VERY SERIOUS MUST READ - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

Reba in Arkansas · 02-17-2004, 12:42 AM

This weekend I learned something terrible, by my own mistake. I accidentally mixed two medications that could have possibly killed me. I was in terrible pain. I had run out of Lortab and Xanax, which I have found in correlation with my UTA and Atarax and Premarin and Toprol (blood pressure med) had worked very well. WELL, that being said, about a year ago my GP had prescribed Topamax for pain. This is an anti-convulsant med used for all sorts of problems, from migrain headaches to bipolar disorder, etc. The two meds that don't mix here are Atarax and Topomax. It had a very serious affect on my Central Nervous System. I felt like I was going to have a hear attack and I turned so white, I was green. I am still recovering today and have an appt. to see my doctor today to make sure I haven't really hurt myself. So girls, and guys make sure you check your meds. ASK your doctor, pharmacist and get all of the information you can to make sure this doesn't happen to you. It was horrible. I actually thought I would die. Drug interraction is something to take very seriously and also different foods can react with your meds. CHECK YOUR MEDS!!!
Sincerely,
Reba

tigger_gal · 02-17-2004, 01:38 AM

REba,
sorry that you had this happen I am one to check all my meds.. thankfully.. I am glad you are ok let us know what the dr says

Brat

***dyno*** · 02-17-2004, 01:45 AM

Reba,
I am glad you are going to see your Dr. and glad you are OK. I guess this is something I have always done. I even call to check when I want to add cough syrup. I learned how bad drug interactions can be when I was in nursing school and that is something that has just stuck with me. It is very important and it was good of you to post to remind us.

carly · 02-17-2004, 04:28 AM

How scarry! I am glad you are ok. That is really frightening. Thank God you are ok.

lotsofgirls · 02-17-2004, 05:04 AM

Reba,
thank you so much for that. the interaction is between atarax and topamax? What is atarax again? And topamax is for pain but not a narcotic?
Cath

***dyno*** · 02-17-2004, 05:19 AM

Atarax is an antihistamine, the generic is Hydroxyzine. There is another brand name for this medication, it is Vistaril. There might be just a little difference but not much. The both go as Hydroxyzine in generic, the Atarax is I believe HCL and the Vistaril is Paomate. Hope that helps.

vm · 02-17-2004, 05:26 AM

Oh, how scary. I do hope you are feeling better now. Thank you for sharing the story with others. kissing

Dixiefireball · 02-17-2004, 06:33 AM

thanks for shareing this useful information with us. I agree sometimes we are in so much pain we may not think about mixing this med with that one. I always ask my doctor can i take this with that if not how long in between times, but when you are in pain all you want to do is stop hurting. I'm sorry this happen to you but i know it is a lesson you will never forget and I hope others learn from you. Thank You. ((((((hugs go you)))))) i pray you will be okay.

Nicole in ATL · 02-17-2004, 07:04 AM

How scary Reba! I hope you are feeling better.

Another thing you can do to help prevent or monitor for drug reactions is to get your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. Their computer alerts for potential drug interactions and the pharmacist may as well.

As far as the topamax goes, it is only FDA- approved right now for treating epilepsy (it's an anti-convulsant), but it is also used "off-label" for mood disorders and migraines. And apparently pain management as well, though I'm not as familiar with that research.

Nicole

MakinIT · 02-17-2004, 08:22 AM

wow...I've been taking up to 200 mgs of topamax and 50 of Atarax, Was incredibly sedated and have tapered that myself to 50 mgs topamax and 25 of atarax. Feel much better but did not have nearly the reaction you did. Wonder if the combo was like an allergic rxn in you? wierd! my pain clinic doctor didn't even pick up on the meds being a problem together. He's more worried about the valium and morphine. (which really don't sedate me much) I'm thinking though, I've been on Topamax forever due tomigraines...(almost 3 years and they had me up to 500 mgs...talk about "DUH...WHATS MY NAME? PLEASE WIPE MY DROOL".

HUGS to you...I sure hope you feel better soon...

Tracey

Iris · 02-17-2004, 09:35 AM

Wow, thanks for posting Reba, a good point to take notice of, hope you are doing O.K. Take care Iris.

ICchell · 02-17-2004, 01:43 PM

OH My Gosh! Thank God you are okay!!!!!
Pretty scary!

Julie Smith · 02-17-2004, 11:01 PM

Reba, So glad you're ok and following up with your dr. It was really nice of you to take the time to let all of us know about this scary incident that could happen to any of us that take several meds. Rest, stay warm and I'm sending you prayers and hugs.
p.s.....please let us know what your dr. said

felineperson3 · 02-18-2004, 01:02 AM

Reba,
Thanks for sharing--Glad your story, at least had a happy ending! Being a nurse, I am aware of the danger of drug interactions and contraindications, but since I am retired I don't stay on top of all the new drugs being introduced daily. If you only use ONE pharmacy they do try to keep track of all your medications, but even that's not infallible. It's better to check out any new medication you receive for yourself.
I hope your appointment with your physician doesn't showing any residual damage to your CNS.
Hugs & prayers,

Mimi-in-Chicagoland · 02-18-2004, 06:52 PM

I'm on topomax for migraines and I had a stroke and the doctors kept saying it was the topomax that was making the whole side of my body go limp. That was kinda scary that they thought a med would do that. I had taken it for months with no problems. I finally convinced them it WAS a stroke and am still taking topomax without a problem. I do check everything with my pharamacist so I don't get into trouble.