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Topic: newbie - Imitrex injections (Read 345 times) |
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SLP
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newbie - Imitrex injections
« on: Jul 8th, 2006, 12:56am » |
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I am a newbie to all of this CH stuff. I have just been diagnosed today with CH. What a releif to finally know what is wrong with me!!!! Anyway, my neurologist gave me Imitrex injections, and I must admit I'm a little bit freaked out about giving myself a shot.  Does anyone have any advice about the injection or any insights about side effects, etc.? I am during a period of remission right now, but I know that it will only be a matter of weeks before my pain returns and I will have to give myself the shot. I have heard some scary things about Imitrex. What do you guys think? Thanks for any insights!!
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BMoneeTheMoneeMan
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Re: newbie - Imitrex injections
« Reply #1 on: Jul 8th, 2006, 1:09am » |
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Hi SLP, sorry we had to meet.
Do you have the auto-injectors or vials with syrenges?
Be sure to check out the imitrex tip to the left <-----------.
Most people get relief with a half of a dose or less.
Do you take any other meds for anything else? How is your general heart health?
Your neuro made sure it didnt conflict with any other meds you may be taking, right?
The shot thing is tough, i hate needles. If you get an insulin syrenge, they come with needles shorter and thinner than the auto-injector one. I would advise to get those. And take it from me, from someone that doesnt like needles, it isnt that bad. Pinch some fat, like on the stomach firmly and put the shot in there.
PF wishes
Welcome, read up, there is a TON of info here on this site.
BMonee
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SLP
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Re: newbie - Imitrex injections
« Reply #2 on: Jul 8th, 2006, 1:16am » |
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Yeah, he made sure it didn't conflict with any other meds. I hae been on Tegretol because my family dr. thought I had Trigeminal Neuralgia. I'm going to stay on that for a while before they wean me off of it just because they didn't want to change too many things at once.
He gave me the auto injector thing. It seems simple enough, but it still scares me a little bit. SO now ot only am I dreading the pain of the next headache, but I'm also dreading the shot too!! 
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E-Double
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Re: newbie - Imitrex injections
« Reply #3 on: Jul 8th, 2006, 1:25am » |
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Are you an SLP?
I'm a Behavior Analyst.......
anyway, many tricks to learn here!!!
Jabs (trex shots) are cake
You'll be fine!
Here is some info that you need to imbed into your noggin.....
This is a great resource to know like the back of your hand...print it out and give it to the doc
http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf
It will present the appropriate treatments that you should seek and your doctor should know!!!
If you want an abortive with the least amount of side-effects O2 should not only be requested but demanded from your doctor!!!
http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm
I have used Zyprexa as an abortive and have found it to work (for me) as fast as Imitrex and without the "hangover"
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=medsarchive2 005;action=display;num=1120904753
If you do have the "typical" wake you up in the middle of the night horrors then.... Melatonin might be very helpful
Many of us (myself included) have found that taking 6-9mg (some take more) about a 1/2 hour to 45minutes prior to bed have Knocked out the night visits and can finally get sleep.
With the exception of 10-12 times.....I have slept through the night since August '04 (went chronic in March 05).....Still get hit during the day but my overall quality of life is better because I am not as exhausted all the time.
Some people report that it seems to make them worse....The fact is that we are all different and respond differently to everything therefore it may or may not...
The one thing I will tell you as far as my experience was that I had to stick with it...The first night I took melatonin, I was awoken with a doozy only I was too groggy to find my O2 .....It got a lot better for me....I then slept through the night but would get slammed about 1/2 hour after waking up....kinda like knocking the beast off schedule.....then again I was peaking and this cycle has been all over the place with no real pattern.
I stayed with melatonin and have had decent sleep overall. (Maybe I should start folowing my own advice again hahahaha!)
It may help and it is natural with not too many sideeffects....also ask your doctor b/c if there are any side effects or contraindications...I think they have to do with mild depression.....
Like I said we are all different.
Best wishes, good luck & stay as positive as you can!!!!
Eric
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JohnM
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Re: newbie - Imitrex injections
« Reply #4 on: Jul 8th, 2006, 4:02am » |
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SLP
I was like you about using the first imitrex autoinjector.
But... when I finally got up the courage to use it during a bad hit it was fine. Just read the instructions when your head is clear. Load the autoinjector, push it down against your upper outer thigh, press the button and wham - its all over and 10 minutes later your pain will be gone.
I felt a bit strange the first few times - it sort of shrinks ALL your blood vessels, so your pulse "feels" a bit odd for a while, but I'm used to it now and it doesnt bother me. If you are worried make sure someone is around the first time.
When you know it works and have had some practice you can then move onto the "tip on the left". I do this now but only after using dozens of the standard injection kits, and I do it to save on meds and money.
Frankly the insulin injection suggestions might be ok but I personally would not bother just yet. The auto injector is fine for me. Get some experience of it to see if it works for you first. It works great for me.
Good luck
John
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ShaneM
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Re: newbie - Imitrex injections
« Reply #5 on: Jul 8th, 2006, 7:55am » |
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This is a link to GlaxoSmithKlines site about the new 4mg stat dose. It fits in the same case as the 6mg. I have recently started using it and it works fine. Like other, I have had to work all the "Imi tricks of the trade", and this is a good option. In my case at least, it allows my insurance to pay for more doses at the RX at once. http://www.gsk.com/ControllerServlet?appId=4&pageId=402&newsid=7 31
Good luck!
Shane
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unsolved1
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Re: newbie - Imitrex injections
« Reply #6 on: Jul 9th, 2006, 9:09pm » |
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Imitrex injections have saved my life. I wouldn't be typing here today if it weren't for them and the peace and pain free times they've brought me.
Imitrex ROCKS 
UNsolved
I'm not scared of giving myself a shot. I'm scared of what I'll go through If I don't !!
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