Has anyone tried Imitrex

Dancing Paws started this discussion · 6/24/2012

As I've mentioned before, I am long time headache sufferer. They seem to be hormonal. Since I have stopped the pill, they are not lasting as long in duration, though they can still get pretty awful. I tried imitrex one time, but I don't think I took it in time. Has anyone tried imitrex for their headaches and had any luck? I am considering talking to my doc this week about trying it.

25 replies

Forever Young · 6/24/2012
I used to suffer from hormonal migraines every month at "that time". I finally found a lady doctor who took it seriously and realised how debilitating it can be! She recommended the birth control injection and it has changed my life. I no longer have my periods and I no longer have migraines. I know the injection is not for everyone but it literally has changed my life. Just something to think about!
Annielle215 · 6/24/2012
Imitrex can work for some but can have some funky side effects including making you feel like you have sunburn. It is the most commonly prescribed because there is a generic. I hated it but I am super sensitive to drugs. Give it a shot. If it doesn't work try relpax. Way more expensive because there is no generic but for me loads better. Also I tried removing a lot of triggers from foods. I used to get 5 migraines a week so I am tree of knowledge if you want to chat!
Dancing Paws · 6/24/2012
I've tried the migraine diet. I am not so sure that I have any food triggers.
Dancing Paws · 6/24/2012
I had never heard of replacing before. I'll mention it to my doc.
Dancing Paws · 6/24/2012
Replax, not replacing.
northpole · 6/24/2012
I've tried imitrex. And acupuncture, scalp massage, imitrex and naproxen together, Cataflan, maxalt, fiorinol, fiuricet, excedrine migraine for headaches. (not at the same time though) I've had bad migraines for a long long time. Everything I've taken has worn off in effectiveness Ina few months, so I have to keep several mess on hand and not mix them, but take different ones periodically. If you don't have insurance, imitrex is (was 10 yrs ago) $17 a pill. My neurologist had the best advice, she said to prevent them. I get them from stress and overstimulation. Yoga 4+days a week has helped me in the last 6 months too. Know your triggers, I bring earplugs to the movies and the club. Food triggers, alcohol triggers, strong smells, prolonged loud sounds, high stress and a bunch of other crap can just bring on the hell. Avoid the habit-forming drugs despite the pain, dependency is a huge risk for folks like us on meds.
Dancing Paws · 6/24/2012
The only trigger I have found so far is hormones. I wish I could fix that!
Minnie St Martin · 6/25/2012
I have had migraines since I was 11 years old. Mostly they were triggered by hormones, though other things can start them, too, as northpole listed. When I was in my late 30's they started to last three to five days, which I believe coincided with perimenopause. I took Imitrex, the pill and later the nasal spray. They both worked for a while. The spray was better, as the pill was often vomited up before it could do any good. The spray is a smaller dose so the side effects were fewer. I have been taking Zomig as an under-the-tongue dissolving tablet for several years now, and it helps. Without insurance it is $214 for 6 tablets here in Oregon through Fred Meyer. Somewhere around $35 with insurance. I stopped menstruating two years ago and the migraines have lessened in the last three years but have not gone away. Even though there is no more bleeding I still feel that there is a cycle as before. Mine personally matches up with the moon cycles most of the time, so I know when to be extra gentle with myself. Hugs and sympathy for the headaches!
Dancing Paws · 6/25/2012
Not sure if I've tried zomig or not. I have a disolvable pill I've tried before. I'll have to check.
DreamStarr · 6/25/2012
Ask your doc about Topamax, ive been taking it for three months now and have omly had about teo or three migrains but without my migrains lasts for months straight with no releif from aything, and everything triggers it, love the movie Titanic but the ship going down with all those flashing lights was killing me, and I never knew the movie was literally making me sick! Sucks...:'(
DreamStarr · 6/25/2012
And imatrex is ok but they dont give you enough so if u can afford it and it works ( thumbs up) read the side affects of the topamax believe or not some pep like it ;-)
Dancing Paws · 6/25/2012
I actually took topamax for epilepsy. I hate those drugs. The side effects are awful! Topamax did nothing for my headaches. The side effect of imitrex that bothers me is the chest tightening. My dad had a heart attack years ago.
Milena Stoyanova · 6/30/2012
I used to have also migraines, but since years I don't have any. It's important to learn to destress, (yoga, walking in the nature, pilates) also eat quality food, make sure to have regular bowel movement (at least 1 per day), otherwise the body is getting intoxicated and the head is the first to be hit by. Fasting is great also. The migraines can be also caused by the heavy metals, for this blood and urine tests need to be done! If you need further info on the latter, please contact me.
Dancing Paws · 6/30/2012
I don't think any of those are my problem. I truly believe they are hormone based.
Forever Young · 6/30/2012
As I mentioned before - if they are hormonal your best bet is to consider the birth control injection. It has got rid of my migrains 100%.
blondebird · 7/1/2012
Take calium/magnesium tablets 250/500 mg strength, they help hormonal headaches!
Dancing Paws · 7/1/2012
I will ask my doc about them. I do take calcium, but not magnesium. Thanks.
DreamStarr · 7/1/2012
Wow sensual sorry bout your dad, I guess thats why they make so many diff meds evry one is not the same. But I hope you find some releif somewhere in search...
Dancing Paws · 7/1/2012
Thanks. The family history is what makes me nervous to take it.
senrysa · 7/2/2012
I used self-inject imitrex like 15 yrs ago. As with all migraine meds for me they work well for a while. I use maxalt now but I think the chest tightening is common as the meds constrict blood vessels. Having had headaches for 25 yrs I know how difficult they can be. One key thing is migraine meds generally only work for migraines. So if headaches are cluster, tension stress or something else they don't work. Very important to know what kind of headache to treat it. I unfortunately have complicated combination headaches. When I take migraine meds and its a cluster type headache it doesnt touch it. :( as many have said they sometimes get better as you get older. One nice thing about geting older.
nharris · 7/2/2012
I did not read all of what was written, but I have a sensitivity to aspartame (art. sweeetener). You'd be amazed at what all it is in. I also know that there is a yeast/fungal/sugar correlation. yeast caused swelling, yeast is a fungus and sugar feeds fungus. I love using (I am a brand snob) Oregenol. Oregeno oil has been shown to be as effective as morphine in pain relief. it reduces swelling and is non narcotic or habit forming. Good luck iin your search.
Dancing Paws · 7/2/2012
I have never heard of oregano oil. I'll have to see if I can find some.
Katt · 7/2/2012
I was in a car accident 15 yrs ago and have gotten frequent migraines since especially when I get stressed. I've tried at least 2 dozen different meds and have seen 4 neurologists. I was in a migraine study a few years ago and had botox injections which lessened the frequency of the migraines considerably. I still get the injections but my insurance won't pay for them. When I do get a migraine, I use Imitex injections.
Katt · 7/2/2012
That's supposed to be Imitrex injections...sorry for the typo.
Dancing Paws · 7/2/2012
I also tried botox and it didn't help much. The trigger toints are helping keep them from entering my neck area.