Imitrex Side Effects? - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

BilboBaggins · 12-31-2006, 02:10 AM

Does anyone reading this use Imitrex and experience side effects?

Imitrex is a lifesaver and stops my headaches quickly. However, I am left with a "weird feeling" after use. I told my neurologist about this and he looked at me light I was crazy. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced so it is hard to describe. I feel as if I am flushed but my skin is not hot to the touch. Simultaneouly, I feel sluggish and just want to sit down. This slugishnss is more "mental" that physical because I can get around just fine if I have too. I also feel a "heaviness" in my thorax and shoulders, but have no trouble breathing. In short, it is as if the experience is all in my head, but that is the whole point of the drug - to alter my brain chemistry. I am not sure if this feeling is a side-efect of the medicine or just part of the headache that I didn't notice before because of all the pain, nausea/vomiting, and thinking/speech disfunction that was associated with the headaches. After using Imitrex, my heart rate is only slightly elevated, but it is elevated during a headache anyway. I have not tested my blood pressure after using Imitrex. Perhaps I should.

BioAdoptMom3 · 12-31-2006, 10:24 PM

I had some weird side effects too when I was on it. With the pill it seemed to eliminate the pain faster, but I had more nausea and vomiting than I do even with the actual migraine (and that to me is the worst part of the migraine) and I also had some slugglishness and dizziness like you describe. They tried the shot for me too and I would never take that again. The symptoms were much more pronounced and with that I did notice the fast heart rate. That too made the nausea and vomiting more severe. It didn't last more than a few minutes, but it scared me enough to stop me from ever using it again. I now use Two Excedrin, a Benadryl and a Coke and it practically eliminates the headache and totally stops the nausea and vomiting. I have to take it though as soon as I get the distorted vision symptoms or it doesn't work. Good luck!

Nancy