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WebMD's 10 Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Back Pain
When you’re in pain, going to the doctor can be intimidating. You might feel rushed and forget to ask some important questions about your back pain. It's always a good idea to know what to ask beforehand and to take notes during your doctor visit. Some of the questions below about back pain and its treatment may be worth asking. Print out this page and take it with you to your next appointment.
- What’s causing my back pain?
- Are there any other symptoms I should be aware of that could indicate a more serious condition?
- Are there activities I should temporarily or permanently avoid to ease back pain?
- Could my work station be affecting my back pain?
- How much bed rest should I get while I’m suffering back pain?
- What treatment options should I consider for my back pain?
- How long should I take medication or do special exercises for back pain?
- Are there alternative therapies that I should consider?
- How long will it take before I notice results, less back pain?
- What can I do to prevent back pain from persisting or returning?
WebMD 10 Questions
Pain Management Guide
TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.
Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.
More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.
Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.
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