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Title: Need Help! Post by GlendaB on Feb 22nd, 2002, 11:45pm Anyone here use triptans and have high blood pressure and/or heart problems? I had been advised by several doctors in the past not to ever use any of the triptans due to having tachycardia and arrhythmia. And now my new GP is saying that I should try it. Needless to say, this is scaring the hell out of me. Can you guys give me your opinions on this, what would you do? :'( :-/ |
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Title: Re: Need Help! Post by Laurie on Feb 23rd, 2002, 4:18am You have already received multiple medical opinions from MDs who have evaluated your medical condition...and you say that all but 1 told you to stay away from triptans. Perhaps your question should be "Is my new GP's recommendation different from that of the other MDs because (s)he has accurately evaluated my heart condition to be less serious that they other MDs thought it was, or because it's the only abortant (s)he is familiar with and (s)he knows I'm in unbearable pain?" What abortant are you currently using? Have you discussed alternative abortants (including oxygen) and prophylactics with a good neurologist? You really, truely, absolutely need to talk to a neuro, not a GP, because the neuro will have greater knowledge of your options. I have a healthy heart, use Zomig, and it scares the hell out of me too. I may be particularly sensitive to triptans, but I stopped using Imitrex after 2 doses because I had symptoms similiar to those of a heart attack (like something very heavy was on my chest and I couldn't breath). I didn't go back to sleep even after the CH was knocked back, because I thought I might die. (It also worked great, which is why I risked a 1/2 dose the second time for a KIP 8. And I still have the rest of the package packratted away, "just in case", in typical clusterhead fashion <s>). For me, taking 2.5 mg Zomig (the lower dose!) is like being body slammed in the chest for 3 hours, but it's not as bad as the Imitrex...or the CH I'm aborting. I'm rambling a bit. My point is that triptans are wonderful meds, but they are deliver a pretty heavy blow to the circulatory system, and are not something to fool around with against medical advice. Laurie |
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Title: Re: Need Help! Post by judyw on Feb 23rd, 2002, 10:37am :) I agree with Laurie on this Glenda...coming from a major heart disease family, have done much reading on some of this stuff...My heart doctor, whom my GP makes sure I consult on any med changes (even though, I seem clear of heart disease, thankfully) has been supportive of CH and its ramifications to my overall health...and, as I generally only have elevated B/P when chronic CH is having a tantrum...uses the Inderal to raise and lower CH symptoms as needed...as it also works for the B/P...Has noted strong use of Verap here and some of the other calcium blockers...but seems of the mind that I should not take it...As have had good results with this advice...Has worked for me for many years...even before him...He says the secret is in the dosage....good luck and keep us posted...143 |
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Title: Re: Need Help! Post by don on Feb 23rd, 2002, 11:57am Have you made your GP aware of the other recommendations ? |
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Title: Re: Need Help! Post by GlendaB on Feb 23rd, 2002, 2:51pm Thanks for the replys! :) I did Don, and expressed my concerns also. He stated that all my problems were being successfully treated with the meds that I am on and that there shouldn't be any problems. My new GP is a wonderful doc, he said he just wanted me to be totally aware of my med options, and that he wasn't trying to confuse me with his opinion. I told him I would have to be real, real bad before I would consider it. I think the negative feedback that I have gotten from docs in the past about me using triptans would make me really apprehensive and if I did try it the outcome wouldn't be a positive one, although I could be wrong. |
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Title: Re: Need Help! Post by Paco on Feb 23rd, 2002, 6:11pm The day of my angioplasty, I got hit in the hospital, starting another cycle. My cardiologist said no Imitrex. My local doc said no Imitrex. Two nights later--at home--a Kip 9-10 woke me. I stumbled into the bathroom and shot myself in the thigh with 6mg. The pain was gone in four minutes, and I didn't die. Thanks to a good friend, I have a stash of several shots that I will have no qualms about using when I get hit again. From a famous line in a movie: "What? You want to live forever?" :P |
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Title: Note for Laurie Post by Jack on Feb 23rd, 2002, 6:37pm Your well reasoned post was great and logical and literate and good. I particularly liked your use of the word prophylactic. I use that word sometimes too. You used the word abortant. I have a couple of questions: Is abortant a word? Is abortive a word? If they are both words are thee distinctions between abortive and abortant that I , and others should know about.? I have ben using abortive. Should I use abortant? I think ch.com and the good leaders at OUCH might want to reserve the term abortant for descriptions of Hub, such as: "That Hub sure is a mutant" or "Hub, he's a downright abortant" I apologize for this post in advance. If I hadn't spent this much time on it already I would probably just cancel it but this has taken me about 2 or 3 minutes so I will submit it. :) |
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Title: Re: Need Help! Post by Bob_P on Feb 23rd, 2002, 6:40pm I have borderline high blood pressure I also have a "left bundle branch block". The left side of my heart doesn't get the electrical signal teeling it to contract. I borrows it's signal from the right side so it beats funny. I've used all 3 forms of Imitrex, Zomig, Maxalt and Amerge with no problems. PACO - you better not keel over you scum! |
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Title: Re: Need Help! Post by Paco on Feb 23rd, 2002, 6:53pm Have left instructions with my attorney in case I flake out. Karen wants a Harley. ;D |
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