Do you have questions about headaches or Migraines? Many of our readers do, and each week, and Like what you're reading? Get convenient updates from Ask the Clinician on Facebook, iGoogle, your personal blog and more!
-
Increased Migraines while getting radiation therapy and chem
Anonymous
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 11:46 PMre: Increased Migraines while getting radiation therapy and
Ask the Clinician
Monday, June 11, 2007 at 11:40 PMThis is something you need to discuss with your doctor. For us to try to make specific suggestions via the Internet would be extremely inappropriate.We can, however, suggest a couple of things for you to discuss
with your doctors...1) Imitrex is one of seven Migraine abortive medications in the
triptan family. Ask your doctor about trying some of the others. A reaction to Imitrex doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a reaction to others.2) Ask the doctor who treats you for Migraine disease and your
oncologist to consult on ways to prevent the Migraines that your treatments are triggering. They might prescribe an NSAID or even a triptan that you could take before your treatments.Good luck,
John Claude Krusz & Teri Robert
reply -
Untitled Comment
Terri Romeo
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 12:38 AMThanks for your reply. I did not want any specific suggestions re: my treatment.
I have discussed the problem with both of my oncologists and am now on Zomig. While this still causes my heart to race it does not last as long as it does with Imitrex.
replyre: Untitled Comment
Ask the Clinician
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 01:05 AMTerri,
You're very welcome. You might want to ask your doctor about some of the newer triptans -- Axert, Relpax, or Frova. They seem to have fewer side effects for some people.
Good luck!
reply
I had been migraine free for almost a year. I take 200 mg of Elavil at night and that was keeping me headache free. I stopped taking Imatrex for my migraines because it caused heart palpitations and an uneasy feeling.
I began radiation and chemo to treat squamous cell CA of the pharynx and lymph nodes in my neck on 5/23. I wear a VERY tight mesh mask which is clamped to the treatment table. I am unable tomovemy head and it puts muchh pressure on my head. about two hours after my treatments I develop a migraine which lasts from 2 to 12 hours. Any suggestions?
reply