Posted by Melba J. Sheffield (205.129.14.25) on January 24, 2000 at 11:27:16:
In Reply to: How much Imitrex works for you ? posted by Marc on January 19, 1999 at 10:52:31:
I'm beginning to wonder how much it takes--or how much I can take without serious side effects. (I have developed a "benign" arrhythmia.) Regarding the burning sensation, I have that reaction in my hands--my fingers are especially sensitive. I wondered if others experienced such a reaction.
When Imitrex first came out, I used the injections. A little over a year ago I switched to the tablets and found that they are just about as effective, except they take a little longer to kick in. Since Jan. 1, I have had 12 migraine days and the tablets do enable me to function. I've taken one-50 mg. tablet six days in a row. (Every morning around 3 or 4 a.m. the migraine sets in and gets progressly worse.) After I take one 50 mg. tablet, the pain recedes into the background and, with proper eating and resting, I can manage. (It is probably the same headache rather than several individual ones, but it waxes and wanes.)
Actually, my migraines are less frequent, of shorter duration and less severe than they used to be. (I've had them for 34 years.) Before Imitrex was available I was bedridden for days at a time and totally unable to function during the most severe migraines. So, even dealing with them 25-30% of the time, Imitrex tablets enable me to cope fairly well.
Hope this is encouraging to anyone who hasn't found a helpful solution such as Imitrex. If anyone has information about the burning sensation or irregular heartbeat, I'd like to know more.
Regards,
Melba