Make a connection, ask a question, share a concern, give advice or just chat. Our message boards connect you with a community of people who understand where you’re coming from and what you’re going through.
Just FYI everybody, I tried Petadolex (butterburr) as a preventive. Unfortunately, it's a vasoconstrictor [UPDATE: This is incorrect. I checked the package insert again and it says "helps maintain smooth muscle tone in cerebral blood vessels. I remembered it wrong. Thanks, Jaimee, for a good catch!] just like Imitrex and other triptans, so I had an intense episode of the triptan side effects of rapid heart beat, and a very uncomfortable burning feeling in my chest and throat. It went away after about an hour, but it really scared me and I sure don't ever want to feel like that again. I called my mig specialist who said to get an EKG, which was normal. So I've stopped the Petadolex and hopefully next time I take an Imitrex I'll be fine.
Just a word to the wise. I don't want to scare anyone off taking it because studies show it can be very effective, just be forewarned on what to watch for.
LauraSue. (I'm 55, have had severe migraines for over 4 years due to menopause, plus I have fibromyalgia. I take Imitrex plus Anaprox as an abortive and am working with my migraine specialist to find a preventive. I keep a detailed migraine diary and have made significant lifestyle changes to reduce my risk of migraines.)
I am kinda wondering though where the vasoconstrictor info came from? I have hemiplegic migraine so didnt want to take anything like that. All info I can find indicates it is a powerful anti-inflammatory and vaso- dilatory, actually relaxing the blood vessels in the head.
Posts: 127 | Location: Upstate, South Carolina | Registered: 05-14-2008
Originally posted by Jaimee: Geesh, LauraSue, I hope you are feeling better!
I am kinda wondering though where the vasoconstrictor info came from? I have hemiplegic migraine so didnt want to take anything like that. All info I can find indicates it is a powerful anti-inflammatory and vaso- dilatory, actually relaxing the blood vessels in the head.
Jaimee, I couldn't find a reference to it as a vaso-dilator, but I did double check the package insert to see what I was remembering wrong. It says it helps maintain smooth muscle tone in cerebral blood vessels. I misremembered that as vasoconstrictor. An example of my cognitive dysfunction from my fibromyalgia. I should always double and triple check myself! Thanks for a good catch. I updated my original post above.
LauraSue. (I'm 55, have had severe migraines for over 4 years due to menopause, plus I have fibromyalgia. I take Imitrex plus Anaprox as an abortive and am working with my migraine specialist to find a preventive. I keep a detailed migraine diary and have made significant lifestyle changes to reduce my risk of migraines.)
Oh, I didnt mean to pick apart your post or what you had read, I was more concerned that maybe it was just a fluke, and that you didnt really need to stop the petadolex if it had been helping you feel better. (I mean if you werent really taking 2 vasoconstrictors at the same time)
Posts: 127 | Location: Upstate, South Carolina | Registered: 05-14-2008
Migraine Community 
