Post Traumatic Stress Support Group

I am finding articles on google for the promising use of topamax for PTSD.

Has anyone here tried or using topamax as part of their PTSD treatment? I want to discuss this with my doctor.

Very few medicines seem to work, so the idea that a medicine could be used, not just as a preventative, but to help extinguish fear and avoidance attached to already consolidated memory is exciting to me.

There is also the updating of PTSD treatment protocol from Harvard in which topiramate is used for the reexperiencing of memories:

http://lib.bioinfo.pl/auid:4144236

What benefit do you hope to get from Topiramate? I haven't read how it is used for PTSD but I am interested how you think it might help you.

NeverSleep

I was on topamax for something else, and it gave me nightmares. So I think I'll pass on this one.

I have PTSD and Ive been taking topamax for 5 years and I feel like it has saved my life. I have tried so many meds over the last 18 years but had a very low tolerance to alot of the side effects that I would get, either that or they just didnt work for me... topamax was my dr.s sort of last hope she said when most things dont work for people, sometimes this does. And it did. Since I also struggled with migraines, it has worked for that as well. This is the only med ive EVER taken that made me feel..better, like me, but without feeling medicated..if that makes sense. All meds work differently for everyone, so I would say try it. I tried going up on the dose once and it can make you feel a tad dopey, so I stay at 25-50mg a day. good luck.

Leelee,

Welcome

Thanks for your response. Besides helping with your migraines, did you find topamax help with hyperarousal?

I have not heard lots of first person recommendations. I'm hoping it will reduce my reactivity and also help with my fibro pain. I want to give it a try. I have heard doses of 100mg or less help keep the cognitive difficulties to a minimum, though some on migraine prevention say they do not experince this sx.

Thanks,

Penelope

Neversleep,

I'm sorry I didn't reply. I missed your post until just now. Welcome as a new member.

I am hoping to reduce my hyperarousal and reactivity a bit. It has been mentioned in a number of research articles, then I saw it was part of the PTSD treatment algorithm.

I have yet to discuss it with my doctor. If I start, I will update.

Again, I am sorry to have overlooked your post.

Penelope

i am on topamax 100mg i take 2 tablets twice a day for migrains which has helped 100% but i have not heard anything about topamax for ptsd and from the leaflets that comes with my medication that is not listed as for one of the common uses either so i dunno

I've been using Topamax for PTSD for a couple of years now. It has helped me tremendously. It has taken away my constant guilt that I felt over everything. It has helped with the knee jerk type fear responses from sounds and some situations. It has helped turn the volume down on my anger. Now I am not saying this is a miracle medication, because I've done ALOT of work to help myself too. This is not a med that everyone can take, because it makes some people really dopey and can mess with your balance and memory. This drug effects your central nervous system, so it is not something to play around with. You have to start off with a small dose, usually 25mg and work your way up slowly. If you don't, you won't get the most out of it. It takes your body a while to adjust to it. I hope this helps.