to sweat and get overheated. But, if you are in good shape that should not account for the kind of fatigue I have experienced.  I really think it is more than that.  It feels like to me that there is a blood pressure issue when you are running and doing vigourous cardiovascular excercise.  It feels as if there is not enough oxygen getting to your all of your vital organs or something.   It also feels as if you are totally out of shape and cannot take even one deep breath for several minutes.  Hills are nearly impossible for me these days.   But, I am a serious runner.  I run about 70K a week.  I cannot catch my breath.  I am always winded.  It is more than needing a little water and being over heated.  I know this because I have used to run in the desert everyday.  I was constantly needing a little water and overheated.  I really didn't feel like that.  It was a very different feeling.   This feeling is a tightness in my chest and throat.  Almost as if you have a chest cold. 

There was a period of four months, however,  when I wasn't taking the drug.  I was running faster and I had so much stamina.  The problem was that I had migraines.   The good news was that my lungs and cardiovascular system was not actually out of shape because within days of discontinuing the drug I noticed a huge difference in my stamina.  Unfortunately, however, when I started taking the drug again the problem returned immediately.  So, again I think it has to be the way that the blood carries the oxygen to the lungs or something like that.  Maybe not it just seems that way to me.  It seems that would be the only way that the lungs could respond so quickly once I discontinued the medication over the summer and then reacted so negatively again when I started taking the medicine again.  I obviously am no doctor here I am just saying how the medicine impacts my ability to excercise. 

I obviously am also still taking the drug so the benefits for me are still there.  I wish I didn't need anything but noone is perfect I suppose.  My only advice about the drug is to start very slowly and maybe you will not notice how it slows you down.

The other thing is the dosage that you take.  I take a higher than normal dose.  At a lower dose, you may not be as bothered by the side effects.  Good luck! Hope that helps!

just a thought, exercise and birthcontroll both can cause migraines...

When I was on topamax, i tired fast. Plus, exercise gave me a migraine.
Docs suggest swimming to reduce the chance of migraine.
Good luck to you.
ANG

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DX-Migraines:Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome:Kidney stones: IBS:Ulcers:Depression/Anxiety:Non-Epileptic Seizures:Buldging Disc:Joint pain

Surgeries- two jaw surgeries, appendectomy, numerous lap. surgeries, cyst removal

Meds: Lexapro 20mg, Klonopin 1mg, Trazodone 50mg

(PRN- Imitrex INJ, Pherergan, Stadol NS, DiaStat, Rantidine, Zanaflex)

May God give you a reason to smile today, an extra reason to laugh, and bring joy to your soul.