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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Imitrex or not to Imitrex
        
(Message started by: EmpressJMB on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 6:39am)

Title: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by EmpressJMB on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 6:39am

Woke up at 6 am with aa pounding headache. It feels like mybrain is too big for my head. Not complete CH pain. No ice pick in the right eye paiiin but my face hurts as does the top of my head and neck. got ice, breathing steam. Have imitrex but never used it and not sure if i should. anyone up? help. J

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by EmpressJMB on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 7:04am

oh well. pain is subsiding now. thanks anyway [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by E-Double on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 9:57am

Hello dear,

I still go through that and have been using the good old jabber for a few month. IT's hard to make the distinction sometimes between something that will ramp up to a killer or a lower/mid. CH that will stay and or go away. Sometimes they go up sometimes they don't. Atleast fo me there has never been a pattern.
These days I tend to just go for it a lot more than I used to figuring "why suffer" (don't ya hate the word suffer)
I do not hesitate to grab the "tank" whatsoever so if ya have one do so.
It all depends on your body, my friend. We're all different.
I'm glad it went away. I hope it stays away.
The reality is...........
Be prepared regardless. It's your pain. Own it!! ;)

Best,

Eric

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by don on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 10:48am

Why would you not use it ?

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by EmpressJMB on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 12:25pm

I got a few more hours of sleep and feel better now. Still a little pain there though. The reason I asked was 1. I didn't ALL have all my usual CH symptoms so I wasn't sure if it was some other HA. Does it work on other HA's?
2. I have never used Imitrex on my own before. They gave to me once in the ER and I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for K8-10 or so but I've been dealing with these for 27 years and my pain threshold is pretty high.
I'm not a glutton for pain either, I just want to be careful.
I used 02 years ago but it didn't work. I found out from this site I needed a rebreather mask. I see the neuro on the 14th and will get a new script for it. My other concern with 02 is that there are smokers in the house.

Janet

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by unsolved1 on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 1:29pm

FOr times when my HA's are not full-blown attacks and it feels like it's going to stay with me for awhile ... I ust smaller doses of Imitrex injections. Save the bigger doses for the bigger, stronger headaches.

I use between 2 - 4 mg. (Most of the time it's 4mg)

Unsolved

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 8:11pm

Hi Empress,

For the most part, I wouldn't worry too much about the smokers - just keep them away from the room you're in. As long as you don't light a cigarette ... that's in your mouth ... while lifting the rebreather mask from your face ... chances are a fire or explosion won't happen.

With regard to the Trex - at the beginning or near the end of a cycle, I usually wait awhile to see how high on the scale the HA is going to go. In the middle of a cycle, I just reach for it fast!

The fact is, it works great for me (and for many). I find total relief in under 5 minutes. But in many ways, I understand your reluctance. If I reach a kip 5 and then the HA starts to lessen, in many ways the "treatment is worse than the disease" when I take Trex. My hair feels like it's on fire and my body feels "tight."

At the height of my cycle, I love the feeling of my hair on fire cause I know my HA will be gone in a couple minutes.

Regardless, I think it's good to have someone around the first time you use it on your own. If nothing else, for your own peace of mind. Meantime, try the O2 with a rebreather mask (just don't light a cigarette at the same time).

Or - if a little telephone support would help the first time you try the Imitrex, PM me for my phone number. I remember how scared I was the first time.

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by BlueMeanie on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 8:39pm

Empress,

I usually wait as the CH starts to ramp to say a Kip 5-6 range. Sometimes if I take it too early it doesn't work and I can't wait too long either. It's all in the timing. You'll get used to it. Read the Imitrex tip to the left of this page. 1/2 shot works just as good as a whole shot with less side effects.

Just remember to shut off the gas when done with your 02.

PF vibes to you.

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by Patrick_A on Oct 4^th, 2004, 7:59am

Have ya tried preventatives yet? It took me 28 years to get smart enough to try and prevent them as opposed to aborting them.
Prednisone and Verapamil did that trick for me. I've now been pain free for 13 months.
Imitrex is definitly hard on the heart. I personally hate using Trex because it gives me Rebound CH's, but i hate the CH worse so I usually break down and use it. Kind of like being netween a Rock and a Hard place.

Patrick

Title: Re: Imitrex or not to Imitrex
Post by EmpressJMB on Oct 4^th, 2004, 8:17am

Thanks for the tips folks! And Patrick, yes, I finished the course of prednisone 2 weeks ago, I do take verapamil which my md just upped as shadows were increasingly getting worse. :) J.