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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Question on Imitrex
        
(Message started by: gusher on Aug 26^th, 2004, 4:10pm)

Title: Question on Imitrex
Post by gusher on Aug 26^th, 2004, 4:10pm

Ladies and Gents,

Curious to hear what happens after you all give yourself an injection of Imitrex. For me, everytime I take a shot, within two or three minutes, the pain of my CH will grow in intensity and then will start to subside. The pain will just about go away, then ramp back up again a bit, the leave.

Does this happen to anyone else?

Be well,
Greg...

Title: Re: Question on Imitrex
Post by Superpain on Aug 26^th, 2004, 4:43pm

No...
It makes me feel like I'm being strangled from the chest up then the headache goes away.

Title: Re: Question on Imitrex
Post by Lizzie2 on Aug 26^th, 2004, 4:49pm

Hi Greg,

I used to use it before I had CH...not allowed to use it anymore because of too rapid a heart rate that I get. Also, it is contraindicated with my other headache type. Anyhow...when I did use it, it did make my headache worse for a little bit and then better. DHE does that to me too. I'm not sure if it is the vascular changes that cause that worse headache first. That used to get so bad I'd want to puke, but then after a few more minutes of waiting it out, it got better.

Good luck!
Lizzie :)

Title: Re: Question on Imitrex
Post by Ronny on Aug 26^th, 2004, 5:35pm

on 08/26/04 at 16:43:27, Superpain wrote:

No...
It makes me feel like I'm being strangled from the chest up then the headache goes away.

Same here, and it feels so good to kick him in the ass. :D

Title: Re: Question on Imitrex
Post by Kevin_M on Aug 26^th, 2004, 7:51pm

I use the nasal spray but when the trex finally starts catching the beast, it's as if it starts to fight the trex harder. Don't know about any truth to it but it seems the pain will try real hard not to leave once the trex is in me. Like it knows it going away and has to do all it can to try and stay. I expect it though and know it won't be long after that, but it is a battle waiting for the beast to give up sometimes using the nasal. I just figure the trex is starting to affect the beast but isn't all there in sufficient quantity yet to put the fire out and the beast fights to stay alive.
Kind of like putting salt on a worm. It will squirm with all it has before it dies.

Kevin M

Title: Re: Question on Imitrex
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Aug 26^th, 2004, 8:19pm

Hi,

I'm like Superpain - strangling from the chest up, hair on fire, then HA gone - usually in under 5 minutes.

I think what you're feeling is pretty common, though. Have read alot about it here on the board. Almost like the beast tries one last time to get ahold of you before fading off into the sunset (or moonrise). *smile*

Kris

Title: Re: Question on Imitrex
Post by Jonny on Aug 26^th, 2004, 8:22pm

Nope........It just kills the beast in his tracks.

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

Title: Re: Question on Imitrex
Post by don on Aug 26^th, 2004, 10:03pm

Take the shot and 3 - 5 minutes later its a done deal.

Title: Re: Question on Imitrex
Post by gusher on Aug 27^th, 2004, 9:48am

Ladies and Gents,

Thanks for all of your replies. Sounds like a pretty common thing for the beast to fight like hell and then give up. That has been the case every time I've taken the Imitrex...that is until last Friday. I play basketball every day at lunch and, when I'm in a cycle, I will get a CH about 1/2 hour after I get done. Last Friday I played, got a CH, gutted it out as long as I could (foolishly, since I know it's inevitable that I'm gonna have to give myself a shot), and injected the Imitrex. The CH flared up, just like it always does, then stayed right there and wouldn't budge. I couldn't believe it! My savior, my parachute, my "make it all go away" cure did not work. Did 20 minuted on O2 and it finally subsided. But, I must say, it scared the hell out of me. Haven't played since. Dr. doubled my Depakote to 1000mg in the morning and 500 at night starting on Monday so will be playing at lunch today and see what happens!

Be well,
Greg...