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Hi all,

I just stumbled across this page while researching Topamax side effects. I've read through all the posts and am stunned at how similar the experiences are to what I've experienced. Following a repetitive stress injury to my hand, I developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. The chronic pain set off a cycle of nearly-constant migraines. I had suffered from migraines prior to this, but infrequently. In the past, I had taken 1-2 doses of Frova, which handled my headaches pretty well. However, in the last year and a half, the Frova began providing relief for only a few hours. You can only take 4 doses of Frova per month...and after a year of nearly constant migraines, I was finally put on Topamax, which I've been taking for about 9 months.

Over several months I adjusted to the Topamax and the side effects, like dopiness, began to fade. At the same time, the effect became more pronounced and the headaches slowly subsided. I still have visual disturbances (auras), photosensitivity, and am sensitive to sounds. I know that when these become pronounced, the Topamax is basically supressing the migraine that otherwise would be knocking me off my feet.

Anyway, last week my heart started racing - resting pulse rate of 130. This lasted for several hours. On the web I found some sites that claimed this is a frequent side effect of Topamax. However, I don't find this in any literature about the drug, so I don't know whether to believe it or not. I was so frightened that I stopped takint Topamax. Consequently, my migraines flooded back within two days and won't let up. However, my heart slowed down. I don't know for sure it the Topamax was responsible for my heart racing, so I'm searching for folks like you who may have more experience with Topamax side effects than I have had. Have any of you heard of this side effect, or experienced it?

I was also taking sudafed for about 3 days prior to the incident. Tonight I'm learning that sudafed can do this as well, and some sites claim that Topamax and sudafed interact. However, once again, none of the literature on either medication lists the other as a dangerous interaction. I, too, don't have much faith in big pharma. And I've worked closely with some of the companies creating training for how they conduct clinical trials - as a consultant. They skew the trails and the results so that the drugs will be approved. They've invested too much on development by the time they get to clinical trails. So they design the studies to give them desirable results, and find ways to throw out undesirable data. It's all about money.

Anyway, back to my pressing question...have any of you had problems with rapid heart rate while taking Topamax?

Thanks for your input and wisdom!