Hi Rob,
Topomax is a medicine used for migrain headaches. I have not heard about using for muscles. My husband took for his migraines and the first two – three weeks he as fine. He was to slowly increase dosage and as he did this, he became confused and acrually could not find his way home from my daughter’s house threee miles away. We stopped thge medicine as this is a side effect.

hi rob. ive never taken topomax, but came to your thread to see what you have found out, and also to offer you my best wishes. if you are ever curious about any meds, there is a website called drugs.com that is very helpful. im a nurse, and that is the one i was taught to use in nursing school. my pharmacist/biologist/chemist/endocrinologist professor uses it as big part of his pharmacology class. you can look as a patient or as a healthcare professional. it costs nothing. the “patient” listing is easier to understand. the “professional” part uses medical terminology and seems more informative. it includes everything about the med – dose, how long it takes to work (onset), how long it works (duration), all uses, side effects, etc. if you have drug questions or are prescribed a new med, i strongly recommend checking out the website. keep in mind that some meds have “good side effects” that the docs have recognized and now use the drug for that purpose, although the drug has not been authorized to be sold with the claim that it is used to treat that specific symptom. for example, there is a drug called lamictal that is used to treat seizures but doc noticed it has this great side effect of improving mood and concentration. so now docs use it for that purpose although is not listed as a treatment for those conditions in the drug references. (just fyi- lamictal is a good drug, but it has horrid side effects. sorry-has nothing to do with you, but cant bring myself to mention that med without giving the heads-up)

I took it for migraines. I took a very small dose and really liked it. Even though I was somewhat “spacey” — this was the price I had to pay to not have headaches. I know some people have HORRIBLE forgetfullness problems — however, I did not experience this. It was worth it for me! AND I lost a few lbs. Its an appetite supressant:D I got off of it as soon as I felt it was safe to stop taking it — but wouldnt hesitated to begin it again if I needed it.

I took Topamax for my mirgraines. When I was on in the hospital battling IVIG treatments my dr. put me on 200mg and I was on that til just recently. I am now taking Verapamil.

I started taking Topamax when Neurontin stopped working for me. It did not do me any good so I went back to Neurontin and I guess the two week vacation from Neurontin did the trick as the medicine began working for me again. I’m lucky now that I do not need Neurontin anymore. Now when I feel pain, I take Tylenol, Naprasin (sp?) or Vicodin, depending on the level of pain. I also take life easy. I try very hard not to do too much in a day. When I’m tired, I sit down and usually fall asleep!! 😀

I was prescribed Topamax for a seizure disorder. I couldn’t think, remember, and had trouble talking…a nightmare of a prescription! (I didn’t have any seizures though). I had to have the prescription changed to Tegretol.

I was prescribed topamax for neuropathic pain. It didn’t help my pain and the side effects I experienced from it were interfering with my work.
For muscle relaxation I take 5mg of flexaril twice a day.
Sometimes a bacolofen pump can be more effective than taking it by mouth.
Good luck!

I have been taking 275mg in the evenings of topamax, for all the ailments listed above, but also only take them in the night for their sedative effect !
Good luck, and check the small print! Jo Marie

I have been taking 275mg in the evenings of topamax, for all the ailments listed above, but also only take them in the night for their sedative effect !
Good luck, and check the small print! Jo Marie

I also get sever muscle cramps, but not to the extent that you do. My husband has terrible charlie horses & often we take a tsp. of mustard for both of these ailments. It seems to immediately settle my muscles down. I do realize that this is not something to be used for as often as you have it though…

I take qualiquin. The fda pulled the generic version of the drug. It is expensive but does work.

Hi Rob-the spasms sound awful. I hope you find something that works for you. My physiatrist told me he would consider topomax for my nerve pain only if nothing else worked-said it is not considered very effective generally but has helped some people. Work closely with your doctor and make sure you find something that really works-only way to tell might be to try it for yourself. Best of luck. Jeff

Hi Rob,
A few years ago, I was having SEVERE muscle spasms, contractures, and cramps. I used to be able to just lay in bed, and watch the muscles in my legs “dance” under the skin, which were very painful. My toes would also curl under, also very painful.
So, my doctor put me on Flexeril 10mg three times daily. I took it for a couple of days, and it just wasn’t quite enough.
So, he added a lose dose of Valium with it, 2mg three times daily.
THAT worked. And I have been on it ever since, only rarely now getting any spasms.
Perhaps it might help you?
KEDASO
(Ken)

Hi Rob,

Glad the Lyrica is working for you or seems to be! I use to take Lyrica but now take Topamax for the pain in my legs. I changed for a couple of reasons one being price and one being the side effect of weight gain from the Lyrica. The Topamax seem to work ok for me and the price here in Australia is only $5 a month for me whereas the Lyrica was about $120/month. It is a real trial and error thing as what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another.

Best wishes
Debbie

I took Topamax for migraines. It worked beautifully, but I also took Neurontin at that time, so it was all I could do to keep my eyes open! I had to give up the Topamax- have to priorotize your meds:rolleyes:

I have never taken Topamax, but my cousin was given it for seizures and had to stop taking it because of side effects. A friend of my daughter took Topamax for migraines and ended up with Addisons Disease which she believes was brought on by taking that drug. As with any drug, do some research. I am sure many people take it with no side effects, but you should be aware of what they might be.

As for your muscle cramps, I have found that vitamin B12 helps me a lot. I take a 1000 mcg time released tablet once a day. Also, the muscle relaxant Flexeril, which Ken mentioned, works well too. I have taken that a few times in the past and it has very few side effects.

Good Luck

[QUOTE=rshaw]Greetings,

I was hoping to hear back from anyone taking TOPAMAX for muscle spasms or nerve pain. My doctor is suggesting it for my muscle spasms. Baclofen is not helping much anymore and valium has helped in the past is not now!

My muscle spasms are more like muscle contractions. Almost every evening one of my legs contract every 18 seconds. They tighten up and curl inward???

Please help me. If you are taking, how much and how often and what are your side effects and is it helping.

Thank you for your reply,

Rob[/QUOTE]
Hi Rob,
I have taken Zanaflex for several years for muscle spasm. I have MS and hubby has CIDP. My neurologist prescribes it more than Baclofen these days.
Laurel

I’m taking 50 mg twice a day, but it proscribed by my neurologist off label for weight loss. I have noticed that it has helped my hand tumbling and I have lost some weight. 🙂 It hasn’t done anything for the pain, but I’m only a sample size of one and the dosage is low.

I thought your post was titled “Anyone taking TAMPAX?” I think I need my eyes checked, LOL.

I Googled topamax & Wiki had a good explanation. Here is the link: [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topiramate[/url]

And here is the text:
Topiramate (brand name Topamax) is an anticonvulsant drug produced by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics and Noramco, Inc., both being divisions of Johnson & Johnson. Generic versions are available in Canada and were FDA approved in September 2006 . Mylan Pharmaceuticals was recently granted final approval for generic topiramate 25, 100, and 200 mg tablets and sprinkle capsules by the FDA for sale in the US. 50 mg tablets were granted tentative approval. It was discovered in 1979 by Drs. Bruce E. Maryanoff and Joseph F. Gardocki during their research work in McNeil Pharmaceutical.

This drug is used to treat epilepsy in both children and adults. In children it is also indicated for treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and developmental delay). It is also Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for, and now most frequently prescribed for, the prevention of migraines. It has been used by psychiatrists to treat bipolar disorder, although it is not FDA approved for this purpose. This drug has been investigated for use in treatment of obesity, especially to aid in the reduction of binge eating, and also as a possible treatment for alcoholism. However, these uses are not actively promoted by the manufacturer, and like its use for bipolar disorder, are off-label uses.

The drug is also used in clinical trials to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A pilot study suggests that Topiramate is possibly effective against infantile spasms. A study by Harvard recommends topiramate as an effective treatment in the prevention of Periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants after an hypoxic-ischemic injury. In May 2006 the U.S. National Institutes of Health web site clinicaltrials.gov listed several studies sponsored by Ortho-McNeil which propose to examine the use of topiramate on migraine, cluster, and severe headaches within various demographics. Other off-label and investigational uses of topiramate include: treatment of bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, treatment of alcoholism, smoking cessation, Pseudotumor Cerebri, and treatment of neuropathic pain.

Chemically, topiramate is a sulfamate-substituted monosaccharide, related to fructose, a rather unusual chemical structure for an anticonvulsant.

Topiramate is quickly absorbed after oral use. Most of the drug (70%) is excreted in the urine as unchanged drug. The remainder is extensively metabolized by hydroxylation, hydrolysis, and glucuronidation. Six metabolites have been identified in humans, none of which constitutes more than 5% of an administered dose.

Topiramate enhances GABA-activated chloride channels. In addition, topiramate inhibits excitatory neurotransmission, through actions on kainate and AMPA receptors. There is evidence that topiramate has a specific effect on GluR5 kainate receptors. It is also an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, particularly subtypes II and IV, but this action is weak and unlikely to be related to its anticonvulsant actions, but may account for the bad taste and the development of renal stones seen during treatment. Its possible effect as a mood stabilizer seems to occur before anticonvulsant qualities at lower dosages. Topiramate inhibits maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures as well as partial and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures in the kindling model, findings predictive of a broad spectrum of activities clinically.

Its action on mitochondrial permeability transition pores has been proposed as a mechanism.

It also is a sodium channel blocker.

A GlaxoSmithKline-sponsored Phase IV (post-marketing) study suggested that cognitive side effects may be more common with topiramate than with lamotrigine.[24] In studies of healthy volunteers, comparing the two medications, therapeutic doses of topiramate for bipolar disorder produced greater cognitive deficits than lamotrigine, including short term memory loss and word-finding difficulty. This effect has led to the occasional use of the name “dopamax” by some dissatisfied customers. A flat affect was reported in > 75% patients (n=60).

Continued….

The Following side effects have been seen during clinical trials of topamax in preventing frequently recurring migrainnes: The most often reported effects were: tiredness, pins and needles in the fingers and toes, dizziness, lowered sense of feeling in the skin, difficulty with language, nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion, dry mouth, weight lost, decrease in appetite, drowsiness, forgetfulness, difficulty with concentration or attention, difficulty in sleeping (insomnia), anxiety, mood swings, depression, changes in taste and vision disorders.

General: Rarely, blood clots have occurred in patients given topamax. However, it has not been proven that these were caused by this medicine. Rarely, blurring of vision and eye pain have been reported. Rarely and mostly in children, reduced sweating has occurred, mainly during exercise or in warm conditions. If someone taking Topamax becomes flushed or overheated, they should relax in a cool place and drink plenty of water. Very rarely, drug withdrawal convulsions (fits) have been reported.

Rarely, the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase may be strong enough to cause metabolic acidosis of clinical importance.

The side-effects most frequently leading to discontinuation of therapy with topiramate were:
* Psychomotor slowing (4.1%)
* Memory problems (3.3%)
* Fatigue (3.3%)
* Confusion (3.2%)
* Somnolence (3.2%)

The side-effects reported by > 10% of subjects in at least 1 clinical study[25] Listed by prevalence: (*indicates placebo rate [%] is the same or higher than side-effect rate)
* headache (23.8%) *[25.9%]
* paresthesia (numbness & tingling) (23.1%)
* upper respiratory tract infection (17.5%)
* diarrhea (16.8%)
* nausea (15.4%)
* somnolence (15.4%) *[16.1%]
* anorexia (loss of appetite) (13.3%) *[5.6%]
* insomnia (11.9%) *[11.2%]
* memory problems (11.2%)
* dizziness (10.5%) *[10.5]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notification alerting physicians who prescribe topiramate, and their patients, to the risk of vision loss (blindness). Acute myopia and secondary angle closure glaucoma, in a small subset of patients who take topiramate regularly, may cause transient (reversible), or permanent, loss of vision. The symptoms, which typically begin in the first month of use, include blurred vision and eye pain. If addressed early in its course, discontinuation of topiramate, along with other measures deemed prudent by the prescribing physician and/or ophthalmologist, may halt the progression of the ocular damage, and may reverse the visual impairment. Patients who take topiramate and who feel pain in or around their eyes, or notice a loss of vision, visual acuity, or blurred vision, are advised to seek consultation with their physician as soon as reasonably possible. According to the FDA: “in more than 825,000 patients…As of August 17, 2001 there have been 23 reported cases: 22 in adults and 1 in pediatric patients. It is generally recognized that postmarketing data are subject to substantial under-reporting.”

Another serious side-effect is the development of osteoporosis in adults and children (bones affected break more easily) and rickets (abnormal, deformed growth of bones) in children. Topiramate may also slow the growth of children. All of these conditions should be detected early by performing regular clinical examinations of the patients.

In other postmarketing research, a risk of decreased sweating and hyperthermia was discovered. Pediatric patients (children) are especially prone to this side-effect. It is recommended that children treated with topiramate should be monitored closely for evidence of decreased sweating and increased body temperature, especially in hot weather. All patients, particularly those with other predisposing factors, should be instructed to maintain an adequate fluid intake in order to minimize the risk of kidney stone formation.

Preliminary data suggests that, as with several other anti-epileptic drugs, topiramate carries an increased risk of congenital malformations. This might be particularly important for women who take topiramate to prevent migraine attacks.

Interactions
* As topiramate inhibits carbonic anhydrase, the concomitant use of other inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase (e.g. acetazolamide) may lead to an increased risk of renal stones.
* Enzyme inductors (e.g. carbamazepine): The elimination of topiramate may be increased, possibly requiring dose escalations of topiramate.
* Phenytoin: Topiramate may increase the plasma-levels of phenytoin.
* Topiramate itself is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C19 and induces CYP3A4. Under topiramate a decrease of plasma-levels of estrogens (e.g. ‘the pill’) and digoxin have been noted.
* Alcohol may cause increased sedation or drowsiness, and increase the risk of having a seizure.
* As listed in the 06/29/2005 label posted at the Drugs@FDA website page 14,’conditions or therapies that predispose to acidosis may be additive to the bicarbonate lowering effects of Topiramate’. Absent from this label is any direct discussion of narcotic (drugs known to promote respiratory acidosis) interactions. This discussion on page 14 is under the topic of Metabolic Acidosis, and is not repeated under the topic of interactions.
* Oligohydrosis and hyperthermia were reported in post-marketing reports about topiramate, antimuscarinic drugs (like trospium) can aggravate these disorders.

In order to avoid early side-effects (e.g. cognitive dysfunction) the initial dosage normally is low and increased in slow steps. The usual initial dosage is 25 to 50 mg daily in 2 single doses. Recommended increments are 25 to 50mg every 1 or 2 weeks. Common dosages for maintenance treatment are 100 to 200 mg daily. The highest dosage possible is 1,000 mg daily in divided doses.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include but are not limited to:
* Seizures
* Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness
* Agitation
* Depression
* Speech problems
* Blurred vision, double vision
* Troubled thinking
* Loss of coordination
* Inability to respond to things around you
* Loss of consciousness
* Confusion and coma
* Fainting
* Upset stomach and stomach pain
* Loss of appetite and vomiting
* Excessive hunger
* Shortness of breath; fast, shallow breathing
* Pounding or irregular heartbeat
* Muscle weakness
* Bone pain

A specific antidote is not available. Treatment is entirely symptomatic.

Hope that helps,
Kelly

Kelly!!! I read that! ROFL! You had me almost fall out of my chair! I’m laughing so hard I am in tears! 😀 Great info on the Topomax! Almost spelled it wrong!

[QUOTE=rshaw]Thanks for your replies,

Laurel, How much zanaflex do you take and how often? I tried it twice before, samples from my doctor, low dose for only a month??? Didn’t work.

Jim, thanks for your reply on Topamax.

Kelly, thanks for the info, I’m scared!

Take the rest of the day off,

Rob[/QUOTE]
Hi Rob,
I take 4 mg. up to three times a day. I usually only need 4 mg. after I have been on the three doses for a couple of days to keep my muscle spasms at bay. It can make you quite dopey at first.
Laurel

Rob,

Sorry i havent replied to your post earlier but i dont read the website too often. I have been taking topamax for about 12-18 months now and have found only one side effect that being initially some drowsiness until you get use to it. I take 50mg twice a day and it has helped with the pain in my legs. The pain has not gone but it has made it bearable. I tried to stop it a while back and did not realise how much my legs still hurt so i continue to take it each day.
Hope this helps your decision making.
Best wishes from South Australia
Debbie

Hi Rob,

Ben was taking Topamax for migraines, but had to switch back to Verapamil due to side effects. However, he has bad spasms and cramping too, for which he takes both Mirapex and Baclofen.

Shannon

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Shannon my wife Debra was prescribed Topamax as a migraine prevention med, she had horrible migraines beforehand. I remember the Drs tried her on several meds like Axert, & several others. But the migraines always came back & they were so bad I had to cover all the windows up to block out the light. Shortly after going on the Topamax, her migraines stopped she only suffered from one migraine afterwards. But meds vary they may help one person & another person they may not help at all. But it did help help my wife ![/FONT]

Hi Terry!

The Topamax helped with Ben’s migraines, but it messed with his CO2 levels. He has so many complex issues though that nothing’s ever an easy answer with him. I’m sure Debra was the same way. 🙁

–Shannon