Migraine and Aimovig

[Violant]

Hi all,

I would like to know your opinion about Aimovig for chronical Migraine worsenig the Tinnitus. Also due my condition I need to take very often Triptans for the migraine's pain. I'm afraid about all of these meds.

Thanks in advance.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hello Violant - thank you for your question. We're not able to give specific advice on medications like the one you've queried - and our experience of this medication is very limited as it has not been accepted for use within the UK's NHS due to cost factors and evidence of its effectiveness.

I've consulted the US-based RX List for their breakdown of potential side effects and tinnitus isn't flagged as a commonly reported issue - rxlist.com/aimovig-side-eff...

If you are at all concerned about how these medications may interact with each other, please discuss this with your doctor and seek their advice before considering any changes in your treatment.

For general advice on treatments for tinnitus you can look at this section of website - tinnitus.org.uk/tinnitus-tr...

[bridgeit]

Hi Violant, I don't like taking strong meds either. I had amitriptyline for my migraines for a while, which worked but a side effect was raging tinnitus. Following an MRI/venogram it was discovered that I had problems with an obstructed vein in my head. I've had this fixed and I've had no migraine or headaches since, but the fix brings its own risks and I'm now on permanent low dose aspirin. Nonetheless, if you have not already, it might be worth you asking for this special type of head scan (MRI/venogram) and its assessment by an interventional neuro-radiologist. They can see if the veins in your head are working properly. If they're obstructed or closed, this can cause migraine and a range of other symptoms as well.

Bear in mind that I'm not a medical person and am speaking from personal experience. Also, not all cases have the same cause ..………...

……….… but I hope you can find something on this forum that helps you out.

[Violant in reply to bridgeit]

Thanks Bridget,

Doctor said no no no but I also suspect that Amitriptyline caused my Tinnitus. I also took it low dose for s while as a migraine's preventive. I'll consider your advice. Your tinnitus improve ?

Best wishes

[bridgeit in reply to Violant]

Hi Violant, my tinnitus comes and goes, sometimes it's really bad other times I don't notice it. With the headaches gone my tinnitus is generally easier to manage. Stress/anxiety and lack of sleep makes it worse.

Amitriptyline is a well known tinnitus aggravator; it's highly ototoxic. It may not cause long-term tinnitus once you stop taking it, but it certainly can trigger or worsen it while you're on it! Here's a reference to a list of known ototoxics that can trigger tinnitus:

ata.org/sites/default/files...

It's a long list and some drugs cause more tinnitus aggravation than others.

Unless there is a clear, known cause of tinnitus that medics can fix (generally pulsatile and rare), it is something that the vast majority of sufferers are told to learn to live with and manage as best we can. Habituation is the key. That's certainly the case at the moment. I'm not aware of any major research into T cause/treatment that aims to remove the problem, but I live in hope!

Migraine is another matter. That should be addressed by medics, fully investigated and properly managed, preferably in a way that you're comfortable with.

I do hope you find a management solution for both that really works for you.

[Violant in reply to bridgeit]

You are absolutely right. Thanks for your answer. I'll try to do my best with both. Some days better than other as you say.

We are fighters.