I hit 200mg of Topiramate, HA has stopped, and I plan on stopping meds in 3 weeks to make sure the beast is gone. My cycle (winter to early spring) is generally (I say that loosely) over in later March to April. Last year, my HA lingered throughout the whole period, even with the meds, though I was only on 100mg, and i think it finally ended due to timing, not the meds working. My question is, while I think 200mg is the trick this time, is it possible that going off (with the appropriate taper) will cause it to come back, due to me being in my "cycle period", or is this it? I know you guys aren't doctors or psychics, but just curious of your opinion, as I'm a crazy planner and like to know what to possibly expect. If you say "maybe" I can live with that. If you say either "Definitely" or "shouldn't", I can live with that too. Just curious. I'm adjusting to the side effects of the meds, but soooo happy to be HA free, though. I've had only shadows over the last few weeks, and really haven't had any crazy pangs for about a week.

Mike Bernardo wrote on Jan 13^th, 2011 at 10:13am:

I hit 200mg of Topiramate, HA has stopped, and I plan on stopping meds in 3 weeks to make sure the beast is gone. My cycle (winter to early spring) is generally (I say that loosely) over in later March to April. Last year, my HA lingered throughout the whole period, even with the meds, though I was only on 100mg, and i think it finally ended due to timing, not the meds working. My question is, while I think 200mg is the trick this time, is it possible that going off (with the appropriate taper) will cause it to come back, due to me being in my "cycle period", or is this it? I know you guys aren't doctors or psychics, but just curious of your opinion, as I'm a crazy planner and like to know what to possibly expect. If you say "maybe" I can live with that. If you say either "Definitely" or "shouldn't", I can live with that too. Just curious. I'm adjusting to the side effects of the meds, but soooo happy to be HA free, though. I've had only shadows over the last few weeks, and really haven't had any crazy pangs for about a week.

Mike..the only thing to expect is the unexpected.  I'm not being sarcastic, it's just the truth in my experience.  Just when you think you have your cycles figured out they show up a month or two earlier or last a month or two later...or both!   >:(   Meds are the same for us too...think we're home free taper down only to be hammered again and start over.  Unfortunately in our case, and probably others, that's just the nature of the beast.  Hope you are painfree and stay that way!

There is sufficient variation in the experience of CH that setting up expectations will contribute to your anxiety.

The "rules" on meds, dosing, timing, etc. may shift or may remain stable for years--and then shift!

The flow of water in a stream can't control the effect of confronting a rock....

Thank you both. So basically, I can potentially expect that the cycle will continue after I taper off the meds. If I know that, I feel more comfortable, anyway.

You can "potentially expect" anything. But, if you taper slowly with an eye to ramping it back up if needed, I should think you'd have a better strategy going. It's a crap shoot. Don't taper too early or quickly. Be cautiously optimistic and fall back when necessary. God bless. lance