Newly diagnosed with Migraine.

My symptoms included zigzag multicolored lines/flashy lines and early morning headaches/waking up with headaches. I had an MRI and EEG, both were normal. I have been given Topiramate for Migraine. My question is, what if I don't take this medicine? My headaches become okay after taking pain killers and the visual symptoms aren't painful, so why take migraine medicines when they have major side effects?

That is a very good question that we all ask ourselves - it is a balancing act. A lot of us choose not to take preventative meds because of the side effects and we instead choose to deal with the migraines. Also for many of us the preventatives just don't work and we have to face the migraines "head" on. If the preventatives work for you but you don't want to deal with the side effects it is a choice you get to make - no one else - not your doc, or your family or friends.

abby, i'll just chime in here, to echo what jewishmother said. topomax (topiramate) seems to be at the top of most doctors' "bag of tricks". it's sad that it works for so few of us with severe and long-term migraines. i've tried it twice; you have to at least try it before you say "never again". (my M's are on their 44th year, so as you can imagine i've given most everything a shot thru the years).

but if, like me and many others here, you are ultra-sensitive to drugs, you may be able to tell if it's going to be suitable for you after just one or two pills. there is no point, imho, to put yourself thru hellish drug effects unless there are NO other options.

you have pain drugs which work for you. yaaaaaaaaaaaay.....many of us don't even have that. good fortune to you, dianne

How often do you get migraines? I would suggest, personally, that if you get 8 or fewer per month, it is not worth trying any of the preventatives. That is what I would say but it is up to you.

Thanks everyone for your reply. I think I should go with curative medicines rather than preventive ones for now....
I get fewer than 8 headaches a month.... i am not even sure if its migraine because my visual symptoms and headaches are entirely unrelated. Had a complete eye test and everything is normal.... i donno why i have these visual symptoms, they don't seem to be a 'migraine aura' as they don't preceed/suceed a headache! And my headaches are always waking-up headaches.