my wife doesn't believe there have been personality changes coincident with the use of topamax to treat migraines. Because the topamax has helped in the severity of the migraines, she gets defensive and tends to blame all problems on me (I'm no angel but I'm not a devil either). Since I am not the patient, I can't go to the doctor. Any ideas to help? She's currently taking 200mg/day
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Q: How can I convince my wife there are personality changes since she went on Topamax?
Answers (6)
11/23/09 6:52pm
11/25/09 1:08pm
To be honest you can't she will have to see it for herself and experience it. If you bring it up repeatedly it may make her even more defensive. She will see it and others may bring it to light also just try to be patient or even suggest counseling for the two of you not just for her. But trust me no finger pointing and patience is truly needed. Let her, if you can and if she will, pick the counselor. Even though it could have occurred about the same time other things could have impacted it also. Once again be patient.
11/25/09 5:13pm
Why don't you go to the doctor with her and get involved with her care. I am taking 200 mg myself (I previously took 400 mg) and, although I don't think my personality changed, I did have blips in my recall of words occasionally. My husband takes an interest in my health and often goes to the doctor with me. "We are a team," he says. She might enjoy your interest.
11/26/09 6:42pm
Wow, this is familiar. I have suffered horrible migraines for the last 17 years and tried Topamax two years ago. I almost ended up in the pysic ward. Have your wife google this medicine and look at the side effects. I was only able to get help once my parents came for a visit and I drove them around on a sight seeing tour. They were so frightened of my behaviour. I trust my family and was able to look at this and go to my doctor who imedialtyl took me off this medicine. Yes it helped my migraines, how ever just prior to my parents visit, I became violent to my husband by throwing pots at him. He actually had to call the police as I could not calm down. I really thought he was crazy and causing my upset. Some people will have psychotic experiences on this medicine. If your Doctor is aware they will advise your wife. Don't let her not get to see her Dr. Kind Regards, Jodie
11/26/09 11:26pm
My experience with Topamax was very aggravating. I've actually been home bound for the last 3 1/2 months because of daily migraines. We have finally found something that has relieved the daily headaches and lessened the migraines. I gave up Topamax for Depakote! I don't have near the side effects with the Depakote that I had with Topamax.With the Topamax,I had major memory problems. Also when I was just talking,I would see the word or object, but I couldn't get the brain to move it to my mouth to respond verbally. just that side effect alone caused so much aggravation, I would stop talking to people or find other ways to communicate.
You might want to talk to her dr. and explain to him what has been happening. The dr.s do depend on the people closest to the patient to give them feedback. My dr always listens to my husband becase he can get a more objective view on how things are effecting me.
To me, Topamax is not a help, but a hinderance. I'm sure it helps many people, but there are those of us who don't get any benefits,only problems. Please let her dr know so he may be able to come up with solutions or suggestions for the problems. Topamax does cause personality changes. I hope you and your wife find the help you are looking for. There are other things that work just as well or better with out the side effects!
Good luck and Happy Holidays
Tina
11/28/09 6:56pm
I took Topamax for 3 months. The side effects kind of happened slowly so I didn't realize how affected I was until I stopped taking it. I have never had anxiety problems in my life until Topamax. It was awful and did not help my migraines at all. Luckily when I stopped, all the side effects went away.
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Thanks for your response. Here's a question. Since she doesn't see the personality changes now, will she look back at the past couple of years and see them for what they were, or will she still remember everything the way she sees it now on the medication?