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What Causes Pressure On Chest After Taking Imitrex For Migraine?
Question: My wife took imitrex for a migraine. Feeling heavy pressure on chest. Took BP and it is 144/106 heart rate 68
Should she go to the ER?
Should she go to the ER?
Brief Answer:
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concern.
Chest pain/ discomfort is a recognised side effect of Imitrex ( Sumatriptan ) and is one that has to be paid attention to immediately. This along with the elevated blood pressure is an indication for her to attend the ER and to have tests like EKG.
Take care
Yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concern.
Chest pain/ discomfort is a recognised side effect of Imitrex ( Sumatriptan ) and is one that has to be paid attention to immediately. This along with the elevated blood pressure is an indication for her to attend the ER and to have tests like EKG.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
She does take blood pressure medicine. Took it after the readings rested and now reading is 118/79 Heart rate 60. Should she still go to ER?
Brief Answer:
If the chest discomfort is gone no need to go to ER
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for the delayed response as I was attending to my physical patients.
If the chest discomfort is gone and the blood pressure and heart rate are normal, she does not have to go to the ER.
It would however be good to have an EKG when she sees her doctor next.
Also please let me know the medication she is on for high blood pressure, as there are medicines which worsen migraine and others that help in reducing the number of attacks.
If she is on one of the former, she would be better off changing to one of the other group.
Best wishes,
If the chest discomfort is gone no need to go to ER
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for the delayed response as I was attending to my physical patients.
If the chest discomfort is gone and the blood pressure and heart rate are normal, she does not have to go to the ER.
It would however be good to have an EKG when she sees her doctor next.
Also please let me know the medication she is on for high blood pressure, as there are medicines which worsen migraine and others that help in reducing the number of attacks.
If she is on one of the former, she would be better off changing to one of the other group.
Best wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Nadolol20mg is the blood pressure medicine
Brief Answer:
Nadolol is good for hypertension and headache prevention
Detailed Answer:
Nadolol is a beta blocker and is also good for reducing the frequency of headache.
When my patients continue to get disabling headaches inspite of beta blocker treatment, I give them Topiramate. Often small doses at bed time have helped many of my patients by preventing headaches.
Nadolol is good for hypertension and headache prevention
Detailed Answer:
Nadolol is a beta blocker and is also good for reducing the frequency of headache.
When my patients continue to get disabling headaches inspite of beta blocker treatment, I give them Topiramate. Often small doses at bed time have helped many of my patients by preventing headaches.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Wanted to thank you for your responses and let you know the results.
On our way to Church yesterday morning the pressure came back, not as strong but decided to head to the ER. Her BP was up again 170 / 94 HR 58.
EKG, X-Ray on heart and lungs, enzymes, and a series of troponin level checks. All tests came back negative although her Cardiologist said he felt the symptoms were directly related to the Imitrex and to stop taking it. He also changed her BP med from Nadolol - 20mg to Norvasc 2.5mg to start with. He said this should help with blood pressure and migraines. He also reminded her that this needs to be taken on a regular dailey schedule for it to help prevent the migraines. He let her know that had she been taking the Nadolol on a regular basis she might not have had the migraine to begin with and not felt like she had to take the imitrex. He also said he has seen cases of Imitrex causing an MI. Although rare, he has seen it.
I found this article http://www.rxlist.com/imitrex-drug/medication-guide.htm
On our way to Church yesterday morning the pressure came back, not as strong but decided to head to the ER. Her BP was up again 170 / 94 HR 58.
EKG, X-Ray on heart and lungs, enzymes, and a series of troponin level checks. All tests came back negative although her Cardiologist said he felt the symptoms were directly related to the Imitrex and to stop taking it. He also changed her BP med from Nadolol - 20mg to Norvasc 2.5mg to start with. He said this should help with blood pressure and migraines. He also reminded her that this needs to be taken on a regular dailey schedule for it to help prevent the migraines. He let her know that had she been taking the Nadolol on a regular basis she might not have had the migraine to begin with and not felt like she had to take the imitrex. He also said he has seen cases of Imitrex causing an MI. Although rare, he has seen it.
I found this article http://www.rxlist.com/imitrex-drug/medication-guide.htm
Brief Answer:
Thanks for the update
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for keeping me updated. I appreciate that very much.
Since the heart rate was below 60 /mt, her cardiologist was absolutely right in changing Nadolol.
She has to be regular with the medicine as her cardiologist emphasised and hopefully she would not have further headache.
If she does, you could discuss the use of topiramate ( Topamax) with him.
I shall be happy to be of any service in the future.
Wish you both good health and a great day
Thanks for the update
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for keeping me updated. I appreciate that very much.
Since the heart rate was below 60 /mt, her cardiologist was absolutely right in changing Nadolol.
She has to be regular with the medicine as her cardiologist emphasised and hopefully she would not have further headache.
If she does, you could discuss the use of topiramate ( Topamax) with him.
I shall be happy to be of any service in the future.
Wish you both good health and a great day
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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