topamax vs. neurontin

[Dianne]

Tell me more about topamax, anyone. I've never tolerated neurontin very well. I do take 300mg. at bedtime or else I have to sit up in chair all night. I have a small window to get to sleep like when it first makes me sleepy but before it hits the bladder. If I don't get to sleep before it hits the bladder, then I'm up the rest of the night in pain. I also hate the hangover feeling, the sexual side effects, and the weight gain. My Dr. wants me to try topamax instead. Can anyone share their experience with me esp. side effects, etc. I've found the memory loss is minimal on neurontin if I don't exceed 300mg. at bedtime and don't take during the day but I don't know if a comparable dose of topamax would make it worse such that it would be noticeable at work which I can't have happening and maintain my RN job. I'm sure there have been posts about topamax before but I can't find them yet. Thank you.

[Indy]

There have been several recent posts on Topamax.

A warning came out in January (you can google it to look it up on line). People have suffered acidosis from doses as low as 50 mg. Obviously that means it very acidic. I knew from the first day I took it something was wrong but my doctor just argued with me.My advice is to stay away from Topamax.

[Derby]

I am sorry that you had such a bad experience with Topomax. I have been taking both of these drugs - Topomax 50mg twice daily for severe migraines & Neurontin 400 mgs 4 times daily for my IC for over a year. I have never had any severe side effects from Topomax except my hands and feet tingling for the first two months I was on it as my body got used to it. It has never effected my bladder. According to my neurologist I am on a fairly low dose though.

Jeni