Triptans?

Specific Illnesses & Conditions VM/MAV
1

I actually dont know what they are called in english, but the medication you take when you have a migraine attack. I have classic attacks almost ones a month (at that time a month). And my doctor wants me to take these. DOes anyone know if they are okay, or are they worsening the in-between-dizzys?

Best from Line

  • Doing much better! Less dizzy, but the migraines with dizzy ones a month, and some dizzy every day. I am on 20 mg. Nori and 0.25 Clonazapam dayli.
2

They are triptans or sumatriptans. I’ve taken them for years for my migraine headaches, and since MAV hit three years ago, they haven’t made things any worse. Honestly, when I’ve got a true migraine headache, nothing else works and Imitrex is my saving grace. I’ve found that it can actually help with the dizziness, but that doesn’t last long.

They often leave me feeling really drugged up, so be prepared to feel a bit off when taking them, although you may not. And you may have to try one or two different brands too find the one that works for you.

3

Wow I can’t believe this you posted this thread just as I started to think about taking my Imitrex again.

Does it help anyone else with dizziness or vertigo?

Thanks,

K

4

HI
Triptans are supposedly not useful for a chronic MAV-er…they are abortive drugs for the headaches, but for whatever reason they are useless for the dizzies.
You could probably find an exception, but I think that is the rule.
Best to you…
Kelley

5

Kathleen, Imitrex may help my dizziness for a day or two but that’s it. As Kelley said, they are abortives and not preventives so you will not get migraine control taking them. And while it may take away the dizziness, it’s replaced with a feeling of being drugged up–the migraine hangover. Luckily I have good control of my symptoms with topiramate and Lexapro.

6

Thanks for the info,

I have taken them in the past as an abortive, just wondered if they would work for dizzys as now, that is how migraines present with me for the most part.

Anne, I wish I could have tolerated Topamax it made me stupid and disoriented! Will have to try another drug when can get back to the doctor.

Kathleen

7

I cannot remember all of the medical specifics behind it, but my neuro told me that triptans were not good for migraine patients with vertigo as it increased the risk of stroke. I believe there is some information elsewhere on the site the explains the medical specifics of it. I believe it has something to so with bloodflow. I’m sorry I couldnt be more helpful.

–A

8

is pizotifen a Triptan?

9

Ajs, I believe that is when dizziness is part of aura for you, not MAV. Although I could be wrong on that, but my two neuros never told me that.

Robert, piz is not a triptan. Triptans are drugs like Imitrex, Maxalt, and Zomig for example, and work to stop a migraine once it’s begun. Pizotifen is a prevtative med.

10

Anne -
Is there a differene between dizziness being part of the aura and MAV? I’m still new to all of this so still trying to learn as much as I can!

11

i currently take relpax but it hasnt helped me lately.
does anyone know if the generic version of imitrex is available in canada?

I

GENERIC sumatriptan