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Topic: What's the deal with Imitrex? (Read 1165 times) |
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luveemom
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What's the deal with Imitrex?
« on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 11:47am » |
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I read you all talking about Imitrex, and I don't know what you are referring to.....I am not able to take any triptans since years ago when I was on maxalt, amerge and a few others I forgot that gave me chest pain....My doc has asked me about Imitrex...what is the deal with it? Does it make you feel like crap? What?
Thanks,
alicia
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nani
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #1 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 11:50am » |
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It's a powerful vasoconstrictor. It's usually not recommended if you have heart issues. I can't use it either.
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Guiseppi
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #2 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 11:52am » |
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I use the imitrex injectable using the stat dose pen. I sue them sparingly because i don't like how I feel. First i hate needles, once I get it in me I hate that "snakes up the back" feeling as it races to my head, but it has been 100% effective at knocking down the bad ones the oxygen doesn't tame.
It's a strong medication, obviously just from the speed in which it works. Literally in less then a minute it's in my head calming everything down. If you have any potential heart issues it is something you want to be very careful with.
Have you tried the oxygen route? It's still my favorite, most effective abortive and i like that there are no side effects for me.
Guiseppi
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luveemom
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #3 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 11:59am » |
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Thanks, I was just curious about Imitrex...I do have o2, but it is not getting rid of it. I am in a bad cycle right now. My topamax just isn't high enough yet, and the o2 works to knock it down a notch, but I am getting hit all day..I have been sick for 4 weeks now. I am feeling really bad. I just want to be PF for a little while....even the shadows are driving me crazy....I don't think I have heart disease....but I get chest pains from those drugs..
I am 40 and I did smoke for 20 yrs....
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Rosybabe
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #4 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 1:25pm » |
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maybe if you try some Cafergot, it works for me and does not give me chest pains. Melatonin at night to keep night hits at bay.
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luveemom
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #5 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 1:41pm » |
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Cafergot is an old one I used to take. I stopped taking it when it stopped working. I don't know if would work again. Usually once they are on the "don't work anymore" list I forget about them...I am at a loss...I guess I just have to hang tight until I get topamax ramped up some more. I am calling Stamford today though and trying to make an appt. with them, I don't like this new neuro guy...I think he see's mostly MS pt's and no cluster people.
alicia
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Guiseppi
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #6 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 2:12pm » |
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I tried cafergot in the mid 80's and it did nothing for me, now it's a life saver. For me, oxygen will abort a hit, but it comes back 10-20 minutes after I shut off the 02. I tried staying on the 02 for 10-15 minutes after it was gone, same result, 10-20 minutes later he's back.
Now when I get one starting, I toss down a cafergot and fire off the 02. The 02 beats him into submission, the cafergot buys me up to 12 hours of pain free time. Another of what I've seen to be many examples of meds that didn't work alone but do wonders in combo.
Hope you get some relief soon, your frustration is loud and clear. Pulling for you.
Guiseppi
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luveemom
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #7 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 2:20pm » |
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Thanks....maybe I should give it a try again then. I never think to go back to the old meds, but what you describe is what is happening...it just keeps on coming back....and I can't be on the o2 all day it's just not practical.
Thanks again,
alicia
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CC_stole_my_Harte
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #8 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 3:55pm » |
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I'll tell you the deal with imitrex... The deal si that it only costs them like 40 cents to make a pack of three injectibles- and yet they charge upwards of $450 for them! Making the insurance companies reluctant to buy them and (In the case of my boyfriend his insurance refused to pay for them anymore after paying for a couple of years, and then another insurance company he was on wouldn't even put him on that treatment) What a bunch of selfish b*astards. Why charge that much for something that was so cheap to make?! Alicia, my boyfriend is starting the RC seeds hopefully on monday to try and abort his cycle. I was a little sceptical at first considering the stigma with it but you should read some of the threads on it. It seems to have a ton of success.
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luveemom
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #9 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 4:03pm » |
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That really is too bad, I know my topamax costs me an arm and a leg too. The insurance only covers about one round of it and then it's maxed out. I don't even know what RC seeds are.....I don't think I wanna try anything alternative at this point...I know the topamax will work eventually..I pray anyway, it did before. I am just very sick right now and grasping at straws.
Thanks,
alicia
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CC_stole_my_Harte
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #10 on: Aug 3rd, 2007, 4:25pm » |
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I think that is how alot of these folks started the rc seets treatment- they were grasping at straws. I didn't find out about this until a week ago and now I am mostly convinced it will help my BF (We will see what happens when we start it on monday) But from what I've heard it can not only abort an attack, it will also end a cycle and also prevent a cycle. I will keep ya updated on how Chris does.
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MR_FLOOR
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #11 on: Aug 4th, 2007, 10:10pm » |
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on Aug 3rd, 2007, 3:55pm, CC_stole_my_Harte wrote:| The deal si that it only costs them like 40 cents to make a pack of three injectibles- and yet they charge upwards of $450 for them! |
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Hell of a mark up huh.
The deal with Imitrex is that it works,it's like a miracle drug when it comes to Clusters for me at least.
Dave
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thebbz
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #12 on: Aug 4th, 2007, 10:22pm » |
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Imitrex is ....sumatriptan succinate. It is a triptan.
Quote:I am not able to take any triptans since years ago when I was on maxalt, amerge and a few others I forgot that gave me chest pain....My doc has asked me about Imitrex...what is the deal with it? Does it make you feel like crap? What?
Back up a bit. first if you cant take triptans because of heart complications what in the hell is your doc recommending the king of triptans for?...Imitrex.
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Quote:...it just keeps on coming back....and I can't be on the o2 all day it's just not practical.
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Next being on 02 constantly is not needed. You should get an hour or more relief from one treatment session.
How are you administering the 02...cannula tube, non-rebreather, demand regulator, clustermasx? What is the flow rate?
How long is your 02 treatment? 10min,,,20.,,,what?
Are you getting 100% 02 or are you ingesting ambient air from some source?
What the ??? If you have heart problems make sure your doc knows before you take imitrex. NEVER MIX TRIPTANS ...never.
thebb
Screw how much it cost. ...that shit will kill you if you have a heart condition. There are numerous warnings about this on any packaging. Get a new doc.
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| « Last Edit: Aug 4th, 2007, 10:25pm by thebbz » |
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E-Double
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #13 on: Aug 5th, 2007, 8:33am » |
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read up on zyprexa (olanzapine)
If you have health problems that prevent you from taking triptans or ergotomines then zyprexa may be a more than efficient and practical alternative( if you want to take medicines)
I will post the research later and some more info that I have on my other computer.
good luck
E
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Brew
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #14 on: Aug 5th, 2007, 10:32am » |
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One of the things I have heard about olanzapine is how quicky it acts as an abortive for those who use it. I have heard that it can work in 7-10 minutes, and it's a pill!
Some around here SWEAR by it.
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Lenny
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #15 on: Aug 5th, 2007, 1:06pm » |
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[quote
The deal with Imitrex is that it works,it's like a miracle drug when it comes to Clusters for me at least.
Ditto..............Lenny
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luveemom
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #16 on: Aug 5th, 2007, 4:54pm » |
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I will have to look into the zyprexa. I'll ask the doc about it. As for the o2, I have a little jimmy rig here...my hubby rigged the o2 concentrator to the small tank we have and together we think we are getting about 15lpm. Yes, I have the non-rebreather. I do get some relief, but only temporary, then I get hit again. It's not been very effective, that may be because my topamax is still way too low right now, I don't know. I don't have any known heart conditions, all I know is that when I do take a triptan drug I get chest pain.
thank you all...
alicia
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horsegirl
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #17 on: Aug 5th, 2007, 9:30pm » |
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this is ofcourse just my oppinion.,but just to break your cycle out of pattern, i would get on predisone taper, it pretty much stops my ha for the whole time i'm on it. have you ever tried verapamil? I think it has less side effects then topamax. I was only on 360 a day, and I rarely got ha till my cycle finished. and o2 didnt work to well for me during the peek of my cycle , but works great for all the rest. 
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Purple_05
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #18 on: Aug 5th, 2007, 9:38pm » |
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I think sometimes the issue is we find preventives that work but while we're tapering up on them to the dose that works for us we have to suffer. Imitrex works as a good abortive for a lot of people but lately I'm not getting as much help from Imitrex as I use to.  This morning it took and 1 hour 20 minutes to work.....I'm not quite sure what that means. 
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luveemom
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #19 on: Aug 5th, 2007, 10:52pm » |
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I have never tried prednisone but doesn't that have lots of it's own bad side effects?? I don't have bad side effects from topamax, it's just that I am ramping up right now and until I get to 200mgs I will be suffering. The o2 is not working so great right now, but probably will once I get the topamax up. My doc did say that he was tempted to put me on verapamil, but he said why bother if topamax works so well for me. I just ramped up to 100mgs tonight so....yippee...almost there....
alicia
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thebbz
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #20 on: Aug 5th, 2007, 11:32pm » |
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Alicia,
the 02 has to administered correctly to get the proper effect. You must be gettng 100% 02 at a high flow rate.
Does your non-rebreather have any opening in the nosepiece? It should have two round..butterfly's one will have a rubber disk to keep the air from entering when you inhale.. the other one needs to be blocked, and not left open. Or you need to pilpher another butterfly cover...or tape it shut. You need a high flow rate for the 20 min. With no flow indication or regulator you may not be getting the proper flow. Breathing an unknown amount will have a detrimental effect. With the situation your describing you may not be administering properly resulting in failure of the treatment.....
Clustermasx.com
Get one they work well
12 to 15 lpm to start. Your mileage may vary.
Proper flow and treatment technique will improve the effectiveness greatly.
all the best
thebb
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Guiseppi
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #21 on: Aug 6th, 2007, 10:35am » |
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Prednisone is okay for short periods. I ususally go on a 2 week taper from 80 mg a day down to zero, when I first start a cycle. That allows time for the lithium to build up in my system.
I have been known to horde my prednisone and will keep enough on hand to take short breaks during a cycle when I'm really getting creamed. I'm one of the lucky ones that pred will give me 100% relief from them so if I'm taking a special trip or have something planned that I absolutely can't get hit, I'll go on a short pred run. But you're right, long term pred will really play havoc with your body, it's not childrens tylenol by any strecth!!!!!!
Guiseppi
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luveemom
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #22 on: Aug 6th, 2007, 2:31pm » |
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Thanks guys....as far as the o2 your right I am not sure on the liters exactly....I inquired about the cluster masx and after several days got an email back saying they are sorry and are having problems with their order and payment systems and are not taking any orders at this time.....  so..............
thanks again for the info
alicia
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thomas
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #23 on: Aug 6th, 2007, 5:23pm » |
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I know that an O2 concentrater will NOT give you 15 lpm. As far as imitrex goes, if amerge gave you chest pains, I would STRONGLY caution you NOT to try imitrex. Instead get a good O2 regulator and some tanks that hold enough O2. Do NOT experiment with triptans they are serious business and can cause some major problems, even death.
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Religion and sex are powerplays. Manipulate the people for the money they pay. Selling skin, selling God, the numbers look the same on their credit cards. Triptans cause rebounds. Learn it, believe it, live it. I use triptans as the absolute LAST RESORT when treating my CH.
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Brew
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Re: What's the deal with Imitrex?
« Reply #24 on: Aug 6th, 2007, 5:27pm » |
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on Aug 6th, 2007, 5:23pm, thomas wrote:| I know that an O2 concentrater will NOT give you 15 lpm. |
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But connecting two of them in parallel will.
Edited to add: This usually is not a good solution for CH'ers because the concentrators can take up to 10 minutes before they're delivering their capacity, which at best is still only 90-92%.
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| « Last Edit: Aug 6th, 2007, 5:32pm by Brew » |
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