Topiramate side effects. How long?

[G0ldenLeaves]

I posted before about suffering long term with migraines. GP has prescribed Topiramate. Tapered my Amitryptaline down to 30mg and started Topiramate at 25mg last night. Will go up to 50mg next week and then phone GP for review before going to the maintenance dose.
It could be a coincidence but I've woken up this morning feeling awful. Headache, nausea, upset stomach, dizzy etc. All things I get with a migraine anyway so could be that but I'm wondering if it is side effects of the Topiramate while my body adjusts to it. How long does it normally take to adjust to a new medication? I'm wondering if I should have waited until after Christmas to start.

Hi, I've tried to topirimate /topomax a couple of times.

The first time, must have been about 10 years ago. My sense of taste changed, which wasn't too bad. I did find I was so drowsy to start with, it did improve but not to a great extent. I couldn't function properly. I did give it a few weeks but I still couldn't function.

I tried again a few years later but still the same.

I know people though who do tolerate it.

I used to take it for migraines. It gave me pins and needles in my hands and feet at night, and affected my memory. It made me loose weight. It helped a fair bit with migraines but the only thing that stopped them was an injection in the occipital nerve. Then they stopped altogether when I got pregnant with my son and never came back.

Thank you for your replies. I'm not sure if its side effects from starting the Topiramate or just another nasty migraine as I have been waking up with them lately. I have taken Rizatriptan and that has helped with the nausea and some of the pain but I still can't get up and walk without a thumping headache coming back. I suppose I'll know tomorrow if its the Topiramate as I imagine I'll experience more of the same if it is.

Tried this for chronic migraine & cluster headaches under headache clinic at hospital. Broke out in a measles like rash that spread and spread and itched beyond none stop to the point I had a good go at removing my skin in my sleep.
Was advised by hospital to CEASE taking immediately and to never take it again. Just be aware that whilst it can help it may also set off side effects from hell if your sensitive to it.

It doesn't work for everyone, OP . I take a lowish dose - 50mg a day - but had to come down from a higher one because of terrible lethargy and really bad depression. According to the migraine specialist I saw, some people can tolerate really high doses while others simply can't function on it at all. It can take some adjustment to get the right dose.

As PPs say, it may sadly be that you're in the 'can't tolerate' group - but as you've only just started it, could you bear to give it a bit longer?

I've been on it for about 3 years now and it's massively helped my low-grade but seemingly ever-present migraines, which prior to that felt as though I would have to live with forever.

Took about three months to titrate up to 50mg twice a day. It has almost completely stopped my migraines. However, starting the tablets was horrible, pins and needles in my hands, feet and my face. Total lack of appetite, aphasia and generally feeling unwell. However all of these wore off eventually. I hope you start to feel better soon