A cure to that feeling of having an axe in your head (Imigran Recovery)

Member Name: bucksfizz66

Product:	Imigran Recovery
Date:	11/09/09 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: If effective - it is very effective

Disadvantages: If not effective then there is no respite. May also cause sickness

Once an infrequent migraine sufferer brought on by extreme tiredness, I became a frequent sufferer last October following a medically managed miscarriage. This culminated in a large migraine lasting 4 days, with nausea and then ultimately sickness back in June. On this last incident I went to the doctors and was prescribed Imigran, the brand name of sumatriptan succinate.

Tablet and Pack Sizes and Price
Imigran is available in two sizes 50mg and 100mg sizes. Each box contains 6 tablets. I am aware that following a short questionnaire at the chemist you can be assigned a card to obtain the tablets over the counter without the need for a perscription. I am not aware how much it costs to buy the tablets in this manner but my box of 6 with 100mg tablets in was £7.20 (the perscription charge). I also have a repeat perscription set up with the Doctor - so I don't need to register for a card at the chemist.

How to take them / How do they work
Migraines can be caused by the temporary widening of blood vessells in the head. Imigran is believed to reduce the widening of these blood vessels. This in turn takes away the headache and relieves other symptoms of a migraine attack, such as feeling or being sick and sensitivity to light and sound.
So this is why painkillers don't work if you have a migraine - you need a tablet that can widen the blood vessels in the brain.
Taking them is not as straightforward as 1 tablet 3 times a day. Imigran works best if taken as soon as you feel a migraine coming on (1 tablet - taken with water), although you can take it at anytime during an attack. Please note this is not a preventative medication and should not be used in this way.
If the symptoms start to come back, you can take a second Imigran tablet if at least 2 hours have passed since the first tablet. However you cannot take more than 300mg in total in 24 hours.
BUT if the first tablet has no effect DO NOT take a second tablet or any other Imigran preparation for the same attack. However Imigran can still be used for your next attack.

Who can and can't use Imigran
Those who cannot use Imigran are: those who are allergic to sumartriptan or any of the other ingredients, if you have a heart problem, if you have circulation problems in your legs, if you have had a stroke, if you have serious liver disease. If you have high blood pressure or take anti-depressants or other migraine preparations your Doctor will need to advise if you can use this product.
Children cannot use Imigran.

Your Doctor will also need to know other risk factors such as:
If you are a heavy smoker
If you are a man aged over 40
If you are a woman who has been through the menopause
If you have a history of fits
If you have liver or kidney disease
If you have an intolerance to some sugars
If you are allergic to antibiotics called sulphonamides

Other important points:
Using Imigran too often may make your headaches worse - in these cases you must inform your Doctor
If you experience any pain or tightning in the chest you must inform your Doctor

Other caveats
Pregnancy and breast feeding - you need to discuss using this product with your Doctor in the first instance
Driving and using machinery - this product may make you drowsy - if affected do not drive or operate machinery.

Side Effects
Like all medications there can be side effects and these are listed in the leaflet that comes with the tablets and you should always read and inform yourself of this fully before taking any tablets.

For me: for the first attack I got to use Imigran on it was effective - but as I didn't have the tablets from the offset this meant that I had to taken subsequent tablets. The cumulation of taking the tablets for myself did bring on sickness, and now to accompany the Imigran my Doctor has prescribed Buccastem 3mg tablets to counter the sickness, with the theory that I take one of these (which disolves under your top lip) 20 minutes before taking the Imigran.
Since being prescribed the Buccastem I have not had cause to use them, and have only had one bad migraine since the bad one back in June, which I opted to take Imigran on its own for and only need one tablet on this occassion (success).

Without doubt migraine is a painful phenomena, I am personally glad I saw my Doctor about this in the end (over what I considered to be a bad head) and I am glad that he is in charge of ensuring what I get prescribed in terms of medication for this rather than me dealing with the Chemist directly over the counter.

Summary: As a migraine sufferer I am glad to be carrying this in my bag.