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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
        
(Message started by: gene on May 26^th, 2003, 3:19am)

Title: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by gene on May 26^th, 2003, 3:19am

My cycle just started last wk, I've used my 20 shots up and now tonite I've got nothing, I'm very scared it's going to be more than I can take tonite. After this one goes away if another one comes tonite I think ... I guess i don't have the strength to keep fighting!! Help!!
gene!

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by ave on May 26^th, 2003, 5:20am

`Come ON!

Of course you have the strength to go on fighting! We all do. (We all rave and rent and shout for help too, don't think we are such stoics!).

If you can't wangle a neuro visit or a new prescription, you'll have to make do. You CAN.

Get the ice packs in. Get yourself into an airconditioned car, turn the ac on full, into your face and your eyes, try excercising vigorously, try Charlie's circulatory technique.

Try pepper cream up your nose or hot sauce under your tongue. Check out all the non-medical ways clusterheads have discovered to cope with attacks.
(ouch SITE, RESOURCES)

And then suddenly the pain will be in the past. You will feel beaten and mentally black and blue, and as tired as a dog, but you will have survived another cluster attack.

DO NOT GIVE UP UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by Opus on May 26^th, 2003, 6:22am

Gene,
Try Lots of Ice packs until it makes your head hurt worse then remove. Sleep in a recliner to reduce wake ups,.

Here are some more none med treatments.

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/resources/non_script_treat.htm

Try not to take any over the counter meds, they can make it worse. We have eary reports that the Vinager and Blue chease treatment works. Also try to find a O2 source.

Opus :P

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by brain_cramps on May 26^th, 2003, 7:32am

Gene:

Sorry you're going through a rough stretch right now.

I am episodic and have been med-free for more than 5 years.

Like Opus mentioned, sleeping upright defintitely helps (at least it does for me).

Also, the following seem to help for me:
- lots of small meals - Try a sandwich, an hour later a bowl of soup, an hour later another sandwich, etc...
- no big meals - This keeps me from falling asleep after a meal, avoiding mid-day ha's.
- as much fresh air as possible - I sleep in a recliner, next to an open window, regardless of how cold it gets. If its really cold (Canadian winters :o), more blankets, quilts, etc... Also, long walks seem to help.
- if you smoke, consider cutting back drastically.
- no alcohol (for obvious reasons)
- if possible, when getting hit, hang you head out of the window of a car (like a dog) while driving down a highway/freeway. DON'T try this by yourself - have someone else drive for you. ;)

Since going med-free, my cycles have gradually got shorter, going from 6-8 weeks to under 3 weeks for my last cycle.

It is not easy, but can be done.

good luck and email me if you have any other questions,
grant 8)

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by cbolony on May 26^th, 2003, 7:45am

gene you do what you have to do to get threw them.
hot showers,cold showers,hot tea stiff the hot vapors,ice pack on your side of your CH and back of the neck it will go away.Me 5+ years with no meds 3-4 cycles a year 3-5 CH a day. Did you use the imitrex tip if so go down to 2mgs so you can get more out of the shot.gene i do this all the time since my insurance company gives me shit and have to go doctors for sample imitrex injections. Call your Doctor and see if he has any.

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by OneEyeBlind on May 26^th, 2003, 7:58am

Have ya tried O2 yet ??? If not call your doc and ask for that as well as any imitrex samples they may have. You can do it !! Jumping jacks carried me through a couple of headaches with no meds ! Hang tough and remember ... it will end !!!

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by KingOfPain on May 26^th, 2003, 8:01am

gene,

I can't say it much better than all of those above.

Just know that Clusterville is here for you.

Hope things get better soon.

KingOfPain

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by Roxy on May 26^th, 2003, 9:56am

gene, you do have the strength to keep fighting.....just pull some from all of us here.....we will be glad to share, and there are some really strong people here.

Everyone has given you great advice. Going without the trex is tough, but it can be done. Main thing is trying to procure the 02.....read up on it:

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

Just work your way through all the natural abortives you can. Sometimes one will work, but then it might not the next time you use it. If nothing else, it will keep you halfway distracted and busy while you're getting hit. I'm kinda in the same boat as you right now.....I've been over using the trex, and have to slow down with it. Now I'm just having to decide which ones get the shot, and which ones I'm going to have to battle with.

One thing you might try.....take dramamine at night. Sometimes it will let you sleep through the night, because it keeps you out of REM sleep.

Just email if you need anything,
Tracey

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by ^Mark on May 26^th, 2003, 2:49pm

Oh my lord ...

same thing happened to me on a business trip. I was in Hartford, CT and had to run into the hospital there.

I was fortunate to be able to speak coherent english at the time (I'm Dutch), and that the attendant was willing to get me to an intern and onto some O2 while also arranging a prescription for Imitrex.

Hang in there, Gene. I have absolutely no doubt you've been there before and lived thru it. You will now

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by ^Mark on May 26^th, 2003, 4:56pm

on 05/26/03 at 03:19:21, gene wrote:

I've used my 20 shots up

what does this mean? is there a limit to the amount of imitrex you can get in the US?

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by jonny on May 26^th, 2003, 5:41pm

Yes Mark, there is a limit.

..................................jonny

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by ^Mark on May 26^th, 2003, 5:44pm

YIKES !!!!!!!!!!!!!

is it like 20 a month?

oh my god, how i love dutch medical insurance. ALL my Imitrex use is covered, even if I take 4-5 shots per day over a multiple week/month time frame

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by atwitsend on May 26^th, 2003, 6:17pm

Hang in - The only advice I can give as newbie is what I do - I have a prescription written by my doctor that I get 10 boxes of imitrex and can get it refeilled every 4 days. I had to have my doctor write a letter to my insurance co saying that according to my health status that he does approve for me to be able to obtain so much imitrex if needed (which I have needed for 4 months now)

The pharmacy knows me & Cheryl by name now. Pretty sad huh? Also I use that same pharmacy all the time & have gotten friendly with the pharmacist so if I get into trouble sometimes & am running a little short - she usually will forward me a few boxes until my presciption can be re-entered & covered.

Hope this helps??

However, when I am CF I try to get a few refills to keep in my cabinet untiol thry are needed in case I am slammed for a while.

Kev & Cheryl

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by jonny on May 26^th, 2003, 6:30pm

Its pretty sad that most in the US can only get 6 shots a month.

............................................jonny

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by eyes_afire on May 26^th, 2003, 6:31pm

Mark,
It depends on the insurance you have and how lucky you are. Many of them have limits of 6 per month. If you're an unlucky bastard like me, your insurance policy says in fine print: "Not covered: Imitrex Injections". It's all about $$$$$.

--- Steve, one of many bastards...

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by jonny on May 26^th, 2003, 6:39pm

on 05/26/03 at 18:31:15, eyes_afire wrote:

Sorry to hear that Eyes, im sure the family can set you up with what you need, Bro.

Just say the word and I'll get the ball rolling!!!

..................................jonny

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by eyes_afire on May 26^th, 2003, 6:49pm

Thanks Jonny, I may eventually accept your offer but not until I have fought 'fang and claw' with my employer. I have a couple of things going for me... a neuro who is willing to fight for me... and verapamil and O2 work well. If verapamil ever fails and I get desperate, I may come crying.

Just knowing that y'all are there to help means alot. Thanks

--- Steve, one of many fighters...

Title: Re: no more imitrex 2nd 10 in 2hours
Post by ^Mark on May 26^th, 2003, 6:52pm

fire eyes
i don't know whether it's legal to send prescription meds from Europe to the US (probly not), otherwise I'd send you 5 boxes worth