Hi everyone. I"m new to all this so I'm sure I'm counting on all of you to guide me through the process. I've been been dealing with transformed migraines (daily) for the past two years. I've been taking 100 mg of Topamax daily for a year and since having a hysterectomy in May, I have been migraine free. My Neuro. recommended that I try to wean off the Topamax since he now feels the migraines were hormone induced. Well, long story short, I cut back by 25 mg since the 24th and was hit by a major headache last nite! Not what I needed. After two years of being in migraine torment, I was finally feeling like my old self again.
My questions to everyone one is this; has anyone experienced migraines while trying to wean off Topamax? This one surprised me since I had been doing so well. I have been doing great on this preventative. The only side effects I have is the tingling in my hands and feet and the messed up taste buds.
If this is normal, I can handle it. If not, then I guess I'd rather stay on the meds than have to go through migraine hell again. I'll deal with the side effects.
Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!
Transformed Migraine(TM) is no fun at all, and I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with those. Maybe this information will help you. Do you take something every day, like over-the-counter and/or prescriptions? Here's why I ask, medication overuse been shown to be a factor in 80% of cases of transformed Migraine. Stopping the medication overuse is key to stopping the transformed Migraine. You can read more about this in Stopping Medication Overuse Can Halt Transformed Migraine.
But here's the scoop: Migraine is a genetic neurological disease caused by overactive neurons in our brains and genetics. A Migraine attack is triggered by various things hormones being one of them. Other things that can trigger an attack include certain foods, dehydration, changes in sleeping patterns and changes in barometric weather pressure. We have a great Ask the Clinician question regarding the hormone question, you can read about in this question.
Role of hormones in causing Migraines?
Topamax is a medication that needs to be tapered off slowly, I'm sorry you are having trouble with it. You can read information about tapering Topamax on our Topamax Profile page. The symptoms you mention are common in Topamax, tingling in fingers and changes in taste.
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Welcome again,
Nancy Bonk
MyMigraineConnection.com Community Manager
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