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Q: In the past I was able to take Imitrex, however I had an esophogeal spasm as well as high BP. I can not take it, what other meds can be used so I can function?
Hi Annette,
How many days a week were you taking Imitrex to relieve these headaches? Taking Migraine abortive meds such as the triptans or ergotamines or any kind of pain medication -- prescription or over-the-counter -- more than two or three days a week can make matters worse by causing medication overuse headache (MOH), aka rebound. See Medication Overuse Headache - When the Remedy Backfires for more information on this.
Anyone who has three or more Migraines a month needs to be talking with their doctor about prevention. There's growing evidence that Migraine is a progressive brain disease. A recent study showed that Migraines can cause brain damage, and that people with three or more Migraines a month are more susceptible to this damage. For more information, see Is Migraine a Progressive Brain Disease? and Yes, Migraines Can Cause Brain Damage.
Don't lost hope, 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!
Good luck
Nancy
Hi, Annette,
Nancy gave you great information on how frequently we can use acute medications such as Imitrex as well as information about preventive therapies and ergotamine Migraine abortives.
I'm not sure what else to suggest for acute treatment when you get a Migraine. That depends on so many things including whether the Imitrex was the actual cause of the spasm and hypertension or if the timing was coincidental. This is really a coversation to have with your doctor. If the problems were cause by Imitrex, the other triptan medications as well as the ergotamines may all be problematic for you, but only your doctor can really determine that. If that's the case, most doctors would probably turn to a prescription strength NSAID such as indomethacin, perhaps along with something for nausea.
Please keep us posted on how you're doing?
Teri
Thank you Teri and Nancy so much for the advice. I am so nervous, my husband and I are taking our children to Disney and I have such a fear of getting a migraine.... I have been to a Neurologist and tried taking Topomax. I had been on Imitrex for several years, I used approximately 18 pills a month. The side effects were always bad for me. Out of fustration I stopped all meds. I may try the nasal spray.... I will keep you postd! :)
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Oops forgot some information - if you need a non-triptan abortive medication there are ergotamines such as Migranal nasal spray and DHE-45 (injectable) that you could try.
This article talks about the differences between rescue, preventive and abortive medications, Preventive, Abortive, and Rescue Medications - What's the Difference?
Take care,
Nancy