My Imdur was increased yesterday and I ALWAYS have a headache since starting Imdur but now it is truly unbearable.
Problem is my doctor stopped my aspirin and told me to avoid all NSAID because of endothelial dysfunction and nothing else is working. I've taking tylenol, a tramadol, tried icepacks and aromatherapy (lavender, rosemary and euapltysis in an oil difusser and a lavender eye mask) and my head is still throbbing... It is miserable...
has anyone taking long acting nitrates had thier doctor put them on any prescription medication for headaches? when I was in the ICU on a nitro drip they gave me darvocet or lortab for headaches but I certianly dont want to take any of these long term... but also cant imagine living with this headache long term either...
my cardioloigst says I need to be on high dose nitrates and calcium channel blockers for my heart,,, which is more serious to get under control then a headache... but if this continues what kind of quality of life will I have...??
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Help, Headache and long acting nitrates...
- By heartache301
- Posted May 8, 2009 at 6:41 pm · 20 replies
- In Experiences with prescription medicines
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Heart failure Tylenol Surgery Tramadol Angina Topamax Stent Stress Toradol Aspirin Imdur Lortab Cardiomyopathy Pain Memory Isosorbide mononitrate
20 replies
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- By careh
- Posted May 8, 2009 at 7:15 pm
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Dear 301....I have been on nitro patches for about five years now...12 hours on and 12 hours off. I am currently on the 0.8 nitro patch with sublingual pills in addition as needed. When I first started on nitro, I got horrendous headaches, but I now am headache free, even on this high a dose. When I did get headaches, I found that aspirin helped immensely. Does your doctor have any suggestions for you? Headaches really are miserable. Good luck!
Carolyn
- By gracie62
- Posted May 8, 2009 at 7:49 pm
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Have you tried more Tramadol? When I was put on it for continued sternum pain, I was told I could take 2 pills at once if the pain got too bad. I was told I could take 1 to 2 pills as necessary and I think I was on 50 mg tablets. Might be worth trying. I think I read where up to 400 mg per day is acceptable.
Sorry that you are struggling. I avoid nitro at all costs due to the headaches and my fear of developing nitro immunity, as some people do when taking it long term. I cannot even fathom having an angina attack and nitro not working.
Take care.
Dianna
- By heartache301
- Posted May 8, 2009 at 7:54 pm
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I feel a little better but I broke down and took some aspirin (which my cardiologist told me to come off of along with caffiene) I think I'm going to have to taper off aspirin and caffienne if I am increasing this nitro... I think thats the problem... for years a coca-cola two aspirin and a dark room always worked for me for a migraine...I also took another tramadol. I think I'm going to start taking the imdur at bedtime because even though its long actiing I notcie the symtoms from it worse about 2-4 hours after taking it and maybe I can just start sleeping through it until I'm adjusted.
- By heartache301
- Posted May 8, 2009 at 7:57 pm
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Gracie,
I didnt realize you could become nitro tolerant. That is a scary thought. I'll have to talk to my cardiologst about it. Maybe I'd do better with a nitropatch then imdur... I dunno... anyone taking prventitive nitrate findh which cause the least headaches? I have been on a nitro srip in the hospital and nitropaste and ptaches in the hospital and have taken nitro pills sublinigual and nitrosprat sublingual but have never been on one of those long acting patches...
- By careh
- Posted May 9, 2009 at 12:16 am
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It is true that you can become tolerant to nitro, but my doctor assured me that as long as I have a 12 hour period "nitro free" (except pills as needed for night time angina,) I should be fine and not build up a tolerance. How scary that would be!!! I hope you find something that works for you soon!
Carolyn
- By houston
- Posted May 9, 2009 at 6:55 am
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I have been on the nitro patch for several years. I had open heart surgery and did not need it anymore, but since the grafts are filling up I have angina again. My cardio told me that they have you off the nitro for 12 hours so you do not get intolerant to it. I don't know if the patch works different, but I have never had any problems with it. At first I might feel some slight pressure or if I lay down, but not the headaches. I know some people really have a problem with nitro.
- By mamaellie
- Posted May 9, 2009 at 10:16 am
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I was going to suggest coffe - good and strong- . Why does your doc want you off it?
Ellen
- By Gammacygnus
- Posted May 9, 2009 at 12:52 pm
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Hello all. I used to take Isosorbide Dinitrate 20mg,8 every hours along with the headaches that tapered off once I used to the drug. Last hosp. stay changed to Isosorbide Mononitrate 30mg ER Tabs(time released), headache first few days I'm fine now, take this for chronic heart failure. Once in a.m. I'm good all day. Suppose to be taken on a empty stomach with about 4 ozs of plain water. NOT suppose to chew or break pill in half. Coffee,coke or pepsi colas and caffinant teas are stimutants may increase heart rate.
- By armywife7283
- Posted May 9, 2009 at 1:39 pm
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Im on the nitropatch .2mgs and nitro sl .4mgs as needed. i havent gotten the headaches with the nitro patch but i know when i take one of the pills it smacks me accross the head. hope you feel better.
- By heartache301
- Posted May 9, 2009 at 4:17 pm
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caffiene is supposed to incite coronary spasm...
no coffee, no tobacco, avoid stress in addition to diet, exercise and medications
- By heartache301
- Posted May 9, 2009 at 11:03 pm
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houston I am thinking the patches (on in the day and off in the night) may be better... I'll talk to me doctor next time I see her.
Today I took my imdur early in the morning and a tramdol at the same time and went through most of the day without too bad of a headache.
- By Yatchzee
- Posted May 9, 2009 at 11:58 pm
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I think you should use the nitro patch when it is more likely you will have pain. For those of us who have spasms at night, put it on at night. For those who may have pain during the day, put it on in the morning. And, yes, no caffeine as it constricts and just counter acts the nitro relaxation.
Joyce
- By houston
- Posted May 10, 2009 at 11:40 am
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Dear Heartache,
I would give the patch a try. I have never used imdur, but I have used the patches for sometime. Have him start you on the lowest dose patch 0.2. It is very easy to use. I hope it will work better for you. You can't use the patch when you think you need it. It puts it in your system so you won't have a problem. It is also there when you sleep even if it is off. Your doctor will explain it to you.
- By KatheM
- Posted May 10, 2009 at 9:21 pm
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I use the isosorbide mononitrate, 12hrs on - 12 off and for a long while I used the Tramadol too for the headaches it caused. I had a terrible time when I stopped the Tramadol. I didn't know then that it would cause withdrawl symptoms, I thought I was just very, very ill.
Because I get migraines too, now I'm using Topamax as a preventative and it works wonderfully. I had been using Toradol INJ at home but that's like a super NSAID and is a big no no, but it did work great.
-Kathy
- By heartache301
- Posted May 10, 2009 at 9:43 pm
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I can't use Topomax or any of the other classic migraine drugs as they are vasoconstrictors.
- By KatheM
- Posted May 10, 2009 at 10:07 pm
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Thanks for the heads up. I had never heard that Topamax was a vasoconstrictor before. Oh no, does this mean it's another med I can't take?
I just looked in up on www.epocrates.com. The website is free to join and use the online version - it has all the drug and disease info. It's a Anti-Convulsant and also used for Migraine. But that doesn't mean it doesn't vasoconstrict.
I'll call the mfg & the pharmacy to check in the morning - I can't live with my migraines if I can't take this.
-Kathy
- By Clematis
- Posted June 17, 2009 at 11:01 pm
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Started Isosorbide mononitrate at night before bed, to help with the night/early morning angina. Headaches are few and far between since I take it before bed. Been off since January and began again after my last stent procedure late May.
- By Clematis
- Posted June 17, 2009 at 11:07 pm
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Have you ever experienced a feeling of memory loss while on the isosorbide mononitrate? Second time around for me and I am feeling like simple recall is going. Also, thought you could break the tablet in half, to slowly try less, as my cardiologists had suggested that.
- By martzj
- Posted June 17, 2009 at 11:25 pm
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Topomax works for me to head off the extreme migraine blowtorch burn....I don't take maintenance daily dose....only 1 or 2 tablets the instant I realize a migraine is building up strength....I rate them like hurricanes...with the worst being like a force 5 Katrina hurricane.
Tylenol works well for me before taking nitro..and doesn't create a rebound headache like aspirin and NSAIDs. Like you other ladies with debilitating migraines, I can't afford to take the super pain pills that are meant for acute and short lived pain. My migraines rarely wind down before 48 hours, so I tough out all the symptoms without pain meds if I have too much to get done, or will be working with others, driving.
My heart goes out to you all......Imdur-nitro induced migraines are just pure hell. No nice was to say that. And if, like me, you had a life time history of migraines from childhood on....Imdur is murder without some sort of pain reliever to semi-neutralize those debilitating pain levels. whew!
hugs to you all,
Jaynie
- By Gammacygnus
- Posted June 18, 2009 at 1:52 am
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I do not have angina or migraines, Imdur is being used as vasodilator since I have chronic heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy. Running out of medication options.
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