Question:

As one who has problems taking ANY of the preventive drugs (and besides, they don’t help me), I might be expected to be especially sensitive to triptans. But the point about them is – for me, they work. I can put up with some side effects for something that works. Only you can determine what your experience will be, so give them a try – you only take them for an actual migraine, not daily, so you can quit any time you decide they’re not worth it for you. As for me, when I die, I’m going to thank the Big Gal personally for triptans…. (My only side effect is soreness that persists for a few hours, especially in the joints – arthralgia, they call it.) Good luck –Julianne

Response:

Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine?

One hour after taking my first-ever dose of Imitrex, my migraine was gone but i experienced severe retinal bleeding (in my "migraine eye") that necessitated immediate laser surgery to prevent blindness. Such a side-effect is rare — and i was one of the very few who got it.   The next migraine attack i had after the from eye surgery, i tried Amerge with considerable reluctance and fear, but it worked perfectly. I have now been taking Amerge for two years with no decrease in effectiveness (i take it only once or twice per month) and with the only side-effect being a "stoned" sort of spinning dizziness which is actually quite pleasurable and "lazy" feeling, as if i were being slowly rotated end over end in outer space. I have to lay down when this happens, but i am certainly pain-free, so, for me, Amerge is a godsend, despite its unconscionably high price. Normally, Amerge takes one hour after ingestion to "kick in" so i usually take it with two Excedrin migraines and a Sudafed and a cup of strong coffee to speed up my metabolism and getting it working faster and to keep the pain down while waiting for it to take hold. Your mileage may vary — but good luck to you, no matter whether you take your doc’s advice or not. cat yronwode

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I get what I call the Imitrex Flu sometimes after taking it.  It is a side effect I can put up with tho to get rid of the migraine… Maxalt MLT gave me anxious side effects and Zomig made me feel bombed and Amerge did nothing… (maybe I have my reaction with Amerge and Zomig mixed up but you get the idea) Ronnie When One Candle Burns Out..Another Is Lit

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ; Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with ; Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? ; ; My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) ; I have all the side effects to anything it seems. ; Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t ; handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and ; pain. ugh. ; ; R&T I had problems with them.  I’ve tried imitrex, maxalt, amerge and zomig. And with all I had chest pains, my left arm hurt, tightness in my throat and a general all over bad feeling.  I have high BP and a history of heart disease in the family but I still tried them all.  And they still didn’t work.  But with everyone YMMV. Lea —  Lea Jackson, Montgomery, Alabama  http://www.mindspring.com/~ljackson/leahome.html

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Hi R & T – they tried me on anti-depressants and I felt worse than when I had a migraine.  Jeez.  They made me sick as a dog, groggy, vomitting, etc.  Can’t take any of them.  I take Feorinal when they come on and it is the one thing that works. good luck. Evelyn Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) I have all the side effects to anything it seems. Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and pain. ugh. R&T

http://home.swbell.net/lbiggio

Response:

; Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with ; Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? ; ; My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) ; I have all the side effects to anything it seems. ; Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t ; handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and ; pain. ugh. ; ; R&T I had problems with them.  I’ve tried imitrex, maxalt, amerge and zomig.   And with all I had chest pains, my left arm hurt, tightness in my throat and a general all over bad feeling.  I have high BP and a history of heart disease in the family but I still tried them all.  And they still didn’t work.  But with everyone YMMV. Lea —  Lea Jackson, Montgomery, Alabama  http://www.mindspring.com/~ljackson/leahome.html

Response:

Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) I have all the side effects to anything it seems. Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and pain. ugh. R&T

Response:

do any of those things create a lasting issue? such as the sore joints? would that lead to arthritis? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) I have all the side effects to anything it seems. Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and pain. ugh. I have some very mild side effects from Imitrex and Zomig, but compared to the kind of pain I have, it’s nothing. Really nothing…Triptans have pretty much saved my life. So for me, it’s worth it. (My side effects are "napalm" head (tender scalp), sore knuckles and joints in general, and "bubblehead", meaning I get kind of spaced. Not as in narcotic spaced, just kind of….flat?) Dana

Response:

Triptans have pretty much saved my life. So for me, it’s worth it.

I agree! (My side effects are "napalm" head (tender scalp),

That’s a new term to me… i get a ragingly tingly half-scalp during migraines, with or without taking Amerge, though. And my scalp is not so much tender as it is just… weird-feeling. sore knuckles and joints in general,

This interests me. I recently developed a sore shoulder joint. It is not muscle pain; it is joint pain, and unlike anything else i have ever had. I chalked it up to advancing age or "pinching a nerve," and have not been to a doctor (no health insurance; i would have to pay out of pocket for a diagnosis), but now i am wondering if it might caused by the Amerge. So i want to know — when you have the sore joints, are you ON the triptan drug at the time, and does the joint pain end when the drug wears off — or does the joint pain stick with you past the time of the drug dosing? Thanks for any clues… and "bubblehead", meaning I get kind of spaced. Not as in narcotic spaced, just kind of….flat?)

I think of Amerge as "psychedelic," and most definitely NOT "narcotic" in style. It really is like taking a non-high version of LSD or something — to me, at least! cat yronwode

Response:

Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) I have all the side effects to anything it seems. Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and pain. ugh.

I have some very mild side effects from Imitrex and Zomig, but compared to the kind of pain I have, it’s nothing. Really nothing…Triptans have pretty much saved my life. So for me, it’s worth it. (My side effects are "napalm" head (tender scalp), sore knuckles and joints in general, and "bubblehead", meaning I get kind of spaced. Not as in narcotic spaced, just kind of….flat?) Dana

Response:

YMMV= Your mileage may vary… Ronnie When One Candle Burns Out..Another Is Lit

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – YMMV? ; Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with ; Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? ; ; My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) ; I have all the side effects to anything it seems. ; Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t ; handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and ; pain. ugh. ; ; R&T I had problems with them.  I’ve tried imitrex, maxalt, amerge and zomig. And with all I had chest pains, my left arm hurt, tightness in my throat and a general all over bad feeling.  I have high BP and a history of heart disease in the family but I still tried them all.  And they still didn’t work.  But with everyone YMMV. Lea

Response:

YMMV? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ; Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with ; Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? ; ; My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) ; I have all the side effects to anything it seems. ; Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t ; handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and ; pain. ugh. ; ; R&T I had problems with them.  I’ve tried imitrex, maxalt, amerge and zomig.   And with all I had chest pains, my left arm hurt, tightness in my throat and a general all over bad feeling.  I have high BP and a history of heart disease in the family but I still tried them all.  And they still didn’t work.  But with everyone YMMV. Lea

Response:

That’s a new term to me…

I can’t claim it, someone else here (I can’t remember who!) came up with it and it fits what I feel perfectly. Sometimes it’s bad enough that it hurts to wash my hair. This interests me. I recently developed a sore shoulder joint. It is not muscle pain; it is joint pain, and unlike anything else i have ever had.

Joint pain is definately different feeling than muscle pain. I chalked it up to advancing age or "pinching a nerve," and have not been to a doctor (no health insurance; i would have to pay out of pocket for a diagnosis), but now i am wondering if it might caused by the Amerge.

Could be. Could just be arthritis or bursitis, too. I’ve had both in my shoulders. So i want to know — when you have the sore joints, are you ON the triptan drug at the time,

Yes, it starts about 20 – 30 minutes after I take it. and does the joint pain end when the drug wears off — or does the joint pain stick with you past the time of the drug dosing? Thanks for any clues…

No, the sore joints actually last a fairly short time, an hour or two at most. It’s kind of arthritic in nature, if I wiggle my fingers around the pain goes away faster. Sort of a "warming up" thing. and "bubblehead", meaning I get kind of spaced. Not as in narcotic spaced, just kind of….flat?) I think of Amerge as "psychedelic," and most definitely NOT "narcotic" in style. It really is like taking a non-high version of LSD or something — to me, at least!

<laugh Yeah, that sounds about right. Dana

Response:

thanks… another acronym to remember… says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – YMMV= Your mileage may vary… Ronnie When One Candle Burns Out..Another Is Lit YMMV? ; Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with ; Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? ; ; My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) ; I have all the side effects to anything it seems. ; Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t ; handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and ; pain. ugh. ; ; R&T I had problems with them.  I’ve tried imitrex, maxalt, amerge and zomig. And with all I had chest pains, my left arm hurt, tightness in my throat and a general all over bad feeling.  I have high BP and a history of heart disease in the family but I still tried them all.  And they still didn’t work.  But with everyone YMMV. Lea

Response:

I’m scared of the heart side effects really with my previous use of other meds that caused racing heart etc. I also don’t want a heart condition. ugh. It’s scary. I wish I didn’t have all the side effects typically. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – do any of those things create a lasting issue? Not for me. Not like the migraines do. I can function with a tender scalp and sore knuckles. I can’t with the kind of pain I feel without the Triptans. such as the sore joints? would that lead to arthritis? Well, I’m not sure. I already have osteoarthritis in my hands (and shoulders, and hips and knees) so it’s entirely possible that my arthritis is connected in some way to the side effects. It’s definately not bad enough for me to stop taking the Triptans. Not even close. What I know about arthritis is that it’s either hereditary, auto-immune, or traumatic in nature. (But I’m not a doctor or a pharmacist.) So I don’t think I’ve ever heard of arthritis actually being caused by a drug. (But I could be wrong!) Best of luck to you. You could always try the Triptans, see what your side effects, if any, there are, and if you are really uncomfortable with them, stop taking the Triptans. Dana

Response:

Woo. Y’all are havin’ more fun than I do on triptans. Mom musta loved you best. –Julianne

Response:

do any of those things create a lasting issue?

Not for me. Not like the migraines do. I can function with a tender scalp and sore knuckles. I can’t with the kind of pain I feel without the Triptans. such as the sore joints? would that lead to arthritis?

Well, I’m not sure. I already have osteoarthritis in my hands (and shoulders, and hips and knees) so it’s entirely possible that my arthritis is connected in some way to the side effects. It’s definately not bad enough for me to stop taking the Triptans. Not even close. What I know about arthritis is that it’s either hereditary, auto-immune, or traumatic in nature. (But I’m not a doctor or a pharmacist.) So I don’t think I’ve ever heard of arthritis actually being caused by a drug. (But I could be wrong!) Best of luck to you. You could always try the Triptans, see what your side effects, if any, there are, and if you are really uncomfortable with them, stop taking the Triptans. Dana

Response:

thanks for the information… It’s (all) giving me some things to consider… I’d rather have a sore scalp then a migraine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has any one here had problems (other then it being non-responsive) with Triptans (Imitrex or other) for taking away migraine? My doctor is really pushing it. (Think he wants more pens or something.) I have all the side effects to anything it seems. Also, while taking anti-depressents for blocking migraine, I couldn’t handle those side-effects either which included racing heart rate and pain. ugh. I have some very mild side effects from Imitrex and Zomig, but compared to the kind of pain I have, it’s nothing. Really nothing…Triptans have pretty much saved my life. So for me, it’s worth it. (My side effects are "napalm" head (tender scalp), sore knuckles and joints in general, and "bubblehead", meaning I get kind of spaced. Not as in narcotic spaced, just kind of….flat?) Dana

Response:

I also have oteoarthrisis. Maybe there a link between migraine and arthrisis and not between drugs and arthrisis which is very different that simple joints pain. Simple joints pain could be bad drugs effects.

Response:

I was before. Wore a heart monitor all day. All normal, as far as they could tell.

HAPPY happy news! If I were you I’d go full speed ahead. (But I’ve never been one for doing things halfway.)  :^) Dana

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I was before. Wore a heart monitor all day. All normal, as far as they could tell. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m scared of the heart side effects really with my previous use of other meds that caused racing heart etc. I also don’t want a heart condition. ugh. It’s scary. I wish I didn’t have all the side effects typically. Have you been checked by a cardiologist? Maybe that would be the next step, and could tell you if Triptans are appropriate for you. Dana

Response:

Woo. Y’all are havin’ more fun than I do on triptans. Mom musta loved you best. –Julianne

<laugh Fun? nah. Better than a headache? Definately! Dana

Response:

I’m scared of the heart side effects really with my previous use of other meds that caused racing heart etc. I also don’t want a heart condition. ugh. It’s scary. I wish I didn’t have all the side effects typically.

Have you been checked by a cardiologist? Maybe that would be the next step, and could tell you if Triptans are appropriate for you. Dana

Response:

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