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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Alcohol & Imitrex ???
        
(Message started by: t_h_b on Mar 21st, 2004, 9:52pm)
Title: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by t_h_b on Mar 21st, 2004, 9:52pm
At least half the time I drink I get hit--it used to be every time.  Last night I had 1 1/2 glasses of wine and got hit.  Stopped it with the Imitrex--just love shooting up in the bathroom in a restaurant.    

1.  Would it be in really rude if I injected myself through my shirt under the table?

2.  Does anybody ever take Imitrex if they are going to drink?  (Like an abortive BEFORE the attack?)

3.  Does it work?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts about this.
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by JDH on Mar 21st, 2004, 10:54pm
I don't/can't/won't drink at all when I'm in cycle so I can't say.

Jim
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by Kevin_M on Mar 21st, 2004, 11:53pm
T,

Yeah, I'm a chronic non-drinker.  Solved a lot of problems.

Kevin M
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by UN_SOLVED on Mar 22nd, 2004, 10:42am
1) Don't inject yourself through anything because you might inject small peices of fabric into your body.

2) Imitrex will not work as an abortive.

3) Quit drinking, at least while in cycle, unless you just want to dance with the beast.

Unsolved
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by HypnoticFreddy on Mar 22nd, 2004, 11:44am
Honestly, if I even smell some alcohol, a CH is triggerred during my cycles, which is happening now.

I do not see how anyone can drink alcoholic beverages during an episode. I know, everybody is different, but for me it is a sure-thing as a trigger.

B/T/W, I inject Imitrex through my sweatpants everytime. Maybe I shouldn't do that but it works and I have had no "fabricy" feelings after shooting up.

                                -Freddy
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by flavin on Mar 22nd, 2004, 1:31pm
I found out that if i drink while taking the varap that i get really sleepy for about 40 mins.  

So im not going to drink until im done the meds.


I dont usually drink anyway  but only have a few here and there.
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by Superpain on Mar 22nd, 2004, 1:40pm
I love to drink beer, but I've given it up in the past week or two after noticing the correlation between drinking and the sverity of ha's. However, Saturday I said fukit, and had about 6 beers...

BADBADBADBADBADBADBADBADBADBADBADBADBADBAD!!!!!!!!!

That's the night I used over 1000psi of O2 and was running for the tank every 30 minutes practically.

I'm a slow learner when it comes to denying myself things that I enjoy but are bad for me.

That lesson was completed Saturday night.
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by thomas on Mar 22nd, 2004, 1:46pm
I won't drink in cycle.  I hate to use imitrex, don't recommend using it unless you are ABORTING a high kip ch.
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by KarynG on Mar 22nd, 2004, 2:03pm
Yes, No, and Don't know!

;;D
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by t_h_b on Mar 22nd, 2004, 6:02pm
Well, I guess everybody confirmed what I already knew but didn't want to hear.

I'm chronic so I never get to drink safely.  Because of the verapamil and infrequent drinking I can only handle a couple of glasses of wine instead of half a bottle of whiskey.

Thanks for the help---
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by t_h_b on Mar 22nd, 2004, 6:03pm

on 03/22/04 at 13:46:55, thomas wrote:
I won't drink in cycle.  I hate to use imitrex, don't recommend using it unless you are ABORTING a high kip ch.



Thomas, I don't like Imitrex either but I have used it to stop a shadow after having it all day despite the O2.  It worked fine.
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by forgetfulnot on Mar 22nd, 2004, 6:33pm

Quote:
Would it be in really rude if I injected myself through my shirt under the table?


Here is one solution, give yourself the shot in your belly. usually below view by most and little bleeding.

As for drinking, been on lithuim for many years, drinking doesn't have any effect on me clusterwise but it did before lithium.

Lee
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by Prense on Mar 22nd, 2004, 6:52pm

on 03/22/04 at 18:02:16, t_h_b wrote:
I'm chronic so I never get to drink safely.  Because of the verapamil and infrequent drinking I can only handle a couple of glasses of wine instead of half a bottle of whiskey.


I am chronic as well; beer is an absolute trigger for me.  Rum and wine trigger as well, but not everytime.  I have yet to be triggered from vodka, but I don't "pound" the stuff.  Tequila seems to be another "safe" one for me.  My suggestion...if you don't want to give up alcohol completely, experiment at home and see how various forms of alcohol affect you.  Keep the trex nearby and keep the alcohol consumption low to moderate until you know what it is going to do.  That is what I have done, and now I don't have to give it up completely.

I am still very paranoid even drinking things that have not triggered for me yet.  I am not sure if I will ever lose that feeling.

Chris
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by jonny on Mar 22nd, 2004, 6:59pm
You poor bastards!

I swear the only reason im still alive is that nothing triggers my head, all those years with no meds was bad enough, if I had shit triggering me on top of that I doubt id be here now.

Long live the Clusterheads!!!!!

.........................jonny
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by HypnoticFreddy on Mar 22nd, 2004, 7:34pm
I swear. I do not drink for the 3-month cycle, which I am in full-blast right now.

It is so odd though, that when in remission, alcohol NEVER causes a CH.

The brain is unbelievably complicated.


                                    -Freddy
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by BlueMeanie on Mar 23rd, 2004, 6:42pm
Imitrex does NOT work as an abortive. If I take Imitrex too soon, I waste it.

I guess if you think it's an even trade off, a KIP 10 for a glass of wine. Go for it.   :(

Vodka, in very little moderation, seams to trigger the least amount of people from what I've read.
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by t_h_b on Mar 23rd, 2004, 7:07pm

on 03/23/04 at 18:42:45, BlueMeanie wrote:
I guess if you think it's an even trade off, a KIP 10 for a glass of wine. Go for it.   :(


Well, it's more like a 3 or 4 for a couple of minutes until the Imitrex kicks in and it's not every time I drink.  I've only had alcohol once or twice a month since getting these under control.  (Couldn't drink at all before.)

Interestingly enough, the Imitrex affects me differently when the attack is from drinking.  The attack escalates faster than normal.  Then instead of the Imitrex just knocking it out almost instantly after a couple of minutes delay, it takes a little longer to work and then just causes the pain to level out for a few minutes before knocking it out.

Still it's not really worth it but the only thing between me now and me pre-CH besides the medications and 02 tank is not being able to drink alcohol.  It would be nice to feel relatively normal again.  I think that's the real issue. Not being able to drink without fear of an attack is a reminder that CH is tricky and it's still there.
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by HypnoticFreddy on Mar 23rd, 2004, 8:44pm
BlueMeanie??  How can you possible say Imitrex NOT being an abortive?

I am sorry if either I misunderstand your point or if it doesn't work for you.

It is the most effective abortive. From what I know (don't bash), it is the only drug indicated for treatment of migraines AND cluster headaches. It has great statistics from the literature and CH-heads. Mostly, it has tremendous effects for me.

Maybe though, it just doesn't work for you. Too bad. Because it lifts it in 5 min everytime. It's like an f'en magic wand for me.

                                  -Freddy
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by BlueMeanie on Mar 23rd, 2004, 8:59pm

on 03/23/04 at 20:44:40, HypnoticFreddy wrote:
BlueMeanie??  How can you possible say Imitrex NOT being an abortive?


Freddy, Your right. I meant as a prevent, to abort before the CH starts while drinking.

Imitrex works 80% of the time for me as an abortive. I don't drink when in cycle.
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by HypnoticFreddy on Mar 23rd, 2004, 9:16pm
Right on. I guess since my desire to imbibe isn't as strong as it was when I was a youngin (I am 31!!!).

Man, I know that if I have a drink, it will bring it on, and then I'd waste an Imitrex injection (if it works under those situations).

For those who can drink during CH cycles, all the power to you.

I think the amount of pain we deal with deserves counterpain.

We need to treat ourselves to some indulgances. It may be a message, accupunture, a joint, whatever. We deserve it because the pain is so intense, and never gets easier with time. Each one feels worse than the last (for those high Kip-level CHs).

                               -Freddy
Title: Re: Alcohol & Imitrex ???
Post by Turts on Apr 6th, 2004, 4:14am
Alcohol- definate trigger

beer- no relationship between hits and drinks

So I guess thats a bit of both.

B.T.W. I usually start smoking when in cycle

Turts


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