Ive had headaches for years. My doctor suggested topmax. Im going to try that even though I get migraine/cluster headaches 2-3x /year. I'll have to take topomax 50 mg 2x a day everyday. Even when Im symptom free because when it hits - it hits like a ton of bricks and the headache doesnt go away. I take vicodin, aleve, butylbalbital....I think its allergies (I do have allergies) it could be sinusitis- Im going for allergy shots now, everyweek, take nasonex, maybe zyrtec (tried zytal seems to have severe side effects). i suffer from side effects so i have to find medicine that doesnt have side effects and I usually do.
Im a trial lawyer with 2 kids (one with autism). Ive been suicidal- too many problems that seem to be insurmountable. But im a fighter and i have to fight for my kids.
I think I have to be attentive to the problems even when Im synptom free which can be for 6 months. Im just sick of it. I found that Relpax is the only thing that kills the headache. Although right now its not killing the headache. I think it has to do with stress from other people. My research into Topomax was interesting because it says it reduces bicorbanate levels which can be from hyperventilating. I smoke quickly (started 5 years ago from working for bad lawyers). So I basically hyperventilate when i smoke which could raise bicarbonate which Topomax could lower.
Im actually in a "good" work situation now but you always have the stress. And you even have the stress from your own family - my brother a good friend who seems to not have worked out his issues.
It seems like life is a delicate balance and sometimes Im not attentive to the balance.
So I have to take Relpax when needed(have to fight Aetna because of course they wont cover it), take klonipin when needed, take nasonex everyday even when no allergies, take zyrtec(tried zytal severe side effects no), drink poland spring water, get my prescriptions tomorrow, deal with my migraine/cluster? headaches, get through tomorrow(friday), get through till vacation next week, get through the holidays and....
Anyway, does anyone have similar problems Id love to hear from you?
I was a high-powered transaction lawyer before my head made me quit. Mine are still daily, but better. I've got one child. He's now 21 and off at college (yay!), and he's turned into a pleasant, responsible adult in spite of having a mom in daily pain.
Topamax isn't the only drug out there. By all means, try it if you want to. Many antidepressants are great headache preventives. I'm currently taking Effexor, both for my head and for my Major Depression. Two birds with one stone. I've never been suicidal, but I've been in periods where I'd stay in bed for days. Migraines and depression tend to feed off each other. My head pain is easier to handle when my mood meds are balanced, and my depression is better when my head pain isn't so severe.
Gretchen