Topamax and sleep apnea

Hello I recently started taking Topamax 50mg for a nerve problem in my leg and noticed my ahi numbers have dramaticly improved with taking this medicine. I take one 50 mg pill befor bed only . My ahi numbers used to run average 9.8 ahi. Now my ahi runs average 3.2 Ahi. I now feel a sense of rest and refreshment from my sleep like never before. I was wondering if any other felow cpap users have experenced this.

I take Topomax for migraines but was taking it before I started CPAP, so can't comment on if it improved my AHI numbers. However, I do have very low AHI numbers, but have been struggling with getting consecutive REALLY good night's sleep. Interesting that Topomax helped your leg pain. I have restless leg syndrome and wish I could find something to help that.

My daughter had a horrible side effect from topamax. I have copied the warning for you to read about what happened to her:

According to a letter issued September 26, 2001, by the manufacturing company, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc., there have been 23 reported cases (considered to be substantially under reported) of the development of an ocular syndrome characterized by acute myopia and secondary angle closure glaucoma (FDA). Symptoms, which typically onset in the first month of use, include blurred vision and ocular pain. An eye exam may also find myopia, anterior chamber shallowing, redness, increased intraocular pressure and possibly extended dilation of the pupil (FDA).

Patients who develop blurred vision or eye pain while on Topamax should seek immediate medical attention. Elevated pressure in the eye, if left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss. However, immediate discontinuation of the drug seems to cure this side effect (FDA). Dr. Russell Katz, neurologic drugs chief for the Food and Drug Administration, states, "There's no question the thing to do is to stop the drug. For the most part, that turns out to be enough"

I am sure the doctor reported her problem, but not sure that Ortho-McNeil counted it as it occurred several years ago. Her doctor knew about this problem at the time, so he clearly been informed in some way. It was a terrible and scary experience for her and for me as well. It happened after taking unusually small doses for 2 days. She suddenly became unable to focus her eyes while driving. She could see well enough to turn at the entrance to a shopping center where there happened to be an eye doctor's office. He checked her eyes immediately and told her it was the Topamax that caused it. Fortunately her vision returned to normal in a few weeks.

Catnapper - Joanie

Wow Thanks for the scary Warning CatNapper! I had no idea of that possibility of side effects with the Topamax. I have been on it for 4 weeks now and not had any problems , but will be cautious of its use and my vision. If I have any signs of vission problems I wont have far to go to see the Eye Doctor as I work for one.

My wife uses Mirapex for her restless leg syndrome. It works well for her and the bed doesn't shake every few seconds anymore.

I just started using Topamax a week ago for my migraines. I started noticing symptoms of numbness like Novocaine feeling in my face only after day 2 of starting the medication which went into my throat and in my chest. By day four I was waking up in the middle the night gasping for air. Felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. As each night went by, I continued to take the Topamax as prescibed but the episodes grew worse by day 6 I fell asleep next to my 11 year old daughter while she watched TV after taking my evening dose and had stopped breathing and was gasping for air...I woke up with her shaking me and screaming at me for mommy to breathe. Is this Topamax causing me to have sleep apnea? Because once I'm awake and finally can catch my breath I'm OK again...this freaked my husband and daughter out. I called my doctors office two days ago and yet to hear from them.

For heaven's sake stop taking it! Don't wait for the MD to tell you that - you're experiencing what sound like serious cardiac problems and you should not need someone, doctor or otherwise, to tell you to quit! Go to Emerg and have them do an EKG right away - I'm not joking and know what I'm talking about.

Julie wrote:For heaven's sake stop taking it! Don't wait for the MD to tell you that - you're experiencing what sound like serious cardiac problems and you should not need someone, doctor or otherwise, to tell you to quit! Go to Emerg and have them do an EKG right away - I'm not joking and know what I'm talking about.

I agree !!!!! Why would you wait a week and continue taking a med that has these obvious side effects....GO TO THE ER.

you can go blind from glaucoma with high pressures and not even feel it actually. so run to the opthamologist
yeah I noticed some potentially serious side effects like cognitive impairment and nausea for hours after even taking 50 or 25mg. does it really help sleep apnea and AHI? I read that it might widen the blood vessels in the brain

yeah definitely see a doctor and go to the ER!
I'm looking into surgery more than medications. the thing that seemed to help was trazodone maybe because of SWS, delta waves.
topamax seems dangerous because of the cognitive effects; I have heard it may widen the blood vessels in the brain? anyway I think this question is beyond the scope of anyone but doctors and researchers

I took Topamax for a long time for seizures and you need to get to a doctor immediately!