Imitrex & Pacemakers

My headaches still continue after my operation 7/8/09 when I am sitting up or just up and walking around (vertical). I see my primary care doctor in a little over a week for a post hospital checkup visit. Tylenol does not seem to be helping, and I cannot take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, ect). Has anyone with a pacemaker taken imitrex? I was thinking I could ask my doctor if it would be ok to take for the bad headaches. I just find it weird that I get these headaches now after the surgery. I never had them before. Maybe it is just the blood pumping faster to my head that is causing them. They could not find a cause in my 4 day stay in the hospital last weekend.

5 Comments

Headaches

by J.B. - 2009-07-30 02:07:22

If it were me I would call my doctor becasue you should not use Imitrex if you are allergic to sumatriptan, or if you have ischemic bowel disease, severe liver disease, severe high blood pressure, or a history of heart disease, angina, circulation problems, heart attack, or stroke.

Imitrex can cause serious side effects on the heart, including heart attack or stroke. Although these side effects are rare, do not use this medication if you have a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, ischemic bowel disease, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, or history of a heart attack or stroke.

Before using Imitrex, tell your doctor if you have a seizure disorder, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, coronary artery disease, or risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or having a family history of coronary artery disease.

Side effects look scary

by johnb10000 - 2009-07-30 04:07:58

The side effects look scary especially this one.

# Irregular heartbeat - atrial fibrillation (rapid irregular twitching that starts in the minor chamber of the heart called the "atria" - may cause "fluttering" feeling in the chest/palpitations; shortness of breath; fatigue with exertion; leg swelling; chest pain/angina)

This is a link to the side effects and information about the drug. I look up the side effects of any drug the doctor prescribes and ask questions about the reason for taking it.

http://doublecheckmd.com/DrugDetail.do?dname=Imitrex&sid=2333&view=e

One more thought...

by Pookie - 2009-07-30 06:07:09

Please don't allow the doctors to try heavy duty headache meds on you if they don't know the true cause of the headaches...you might end up like me: a guinea pig. I've been on SO many "headache" pills, you would shudder.

It only took the docs 10 yrs to figure out what I have: Eagles Syndrome.

Don't ever take something if you're not comfortable with it and remember with every drug you take there will always be some kind of side effect.

Just be very cautious.

Pookie

Headaches Only After Pacemaker??

by Pookie - 2009-07-30 06:07:20

Hi.

Perhaps you should investigate Pacemaker Syndrome. or bring it up to your doctors as once when I was in the ER with terrific head pain, the doctor said and gave me copies of what he found on Pacemaker Syndrome...it can cause headaches!!

Just something to think about.

Pookie

Headaches

by Fluzy Suzy - 2009-07-31 07:07:55

Hi Jimmy
I too have suffered headaches very similar to you had and stayed in hospital for 4 days. I had a CT scan which showed no abnormality but later on that day I was told I had a Urine Tract Infection. After all that time and a simple test was all that was needed. After anti biotic treatment, I have had no major headaches since.
Take Care
Fluzy Suzy

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

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My pacemaker is the best thing that every happened to me, had I not got it I would not be here today.