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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerrympls on April 22, 2003, at 16:44:46
My doc gave me Imitrex to take for my occassional migraines - but I've never taken a med in this class and am worried about side effects and taking while I'm on an SSRI - There doesn't seem to be any major problems listed in the drug intereactions - although SSRIs are mentioned.
Anyone have any experience? knowledge?
thanks!
Posted by Snoozy on April 22, 2003, at 17:13:23
In reply to Anyone take IMITREX w/ depression meds?, posted by jerrympls on April 22, 2003, at 16:44:46
Boy, do I have experience! I unfortunately have to take Imitrex pretty much every day. I have been on Imitrex concurrently with: Paxil, Effexor, Luvox, Prozac, Zoloft and Wellbutrin.
I assume the doc that gave you Imitrex knows about all of the other drugs you take? And knows your physical history?
Imitrex does have an effect on serotonin - I'm not sure exactly what it does, hopefully someone with more knowledge can explain.
It sounds like you haven't taken Imitrex before? There can be some side effects - a tightening/rushing feeling in the chest the primary one. This is much less pronounced when using the pills vs. the injection. I didn't experience it for long, as I take so much my body has adjusted. I hope you don't have to take it that often! Compared to the pain of a migraine though, the side effects are nothing!(my personal experience of course - I do know others who take it and don't have a problem with side efx.)
There are very strong contraindications with the triptans and MAOIs.
What dosage were you given? I'd be happy to try and answer any questions about my experience. BTW, I've tried some of the other triptans and I find Imitrex works much better for me.
> My doc gave me Imitrex to take for my occassional migraines - but I've never taken a med in this class and am worried about side effects and taking while I'm on an SSRI - There doesn't seem to be any major problems listed in the drug intereactions - although SSRIs are mentioned.
>
> Anyone have any experience? knowledge?
>
> thanks!
Posted by maryhelen on April 22, 2003, at 17:48:55
In reply to Anyone take IMITREX w/ depression meds?, posted by jerrympls on April 22, 2003, at 16:44:46
Yes, I have taken Imitrex while I was taking any different form of medication including SSRI's. I am on Parnate now and although it was contradicted, I took my chances and took the Imitrex because the migraines were devastating for me. I did not have any adverse reactions and I never have.
However, Imitrex, whether on medications or not, can have serious side effects, I believe one being chest tightness and heart palpations. You will read all the side effects in the directions insert.
It truly has been a miracle drug for me. I have suffered migraines since I was 13 and it was wonderful not to have to take narcotics for them to which I became addicted. Imitrex was a life saver for me given that migraines and depression is a devastating combination. I took the injectable Imitrex as often I could not keep a pill down because of the associated nausea.
I trust your doctor would not have prescribed it if he thought you could have a problem.
Sorry to go on so long but, again, Imitrex was a miracle drug for me. It made such a difference to my life. Ironically, since using Parnate after a few months, my migraines have all but disappeared.
As you know everyone's reactions to medications are different but I am just sharing my own experience with Imitrex.
I hope everything goes well for you.
maryhelen
Posted by Snoozy on April 22, 2003, at 19:45:14
In reply to Re: Anyone take IMITREX w/ depression meds?, posted by maryhelen on April 22, 2003, at 17:48:55
maryhelen -
very interesting to hear someone on MAOI and Imitrex. I thought they would be out of the question for me. I think they might be a good thing for me to try, but there's no way I can give up Imitrex. If you don't mind me asking, was this something your dr came up with? How frequently do you use Imitrex? (I use it daily, usually 100-300mg). Sorry if I'm prying too much - it's hopeful to know there might be another AD for me to try.
I went to a headache clinic in the early 90's, before Imitrex was on the market, and their standard treatment plan was MAOIs and getting off daily pain meds.
Thanks!
p.s. Have you tried any of the *delicious* orally disintegrating tablets?
> Yes, I have taken Imitrex while I was taking any different form of medication including SSRI's. I am on Parnate now and although it was contradicted, I took my chances and took the Imitrex because the migraines were devastating for me. I did not have any adverse reactions and I never have.
>
> However, Imitrex, whether on medications or not, can have serious side effects, I believe one being chest tightness and heart palpations. You will read all the side effects in the directions insert.
>
> It truly has been a miracle drug for me. I have suffered migraines since I was 13 and it was wonderful not to have to take narcotics for them to which I became addicted. Imitrex was a life saver for me given that migraines and depression is a devastating combination. I took the injectable Imitrex as often I could not keep a pill down because of the associated nausea.
>
> I trust your doctor would not have prescribed it if he thought you could have a problem.
>
> Sorry to go on so long but, again, Imitrex was a miracle drug for me. It made such a difference to my life. Ironically, since using Parnate after a few months, my migraines have all but disappeared.
>
> As you know everyone's reactions to medications are different but I am just sharing my own experience with Imitrex.
>
> I hope everything goes well for you.
>
> maryhelen
Posted by jerrympls on April 22, 2003, at 19:49:43
In reply to Re: Anyone take IMITREX w/ depression meds? » maryhelen, posted by Snoozy on April 22, 2003, at 19:45:14
Yeah - my doc knows all the meds I'm on - didn't seem to bother him taking the Imitrex w/them. He gave me the tablets and said to take one (25mg) and if the headache isn't gone I can take another 2 hours later. Fortunately, I rarely get migraine headaches - so this isn't something I imagine taking more than once -maybe- a month.
Thanks for all your info!
Posted by maryhelen on April 22, 2003, at 21:39:58
In reply to Re: Anyone take IMITREX w/ depression meds? » maryhelen, posted by Snoozy on April 22, 2003, at 19:45:14
Snoozy:
I know what you're saying about an MAOI being a good thing to try but there's no way you can give up the Imitrex. My pdoc had suggested for 8 months to try Parnate but I told him I could not give up the Imitrex. Anyone who suffers severe migraine would understand this. However, my depression became so bad that I realized I had to try. I had been on almost every med for depression and I was at my wits end. My family doctor of 33 years had retired at the same time so I was seeing clinic doctors for a while. When I had the Imitrex prescribed by them I did not tell them I was taking Parnate. I knew they wouldn't give it to me if I did. My pdoc did not know I was getting it. I took the chance and fortunately everything was fine. I used the injectible between 2 and 4 times a week. I know it was very stupid but my migraine headaches were so severe that if I was without my medication I would have to go to the emergency room at the hospital for treatment. Also, I know my body has a very high tolerance for drugs.
I certainly would not recommend this for anyone as we are all so different. One of the things that has happened about three months after taking Parnate is that I am not getting the migraines anymore, which is an absolute miracle. I started getting migraines when I was 13 and I am now 51. They certainly effect every aspect of your life and don't go well with depression. I might have had a few breakthroughs at which time I asked a friend for Zomig or the *delicious* orally disintegrating tables that she used but I can't tell you the last time I got a migraine which is a miracle.
If you are thinking of trying an MAOI remember that it may also give you relief from your migraines as well as the depression. I find it very interesting that the headache clinic in the early 90's suggested MAOI's and getting off the daily pain meds. I ended up being addicted to pain meds and the Parnate has eliminated migraines. It sounds like they were right on the money.
Whatever decision you make I wish you all the best of luck.
maryhelen
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