Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Sumatriptan side effects?

20 replies

RadioDorothy · 31/10/2018 11:47

I don't want to get carried away and start calling the surgery or 111 or anything, but I do feel a bit odd after taking Sumatriptan 30 minutes ago.

I have weird weakness/heaviness in my arms, and my neck and throat feels really achey and tight. Like I've been hit with a cricket bat!

Airway and breathing feels fine, so I don't think there's any need to get overwrought is there? Probably harmless side effects, they are mentioned on the leaflet.

I am prone to drug allergies, I get respiratory issues with penicillin and nitrafurantoin so I wouldn't be surprised.

OP posts:

cantfindname · 31/10/2018 11:52

Pretty normal side effects if you are not used to sumatriptan. As long as breathing is fine no need to panic. You will probably sleep and sleep.

Original poster

RadioDorothy · 31/10/2018 11:55

Oh cool, thanks! I have to be a bit careful when it comes to new drugs, happy to write it off as normal side effects.

Cheers for the reassurance.

OP posts:

FiresideTreats · 31/10/2018 11:58

I get really spaced out when I take it. Unless your breathing changes or it doesn't go away I would chalk it up to side effects.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

Original poster

RadioDorothy · 31/10/2018 12:01

I am feeling like I need to take big breaths. But I've had severe shortness of breath with a drug allergy and its not like that, so as you say I'm putting it down to routine side effects.

The headache has eased though, I'm now craving sugar.

OP posts:

LadyPenelope68 · 31/10/2018 12:02

Totally normal, I always feel like my arms and legs have turned into lead weights

Motability · 31/10/2018 12:08

I get really weird side effect with it, often strange feelings in my arms, dizziness, crazy exhaustion etc. But OMG it gets rid of a migraine so fast!

ihatethecold · 31/10/2018 12:09

makes me feel a bit odd and not with it but it does work usually

Original poster

RadioDorothy · 31/10/2018 12:11

The pain certainly seems to have gone, which is a great result - worth the heavy arms and squashed throat sensation! I've only just been prescribed it.

I'd love to snooze the afternoon away in front of the telly and be a martyr to "one of my heads" but sadly I have shitloads of work to do.

OP posts:

DaffodilPower · 31/10/2018 12:18

I used to really struggle with these side effects, and switched to the sumatriptan nose sprays instead. They work quicker (taste gross for 5 minutes) and there are nowhere near as many side effects (for me!)..

FrazzyAndFrumpled · 31/10/2018 12:20

I don't remember if I got side effects like you describe, but it made me have palpitations and intense panic attacks. I stopped taking them very quickly!

maggienolia · 31/10/2018 16:53

I worked on Sumatriptan when it was being developed. That sounds like normal side effects.
And yes it does taste rank.

TillyVonMilly · 31/10/2018 17:16

Heavy upper arms a warm feeling in my scalp and a bit spaced out, are my normal side effects. I have a friend who needs to go and have a lie down for an hour after she takes one as they make her feel pretty grim

Original poster

RadioDorothy · 31/10/2018 18:27

Really maggienolia how interesting!

They certainly were just routine side effects - i had terribly heavy, achey arms and a heavy tight sensation in my throat, but no shortness of breath, for about an hour after taking it.

By my temple migraine, which was bad enough to be pounding and making me nauseous, also faded away within the same hour. So even though it was a strange feeling, it didn't make me feel panicky and it passed as quickly as the migraine.

I'd call that a win. Thanks for sharing your experiences, it was reassuring when I had visions of another grim hospital visit - my lungs response to certain ABs had me surrounded by worried looking consultants and self injecting heparin for a few days, so I'm glad there was no repeat performance of that!

OP posts:

Stupomax · 31/10/2018 19:01

I get the tightness in the throat and it feels like my veins in my neck are pulsing.

It also overall just makes me feel like shit, and it often makes me more nauseous than the original migraine.

I take Rizatriptan now - much fewer side effects.

Goingalonenow · 31/10/2018 19:37

Yep, that's sumatriptan. I also need to pee like a racehorse when the migraine wears off.

The side effects aren't pleasant but preferable to the migraine.

Itsacakebaby · 01/11/2018 11:20

Same here Goingalonenow I can't stop weeing either!! Although I'd rather that than have a dreaded migraine.

Tablets are great though as if you take one as soon as you feel migraine coming on they will stop it in its tracks.

LadyPenelope68 · 01/11/2018 11:22

OMG, thank you ladies for mentioning the wearing like a racehorse! I get that as well lol

LadyPenelope68 · 01/11/2018 11:23

Weeing not wearing, lol

Loyaultemelie · 01/11/2018 11:28

I really don't like the throat tightness with it, I switch to Almotriptan it has next to no side effects and still knocks the migraine out

flissfloss65 · 01/11/2018 11:40

My ds was prescribed these. He took one and and fifteen minutes later he said his heart was racing. It was 120 + bpm so I took him our local walk in clinic.

They whizzed him through for an ecg and and ambulance was called. He was kept at a&e, after another ecg, until his heart rate calmed. Took about six hours. They said it was a rare side effect to the tablet.

In the end we turned to acupuncture which was brilliant for him.

Flip