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Dr. Diana, both a doctor (therapeutic optometrist), and a recovered POTS and ME/CFS patient, offers help and hope for POTS, Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Lyme, vascular abnormalities, Fibromyalgia, and Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Diana is now working full time at POTS Care.

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Diamox vs. Topamax

NEW STUDY! Parasym Plus™ for Multiple Sclerosis › Forums › PrettyIll.com Discussion › EDS/MS/Chiari › Diamox vs. Topamax

  • This topic has 6 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 11 months ago by Barbara.
Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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    Posts
  • March 2, 2015 at 1:34 pm #794
    Marysue
    Participant

    I asked my doctor about taking Diamox. This was his response: “We can try Diamox if you would like. However, keep in mind that we tried Topamax, which works by a similar mechanism of action as Diamox in terms of targeting intracranial pressure and decreasing production of cerebrospinal fluid if that is your concern.” This was my last hope I was hanging on to. My doctor does not sound very encouraging. Is it possible that Diamox might still help when the Topamax didn’t?

    March 2, 2015 at 2:19 pm #5326
    Dr. Diana
    Keymaster

    Yes! They both have carbonic annhydrase properties, but Diamox’s is much more potent. I wasn’t able to tell a difference in symptoms with Topamax, but I was with Diamox. Be sure that your CO2 levels are at least 22 or higher! Fingers crossed! 🙂

    March 6, 2015 at 8:48 am #5335
    Marysue
    Participant

    My neuro prescribed 500 mg Diamox capsules 2x daily. I felt an immediate improvement in pressure in my head and ears and neck. But, now I have a sharp pain above right eye and neuropathic tingling in fingers and feet. I’m not sure if this is a side effect of the Diamox or new issue. I hesitate to ask my neuro as I don’t want him to just take me off the Diamox, especially when I know it is helping. Any suggestions on dosage or tablet vs. capsule, etc.? Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    March 6, 2015 at 12:36 pm #5339
    Dr. Diana
    Keymaster

    MarySue, Do you have The Driscoll Theory book? In the chapter about Diamox Pearls, you’ll find lists of common side effects, adverse reactions and allergic responses. It sounds like your tingling is likely a normal side effect that should go away in about two weeks. 😉

    April 9, 2015 at 2:04 pm #5422
    Marysue
    Participant

    The diamox is working! It has relieved the pressure in my head and ears, and to my surprise and great delight has also helped with my neck. This is so amazing! I am so very grateful to you Dr. Diana. I still get some tingling sensations, but that is much preferred over the head pressure. For as long as I can remember there have been issues with pain that mimicked sinus pressure, yet scans and exams would show the sinuses to be ‘remarkably clear’. And no one had an answer or even an idea on the cause. Now the answer is clear to me. Thank you again for your persistent research.

    April 9, 2015 at 2:31 pm #5423
    Dr. Diana
    Keymaster

    That’s great news, Marysue! 😉 Yea, I was shocked that my neck pain went away overnight, too! Two YEARS of wearing a cervical collar, and an inexpensive pill got rid of it in hours?! It’s amazing how treating the underlying cause can quickly correct this group of symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea, Chiari symptoms, symptoms of retroflexed odontoid, craniocervical instability, etc). Please help us spread the word, as many folks are having some pretty scary surgeries, not understanding our propensity for high ICP. 😉

    April 14, 2015 at 11:30 am #5432
    Barbara
    Participant

    I would choose tablets over capsules, as you can alter the dosage more easily, to a half or even a quarter of a tablet, as required. For instance, a whole tablet taken at once is always to much for me, I’m much better on half a tablet 3 times a day.
    Barbara
    (UK)

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