tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post1919265337069152545..comments2023-10-09T03:19:01.337-04:00Comments on MigrainePuppet: Topamax, Topiramate or ?MigrainePuppethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678393922494152377noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-37371482732679926642012-04-27T19:26:51.715-04:002012-04-27T19:26:51.715-04:00Ifay - when I went to my Migraine specialist this ...Ifay - when I went to my Migraine specialist this year, he gave me the option of going back on topiramate. I asked him about the differences too.<br /><br />He said I probably was not on a high enough dosage and mentioned the bioavailability differences as mentioned in the link to the article Did You Know Generic Migraine Medications Can Vary? in my post. <br /><br />Is your doctor a true Migraine specialist? Maybe it's time to switch doctors. Good Luck!MigrainePuppethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678393922494152377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-34546511808403987002012-04-19T19:34:42.469-04:002012-04-19T19:34:42.469-04:00I also took Topomax for years, and had Amazing res...I also took Topomax for years, and had Amazing results...literally gave me my life back! Like others my insurance changed, and new insurance also uses 3 tier system....in the past I had tried on 3 separate attempts to use topiramate, and each time suffered with return of numerous migraines to point of affecting quality of life...now back on topomax, all was good again until insurance changed....can't even begin to afford to pay for topomax...discussed with neuro...tried divalproex..generic depakote...had 18-20 severe migraines in 2 months...in desperation called today , although this will be 4 th attempt in less than 3 years will again try topiramate....really angry that when I tried to bring this to various Dr.'d, all said shouldn't be any difference!lfayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12229088582690571990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-67563164165893979442009-11-28T07:09:45.613-05:002009-11-28T07:09:45.613-05:00I'm glad my experience made you think too. I ...I'm glad my experience made you think too. I think I will have the option to go back and try the different manufacturers if push comes to shove. I do like to keep all of my options open. It does get frustrating since the brand seems to be working better with my current other preventative. Good luck with your journey!MigrainePuppethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678393922494152377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-31803179659847859972009-11-27T17:48:11.175-05:002009-11-27T17:48:11.175-05:00I'm new to this site yet somewhat similar to M...I'm new to this site yet somewhat similar to Migraine Puppet. After trying gobs of different meds for my migraines for since the 30 years, Topamax has been the most successful, for the last 3 years. However, my 3 tiered ins. plan switched me to a generic in July. I didn't think much of it until 2 - 3 weeks later when my migraines became suddenly unrelenting and I became ravenously hungry too quickly, which is a bad trigger. I dawned on me that it might be due to the generic, so I compared ingredients. I was on vacation and had received the meds from mail - in. At my request, they sent me Topamax, although I had to pay a fortune. I looked at this site because I thought I would investigate and compare ingredients of other generics in preparation to my upcoming neurologist's visit. Your experience helps me think maybe it's not worth my trying to do my own experiment on myself. Thanks. LouisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-46559248242257177292009-11-08T17:25:38.213-05:002009-11-08T17:25:38.213-05:00Thank you again Winny. There is so much to learn ...Thank you again Winny. There is so much to learn with this stuff. I've had to get out of my ostrich comfort zone -- bury my head in the sand and it will go away. That doesn't work anymore. All of this information is so helpful.MigrainePuppethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678393922494152377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-16443725820747378642009-11-08T16:42:45.340-05:002009-11-08T16:42:45.340-05:00Yep I think the pharmacy and I were thinking the s...Yep I think the pharmacy and I were thinking the same thing (I hope). Maybe in a few months somebody will make a branded generic then! <br /><br />The branded generic name is never quite the same as the brand name (so Topamax won't be the name they use...) I think because of copyright on the name. I take Levoxyl [branded generic] instead of Synthroid [the brand name], the generic name is levothyroxine.WinnyNinny PooPoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13237156887425609665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-6141959552940841382009-11-06T18:22:47.288-05:002009-11-06T18:22:47.288-05:00Hello Winny - When I was speaking with my mail in ...Hello Winny - When I was speaking with my mail in pharmacy about our new three tier plan, they looked up to see if there was another company that handled Topamax as a branded medication and they said there was not. I think that's what you're talking about too. I get a little cloudy here because this is all so new to me, but she said something like if there was another company that made Topamax as a brand that then there may be someway to get it cheaper? She said since there wasn't another company, that they really couldn't do much. I haven't followed back up on that yet; there's so much going on in this condensed time frame. <br /><br />Thank you for the information. I'll have to look back into this again with a clearer head and more info now.MigrainePuppethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678393922494152377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-45553032503364910032009-11-06T18:18:38.436-05:002009-11-06T18:18:38.436-05:00Thank you for the great ideas MJ! Sometimes I sti...Thank you for the great ideas MJ! Sometimes I still feel like I have no clue as to what my options are that these really help a lot.MigrainePuppethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17678393922494152377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-38627858908752071152009-11-06T17:12:08.026-05:002009-11-06T17:12:08.026-05:00There are "branded generics" that have m...There are "branded generics" that have more quality control than straight generics - kinda inbetween name brand and generic, but most prescription plans cover these as generic. You might check with your pharmacy to see if there is a branded generic of Topamax you can use.WinnyNinny PooPoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13237156887425609665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-992198378673026710.post-73571726789036926812009-11-06T15:15:39.621-05:002009-11-06T15:15:39.621-05:00You can also ask your doc to report to the FDA you...You can also ask your doc to report to the FDA your experiences (and her other patients' experiences) with the difference between generic topamirate and brand name Topamax. The FDA does solicit those comments and if they get enough comments from doctors about less effective generics, there's a possibility that they will require changes.<br /><br />Also, if your doctor writes you a letter of medical necessity, you may be able to present that to your insurance company so they'll cover the brand name Topa at a lower cost.<br /><br />Best of luck to you!<br /><br />Be well,<br />MJMJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03540633438951294127noreply@blogger.com