chinacat Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hey, kiddies, some of you may know me from around these parts--among other interesting Batshit dx's, I am BPII and take Tegretol. I am also a pharmaceutical nightmare, as I have weird, often opposite reactions to stuff. I canot touch any of the AAP's, or compazine, etc.--they give me EPS side effects you wouldn't believe. So did LSD, which apparently shares a molecule with those AAP/Compazine critters--life is sad. (which is why I take Tegretol--hard to find a good mood stablilizer these days that doesn't make me whackier--) That being said, I also have killer sinus migraines--not often,but enough to put my ass in the dirt when one hits (usually weather-related) I am wondering now about Topamax - if I can swap the mood-stablizing effects I get from the Tegretol and take Topamax, effectively killing 2 birds, etc. Anyone take Topamax for BP who also has migraines?? Read thru all the info I can find, and it appears that that nasty little molecule that fucks me up is not in Topamax, but I am interested in anyone else's experiences with it, as well as its effects on migraines (Think I may post this on both boards--I can do that, can't I??) Write early and often-- china Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SashaSue Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hey China - I take topamax for BP and, happily, haven't had a migraine since I started it last spring. Topamax works really well for me for dealing with some specific, obsessive, ragey kind of stuff, but I wouldn't want to depend on it as my only mood stabilizer. If the tegretol is working for you for mood stabilization, why not try adding a low dose of topa for migraine prevention, rather than switching altogether? Sasha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddy Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I take 400 mgs of topamax a day divided into 4 doses. I used to have a lot of sinus migraines that would put me out for days during the summer but they decreased at 200 mgs / 4 doses per day. Decreased more at the 300 mgs / 4 doses per day and haven't noticed any at the 400 mgs / 4 doses per day that I take now. I take topamax for the seizure control but it works really well for my moods. So anything else that it does is just a bonus. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nalgas Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 So did LSD, which apparently shares a molecule with those AAP/Compazine critters--life is sad. [...] Read thru all the info I can find, and it appears that that nasty little molecule that fucks me up is not in Topamax I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to, since each of the meds/drugs is a distinct molecule itself. What they do have in common, though, at least the AAPs and LSD/psilocybin/etc. is that they all act on the same serotonin receptor subtype (5-HT2A). The difference is that the AAPs do the exact opposite thing to it compared to what stuff like LSD does. The hallucinogens are 5-HT2A agonists and activate it, while the AAPs (and a few other things) are antagonists and block it. As far as I can remember from what I've read, none of the ACs affect it at all in either way, including Topamax and Tegretol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazynotstupid Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 First of all--I couldn't see where an AC and an AAP would have any relationship. Topamax is rx'ed for migraines. It's marketed for it, so I think it's even FDA approved for that (soemone correct me if I'm wrong) whereas for mood stabilization it's still off-label. If you want to try a two-fer, go for it. Just remember that it can be quite picky on the mood stabilization front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CER Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Topamax is rx'ed for migraines. It's marketed for it, so I think it's even FDA approved for that (soemone correct me if I'm wrong) whereas for mood stabilization it's still off-label. If you want to try a two-fer, go for it. Just remember that it can be quite picky on the mood stabilization front. You are correct. It's FDA approved for migraines (which is why I'm taking it), but prescribed off-label as a mood stabilizer too. The mood stabilization is a hit or miss thing though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nalgas Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 It's FDA approved for migraines (which is why I'm taking it), but prescribed off-label as a mood stabilizer too. It's actually used more for migraines at this point than for anything else, from what I was reading a few weeks ago, with that even passing its use for seizures, which is what it's been approved and used for longest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinacat Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Maddy--GREAT news. And so glad someone understands about sinus migraines. I have appt with pdoc who rx's drugs on Thurs., and will talk to him. I really don't want to ADD any thing else to the mix, just hoped I could replace the Tegretol with the Topamax. I don't have major rages, mania, etc. but I do get what I refer to as "drive-by mixed states" which, tho nasty, come and go pretty quickly, fortunately. Usually it takes 2 Klonopin to put the brakes on one of those. They don't happen offen--maybe once every couple of months--since I have been on this particular coctail. Guess the best I can do is maybe do a slow switch, and watch what happens?? Anything to keep those nasty sinus migraines (2 in the last week) at bay. They truly bring me to my knees, and I am incapacitated for the whole day, usually. I'd almost rather have a quicky mixed state, if I can keep from doing things like destroying my smoke detector with a hammer like I did one time. Anything that would help with BOTH would be truly wonderful. From Nalgas--"at least the AAPs and LSD/psilocybin/etc. is that they all act on the same serotonin receptor subtype (5-HT2A). The difference is that the AAPs do the exact opposite thing to it compared to what stuff like LSD does. The hallucinogens are 5-HT2A agonists and activate it, while the AAPs (and a few other things) are antagonists and block it. " Verrry Interesting, it must be the SR subtype thing that gives me the side-effects, which is weird if the AAP's act opposite from the hallucinogens. But maybe--either too much or too little of the 5-HT2A gives me the EPS side effects, cause they are exactly alike--the side effects, I mean. Thanks for your pharmo-chemical expertise--any ideas why I have the same side effects to both? I really did love taking pharmacology in nursing school--the chemistry of meds, etc. So its great to know the real scoop--I was so excited to figure out there was some conection, but I really didn't know what--just called it a "common molecule" So now I know better, but am even more curious. I am truly a pharmacueutical mystery--but thanks, guys, for your help-- Write if you find work, as my granny used to say-- china Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddy Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Chinacat - Keep in mind it's a crapshoot on the MS thing. It doesn't work for most people. I'm lucky that it does and honestly I take it for the seizures FIRST and foremost. The mood stabilization is just a bonus as is the migraine suppression. I also take Keppra so I don't know if that's a factor as well. I also take a large amount of Adderall and I take Levoxyl for hypothyroidism too. Dopamax is not the only thing I take. I also have Ativan on hand for emergencies. I also take Lortabs and Baclofen too. So that's a rather large cocktail to keep in mind when a person is looking at one symptom. Plus each person is different. I also have a severe allergy to certain grasses but not others. I need to see an allergy specialist. It's all very complicated. As much as I hate taking a shitload of meds, I'd rather take them than seize or choke or end up in a coma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chinacat Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Maddy--that is exactly why I do not usually ask about meds, because we are all so different. Its kind of like diagnosis codes--I reallly don't give a rat's ass what my Dx is, as long as the meds I take work. Batshit crazy NOS, thats me!! And, as someone we used to know used to say, "Your mileage may vary." But thanks for your input--it is rare that anyone acvtually believes that sinus migraines do exist. Best, china Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddy Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 it is rare that anyone acvtually believes that sinus migraines do exist. I understand. I've had just about everything tried on me during my childhood including having needles stuck in my face (acupuncture), bee venom (in the form of multiple bee stings), and gold therapy. Not just for the sinus headaches but to "boost" my immune system. Trust me, I've had a LOT of shit done to me in the name of whacked-out science. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukas108 Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 drug combos are like russian roulette...talk to the professionals....ONLY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Hi lukas. Please feel free to start new threads about a topic if you are interested. Generally, reviving zombie threads is confusing to people who read the thread, thinking it is new. Welcome to crazyboards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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