Is Imitrex addicting

[senseimary]

I have always suffered with migraines, but lately they are horrible.  I am currently going through menopause and suffering with at least 9-10 a month, sometimes more. I am taking a lot of supplements to see if it  will help. My concern is am I getting addicted to my medicine??What on earth do I do then?

[marycarmel]

Migraines are awful!  And I know there are some people who think they're just a bad headache ... not that I'd wish one on anyone but sometimes there are some people I'd like to just get a small taste of what it's like.

I had violent migraines from my teens until I got pregnant with my first daughter at 30.  Back then there weren't many options and mine nearly always played out the same:  violent pain, vomiting, feeling like crap and it happened several times a month.  I always knew that once I vomited the migraine was on it's way out.

But once I got pregnant, they went away.  I had four more pregnancies (lost one baby) and never had another one, except with my last pregnancy I had an ocular migraine.  I had no pain but kept seeing what I thought were flashing lights behind me (I was driving.)  The doctor felt it was an atypical ocular migraine.

My 15-year old daughter also gets terrible migraines.  (It is definitely heredity.  Nearly all the women on my mom's side of the family had migraines)  She was getting four or five a month and it was really interfering with school,  The last one she had the doctor had a very hard time breaking. She was given 3 doses of Fiorcet and still it wouldn't break.  The fourth dose finally broke it but it had gone on 3 days.

Her doctor reviewed options for us but due to her age, we weren't comfortable with most of them.  He did suggest trying CoQ10, which is a supplement with no side effects, and he said they were seeing great results with it.  It can take a couple of months to kick in, and it can be a bit pricey (I wait until CVS has it buy 1 get 1 free.)

She has seen dramatic results and in the past 6 months has had only one migraine.  It also seems to be a supplement that supports overall health as well.  I've started it myself as last January I started getting migraines again.  It seems menopause started them up.  At one of my doctor's appointments I mentioned it to my doctor, and we both think they're hormonal and she feels (and I hope) that the supplement will work for me as well.  I thought they were gone for good.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

[meegWpaw]

I have taken Imitrex for some time (years) and I have never had a problem with it being addictive (as mentioned above, it's non-narcotic) nor have I had rebounds.  As was also suggested, the minimal quantity usually prescribed generally precludes this from happening.  However my PCP did warn me of rebound migraines if, as also mentioned, one took too many (by whatever means).  Imitrex has been a tremendous source of relief for my intense migraines; for the milder ones I take ibuprofen.

[cork712]

No, it is not addicting. It reverses the migraine's progression. Most insurance only allows a very small amount per month, so rebound headaches would be hard to come by. To get Botox for migraine (which has been even a better solution for me), you must have tried at least 3 or 4 different solutions for migraines, for years, have over a certain amount per month, and whatever other qualifications your insurance company has (certain # of migraines/month). Not easy to get approved. But now I can take 1/3 an Imitrix tablet and have the migraine vanish. Life is tough with migraines - it's worth trying these non-addictive options if you can qualify for them AND they end up working for you. Best of luck-going thru this is not fun. Also, sometimes these menopausal migraines end once you are through it. That's my hope! Hang in there and demand that your doc/insurance co. work with you!

[ActingBrandNew]

Id suggest you read through this old thread on Imitrex. It was very interesting.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/Imitrex---addicting-or-not/show/626880

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Here's a couple of the responses in the thread:

By: masteele80

here is the lay of the land by someone who has taken almost everything.

Anything, yes, anything - that changes your mood, alters your personality, or changes the way you feel, or sense pain - will, can and is addicting.  

Opiods will be more addicting, because they make you feel good.  Ultram is addicting because it numbs and calms your senses.  Imitrex doesn't feel addicting, but it affects your mind, and yes, can be addicting to many people.

Again, anything that affects your mood or changes you - can be addicting.  Everything from Allergy Pills, to cough syrup, to percocet, to sniffing glue - can be addictive.  Just because the research doesnt support it at this time, doesn't rule it out.

By: HR_PuffnStuff

It's not addictive BUT I will say that I heard from a neurologist that if you take it too often, it can definitely cause a "rebound" situation. He said your body knows you are going to take it. I used to take it almost daily and after I heard this (that combined with the cost) I went cold turkey for about two weeks. I had some rough days but the headaches I did have were contained with ice, laying down, dark room, etc. When it would get really bad I would take Benedryl to knock myself out and just go to bed. Sometimes at like 8 O' clock at night! Giving it up c/t was the best thing I ever did. Now i only have an actual migraine like once every two weeks or so. So themom3, you may definitely tell your daughter to try this. I can't tell you how great it feels not to have a headache every day. Oh and just so Y'all know...Imitrex now has a generic so it is much more affordable. Yeah!
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Your question is definitely something worth researching a little more. Maybe address your concerns with your prescribing doc.

[selfinduced]

Ric is right. Imitrex is not addictive. Have you tried botox for migraines? I have friends that have had AMAZING success with that.

[ricart70]

I don't believe that imitrex is addictive .I am prety sure it's non narcotic