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I have muscle and joint pain after taking Imitrex. I have been taking Imitrex for many years and the side effect of the muscle pain is becoming worse. My physician has given me other medications such as Maxalt, but nothing works for the migraine as well as the Imitrex. I am not going to be able to continue taking this much longer.
I too suffer from severe joint pain when I take Imitrex. I have mentioned this to several physicians who look at me like I am crazy; apparently they don't hear about this side effect that often. It also puts me directly into the MOH cycle. I end up taking it for three days before my migraine finally subsides.
Interestingly, I was recently prescripbed Lisinopril for hypertension, and it caused the exact same side effects I get from imitrex. I am not sure what the relationship is between those two drugs but I would be interested to know.
I have found that Migranal nasal spray works very well as relieving my migraines, and does not cause the overuse problem with another headache showing up 24 hours later. It does not relieve the headache as quickly as Imitrex; it takes about 3-4 hours and sleeping while waiting for it helps. I experience no joint pain with Migranal.
Hope this info helps someone out there!
Jan
Jan, thanks for responding. While I am certainly sorry you have the same issue I am glad to hear I am not alone with my symptoms related to Imitrex. I have a great Neurologist that I am friends with and that I have been seeing for several years now. She is up to date on everything, yet she has not heard of this problem from anyone else, nor has she read anything about it.
Imitrex works well for my migraine pain but the joint pain and all over soreness is quite a problem for a couple of hours after taking it.
Please post if you read or hear of any updates on this and I will do the same.
Thanks again,
CP
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Thank you for your very helpful answer. I am new to this site and also new to online sharing and finding your site extremely helpful. I did not see joint pain, etc. in the perscription insert for Imitrex but have since found it on the internet listed as a rare or uncommon side affect. I do not seem to be getting that same soreness with the Maxalt so that's good. I'm grateful for the info on MOH and realize now this may be a big part of my problem. I have my first appt. with a neurologist on July 29 and will definitely bring this up. My endocrinolgist also perscribed Topamax with the Maxalt, and as directed, I started with a 1/2 tab of 25mg for 3 nights, but after reading about the possible side affects of Topamax, I am not comfortable taking it before discussing it with the neurologist. So I discontinued it. I guess I'm nowhere until my appointment. It seems alternating Imitrex and Maxalt would not accomplish anything since they are both triptans, right?? Thanks again!
Lori,
You're most welcome. Glad we could help. Thank you for giving enough info in your question for us to be able to really address it.
Yes, I was concerned that you might be into MOH. You are quite right that alternating Imitrex and Maxalt will not help. At one time, I was averaging five days a week with Migraines. The treatment regimen my Migraine specialist and I agreed on was using Imitrex two days a week and a pain medication two different days a week. To avoid MOH, once I'd medicated those four days, any other days could be treated only with antinausea meds and sleep. Yes, it was rough, but it was so worth it. By staying out of the MOH cycle, we were able to work on finding effective preventives, and now I have only about half a dozen Migraines a YEAR.
On the Topamax -- if you're not comfortable with it, be sure to discuss your concerns with your neurologist. There are MANY other choices, so you and he should be able to discuss what your options are and make a choice together.
If you're not already a member of our forum, consider joining us, Lori. Lots of great discussions there. Click HERE to get to the forum. You'll have to register again for the forum, but you can use the same email address and password that you used for this section of the site.
Let us know if we can help you with anything!
Teri
Thank you, Teri. I will register to join the forum. I'm glad to hear you are so successful in treating your migraines now. What a relief that must be. I have one now but am trying to manage without taking a Maxalt but don't know what else to even take. I know I've been taking too much advil lately so don't want to do that. It probably wouldn't touch it anyway. Were the pain medications you alternated with the Imitrex over the counter or perscription? Any suggestions? Thanks again. Hopefully, I won't be pestering you anymore. Lori