Imetrex for Migraines

memphispanda, RN · Jan 20, 2004

Are you sure it's migraines? Imitrex is almost a miracle for most migraine sufferers. (well, that and others in the same category). I know it works for me when nothing else even touches it. I also tried Inderal, but I couldn't tolerate it. Made my BP too low and I felt like sleeping all the time. I know it works for some people though.

Anyway, my cocktail that works for most of my migraines is 2 excedrin and 25mg Benadryl. Works about 95% of the time.

Snot nosed brat · Jan 20, 2004

Imitrex doesn't work for me either. I use a combination of either Midrin and Robaxin or Ultram and Toradol. I however, get combination headaches. The flip flopping of the medications has prevented an increased dosage for 10 years. Good luck!

Kayzee · Jan 20, 2004

I use Armege, which also is expensive but it really helps with my headaches. Co pay helps.

sagelola · Jan 20, 2004

I've tried Imitrex, too, and it does not work AT ALL. My migraines are few and far between (thank God for that!!), but they do happen on occassion.

My mother, too, has occassional migraines. Imitrex did not work for her, either...

Jolie, BSN · Jan 20, 2004

I tried a number of the newer migraine drugs as well, without success. Maxalt, Zomig, Imitrex, and another one whose name I can't remember. None of them did a darn thing. A huge disappointment, since I have small children and can't be zoned out on narcotics or barbiturates.

At least they didn't cost me anything. My doc is great about offering samples for any new drug, and then writing a script if the med is helpful. You might want to ask your doc to do that next time, since prescriptiions are so expensive!

I've learned to take Motrin (along with caffeine) at the first sign of a migraine. That usually "knocks it down" to a tolerable level until I get my kids off to school, or my hubby gets home and I can take more powerful meds.

Sis123 · Jan 20, 2004

My suggestion: See a neurologist. I wound up in the ER with a bad 3-day migraine. The Imitrex and Zomig didn't touch it, and at the end of the 3rd day I was desperate.

I wound up in the ER needing something different for pain. The PA there saw me, and suggested a shot of Torodol, I said okay. That &*($# migraine lifted and went away in 45 minutes and didn't come back. It was an absolute miracle. That's when one of the RNs there said, that she had seen a neurologist for her migraines, had some sort of shot in the neck, and no more migraines. I asked for her name, and got it.

Fast forward 9 months, after trying all sorts of drugs, with nothing preventing about 9 migraines a month, she petitioned the ins. co. for botox treatment, and VOILA! NO more migraines! You get a whole bunch of little injections in the forehead, temples, neck, they ache a bit for a couple days, but it's amazingly effective. Give that a try!

It turned me from being disabled with migraines to being able to have a life....

kate930 · Jan 20, 2004

Several years ago I had Imitrex nose spray. Worked wonderfully! AND FAST! Middrin worked some of the time, but took forever to kick in.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 20, 2004

My husband has migraines and did go to a neurologist (I recommend that). He went through Ultram, Vicoden, Vioxx, Skelaxin then finally Imitrex. It worked, it gave him serious side effects but not too bad if he would just go ahead and take it when the headache first started. He tried Zomig and didn't like it. He then tried Maxalt MLT and it was much better as far as side effects so that's what he takes now and it's in the same price range as Imitrex. I would try to find a doc that has samples of those expensive meds. I believe he got samples of Imitrex and Zomig and probably could have gotten one of Maxalt but that was from a friend (I know, bad bad boy). He does have a prescription for it now. It works about 80% of the time or at least reduces the intensity.

harry Krishna · Jan 20, 2004

the word migraine gets thrown around all too frequently. most people either self diagnose or are misdiagnosed. a neuro md eval is sooo important when dealing with chronic migraines.

also a word of caution on imitrex, it has terrible side effects. i know a guy who had an MI after one sq dose of imitrex. he had no prior medical problems. happens alot a cardio md told me.

sandyth · Jan 20, 2004

I USED IMITREX FOR 3 YRS WITH GREAT RESULTS. HAD TO STOP USING IT BECAUSE IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK ONE NIGHT. THANK GOD I HAVENT HAD ANYMORE MIGRAINES SINCE THAT NIGHT ( OVER A YEAR AGO).

Ortho_RN · Jan 20, 2004

Well I have tried just about anything for my migraines... I have tried Maxalt, and it worked for a while but then it did nothing.

My doctor put me on Inderal, but Im bad about taking meds on a regular basis so I very rarely take it.

Migraines suck,,, I would never wish them on my worse enemy.. ok well maybe them I would