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Topic: imitrex long term use (Read 337 times) |
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Mako
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I am trying to find some information (all my years of experience don't count)for mr dr. and nero. and insurance co.
that will put to rest there fear of sidefects from using 2 .5ml doses split into 4 injections for about 6 weeks.
I have used this for years and the only problems I have experienced is the overwhelming urge to choke the s**t out of the SOB that has never had a CH and still thinks that they know more than I do about what med's work for me. If they would only consider the "side efects" of an unmedicated Clusterhead in there office when they tell them that they can't have the medication that know will make the pain go away quickly.
I would love to see the vidio from that one.
Sorry, Just venting. I only have enough imitrex to last maybe one more night, I won't be going to bed anytime soon.
any information would be greatly appriciated
Mako
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Jim R
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Always question authority....
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Re: imitrex long term use
« Reply #1 on: Sep 4th, 2002, 7:30am » |
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Welcome Mako,
Personally, I think it is a $ issue not a paternal, medical issue - I mean, they'll hand out narcotics in ER's and doctor's offices like candy and risk having lifetime addicted patients and PAY FOR IT but they'll tell you that they'll only pay for X number of Imitrex injections/month or so many "triptan" dosages per month....who the fu*k are they to say how many instances of pain one can have that are relieved or unrelieved - this issue really, really burns me - fu*king insurance companies - I really despise the whole health payment system in the US - I know it's not great in other countries either but man it's so $ oriented here and people suffer agonies because of it. Just my $0.02
PFDAN's to ya - Jim R
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"Hammer of the Gods..." (pounding on my head...) and isn't Bowie great?!
Proud member of OUCH
Episodic Clusterhead since 1978
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Karla
CH.com Alumnus
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Re: imitrex long term use
« Reply #2 on: Sep 4th, 2002, 2:33pm » |
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I have taken up to 8 imtrix ns a day for a long extended period of time. I am chronic. At a min. avg. I take 4 a day. Yes insurance companies can be limiting and so can drs. Keep in mind that the insert that comes with Imitrix says it isn't approved by the FDA and been saftey tested to use more than 4x a month. I don't know what they think will happen after that amount is exceeded. I have exceeded it for years. However, I know I am running a risk of long term unknown health problems.
Good luck to you.
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Karla
suffer chronic ch
ch.com groupie since 1999
Proud Mom of Chris USMC Semper Fi
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Annie
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Re: imitrex long term use
« Reply #3 on: Sep 5th, 2002, 6:46pm » |
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Here's a link to an article by Prof. Goadsby and Dr Matharu (UK) in Hospital Doctor - "Correct management of cluster headaches" - 08/03/01
http://www.hospital-doctor.co.uk/hd_news/hd_news_article.asp?ID=2498& ;Section=Feature
"Subcutaneous sumatriptan (6mg) is the drug of choice in abortive treatment of a cluster attack. It has a rapid effect and high response rate. In CH, unlike migraine, subcutaneous sumatriptan can be prescribed at a frequency of twice daily, on a long-term basis if necessary, without risk of tachyphylaxis or rebound.
However, in this era of a cost-conscious NHS, some practitioners are reluctant to prescribe this relatively expensive drug. We feel that, given the devastating morbidity associated with this excruciating pain syndrome, it is unethical to withhold treatment for cost reasons. Although nasal sumatriptan is often used, it is considerably less efficacious than the subcutaneous formulation and there are no controlled studies to support its use. "
I have also come across an article in Headache, 1996, vol. 36, p. 389-391, by B. Centonze MD, et al.
"Use of high sumatriptan dosages during episodic cluster headache: three clinical cases"
"The patients described had a high frequency of attacks (more than two per day); therefore, far higher dosage of the drug was taken than commonly used in cluster headache. The patients did not experience any particular side effects, neither during the treatment period nor on abrupt withdrawal of the drug. Moreover, neither tachyphylaxis nor addiction were observed. The authors point out both the efficacy of sumatriptan and its safety even at higher dosages than recommended."
These three patients were taking at least three 6mg injections a day for periods of 4, 3 and two months respectively. The authors say that these cases should "strongly reduce the alarmism surrounding the use of this drug".
This is a very limited study of episodic patients only and does not cover really long term use - but it's still interesting.
Best of luck,
Annie
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Bob P
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Re: imitrex long term use
« Reply #4 on: Sep 6th, 2002, 8:44am » |
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From the OUCH Research Library:
Sumatriptan overuse in episodic cluster headache: lack of adverse events, rebound syndromes, drug dependence and tachyphylaxis.
Centonze V, Bassi A, Causarano V, Dalfino L, Cassiano MA, Centonze A, Fabbri L, Albano O.
Dept of Internal Medicine and Public Medicine, University of Bari, Italy.
This observational study was designed to examine the pattern of sumatriptan use in patients with cluster headache using more than the recommended daily dose of subcutaneously injected (s.c.) sumatriptan. Thirteen patients suffering from episodic cluster headache were asked to record the characteristics of their attacks and drug intake for 1 year. All reported a high daily frequency of attacks (more than 3 per day) and the related overuse of s.c. sumatriptan. The results show that the overall incidence of adverse events among patients receiving sumatriptan injections for the treatment of cluster headache is low. The extended administration of this drug in episodic cluster headache did not result in tolerance problems or tachyphylaxis. Only 4 patients experienced minor adverse events and recovered more slowly than the others. They suffered from migraine without aura and cluster headache, and showed a family history of migraine. Even though they must be viewed with caution, due to the observational nature of the study and the low number of patients included, these results suggest that the profile of sumatriptan may differ in cluster headache compared with migraine.
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Mrs. Barlow, I never, and I repeat never, ever pissed in your steam iron.
"SHUT UP HUB!"
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Marshall_D
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Re: imitrex long term use
« Reply #5 on: Sep 9th, 2002, 11:05am » |
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I'm sorry I came in late, but I had to add my story on imitrex. I few years back (when my doctor would let me use it-I had to stop due to heart-related issues), a Pharmacist had actually told me , they had to call my doctor and verify the script, cause people were using imitrex to get "HIGH". I think they were mistaking people begging for it due to the un-godly pain as drug-seekers...Unbelievable, huh...
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