Tonight I will bump up to 50 mg of Topamax and I am considering staying at that dose through the holidays. The dose changes take so long to adjust to and I’d like to feel better for at least part of the season. My neurologist mentioned that there is a protocol where patients are put on a lowish dose of Topamax for 6 months rather than quickly going up to a higher dose (as it sounds like most people here do). I am wondering if anyone here has tried that or found that a dose of 50mg was enough to give them significant relief? I’m kind of a smallish person (115 pounds and dropping thanks to the loss of appetite – although I really crave pumpkin pie). I am hoping, of course, that a lower dose might help me (and I know we’re all different and I’ll just have to wait and see, but . . . )
Happy Halloween to those who celebrate it!! I’m sure we could come up with some very fitting costumes for the lot of us.
I know of 2 people here who have done that with good results. I would not reccommend it personally, especially if the medication is well toleratied, as the therapeutic dose is 100mg.
Unfort it did nothing for me at that dose. However, I was only on it for two weeks, at 50 mgs. I am now at 125 mg and say I am at about 50 %some days which is amazzzing conpared to where I was. I am going to sit here at this dose for a bit. May or may not go up. I do feel tired most of the day. I hope u get better on topa!
I have been on 50 mg of brand Topamax (I cannot tolerate the generic for some reason) for almost a year… I feel much better ;). I also take Ativan 1 mg if I need it for a bad spinny day , but mostly it’s just the Topa… I have been unable to tolerate an increase although I have tried several times… It brings on asthmatic symptoms for me… For me, my therapeutic dose is 50 mg and I am very happy with the results I have had with this med!!
Thanks Dee. I’m glad to hear you are feeling better on 50! Do you remember how long it took to start to feel better by chance? It has taken me so long to get back to some kind of normal with each dose change that I’m not sure I would know if I were feeling the effects yet.
Mary Lee, I can only tolerate 50 mg of Topamax, but I also take 25 mg of Amitriptyline. I too am a smallish woman… I don’t know if that has anything to do with the fact that I cannot tolerate large dosages of medicines. I have to throw this in… I typically feel awful this time of year when fall allergies kick in. MAV + Allergies is just too much! This year I started Singular (which is finally available in generic) coulpled with generic Zantac. I have not felt this well since before MAV kicked in in 2009. I’m crossing my fingers, because I am feeling SUPER… I may be able to do something wild, like go for a hike in the mountains!!!
Best wishes figuring out your dose… maybe you need a combo. Take care!
I saw my neurologist this week. I’m going to make my way up to 75 mg of Topamax then I’ll stay there. My body is tired from going through all the dose changes. My biggest trigger is driving and I haven’t been cleared to drive far enough to see what happens so the big test will be after I’m more stable at 75 mg. and try driving with my husband. I’m cautiously optimistic, and so ready to get my new normal!
and I’m glad to hear that it has worked for some.