Permanent Damage from Imitrex

[Scared by big Pharm]

I used this drug for many years. Then started getting rebound headaches from it, didn't realize at first that was a possiblitly.
Now I have neck and shoulder spasms quite often and stabbing pain in my cheek.
I wonder if this is FROM the imitrex and would like to hear from others if you have had similar problems.
Thank you for your time.
I have been off this for over a year. Still getting headaches, but refuse to take this dangerous drug any longer, especially now that linked to rebound headaches.

[MU1-MN]

I have used imitrex since it first emerged on the market and have never experienced either rebound headache or pains in neck and shldr. I would suggest you look into the latter because it could have many causes.
I am so happy to see the lower priced generics come on the market because it is indeed a wonder drug for those of us who can take it w/o side effects.It has always ticked me off to see the drug companies, knowing how we sufferers rely on the it, have continually upped the price over the years.

[Sandy - IL]

Last time I asked at the pharmacy (Feb 07), there was no generic for Imitrex. Did it just come out? Agree - prices are ridiculous $62 for 9 tabs WITH insurance. Thanks.

[Rebecca - GA]

My daughter has used Imitrex since it came out in pill form and has never had any rebound headaches from it. However, she has private insurance and wanted to change her coverage and the insurance company wanted her to sign a statement that she would not be treated medically for her migraines for five years. I'm not sure if this is going to start to be a trend with insurance companies. My insurance company stopped insuring Maxalt three years ago and I can't take Imitrex.
I've only found the generic Imitrex sold in Canada.

[Scared by big Pharm]

That is so strange.. I wonder why no treatment for five years? What is that supposed to accomplish.

I just started going to the chiropractor for mine, as I refuse to take the triptans anymore...too dangerous. It seems to be helping...and I was the biggest skeptic for this.
Maybe since these triptans can/do damage the heart they want people to not be on them too long...like how birth control used to be. They wouldn't let you stay on them too long.
I'll have to do some more digging on that trend.
Good luck...
seems weird they want to withhold a treatment if it is working o.k. for someone....so if her headaches get so bad, her Dr. will put her on disability, right?(I am being tongue in cheek..)

[Scared by big Pharm]

still puzzling over how an insurance company can require you not to seek treatment for 5 years?!

So, if you can do that...than you can just make the headaches go away? Migraines can be chronic.

How pathetic! What is wrong with our medicine and insurance companies today.

I hope she finds something that works for her.

[Janie]

MU1-MN ..where are you getting that there are generics for IMITREX? I don't know of any. I just went and got a prescription filled today, and my insurance requires they give me a generic - if possible--so where are you getting the generic?

[kem Mississippi]

ok i take imitrex samples that a friend gives me ... they seem to work only sometimes. i have had headaches really bad for over a year. i don't know what to do i don't have insurance and can't afford to have a cat scan done. What causes them? why everyday do i wake up scared that i can't go to school or work popping ain't no telling how many advil liquid gels excedrin... this hurts i mean do i have a brain tumor or something? seriously i am only 22 come on does any body know what is going on or what to take to ease the pain????

[Butterfinger15]

kem Mississippi wrote:

ok i take imitrex samples that a friend gives me ... they seem to work only sometimes. i have had headaches really bad for over a year. i don't know what to do i don't have insurance and can't afford to have a cat scan done. What causes them? why everyday do i wake up scared that i can't go to school or work popping ain't no telling how many advil liquid gels excedrin... this hurts i mean do i have a brain tumor or something? seriously i am only 22 come on does any body know what is going on or what to take to ease the pain????

You need to get that checked out. It could be something serious, maybe not. But, somehow get it checked out.

[louise]

kem Mississippi wrote:

ok i take imitrex samples that a friend gives me ... they seem to work only sometimes. i have had headaches really bad for over a year. i don't know what to do i don't have insurance and can't afford to have a cat scan done. What causes them? why everyday do i wake up scared that i can't go to school or work popping ain't no telling how many advil liquid gels excedrin... this hurts i mean do i have a brain tumor or something? seriously i am only 22 come on does any body know what is going on or what to take to ease the pain????

I had to reply! Please dont worry Im sure your fine. I thought the same thing when my migrains came on suddenly. I have been haveing them for over 20 years!! I has cat scans, been put on the pill, told to take anti depressents, etc. nothing helped!! They mostly came around my period, so watch to see if they are triggered by hormones. Also believe it or not alot of what you eat can trigger them. What may help: caffeine, vitamin D, B, B12, when you feel one coming on, stay away from, dairy, chocolate, wine, especially licorice, and stress! Other than that ask your doctor, and try to keep track of the cercumstances surrounding your attacks. Good luck.

[windsicle]

I'd been using samples that the doctor had given me- I ran out and she wrote me a prescription. I was waiting in line after I had it filled, and if I'd known that it was going to cost me $177 for just nine of the pills, I probably would have said no thanks and suffered a migraine instead. That's ridiculous. Apparently my insurance didn't cover any of it.

[Scared by big Pharm]

Read an article recently about a male patient who used pretty high quantities of IMITREX for many years. Now suffers from disc damage in his back. The PDR (physicians desk reference) "elludes to this happening" with use of IMITREX.
Maybe my neck and shoulder pain ARE really related to my IMITREX use also!
Evil poisions! I wish I'd never taken the first one.
Not to mention the damage it can do to otherwise healthy hearts.
All these drugs are dangerous and still experimental. We are the guinea pigs..
Me...no more!

[Meagan]

As for the insurance company having you sign a statement that you will not "treat migraines for 5 years" is against the law, in FL that is. Also, that is if you switch to individual, they can say up to 2 years, Group insurance has no say. I assume most states are this way.

[Merlyn]

Scared by big Pharm wrote:

I used this drug for many years. Then started getting rebound headaches from it, didn't realize at first that was a possiblitly.
Now I have neck and shoulder spasms quite often and stabbing pain in my cheek.
I wonder if this is FROM the imitrex and would like to hear from others if you have had similar problems.
Thank you for your time.
I have been off this for over a year. Still getting headaches, but refuse to take this dangerous drug any longer, especially now that linked to rebound headaches.

Yes, I too have rebound headaches from Imitrex and get pain from temple to shoulder, apparently along an artery. Have read recently there can be permanent damage from this. Any help is appreciated.

[Merlyn]

I have used Imitrex since it's inception. Works for some years but am now getting rebound migraines and a lot of vascular pain down neck to shoulder. Very sore and I've heard one can have permanent damage. VERY SCARY! Is it the drug or the condition???

[Anne]

I think it is important to distinguish between rebound migraine and the brain damages we hear about.

Rebound migraine is caused by using triptans (Imitrex etc) or painkillers more than around 10 days per month for some time. Somehow the effect changes after some months of heavy usage, and we just get more and more migraine. A detox may reduce the migraines to a more normal level (as it was before it escalated).

The brain damages are even more worrying - as they probably will not go away again. There has been some reports about lesions in the white matter in the brain for a year or so, and also one about lesions in the grey matter (this is where the action is in the brain), but all were 'subclinical'- that is we could compensate and function just as well as others.

But one report from Italy has now demonstrated that migraineurs with aura (more than 5 years of quite a lot of migraine) are less able to solve complex problems. It is only one paper, and a small group of migraineurs, but it is worrying! The doc.s claim that the damages are made regardless of which medicine we take (triptans or pain killers), so most likely the damages are made before we even feel the attack. This makes sense, as it could be lack of oxygen (when the arteries contract) that causes the damages.

So - go and get detoxed (on your own or with the doctors help) if you have rebound migraines. It may save you a lot of pain and maybe also some brain damages.

Yes, it is scary! I sure don't want to loose my mental abilities due to migraines! Not even a small bit.

[Hmm]

I have ahd Migraines now for about 4 years straight. I have started with Imitrex in pill form, now i have the nasal spray (20mg) I am also now on verapamil 120mg. Due to insurance change, I tried to loose the Imitrax and verapimil....then they headaches came back. I am getting onn the verapamil now but good god am i paying the price. I have had to take imitrex recently 4 times in the past 2 weeks, yesterday being the most recent. Today i still have slight pain in my head and a pain in my chest. Pain feels more like a muscle pull and comes and goes and my heart rate is normal so i am waiting till Monday to make an appointment. I am very nervous about the heart issues that can be caused by Imitrex.

[lrk]

I've had migraines for years, mostly around my period but last spring ended up in ER with Cluster Headaches! It was AWFUL! Anyhow they said taking too much Imitrex was very bad for you but didn't say why. My neurologist says that migraines can occur in the neck (vascular migraines) and be the cause of some of the neck pain that some of you (and myself) may be experiencing. He also says do not take Imitrex more than twice per week. Verapamil only worked in the beginning and now has me on Topamax, but it is expensive and there are MANY side effects.

[GMAN]

I've been taking Imitrex for almost nine years now. The last four years I've been taken it daily, sometimes 2-4 pills a day. I get mine in mexico(generic) and have had no side effects. I went to a neurologist about 2 years ago and he said I'm dealing with rebound headaches now, that's why they're so offen. He started me on Topomax. Worked great for the first three days then back to the headaches again. After one month the side effects of the Topomax kicked in and I had a tightening in my throat, wierd tingling in my toes and fingers and just a spacey feeling all day. I guess that's why they call it Dumb-omax. I stopped the Topomax and back to the daily Imitrex.

[ALS]

I have had issues with it aggravating my blood pressure. That's why I am looking for an alternative to it! I took it for all of one month and my blood pressure went through the roof!