Neurontin (Gabapentin) instead of Topamax

Nicky,

So glad to hear you've gotten some relief with Neurontin. It was the most effective med I've tried for my chronic daily tension headaches, but like everything else I've tried, it only helped for a month or two. I tried it again several months ago, hoping it would be effective again, but no luck. My neurologist has now taken me off of Topamax, unsatisfied with the results (some improvement in severity, but still daily pain). We're trying Lyrica, which I understand is in the same class as Neurontin -- so far, as much relief as with the Topamax, but without the side effects. I see my doc again in a couple of weeks, and I'm guessing she'll want to increase my Lyrica dosage. (Actually, I'll suggest it and she'll likely agree, if it's medically OK -- One of the reasons I like my doc so much is that she respects me as a full partner in fighting these headaches and always takes my suggestions/ideas into full consideration -- pretty rare for a neurologist, I think!!)

The weight loss from Topamax is a nice side effect, isn't it? I lost most of the weight I put on while on high doses of amitryptaline. I'm now on a low dose of it (25mg/day) and Lyrica, and so far haven't put on any additional weight -- but until the amitryptaline, I was a "naturally skinny" person who had never had weight problems, so I don't know that my experience is typical. But for me, trading pounds for pain relief would be an easy decision!

Hope things keep working out well for you!

Baseball mom,

There's been a lot of discussion of Topamax on this board -- a search will turn up lots of people's experiences. Many people get good results -- I wouldn't be surprised if it's the first drug of choice for most headache doctors. The issue for most patients is the side effects. I was pretty fortunate to have minimal side effects, but others on this board have had much more severe problems. As you get feedback, I'd suggest remembering that people who have negative side effects are more likely to post (and be adamant) about their experiences than people who have been helped a lot -- if your headaches stop with minimal side effects, why spend time at a headache forum??!

Each individual patient has a different reaction to this (and other) drugs. You won't know how it will affect you (positively or negatively) until you try it -- the experiences of others is only somewhat helpful. I was pretty apprehensive about trying it, but really didn't have major problems and had some good results (although they didn't last). The most important thing to remember with Topamax is to start with a low dose and increase it slowly, allowing your body to get used to the drug and overcome the side effects. Also, Topomaz can take 3 or more months to reach its full effectiveness (and that's after you reach your target dose), so you have to be patient with it. My neurologist swears by it, although it was her idea to take me off of it when it wasn't working anymore.

Memory and kidney stones were my biggest side effects. The memory thing was only a minor annoyance for me (although some people have SERIOUS problems with this, especially if they increase the dosage too fast. My kidney stones were mostly controllable by drinking large quantities of water -- the only serious problem I had with them was when I was under-hydrated for several weeks while traveling in very high altitudes. But if you already have kidney stones, you may want to talk with your urologist, as well as your neurologist, before starting on Topomax.

Best of luck

Topamax: I am up to 400mg daily, which is twice the recommended dosage for migraine preventative. I have occasional issues with memory and have a family history of kidney stones- so I have had them 3 times now. Unfortunately, I have had the discussion with my specialist that I would have to make a decision here to knowingly subject myself to a higher frequency of kidney stones than the frequency and severity of migraine pain. I have to say that Topamax is the only preventative that has made a significant difference and that is how I ended up on twice the dosage. My doc and I have discussed changing and trying an alternative when I get a bad episode (far less frequently than pre-topamax days), but I really can't imagine anything making this much of a difference.

Pain Medications: I have seen several doctors and the have all been very scared to prescribe narcotics. I get frustrated with the fact that if this was a broken leg that they could x-ray, or something tangible they would have no problem "seeing" the pain and believing it. But, since migraine is something that they can not see or touch it really doesn't seem to exist. If this were cancer, would they not treat it just because they were scared to prescribe necessary medication? I just don't think that anyone should suffer, and try to carry on daily activities all while trying to pretend to be "normal" and "ok" just because the ones that are licensed are overly cautious.

ok, well...that's my complaint of the day! Gotta be thankful for what I do have and not focus on what I don't.

I am now going through my worst silent migraine ever attack ,in my 4th week and have extra bonus symptoms of aching joints and heavy arm on one side, although it alternates throughout the day, i am getting so fed up of it all and cant seem to get the right medication. i have just started taking Gabapentin from yesterday, not noticed anything yet but i am hoping it doesn't go on for much longer it is really getting me down. Does anyone else have aching muscles and joints, it lasts the same length of time as the parethesia and alternates with it too so i know it is migraine related. When will it stop !!!