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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anna P. on April 29, 2003, at 10:52:54
Hello there,
I'm looking for migraine medications that don't cause depression. My doctor has prescribed Maxalt, but depression and anxiety are listed as side effects.
How about Imitrex? Does it cause depression?
What are the other options?Anna P.
Posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 12:45:03
In reply to Migraine meds/no depression effects SOS, posted by Anna P. on April 29, 2003, at 10:52:54
Hi Anna -
I take Imitrex 100-300 mgs a day, and sometimes Maxalt (the oral dissolve tablets). I've been taking Imitrex for 9 years, and I have not noticed any depression due to the drug. In that it gives me relief from my migraines, my mood has improved actually. There are several drugs similar to Imitrex on the market - the "triptans". My personal experience has been that Imitrex is the most effective for me. Were you just talking about migraine "rescue" medications or prophalyctic treatments? I'd be happy to try and answer any questions for you.
> Hello there,
>
> I'm looking for migraine medications that don't cause depression. My doctor has prescribed Maxalt, but depression and anxiety are listed as side effects.
> How about Imitrex? Does it cause depression?
> What are the other options?
>
> Anna P.
Posted by Ritch on April 29, 2003, at 12:51:26
In reply to Migraine meds/no depression effects SOS, posted by Anna P. on April 29, 2003, at 10:52:54
> Hello there,
>
> I'm looking for migraine medications that don't cause depression. My doctor has prescribed Maxalt, but depression and anxiety are listed as side effects.
> How about Imitrex? Does it cause depression?
> What are the other options?
>
> Anna P.The most commonly used antidepressant for migraine prophylaxis is amitriptyline (Elavil). You might consider that one.
Posted by cmcdougall on April 29, 2003, at 13:43:31
In reply to Re: Migraine meds/no depression effects SOS » Anna P., posted by Ritch on April 29, 2003, at 12:51:26
Hi,
I have suffered w/ migraine headaches 7 or 8 times a month for years. I have tried all the triptans for acute relief - they actually make my headaches worse before they get better. I have even taken the cortisone injections in the back of the head - that works but it doesn't last more than a week or so.
For the past 3 months I have taken 200mg of Zonegran every night for prevention. It WORKS! The frequency of headaches slowly decreased until I haven't had even a hint of one in 2 months.
I have taken lots of different SSRIs for depression over the years and none ever helped prevent my headaches. I tried Neurontin, but it made me feel stupid and in my job I need all my cognitive abilities. I have had no cognitive loss w/ Zonegran. It has truly changed my life.
Good luck,
Carly
Posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 14:50:18
In reply to Migraine meds/no depression effects SOS, posted by Anna P. on April 29, 2003, at 10:52:54
Hi again -
I had to rush off before I could finish my previous post. What works best for you may depend on how frequently you get migraines and the severity of them.
There are several drugs commonly used to try to prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine. Beta blockers, such as propranolol or atenolol - which have been known to cause depression. Calcium channel blockers, such as Calan.
Amitriptyline, as Ritch mentioned. Depakote also (I think this is the same category as Zonegran - not sure). Sometimes SSRI's are prescribed to help migraine - this did not work for me.There are also the older treatments for a migraine in progress, such as Cafergot. There are now several over-the-counter drugs that combine ibuprofen and caffeine. And of course, painkillers.
I don't know if you're familiar with this stuff, so I apologize if this is all old news.
The triptans are not painkillers. They work on the chemical process of what happens during migraine. A part of the migraines I get is vomiting - several times an hour for up to 12 hours was common. Many times this was more debilitating than the pain itself. The triptans really work great for that on me - I hardly ever vomit during a migraine now. The pain is also well-controlled.
I just checked my pharmacy's insert for my Imitrex, and it does not have depression or anxiety listed as side efx. This is the briefer insert my pharmacy gives out - not the very lengthy one.
I'm sure your doctor talked to you about this, but you may want to keep a headache diary to see if you can pinpoint any triggers.
I would recommend trying the Maxalt at least once. You want to catch the migraine as soon as you can though, as the drugs work better that way.
I'm assuming you're not as fortunate as I am to have migraines every day :)
I hope this helps, and again I'd be happy to answer any questions about my experience.
Posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 14:56:36
In reply to I've been using Zonegran its GREAT, posted by cmcdougall on April 29, 2003, at 13:43:31
Hi Carly -
I'm happy you found a treatment that works well for you. Is Zonegran in the same general category as Depakote? I know they're both anticonvulsants, but that's all. I hear you on the Neurontin brain fog.
I'm really curious about your experience with the triptans - your headaches got worse before they got better? How long did it take for you to get some relief? And how often do you usually have migraines? I'm always interested in finding out what other people have found that works for their migraine. Thanks!
> Hi,
>
> I have suffered w/ migraine headaches 7 or 8 times a month for years. I have tried all the triptans for acute relief - they actually make my headaches worse before they get better. I have even taken the cortisone injections in the back of the head - that works but it doesn't last more than a week or so.
>
> For the past 3 months I have taken 200mg of Zonegran every night for prevention. It WORKS! The frequency of headaches slowly decreased until I haven't had even a hint of one in 2 months.
>
> I have taken lots of different SSRIs for depression over the years and none ever helped prevent my headaches. I tried Neurontin, but it made me feel stupid and in my job I need all my cognitive abilities. I have had no cognitive loss w/ Zonegran. It has truly changed my life.
>
> Good luck,
> Carly
Posted by bookgurl99 on April 29, 2003, at 21:54:31
In reply to Migraine meds/no depression effects SOS, posted by Anna P. on April 29, 2003, at 10:52:54
Hey,
I use a calcium channel drug as a regular migraine prevention. It's Calan by brand, but the generic is called verapamil and costs about $4/week.
I take 80 mg of this 3X/day, regardless of migraine or no migraine.
This med has reduced the severity and number of my migraines, although I still get quite a few 'menstrual migraines."
The downside of this for me is that it does modulate one's mood, so that your emotions may not be as strong. But it does not have a 'depressive' effect.
Good luck!books
Posted by maryhelen on April 29, 2003, at 23:26:44
In reply to Migraine meds/no depression effects SOS, posted by Anna P. on April 29, 2003, at 10:52:54
Anna:
I have been a migraine sufferer since I was 13 years old. For me the miracle drug, of course much later in life, was Imitrex. Any sort of narcotic drug I tried always had a rebound effect of a less serious headache.
I ended up taking Imitrex by injection. The nausea and throwing up prevented me from keeping a pill down. There is also a nasal spray but the injection worked best for me. Imitrex is very expensive but I have a drug plan that covered it.
I do not believe it causes depression. In fact when I was hospitalized 2 years ago the pharmacy was worried that I would have serotonin overload along with my meds at the time but they gave it to me anyway. The strange thing is when I needed the Imitrex I found that it lifted my depression somewhat and I felt better for some time after.
The amazing results of Imitrex were so dramatic for me I used to thank God every time I needed it for this wonderful gift.
This is just my experience and I know what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.
Just as a side note, I have been taking Parnate for over a year now and my migraines have all but disappeared.
Good luck on whatever your choose. I know how devastating migraines can be.
maryhelen
Posted by cmcdougall on April 30, 2003, at 17:41:18
In reply to Re: I've been using Zonegran its GREAT » cmcdougall, posted by Snoozy on April 29, 2003, at 14:56:36
Hi Snoozy,
I will try to answer your questions...
> Is Zonegran in the same general category as Depakote?
Like you, I also know they're both anticonvulsants, but I don't think they are the same type of drug. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Zonegran has only recently been approved by the FDA.
> I'm really curious about your experience with the triptans - your headaches got worse before they got better?
YES - about 15 minutes after taking one it felt as if the top of my skull was lifted off and my brain-pan was filled with acid! That would gradually subside over the next hour and the migraine would SOMETIMES subside as well. I used all the triptans - imitrex, maxalt, amerge, etc. My main problem was the migraine "hangover" which sometimes lasted 3 or 4 days, and by then I would usually be well into my next migraine.
>How often do you usually have migraines?
I used to get them as often as several times a week, with no pattern at all. The only trigger I could discover was bright or flashing light. Even bright sunlight would do it. I was allergy tested (nothing) and ate a bland diet for a week, slowly adding items one at a time and my migraines still came.
I thank God and my neurologist for Zonegran.
Good luck,
Carly
Posted by Anna P. on May 5, 2003, at 1:04:45
In reply to Re: I've been using Zonegran its GREAT » Snoozy, posted by cmcdougall on April 30, 2003, at 17:41:18
Thank you so much for such valuable information.
Does anyone know about how the Imitrex affects depression?I've read the insert, and it says that it can cause depression and panic attack.
I cannot afford taking a risk and trying a single doze. I'm very senssitive, and had immediate depressive reaction to some meds such as the antifungal Metro-gel. It really causes depression, just as the insert says.
Anna P.
Posted by maryhelen on May 5, 2003, at 11:51:23
In reply to Re: Thank you! Is Imitrex dangerous?, posted by Anna P. on May 5, 2003, at 1:04:45
Anna:
When I got my migraine headaches along with dealing with the devastation of this depression, this was a combination that could be deadly.
I could not predict when I would get the migraines except that they were very frequent. I did not know why they came, evident in being in extremely stressful situations and not getting one. They were not caused by chocolate or wine or anything I could change or predict.
What I do know is when Imitrex came on the market, for me, there was no doubt it was a life saviour. If you listen to what Snoozy and myself have said it, for some reason, Imitrex could lift the depression. When I was hospitalized once in psychiatry and requested Imitrex when I got a migraine, the pharmasist came to see me worried that I would have a serotonin overload because of the meds I took, but I insisted. Perhaps that is why there was this, albeit, not long relief from the serious depression but 5 minutes, 2 hours, half a day etc... I'll take it.
I was terrified at first to put a needle in my thigh. I has been taking the pills but the throwing up and nausea prevented me from keeping anything down. The migraines were so bad and disabling, I would have stuck the needle in my eye to get relief.
Snoozy, I can relate to your symptoms and the throwing up so well and appreciate what you have gone through. Others can never know, like going through depression or other mental illnesses, what it is like. I used to hate it at work when so many people would say I have such a bad migraine but would function through their day. If I had a migraine I couldn't stay at work and others thought that I was just wimping out. I'm sure these people had bad headaches, but not migraines.
Anna, this is a decision you have to make on your own. I do not know what sort illness, besides the migraines, you are dealing with. I think it is wonderful that you are getting ideas from others, but as you know everyone is different.
When a company is marketing a drug, if just one side effect is indicated from just one person it has to be published.
I wish you all the best in your decision and hope you can get relief from these headaches that are so devastating and can affect are lives so miserably.
maryhelen
Posted by Snoozy on May 5, 2003, at 12:44:29
In reply to Re: Thank you! Is Imitrex dangerous?, posted by Anna P. on May 5, 2003, at 1:04:45
Hi Anna -
I don't remember if you said you were currently taking any other medications?
As I sit here typing, the Imitrex I took is kicking in and I feel like I might be able to do something today.
Anyway, how often do you get migraines? And are you currently taking anything for them?
I don't know if this helps at all, but I have a relative that is unbelievably sensitive to side effects of everything, gets almost all of them. She's been using Imitrex for years as well - no problem with depression from it.
The half-life for Imitrex is about 2 hours, for Maxalt 2-3 hours. There's a new one, Frova, that has a half-life of 26 hours. I tried it and it did nothing for me, it was very unpleasant.
I can't tell you what to do (well, I could, but you don't have to listen ;)
But in making a decision I would weigh the suffering and disability from the migraine, and take into consideration if you get relief from any other non-triptan medication. Of course, some of these can cause depression too. And I would keep asking around about others' experiences.
Good luck and keep us posted!
> Thank you so much for such valuable information.
> Does anyone know about how the Imitrex affects depression?
>
> I've read the insert, and it says that it can cause depression and panic attack.
>
> I cannot afford taking a risk and trying a single doze. I'm very senssitive, and had immediate depressive reaction to some meds such as the antifungal Metro-gel. It really causes depression, just as the insert says.
>
> Anna P.
Posted by sussus on May 5, 2003, at 18:28:34
In reply to Re: Thank you! Is Imitrex dangerous?, posted by Anna P. on May 5, 2003, at 1:04:45
Anna - I agree with whoever said it before - Imitrex works like a charm and it even seems to lift my mood when I take ot -perhaps that is because it is such a relief to be rid of the headache...I am on 10 mgs./day of Lexapro and also worried about the side effects, but when a migraine came (note: they come much less frequently when on AD's) I jumped at the Imitrex. It has been a real life-saver for me - good luck.
Posted by RBB on May 7, 2003, at 10:45:20
In reply to Re: Thank you! Is Imitrex dangerous?, posted by Anna P. on May 5, 2003, at 1:04:45
I HAVE DEPRESSION TO AND MIGRAINES ALL THE TIME. I TAKE IMTREX INJECTIONS. IT DOES NOT EFFECT YOUR DEPRESSION. ACTUAL HELPS GET RID OF THE MIGRAINE SO YOUR MOODS STAY STABLE. SO IF IT WORKS FOR YOU STAY WITH IT. YOU FEEL A LITTLE FUNNY AT FIRST AND SEEM FLUSHED THAN IT GOES A WAY THAN IT KICKS THE MIGRAIN . RBB IN PA
Posted by bookgurl99 on May 13, 2003, at 21:41:55
In reply to Thank you! Is Imitrex dangerous..Anna P., Snoozy, posted by maryhelen on May 5, 2003, at 11:51:23
>Others can never know, like going through depression or other mental illnesses, what it is like. I used to hate it at work when so many people would say I have such a bad migraine but would function through their day.
Maryhelen,
This statement is so correct! Today I laughed when my psychiatrist double checked with me if I'm on verapamil for "headaches." I corrected him and said migraines. Why would I take a med every day for "headaches?" The migraine 'aura' -- which for me leads to spatial/visual confusion, word finding difficulties, and an apparent drop in cognition -- is so much more than a headache. In fact, I rarely actually get a 'headache.' On verapamil, I feel so much better.
headaches, shmeadaches
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