#101- Topamax and Mabel the Migraine Monster

Yep... I am now on drug number 4 for Mabel.

May I just say that I am getting a tad frustrated?

Mabel has been dancing around for over a week again. By Friday lunch time, I couldn't take the pain anymore so I called the neurologist.

This time he prescribed Topamax with it's little leaflet of complicated directions and many warnings.

So by Friday evening I was a zombie... but not just a zombie.

A zombie with bad chest pain and shortness of breath.

So I am thinking to myself... oh, hey this is just probably an end of the summer cold. I have had a sore throat for over a week also... so maybe my lupie body is just worn down.

By Saturday, I am bed ridden.

Well, okay I got up and typed in a journal entry that I had handwritten a few days earlier. So I spent maybe a half hour on the computer.

This morning rolls around, and I am bed ridden still...

Chest pain and shortness of breath. Hating my inhaler, but having to puff away on that darn thing.

So I finally get a moment of clarity and think to myself that maybe I should read that Topamax leaflet.

Yep... check. A RARE side effect... shortness of breath and chest pain.

Hubby talks to our pharmacist. I am told not to take the stuff any more until I talk to Dr. Neurologist again.

Why do these things always happen during holidays?

And WHY right before a major vacation?

We are leaving for Toronto in a few days for our annual Internation Film Festival trip.

Oh well.

Pitooey.

I TOLD this neurologist several times that I did not think these newer migraine meds were a good idea for me. My family has a significant history of heart disease.

But, as usual, I got pooh-poohed.. oh what the heck do I know? (she asked sarcastically).

So tonight I am now out of bed, buzzing from the inhaler and waiting for Mabel to come waltzing back in after the last dose of Topamax wears off completely.

Ain't lupus a hoot?

(She asked even more sarcastically...)

WARNING: Never ever stop taking Topamax if you have been on it for a bit. Withdrawl seizures may occur. I had taken only 2 pills.

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