IMIGRAN

[iloatheironing]

I suffer from bad premenstrual migraines for which my gp has prescribed Imigran radis. These work well for me but the problem I have is that my gp will only prescibe 6 tablets a month which sometimes isn't enough. She said it was because I would develop resistance to them if I took more than this. I have read the info in the pack and googled but can find no info on this. The other day I was collecting a prescription and mentioned it to the woman in the chemist. She told me she gets 12 a month. These tablets mean that in that one week a month I can function and work instead of spending it in bed. Has anyone any experience of this please?

[Waytmi]

Hi there. I get 18 a month from my GP as I get 2 migraines every month each lasting 3 days. I haven't developed resistance to them and have been taking them for years. HTH

[DaisySteiner]

They are really expensive I believe - perhaps this is why your GP is reluctant to prescribe more?!

[iloatheironing]

I know they are expensive I just hate spending non work days in bed because I have to save my imigran for when I have to work. Interestingly I had suspected that it was a cost issue rather than a tolerance issue. This definately would appear to be the case so thanks. I think a trip to the gp is on the cards for me. Thanks once again

[iloatheironing]

Made an appointment at gps and will discuss this. If it is a financial issue I wish they had been honest and said so instead of making me paranoid about taking imigran in case it stopped working.

[AtheneNoctua]

You might also want to try naramig (naratriptan). It is similar to imigran (Sumatriptan) but the effect is milder and it lasts longer, so you could probably get away with fewer tablets. For example if you get through three tablets of Imigran you might be able to manage only two of Naramig.

Incidentally, I get 12 (2.5 mg) Naramigs a month from my GP.

[AtheneNoctua]

OR...

You could buy Imigran Recovery over the counter to make up the difference and not tell your GP. They are expensive, but they certainly beat spending the day in bed miserable.

[iloatheironing]

Thanks AN I'll ask gp when I go.

[droopytits]

Will be interesting to see what your gp says - let us know.

I have the same problem- my gp will only give me 6 of them. I then have to order a repeat prescription and collect it from them - this is a pain because I dont work near home and have to leave work early just to get to the doctors in time to get a prescription at least once a month. They wont give me anymore than 6 though.

[AtheneNoctua]

Droopy,
I have a standard letter I print, sign, and send to the GP with a self addressed stamped envelope and the prescription appears at my door a few days later. Saves me leaving work early.

[AtheneNoctua]

You guys might also be interested in a thread I started recently. Migraine sufferers who take long term medication...

[iloatheironing]

Athene I did try feverfew. Lady in shop told me to get the liquid not the tablets as she said that worked better. Stuck with it for quite a while but can't say I noticed any difference and it tasted absolutely disgusting!!!Not that that would have put me off if it worked btw. My migraines have become so much worse in the last 12 months or so that I am willing to try anything. Also had pitzotifen but it made me really drowsy. I was getting back from school run and having to sit down for a bit cause I felt so c**p and waking up at lunchtime!!!Not much good if you are at work.

[iloatheironing]

Droopy I have same problem. Also the woman at the chemist who gets 12 a month is with the same gp practice as me. I wouldn't mind quite so much if they were consistent but thats not fair.I've made an appointment with a different gp to the one who told me I couldn't have more than 6 who is a miserable * at the best of times!!!!(One of those gps who is writing the prescription before you've sat down and told her whats wrong.)It will be interesting to see what she says but on the whole I've found her very sympathetic to women's health issues and as my migraines are premenstrual may be I'll have more luck.

[iloatheironing]

My appointment is not until next tuesday but I will let you know what they say.

[droopytits]

Well I have just phoned for a repeat prescription of mine. Its an answer machine that you leave the details of what you want. I have asked for a repeat of my migraine tabs, and also said that if they could give me 12 this time it would be better - we'll see on Monday when I pick it up if they have given me 12 or not!

[iloatheironing]

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back on here. I saw gp who did give me another prescription for 6 imigran even though I had just had one a week earlier. She wouldn't, however, up my repeat prescription. Instead she suggested I try beta blockers to prevent attacks.
I have been taking them for 2 weeks now and have noticed I'm feeling quite lethargic. I've checked my bp (dh has a monitor cause he has hypertension) and it is 90/56. It's normally around 110/75. Could this be why I'm feeling so dopey? Has anyone any experience of taking beta blockers for migraine? Will side effects lessen in time?
Would be very grateful for any experiences any one can offer.

[HeadHeartorHormones]

Hi. I have taken beta-blockers (propranalol) for migraine - many years ago before the triptan drugs became available. I can no longer remember the dose but they were effective. However, I found the side effects intolerable - fatigue, drowsiness, dizzy feeling, very low blood pressure, cold hands/feet etc. As the dose was lowered the migraines returned.

If you are a suitable candidate for Imigran or other triptan drugs and "only(!)" having one or two attacks a month I really can't see why your GP is taking this course. BTW, Imigran is now available in generic form as sumatriptan - which I would have thought would drop the price considerably. As another poster has suggested you can also buy it over the counter as Imigran Recovery (though of course you shouldn't have to). Is there another GP you can see? For info, I get 10 or 12 at a time plus 2 injections from my current surgery. As I have the 100mg I sometimes also break them in half to eek them out. I have in the past had GPs who really do not want to prescribe and can't see what's wrong with a couple of paracetamol.