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Just about everybody encounters knarly side effects when they raise or lower their Topa dosage. What you are feeling now may only be temporary. However, lots of people continue to deal with some of the cognitive effects of Topa. It's hard to say how you will do. This medicine effects your brain... well, actually the way your brain communicates and receives messages from your nerves. We're all different. So each of us react differently to Topa.
For now, follow Julie's advice and drink LOTS of fluids. Topa dehydrates your body very badly. Every time you feel those tinglies... your body is trying to tell you it's a quart low. Remember that caffeine dehydates as well, so try to adjust your fluids intake to less carbonated products. As your body becomes dehydrated, it loses trace minerals, like potassium. This is why you may begin to get leg cramps at night. You can replenish the lost trace minerals thru your diet. Some foods, like bananas and potatoes have naturally occuring potassium. Some Sports drinks like Gatorade and SmartWater contain electrolytes, which help replenish those lost trace minerals.
As for the cognitive effects of Topa... be creative! Just about all of us have worked out a way to deal with the way Word Loss; Verbal Dyslexia; and Sudden Duh's effect our productivity. Some should buy stock in Post-It notes. Some are very open with their friends, family, and co-workers. Some print out data on the cognitive effects of Topa for their Professors and Educators. And others develop an irresistable sense of humor instead of feeling embarrasment or shame. I think it is important for you to inform the people with whom you work and counsel about Topa and its effects. I think they will be far more understanding and tolerant if they know. Nobody wants you to endure pain.

I'm hoping Topa will be the key to your migraine lock.
cc

Aw Tammy, please don't feel so discouraged. You've noticed a change... an improvement so far with the Topa. Sometimes the results are quite subtle. You may not recognize that your migraine attacks are coming less frequently and hit with less severity. The goal you seek is out there. It's juat a matter of finding the right key to your migraine lock. I did not find my own miracle until I was 50. Like you, I'd resigned my horzions to weekends in bed and workdays spent in utter fear of bright lights, food oders, and impending weather fronts. If I may, I want you to know that there is hope. Don't you dare give up the search. You have every right to expect a little word to return to your volcabulary: "normal."

You are not alone!

Hang in there just a bit longer on your Topa trip. Your frazzled brain may take just a little longer to ease into the beneficial effects of Topa. But if it ultimately reveals itself as not your perfect answer... don't stop searching. Never give up. I'm here to tell you that there IS a world where pain is controllable.

Now, the dry eyes can be Topa side effect, but the light sensitivity may be something important. I'm glad you will see your eye Doctor soon. Absolutely tell him/her about the Topa! There is a documented "adverse" effect that effects the eyes caused by Topa. While it is very rare, you should print this and take it to present to your eye Doctor. Be agressive if you have to. This adverse effect usually appears during the first few months of beginning Topa. Please try not to worry. Like I said... it is rare. But the dry eyes is yet another symptom of the dehydration Topa causes. Most likely, you'll be given a script for moisturizing eye drops.

I hope my words help. We all care here. Don't despair, we offer encouragement and hope.