Stopped Topomax Cold Turkey - Length of Withdrawal?

I've lurked before but never posted - appreciate all of you who contribute here! However, I'm worried this weekend, and I don't know who I would even call about this on Monday...

Despite all the warnings about Topomax and pregnancy (didn't realize that until this weekend), my neuro advised me to stay on Topomax until I got a positive pregnancy test. He told me to stop taking it and everything else (Imitrex/Zomig) when I got a positive test.

I asked him about tapering the Topomax (100 mg a day), but he said just to quit. As I know now from reading this forum among other pages, you shouldn't quit like that, right? Did I get not-up-to-date advice?

After a positive pregnancy test, I quit, and - haha no surprise - I am suffering. My headache is migraine-like except that now it's coming and going more rapidly than normal. On and off Friday day, terrible Friday night into Saturday morning (ended up taking 50 mg of Imitrex in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep because of the pain), off Saturday afternoon, and on middle of Saturday/Sunday night (woke me up - with tremors - sweaty). Now I feel like I'm in that post-headache period, and I don't have pain this second. It just has never cycled like this. (There is a weather system moving through here this weekend.)

Anyways, question is this: did anyone else have to do this - quit like this, I mean? This is my fourth day of no Topomax so I can't see with the birth defects going back on it to taper back off unless really necessary. This is what my doc said to do. But, really?

Haha - maybe I'm having Topomax-withdrawal-anxiety about this, too, but I'm not feeling negative about it - just worried I'm going to have a seizure.

Im sure other Drs would advise not to cold turkey. I tapered off topamax and felt terriable going down 25 mg at a time. I dont know what to advise to feel better. Take care.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! And so sorry about the topamax - it is best to taper off slowly. Is there a pharmacist you trust that you can call this weekend? If not I would call your doc first thing Monday morning. Is there a way to reach him today if you feel like it would be unsafe to wait? I am sorry for your withdrawal pain this weekend - please make sure you are not left alone. Please keep us posted. And again congrats on motherhood! L

Thanks, all!

Unfortunately, I don't know a pharmacist (big city / pharmacy in a big store) - and I know the neuro if I do call would put me into the queue of questions answered at the end of the day on Monday. He seemed very sure about just stopping the drugs, and I was very specific in my question about tapering off at my last appointment (last month). I feel annoyed that I wasn't more proactive in studying what I was on, but isn't that his job? Guess I still figure he should know, and if he says something, then he'd be right. Sigh...

Anyways, good news is that I've felt really good this afternoon and evening. No migraine pain AT ALL for hours - and that rarely happened even on Topomax - and so much clearer. Really a weird feeling. Otherwise, I would have called - if not my neuro - found someone. We'll see what happens tonight since that seems to be the worst time.

I appreciate your help!

Great that the afternoon and evening went well. My migraines started when I was 20 and the only time I have been migraine-free was when I was pregnant or nursing - I know that is not everyone's experience but I hope that maybe this will happen for you!

I am surprised a Dr. of any kind told you to quit cold turkey.

I didn't quite cold turkey, but had to get off Topomax recently. It's been about 3 weeks for me and I still don't feel 'right'. I have to touch base with the specialist to see if this is normal.

I have absolutely no advice, but congratulations