Migranes...and the Miracle Drug...

[Dax]

I have been diagnosed with migranes. When I get them they really make it tough to do anything....Those who suffer I am sure can relate...

So I went to the Dr. and he prescribed me Imitrex....Let me tell you...It is amazing. Within half an hour of taking it, its gone. It is just amazing. The pill is a bit pricey($180 for 9 pills ) for the $30 co-pay its worth it.


Has anyone else used this?

 

[MaryJ]

Yes!!! I had been taking Zomig for my migraines, and their effectiveness seems to have diminished lately. So, a few weeks ago I went to my doctor on an unrelated matter and mentioned this to him. He gave me some Imitrix samples and the next time I got a migraine I took one. The pain was gone in 20-30 minutes....and it didn't leave me feeling like a wet rag either.

DD had a dance teacher that suffered with migraines. One night she came down with one right before she had to teach a tap class. Another teacher took over the class and a friend took her to the hospital. At the hospital she received an injection of Imitrix. The next week I told her I was glad she was feeling better. Her reply was "If I had known I could go to the hospital and get a shot to get rid of my migraine, I would have walked there naked in the snow!" That gives you an idea about how great Imitrix is!

 

[Dax]

Its just a shame that it is soooo expensive....but it is worth EVERY penny to feel normal again.

 

[stinkerbelle]

I've been taking Imitrex for a few years now for my migraines (which are leaning towards being seasonal..my next batch will likely come in october...ugh)

anyway..I find that my migraine isn't responding to the drug anymore...might need to switch to something else.

I've taken as much as 3 imitrex (under doc's orders) and still felt no relief in under 3 hours.

same thing with my FIL...he actually take the injections...on Christmas eve this past year the poor man had the headache for over 6 hours - and that was after 2 injections.

some people just develope an 'immunity' to the drug

 

[keenercam]

I can't take Imitrex because of a heart condition, but have found something pretty effective -- I take Ultram every day as a maintenance drug (I used to have migraines that lasted up to 18 days) and use anaprox and amerge and compazine when a headache starts. I also use magnesium pills.

My cardiologist and neurologist are huge fans of imitrex and have said that if nothing else works they will put me in the hospital, start heart meds first and then give me the imitrex. Thank God, I now only have them only a couple times a month for a few hours before meds kick in and haven't had to "step up" to the imitrex.

Dax -- I am soooo glad you found something that works for you.

 

[Betsyt82]

I tried Imitrex and found that I was one of the few who got the vomit side effect from the drug.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Imitrex is great for migraines...but why do they put it in a blister pack that is impossible to open when you're in that much pain

 

[cinmell]

I used to use Fiorinal and Fioricet (spellings?) but those were useless. I use Imitrex but it makes me sick to my stomach. The doctor's lowered the dose twice and I was still getting sick. I now have the nasal spray form of Imitrex but I haven't had to use it yet (I probably just jinxed myself ). Has anyone tried the nasal spray? Did you feel sick from that?

 

[missypie]

I tried Imitrex and it was as if I had taken nothing...no effect whatsoever on me or my migraine.

 

[Dax]

Originally posted by Boo'sMom
Imitrex is great for migraines...but why do they put it in a blister pack that is impossible to open when you're in that much pain

I noticed that this morning....I was getting pretty irritated trying to open it this morning....But I feel great

 

[Alice28]

I do the Imitrex injections, which hurt like a you know what, but there is nothing more effective on my migraines. Truly a wonder drug. I hee-hee a little bit when I pick mine up- we have a $10 limit on our co-pay for prescriptions...so I see the $230 price tag for 4 injections and I paid $10. Thank god....I would pay a $30 copay for it though, no problem. I have tried the oral Maxalt, which is very similar to Imitrex, but it just didn't completely kill the migraine.

 

[DwarfMaster]

I'm also one of the few people who can't take the Imitrex pills. I get really sick for a few hours after I take one ~ I get nausea, dizzy, hot/cold spells, I'va actually passed out at work.
My doctor has tried to prescribe me everything under the sun but nothing seems to help! He's referred me to a specialist so as soon as I can get in ~ maybe they'll have a better idea.

 

[MouseEars4us]

I've had migranes for years. I mentioned it to my OB since I think they're hormonally related. He agreed but never perscribed anything...Who treats your migranes? Your family Dr.? I'm impressed with all the new migrane meds and would love to have relief...

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Originally posted by Betsyt82
I tried Imitrex and found that I was one of the few who got the vomit side effect from the drug.

Me too, but it was after 6 months of use that the nasty little side effect showed up. I was in the middle of the move, on the floor sick as a dog while DH pouted because I couldn't help.

Sad but true, now all I need is excederin (sp?) migrain and it knocks them out, much cheaper too!

 

[stinkerbelle]

If you've ever had a migraine you'll know exactly what I'm talking about:
the jumping vein (you SWEARING is pulsating 3 feet off your face)
the vice-like grip on your forehead
the shakes/nausea/light& sound sensitivity
the wrinkles...

huh? the wrinkles? heheh...I heard that, of all things, Botox can be injected *somewhere* near that vein and migraines will cease to exist.

I highly doubt my doc would prescribe that though

 

[AmyA]

I started taking Imitrex when it was first available---only in injection form! It usually works great for me, but the pills don't work nearly as well.

There's a relatively new "triptan" on the market that is like 91% effective in clinical studies. It's called Relpax and it is AWESOME!

 

[SnoWhite]

I have suffered from horrible migranes for at least the past 10 years, and I also take Immitrex. It works great for me and has no side effects. Sometimes it does take longer than 30 mins. to feel better, for me it generally takes up to an hour or longer. But it's the best thing that I"ve tried so far!

Lisa

 

[Towncrier]

My wife has been taking Imitrex ever since it was introduced in the United States. Initially it was only available in an injectible form. I think that it was $50 a shot, but it was worth it to not have my wife suffer with her monthly migraine headaches. She has often said that she would do a commercial for Imitrex because it has done so much to relieve her pain. She now has pills, nasal spray, and injectible forms of Imitrex. And she never leaves home without it.

FYI - The pills may not work well for some people because your digestive system shuts down during a full blown migraine. If you don't take the pill(s) soon enough, they will just sit in your stomach and won't do you any good. You might want to consider the nasal spray if the pills aren't doing the job.

 

[ZachnElli]

My mom takes Imitrex and loves it. I'm now suffering from migraines, but have yet to get a doctor to prescribe something. (I have too many other things wrong with me, they try to address that first and forget about the migraines, so do I unfortunately.) I just took 2 Excederin Migraine and they work ok, but make me very jumpy, too much caffeine in them.

 

[CindysGusGus]

I had migraines pretty bad a while ago. they gave me a shot of imitrex in my arm ( this is before pill form) When they left me alone for about 15 minutes when I saw Mickey Mouse peek around the door and ask me if I was ok. Then I saw my head fall off and roll out the door. That was the LAST time I ever took imitrex. My DR prescribed Depakote which worked wonders but messed with my personality and made me crave sweets (Im a steak and potato gal). I would make Key Lime pies and just eat on them all day. Finally decided to deal with the migraines. We found the cause and now they are pretty much gone.