Imitrex and nasal spray

I had a shot of Imitrex in the hospital for a migraine and it made me feel like my head was on fire!!! I hated it so much. They gave it to me as a perscription in pill from the next day so I thought maybe since the other one was a shot this wouldn't be so bad. I took it with my husband home because I was afraid to take it alone. I felt fine for the first 10 min then my head started to burn and my whole body started to ache and I could not fall asleep it was horrible!! It got rid of my headache but I rather have the head ache than having my body feel like its dying!!

Question...I have had migraines for most of my life, the first one I remember was when I was 7. I cannot stomach narcotic pain relievers and was thrilled when Imitrex came out. I took it for years. The only side effects I had were a warm rush, like an alcohol buzz, and sleepiness. Then, 5 years ago I was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation. My doctor took me off Imitrex right away and switched me to Maxalt, which I also love. It works great. I had open heart in 2001 to fix the mitral valve, then early in 2005 discovered I have tricuspid regurgitation. No surgery as of yet, thank God. I am on disability for the first heart problem and medicare and medical assistance will no longer cover the Maxalt, only the Imitrex. I took one the other day and almost had to go to the ER. I could barely move, breathe, or speak. Thankfully, after an hour or so, the symptoms subsided. But it really scared me. Now my doctor is giving me all the samples he can of Maxalt that they get in the office.
I am wondering if there is a connection between vavular disease and Imitrex? Has anyone had any of these problems?

My head aches never result from stress. They always hit when I am most relaxed and content. They often begin with a few yawns.

I have been taking Imitrex for several years for migraine headaches. Overall, it is the best medication I have found. Frequent use does raise my blood pressure. On a few occasions, I have been very sick with the head ache. By sick I mean nauseated, lethargic, sleepy, depressed, extremely weak and highly sensitive to light and sound. On these occasions, as soon as the head ache is gone, the other symptoms are also gone. Occasionally I have found that with the more severe head aches, once I get relief, I am completely unable to go to sleep for about 12 hours regardless what hour of the day or night I got relief of the head ache, and that is after taking more than one sleep medication. Have any more of you experienced similar insomnia?

I am a nurse. I have taken Imitrex by mouth, nasal spray and injection. The injection works much faster and much better for me. I am 58 years old and have had these head aches since my earliest childhood memories.

Good luck with your migraines. They certainly destroy quality of life.

Chippentuff