Doc's Cluster Headache Journal

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Reduced Topamax Dosage Update

Since my doctor reduced my Topamax dosage I have been doing much better on the complaints I was having.


1. Numbness and or tingling in face, hands and sometimes feet. 
    Seems to have reduced substantially. I have hardly noticed it in the last week or so. 

2. Muscle aches, pains and weakness. Mostly in the hands but also in the feet and legs
    Still kinda weak but not as bad as before I would say.

3. Urge to cough when I draw a deep breath.
    I was hoping this would go away completely but it hasn't and it really worries me. It IS getting better though. I have had one or two days since the drop in dosage that were as bad but mostly I am able to take a deep breath and not cough now.

4. Cloudy urine
    I haven't been checking... It's a gross task. heh.

5. Strange and unpleasant taste/smell in mouth and nostrils
    Doesn't seem as bad.

6. Unusually weak and tired ( I believe more so than before dosage increase but hard to gauge)
    I would say I have more energy.

I also had some lab tests that showed negative for SOMETHING. This hasn't really been explained to me yet, but I assume they wanted to check for some possible negative effect of the drug.

So what about the headaches... sadly yes, I have been feeling them more. Not too badly. But last night I got a cluster twinge and this morning I can feel it again... lurking in there. Its been a good while since I felt "distinct" cluster pain so I am convinced that the Topamax has been "muting" a mild cycle in progress.

Who knows, that may explain some of my "side effects" maybe the fatigue, numbness and weakness were all just what happens in me when I get cluster attacks that are modified by the presents of enough Topamax in my system. Like splash damage in a grenade fight.

Ack! the twinging continues...

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Reduced Dosage On Topamax

As of Yesterday I dropped down to less than half the dose of Topamax I was on before on the advice of my doctor. I and getting some lab work done monday and I assume this is to check for issues that may have been caused by the drug. Routine I am sure when someone starts complaining of such an array of possible side effects.

With the drop in dosage the "muting effect" of the drug on headaches that are bouncing around is already noticeably lessened.

I which I had been able to speak with the doctor but all this was arranged by leaving messages for her assistant. So at this point I really don't know what to expect. I am not really sure what amount of my current symptoms are related to the drug. Its hard for me to discern some times. I don't know how other people can be so sure of such things. I guess they have a clearer understanding of what feeling "normal" is like.

I also wanted to say in regards to my last post and the danger to vision from Topamax. I don't feel like my doctor ever put my vision at risk. I was not aware of the issue and I would have liked to know in case something HAD gone wrong and I needed to get to an emergency room fast and demand they take action. But in fairness the chances of that seem next to impossible to me. She has always crept my dosage up very slowly and I am sure this is one of the reasons why.

As I get to know her I am getting to trust that she is very good at what she does. I just wish that it worked out that I could have better access to her. But its probably BECAUSE she is good that I can't speak with her on the phone and our very rare visits seem so rushed. She is just in demand.