My neurologist prescribed 50 mg per day for some mild nerve pain. It seems like a pretty heavy duty drug with a ton of bad side effects so I'm not sure the cure wouldn't be worse than the disease, so to speak. I sure wouldn't mind the weight loss side effect, though!
Has anyone used Topamax for nerve pain? If so, what was your dosage?
Question posted by PattyP11 on 24 May 2013
Last updated on 25 May 2018
4 Answers
KAKremm
8 Nov 2017
Hi, I have been on Cymbalta 120mg for both severe depression and residual nerve pain from herniated discs at C3-4 and C6-7. I had an ACDF laminectomy in 10/2015 for a large herniated disc at C5-6. After surgery we weren't sure if the nerve pain that I was experiencing ( right arm numb, tingly, achey down through the hand and 5th and 4th fingers. Lot's of PT and different meds tried such as Gabapentin, Baclofen and a few others. I also have a movement disorder which involves my face and neck (dystonia) but since surgery those symptoms have improved. My neurologist suggested Topamax again for migraine and dystonia, I tried this years ago with good results but not great side effects. Well, I got really tired of the brain fog, acidic stomach, loss of words and the "Topa-Tingles" in my non affected extremities.
It's been a week since I stopped taking 100mg and apparently it must have done something for nerve pain as my right arm is now symptomatic again. I was recently in an auto accident but all imaging came back normal. Fusion appeared fine, so I'm curious is this just the perfect storm of all those things culminating? Whiplash from car accident, additional herniated discs that haven't changed and elimination of Topamax from daily routine.
Thoughts or advice appreciated!
MB29
5 Aug 2017
Hi all. I'm new here. I just started 25-50mg /day of topamax 3 weeks ago for nerve pain, a bulging disc in my lower back, and pinched nerve in my neck. I had really bad reactions to gabapentin (almost fell down the stairs - vertigo, asthma attacks, etc), tramadol (closed my throat - er trip), and lyrica.(nightmares so bad i hurt worse, tremors, and something else i can't remember... ) So far I really like the topamax, but my hair is falling out!!! I just started taking biotin to hopefully help.. I also take a cranberry pill to prevent UTI's. I could really use the weightloss side effect as I gained weight since I got hurt in Feb and the docs tell me if I lose the weight it might help the pain. They discharged me from PT b/c I wasn't getting better, but the topamax gives me energy and spreads my pain out/lessens it... it has also reduced my weather related migraines which is a nice bonus. I just wish my hair wasn't falling out!!! Any tips on that?
Kathy1958
28 Feb 2017
My daughter has used this medicine for a year she has extreme necmver damage in her foot she is a police officer and was ran over directing traffic and went through 5 surgeries and this medicine has worked great for her it really helped the pain and during her 5 surgeries she gained alot of weight because she couldn't walk she gained up to 217 and she only weight 135 when the accident happened so this did help her loose weight she is down to 168 now but she will have a nerve damage in her foot the rest of her life and,her foot will be permanent but this medicine has helped her so much she takes a large dose Dailey but she did get to keep her foot
Cinnamontoast
1 March 2017
Since the gabapentin and Lyrica both were like the devil for me. Topamax was finally given to me not only to control migraines, but for the nerve pain from a 7mm bulging disc at L5-S1. I unfortunately didn't lose any weight at 100mg daily, but did have improvement with that tingling in my left leg. I had to fight with my insurance company for about 7 months with two doctors both saying that I needed a fusion before I finally had an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (fusion through the belly approach). My EMG in December showed extreme muscle weakness and the Neurologist that did the EMG was afraid that if I didn't have the fusion I would have permanent nerve damage, if I didn't already. Luckily February 13, 2017, I had the ALIF and I am already wiggling the toes on that left foot, raising my left leg, and walking without my cane. I am thankful that I did take the Topamax though, because the tingling before was worse. It has been a miracle drug for me.
Elnhopkins
11 May 2017
I'm glad to hear that it's working for you. And the surgery also. I'm always afraid to start something new. Good luck in your future everybody needs a break every now and then.
Kooskian
22 June 2017
I've been on topiramate for about 7 months for nerve pain. Ii has worked amazing on my pain, but I have had terrible side effects. Depression, slow speech, unable to finish sentences at times, losing words, aggressive, easily agitated. There is more. I'm actually slowly weening myself off of it as I write this. I think I would rather live with the pain than these side effects. This drug does seem to work great with some people. Just keep in touch with your doctor.
Gino9543
11 Sep 2017
I have just been put on 500mg topiramate a day and am worried that's a lot. I cannot cope with gabapentim as it makes me ill. I have a tumour on my spine.
RadAngel28
7 June 2013
Did your doc talk to you about Gabapentin / Neurontin? It is also used for nerve pain but also has side effects. I haven't taken Topamax but am going to ask my doc about it for migraines and the weight loss potential.
PattyP11
7 June 2013
Thanks for your response. Yes, I took a very low dose (200mgx2 daily) of Gabapentin for about a month. Sometimes it helped a little but most of the time it didn't do much. I also gained about 8 pounds that month. I can't say definitively that the weight gain was due to Gabapentin, though. My neurologist offered to up the dosage but I wasn't too keen to do that since I hate taking meds anyway. Good luck with the Topamax.
BevC
12 June 2013
I take Gabapentin-Neurontin for surgical neuropathy, 800mg every 6 hrs. Works for me. As for Topamax I was prescribed that as a "mood stabilizer" about 3 yrs. ago. Altogether I've lost 104 lbs. since I started taking it. Certainly changed my mood :) !! The weight loss helped my knees and hip pain also. Have been able to maintain the loss, and still taking Topamax.
PattyP11
12 June 2013
BevC, congratulations on your weight loss, that's fabulous. Have you had any undesirable side effects from either Gabapentin or Topamax?
Inspector Curuso
12 Oct 2013
Well as for weight loss it hasn't worked yet for me. I am on Topiramate for buldging disk constantly pinching a nerve in my hip. I was put on this drug 3 mo. ago I am up to 150 mg. now. 100 in pm/50 in the am. No relief in pain yet either. I was hoping for that suppressed appetite side effect, funny taste in soda... not yet. How ever I do have these lovely pimples on my scalp I never had. A strange itch on my right shoulder in one spot, that's got to be a nerve firing up. I haven't gained, but I haven't lost any weight I need to lose 20! I go the gym every other day, I try. I'm going to be 60 in Feb. I felt dizzy at first that's gone. I get sleepy. I fish for words. Memory is slower all those things. But I'm quieter, people don't "bug" me as much as they use too... that's a big plus for me!!! Ha enjoy people that part!!!
BevC
13 Oct 2013
Patty, No side-effects from either Gabapentin or Topamax! Am so grateful, good luck to both of you!
ammys mommy
23 Jan 2014
Hi I currently take Topamax for nerve damage I had two back surgeries and My left leg had nerve damage I previously took Gabapentin but it gave me such horrible headaches I had to go off of it, honestly I was glad to take a medication that didn't give me side effects like the headache it does suppress your appetite but unless your nerve damage is severe I would encourage you not to take it only because now that I actually read Topamax s side effects it sounds kind of scary and I'm thinking I'd like to get off this stuff myself :0
Cinnamontoast
19 June 2014
I took Topamax or topiramate for over 7 years for migraines. Honestly, the only side effects I ever had from it was the funny taste most people describe from soft drinks. It eventually didn't bother me. I loved this medication, and was up to 250mg at one time. My most usual dose was 100mg. My neurologist would let me decide what dose I needed since at times things were worse than others. At the highest dose, I did feel a little groggy, and we lowered the dose back to 200mg, then lower as needed. I ended up weaning myself off after I quit smoking since my migraines pretty much decreased to about one every 3 or 4 months. I injured my back and have been having severe pain that radiates down my left leg, with numbness. My PCP prescribed Gabapentin or Neurontin 100mg for the nerve pain at bedtime, but after 3 doses, I'm not sure I like it. I feel so tired and groggy the next day, and have had nightmares.
If I get up in the middle of the night, I feel really out of it and seems almost like a dream, not to mention a dull headache for most of the following day. Just wondered which med might be better, or if anyone else has experienced this with Gabapentin. If the Topamax works for the same pain I would rather use it again, since I know how I reacted to it. I was also prescribed Narco for pain once every 8 hours, but only take it once or twice a day. I already took Robaxin for tension headaches as needed, but my PCP also told me to take those with the Narco. Thanks for any input or suggestions. My X-rays showed Degenerative Disc Disease, going for MRI on June 23, with Physical Therapy to follow pending results of the MRI.
Boovy
18 Sep 2014
I have taken Neurontin. It worked but made me gain weight and retain lots of fluid. I have had 2 lower back surgeries for ruptured disc. I have terrible lower back, butt and leg pain. I have now been put on Topomax for the nerve pain. I hope it works as I've read it will help and not make me gain weight. I get migraines too so hope it helps with that also.
JacRow
28 May 2015
I have nerve impingement from a Rotator Cuff injury, resulting in right arm, wrist and finger pain. I was put on Neurontin. That night I had a bad headache, but continued as prescribed thinking it was coincidence. Three days later I had urinary hesitancy. I still continued Neurontin (with continued headache as well) for 2 more days and then stopped taking it. Both the headache and inability to urinate stopped completely within 2 days. It's not so much the drug as much as it is how your personal body chemistry reacts to the drug. My PA that put me on it said he has never heard of urinary problems with Neurontin. I have been an RN for 19 years. I know what it was, when it began and what changes I made before it stopped!
RS Loomis
21 Feb 2017
I was on topomax for 12 years. Although it is a good drug, i hesitate for long term use, as it rots your teeth from the inside out. In the last two years since not taking the drug for migraines, I have lost 13 teeth. Just a FYI for long term users.
Knitshappy
25 May 2018
Neuron said that Gabapentin,Lyrica,Neurontin etc were all the same as Topamax, all in the same family. So she just upped my topamax from 100mg to 150mg. It did nothing for my nerve pain.
Related topics
topamax, pain, neuralgia, side effect, dosage, nerve, disease
Further information
- Topamax uses and safety info
- Topamax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Topamax (detailed)
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