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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Desperate Questions????????
        
(Message started by: Bonniegirl on Apr 10^th, 2003, 12:37pm)

Title: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Bonniegirl on Apr 10^th, 2003, 12:37pm

After digging frantically, I found some of my old imitrex( 2 dose syringe cartridges) but the experation is 6/99. Is this too old(dangerous/ineffective)? I am getting to the point that I don't care about my BP. I thought I was getting better (only 1 bad one and shadows all nite) but THIS MORNING I got one. That never happens. Do anyone else's suddenly switch from only PM attacks to AM and PM? Does this mean any thing? I'm sorry to bombard you all with ???,but I don't know how much more of this I can take. I hate to say it but if I can, I try to avoid going to the ER if at all possible. This is so hard to deal with because no one in my family really understands.Sorry to ramble,but if anyone has any info to share, I'd be stoked. Thanx-Bonniegirl :'(

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by catlind on Apr 10^th, 2003, 1:40pm

Bonnie,

I've seen it said before to someone that had expired trex to go ahead and use it, however in your case with the BP and other issues I would call your doctor. Having a heart attack isn't worth it. If your doctor is too nervous to have you on trex, there is a reason. Get on the phone and call and ask for something you CAN use.

In the meantime, ice packs or frozen veggies, sit in front of an air conditioner, try a hot shower, do some jumping jacks, or try and drink lots of water. I would not recommend using any prescription that is old (not even expired) without your doctor knowing about it.

Cat

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Opus on Apr 10^th, 2003, 4:51pm

My cycle last summer ended with a pf period followed by 1-10 a day for 6 days. These attacks were random and came at times I had never been hit before. After that only shadows for anouther week then PF. I hope this is what is happening to you.
Opus :P

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Frank on Apr 10^th, 2003, 5:00pm

You might want to ask your doc about the possibility of taking 3mg Imitrex injections (half a shot)... maybe it would be easier on the blood pressure. You would need to get the Imitrex injections in vials and syringes to do that... or see the "Imitrex Tip" button on the left side of the screen.

I don't know what to tell you about the expiration date. If it's not cloudy or discolored, and doesn't have little particles floating around... it's probably safe. Still effective?... is anyones guess.

Do you have O2? It works very well for a lot of people and no nasty blood pressure side effects.

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Linda_Howell on Apr 10^th, 2003, 5:16pm

Yes, Bonnie. These H.A.'s can switch from am to pm From left side to right side. they do whatever the F they want to and you're not the only one.

I agree about try taking a 1/3 of a shot. And also try the 02. No side effects with 0xygen and it's probably good for your heart. If you have to wait to get your Dr. to prescribe it......try sitting in front of an a/c unit......In your house or car, and breathing deeply. It works almost as well.

I've only gone to the ER once in 16 yrs. Waste of $$$$$$ in my opinion. If they don't TREAT you like shit.......then your headache is gone by the time they get around to seeing you. You will survive Bonnie. You will. Linda H

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by stevek on Apr 10^th, 2003, 5:28pm

Bonnie,

Currently I'm using some Mar 2001 injections and they are working. I used my last 2000 one last weekend. The verapamil (480mg) helps also.

As for switching times, mine did once I started using imitrex. Now I can get CHs at anytime.

I hope you find some relief.

SB!! I work in Carp.

Take care, SteveK

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Scotty_Dog on Apr 11^th, 2003, 12:25am

Just a note Bonnie,

My wife is a Pharmicy tech and she always tells me, "old meds are bad meds". Call a Pharmicist and they will tell you the same thing. I have been a Cher for over 20 years and nothing helped me until I found Dr Nack in Blacksburg, VA. He is a Nero who is also a Cher. He put me on Prednizone and Verapamil and knocked the beast cold. I know this does not work for everyone, but Dr. Nack says that the risk of rebound CH from imitrex can be just as bad or worse.

Find a good Nero, and treat the beast as natural as possible till you can see the Dr. I was close to a Heart attack last year, and I can tell you, the first thing they do is give you Nitro, and that crap will give you a CH that does not go away for days.

Take care of yourself and may God bless you with many PFDN soon.

E-mail me or Instant Message me if you want to find Dr. Nack, or look him up through yellowbook.com.

God Bless,

Scott ;D

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Frank on Apr 11^th, 2003, 12:37am

I have heard of nitro headaches (sometimes described as the "Mother Of All Headaches"). Somehow I think they are wrong though... they have just never experienced the pleasure of having a few Kip-10 cluster headaches. ???

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Scotty_Dog on Apr 11^th, 2003, 1:29am

I have had the nitro headache, and beibg a CHer, I had a cluster that lasted 3 days until they finaly took me off that crap. Morphine barly touched it and it kicked off a cycle for 4 months of 8 to 12 a day.

Will never do nitro again even if my life depends on it.

Scott

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Linda_Howell on Apr 11^th, 2003, 3:57am

O.K. I gotta do this.....my mind won't be settled til I do...

Did y'all hear what HE just said??????????

Morphine barely touched it...AND touched off a cycle.

going to my non-narcotic room now where I will

bash my head..cuss the gods...swear words I've never even heard before.....sweat..breathe......shoot some Imitrex.....breathe some more.......o.k.. REALLY cussing here...............(I'm only writing this cause I know I can here.)

and thanks............LindaH

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Mikey on Apr 11^th, 2003, 4:00am

In my case sometimes i have to use nitro or else. And i don't like the else part at all! I use the nitro spray so that i can control the amount of nitro i get some what.

Bonnie, check with your Doc on all these questions that you have, that would be the best bet!

Mikey, ;D

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Mark C on Apr 11^th, 2003, 8:22am

Good Luck Bonnie,
I am sure if all I had was an old shot and the beast came to visit I would no doubt use the Trex. That being said I would also try to freshen up thr Trex stock soon as possible. I doubt old Trex would hurt, but it may lose effectiveness over time. I store mine in a box in the bottom of the fridge, not counting what I always have with me. ;D

I am glad my heart is good. One thing I have learned since I have been here is it could always be worse. I have become almost grateful for only being episodic!

For an interesting article from the OUCH library on Nirto used to provoke an attack...." Altogether 45 provocations were made with nitroglycerine (1 mg) as described earlier. One or more spontaneous attacks were also observed in 11 patients. The aches were recorded according to their character, intensity, localization and duration. The patients were supine during the attacks." click here (http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/general/pain_ch.htm).

PFDAN's
Mark

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by eyes_afire on Apr 11^th, 2003, 8:46pm

Hi Bonniegirl.
To obtain FDA approval, drugs are tested for product stability. To get approval, the drugs have to demonstrate product stability at least up to thier expiration date. A comprehensive 3 year stability study may cost the drug company $1 million (but don't cry for the drug companies, because they make a killing in profits). Speaking from experience, most drug companies don't pursue stability studies beyond 3 years, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the product is not good for longer than that. The product may very well be good for much longer than that, but it doesn't do the drug companies much good investing that kind of money just to get a longer expiration date.

Basically the expiration date means either:

1. The drug product will lose potency once the expiration date is exceeded.

or

2. The drug company knows that the product is at least effective up to expiration date and didn't see a need to invest further simply to get a longer expiration.

Personally, I would use expired imitrex if I needed to. Most obvious down-side is that it might not be as potent. Based upon what others have reported here on this message board, I'll bet that imitrex is very stable. That's just my opinion, you may want to check the archives. Of course, you should not take imitrex unless it is under the supervision of a physician. Be careful with your BP.

Title: Re: Desperate Questions????????
Post by Not4Hire on Apr 11^th, 2003, 9:17pm

...just can't avoid *desperate* threads......
bonniegirl:

Quote:

but I don't know how much more of this I can take. I hate to say it but if I can, I try to avoid going to the ER if at all possible.

Frank:

Quote:

Do you have O2? It works very well for a lot of people and no nasty blood pressure side effects.

LindaH:

Quote:

I've only gone to the ER once in 16 yrs. Waste of $$$$$$ in my opinion. If they don't TREAT you like shit.......then your headache is gone by the time they get around to seeing you. You will survive Bonnie. You will.

stevek:

Quote:

As for switching times, mine did once I started using imitrex. Now I can get CHs at anytime.
I hope you find some relief.

eyes afire:

Quote:

Basically the expiration date means either:
1. The drug product will lose potency once the expiration date is exceeded.
or
2. The drug company knows that the product is at least effective up to expiration date and didn't see a need to invest further simply to get a longer expiration.

....i think that the drug co. doesn't "see a need to invest further"......and that's the fuckin' problem.......$$$

next?......N4H