Monday, May 28, 2012
Thursday, January 22, 2009 Martha Delgado asks

Q: What is the danger of taking Zomig for 5 days every two weeks?

I get a headache every two weeks and I take Zomig.  Once I get a headache I know I am going to have it for about 5 days.  My doctor doesn't seem concern but it bothers me to take so many zomigs a month.  I usually finish my prescription before the end of the month.  This is every month and I don't know what else to do.  I have taken just about everything.  Topomax made me nerveous and my face was jumping every day.  I took elevyl and gave me a bladder infection after so many years on it.  I took Lyrica and was dizzy.  I need help.

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Answers (2)
Teri Robert, Health Guide
1/22/09 12:56pm

Martha,

 

One risk of taking Zomig more than two or three days a week is that it can cause medication overuse headache, aka rebound headaches. See Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires for more information on this.

 

Also, there IS an issue when a Mgiraine lasts as long as you're describing.

A single Migraine that lasts 72 hours or longer with less than a solid four-hour pain-free period, while awake, is termed status Migrainous. You should see your doctor or go to the emergency room if a Migraine lasts that long. See Status Migrainous - The Basics for more information.

 

I know how easy it is to feel as if you've tried everything out there, but there are so many medications that can be used for Migraine and headache prevention that it's literally impossible. You can find a list of potential Migraine and headache preventives in Migraine preventive medications - too many options to give up!

 

If your doctor isn't able to help you, it may well be time to consult a Migraine and headache specialist. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.

 

You're going through a rough time. If you'd like some additional support, come join our discussion forum. You'll need to register again once there because it's a separate membership database, but you can use the same member name, email address, and password that you used here. You can find our forum at http://forums.healthcentral.com/discussion/migraine/forums.

 

Good luck,

Teri

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1/22/09 11:50am

Hi,

 

I used to take imitrex (which is also a triptan). I would take them on the same level as yourself and stress at the end of every month when I ran out. I told my doctor this, so he gave me yet another perscription to relpax.

 

I had a sort of crisis where I ended up in the ER with a 4 day migraine that would not respond to anything that I tried. I found a different doctor - who was appauled at the amount of medication the other doctor had allowed me to take. She told me that the imitrex was causing my headaches through a bad rebound cycle. I've been detoxing for 4 months now...and doing great!!

 

I have been trying a lot of alternative treatments that I'de be glad to elaborate on if you message me - but back to my point: Seriously reconsider the amount of medication that you are taking. I realize that you feel like you cannot live your life without taking an abortive for all of your migraines, but zomig might only be temporarily helping while exacerbating your problem overall.

 

So the danger is that your body is getting too comfy with the regular dosage of zomig and you might be in a rebound cycle. Aside from that - think about the effects on your liver from processing that much medication.

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By Martha Delgado— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 01/22/09