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Triptans with a cardiac stent

Hi there. I have had migraines of different sorts for 30 years and the last 15 or so I've managed them with triptans. Last year however, I had a very minor heart attack, caused by a small blockage, put down to stress, and had a stent insterted.

I've changed my lifestyle and have far fewer headaches, and the 'low-level' migraines are now held off by beta-blockers, but once a month I get a doozy which has me in bed for 4 days with head, neck and facial pain. I'm certain a triptan would help, but have been told I can't take them because I'm now classified as a 'cardiac patient'.

Does anyone have any experience of triptans with a cardiac stent?

  1. Hi EShelley,

    Thank you for your question! I don't have any personal experience with a cardiac stent. Hopefully others will be along shortly to share their experiences with you.

    Does that doctor who treats your migraine attacks have any insight here?

    Nancy

    1. I don't have anyone treating my migraines, just a GP, and GPs don't have any experience in migraines at all. Over the counter pain killers, that's all I'm offered, and they're as much use as nothing.

      1. You may want to seek out the expertise of a true migraine expert. These doctors may be different from neurologists in that they are board certified in headache medicine which is different than being certified in neurology. Let me share these articles with you that describe how these doctors are different and how to find one; http://migraine.com/blog/how-are-migraine-specialists-different/ and https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/.

        If we have four or more severe migraine attacks a month (or are in bed for extended days I would think) its time to discuss migraine prevention with the doctor and one who is knowledgeable about migraine disease!!

        Keep me posted,
        Nancy

        1. I'm guessing you're in the US Nancy? You have migraine experts over there I think, but we don't. Not to worry, someone somewhere will have some experience of whether triptans are still ok to take.

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