so, I'm at 200mg and the HA are beginning to fade, with only shadows appearing throughout the day and night. Unfortunately, the fog of the drug is on me all the time, and so is the lack of hunger and the nasty taste of sweeteners and colas (I try to avoid those anyway). I lost 35 pounds last cycle, which worked to my benefit as I now am going to do my first marathon. I have kept off that 35, so I have to make sure not to lose much more, therefore I "make" myself eat at every meal. Only problem I see is that my "normal" cycle is October, and since it's already July, I foresee that I will be on Topamax until the beginning of 2012. It almost feels like I'm trending towards chronic, as when this whole thing started I had two cycles, spring and fall and both last 2 months each, and now I'm into nearly year round. Those of you who have suffered for so many years are real troopers, as my patience is wearing thin already.

Hang in there, Mike. The cure is better than the disease, and I use cure lightly. I was on Topamax as well, and experienced everything you describe. Weight loss was the only good side effect I noticed, but unlike you, I put it right back on. Remember how much better it is not to be in pain. We too quickly forget how much these things actually hurt. Good luck on your marathon. Let us know how it goes. Blessings. lance

Glad to hear Topomax is pushing the beast into retreat. As to going chronic, maybe you will, maybe you won't. Worrying about it just gives the beast that much more control over your life. My last cycle went 8 months before it finally let me go, longest ever, but stopped short of calling me a chronic! :)

Hope you can kick him to the curb soon.

Joe

Topomax has been working well with me for the past two years. Glad to hear its working for you as well. I've been chronic since it started for me so I can only hope it doesn't go that way for you, keep on fighting the fight.