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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and rebound
        
(Message started by: Carl_D on Aug 26^th, 2004, 1:28am)

Title: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and rebound
Post by Carl_D on Aug 26^th, 2004, 1:28am

I know several people have said that Imitrex injections, though effective, can cause major rebounds. Jonny said he was reluctant to use Trex right now for this reason, but will until he gets his Zomig NS refill.
What about the Zomig NS? Do those of you who use it get the same side effects as Imitrex, and does it cause rebounds?
I get nasty side effects from Imitrex, especially as of late, with getting nauseous (sometimes have to lie on my stomache for a minute to keep from getting sick), and get a tightness in the chest - which I am told is not a good sign. I'm thinking that the sleep deprivation and panic/anxiety disorder increases this, but not sure. Calling my GP in the morning, and trying one last time to set up an appointment with this neuro before moving on to another. Having a bitch of a time trying to find a good neuro who is well versed with Cluster Headaches, Chronic Paloxysmous Hemicranea, and Fibromyalgia - especially with the limitations of alot of neuros not accepting Medicaid. My GP's office tried sending me back to the S.O.B. in Belleville who doesn't even know left from right, and I told him I need a REAL neuro, and not a stooge. Trying to obtain a list of all of the neuros in the area who accept Medicaid, and going from there.
Running on empty right now from sleep deprivation (as usual.)

Anyway, any info on the Trex vs. Zomig would help for when I call my GP tomorrow.

Peace,
CD

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by buckeyescooter on Aug 26^th, 2004, 1:43am

Hey Carl...I used Trex back in the mid 80's and also got that tightening in the chest. My neuro at that time said that was common and not to worry about it. I used to get big time rebounds however and ultimately stopped using it for that reason.
I started using Zomig NS this last cycle and had much better results. Not Perfect, but much more reliable. The only thing I noticed was when I used them a lot, they didn't keep the ha away as long. Initially one Zomig blast would keep me pain free for 10-14 hrs. I had NO side effects at all from the Z.

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by Carl_D on Aug 26^th, 2004, 2:03am

Thanks Buck. I am going to see if my GP can call in a script for me this morning. Need to try something other than the Trex, as I am wondering if I am starting to rebound from it, or if I am just starting to cycle hard again. Started escalating this week from 1-3 a night, to 6 in the last 24 hours; and shadowing very hard right now. I am already over-extended on Trex usage right now, and at this rate am gonna run out sooner than initially expected.

Peace,
Carl

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by BlueMeanie on Aug 26^th, 2004, 2:52am

Hey Carl,

Are you taking a whole shot or splitting them in 1/2 ? I ask because when I used to take a whole shot, i'd get that tightness and would feel pretty woosy for awhile. Now that I only do 1/2 it's not nearly as bad. I have not tried the Zomig NS yet.

PFDAN

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by Carl_D on Aug 26^th, 2004, 3:00am

I'm taking 1/3 or 1/4 injections, but when it won't abort I do the full shot. When I feel a hit creeping I try to take the lower dose. If I feel it climbing to a rage quickly I do the full shot.
I think the one drawback from one aspect of the Zomig NS is that you can't adjust your dose to either full or half or 1/3 dose - I don't think. Maybe I'm wrong.

Sometimes the 1/3 dose doesn't quite stop the attack completely, but definitely will bring a 6-8 Kip down to a 4 or so.

Peace,
Carl

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by Jeepgun on Aug 26^th, 2004, 9:55am

Depakote gave me the worst rebounds ever. Three pain-free days followed by the night from Hell, with three of the WORST cluster headaches I've ever experienced.

Injectable Imitrex gives me ferocious shadows. I refer to it as the "Imitrex Hangover." Ugh... That's why I try to ride most of the attacks out, and forego the Imitrex as much as humanly possible.

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by vig on Aug 26^th, 2004, 9:57am

my limited experience with Zomig NS was good.
Better than Imitrex.
It took about 20 minutes to kick in, which is longer than usual, but it stopped the pain for 12 - 24 hours instead of Imitrex' hour or two. Good enough for a night's sleep.

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by Gator on Aug 26^th, 2004, 11:36am

Haven't done trex so can't make a comparison, but I do use the Zomig NS. Zomig NS usually takes effect with me in under 10 minutes. I wish it kept me pain free for the 10 - 24 hours like some people have described. I've used the Zomig NS and had another attack as little as an hour and a half later. I have not noticed any rebound effect or any real side effects. I do get that little warm, tingly, lightly dizzy feeling in my head, but it is short lived and not at all bothersome.

Hope this helps.

Gator

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by cootie on Aug 27^th, 2004, 12:30am

Sigh.......now I'm confused !?? Just got Brad into the doc for his routine checkup since on blood pressure meds and had him talk to doc about trex injections for this cycle due to get things started and deal with insurence and see what they will say or pay or won't pay or say. Since the pills take too dam long and he is incompasitated too dam long before dureing and after we 'thought' trex injections were the best esp if we are out or on vacation and he gets hit. Doc said on the script for the insurence co that he does not respond to the pills and mentiond 'migraines' to throw em for a loop and possibly get better response and them allow more injections a month and possibly cover them better this way. He's tryin to work it all out 'for us'.....pretty cool doc I must say. But......is the Zomig NS 'better' and what he should of asked for ? He didn't have much success with imitrex NS years ago. And I do NOT want him mixin triptans either. So.....not sure where we should start now ??? Don't want him hit MORE cuz of the trex injections cuz that won't work cuz we KNOW we'll be limited as it is. Jus tryin to stay on top of all this 'for him' cuz he ain't got the time to do it. What's best for lampshade Pam

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by Gator on Aug 27^th, 2004, 2:33am

Hey, Cootie. Depending on your insurance, they will probably be more stingy about paying for the Zomig NS than the trex. Community Care HMO pays for 6 per month, but gave me 30 per month with a little help from my neuro. Through Aetna PPO, Zomig NS isn't covered at all without prior authorization and then they only want to give 6 per month. With a Letter of Medical Necessity from my neuro they graciously upped it to 12 per month. Really great; if I go this route I can abort 12 out of 90 to 150 attacks per month. I'm working on switching to trex as they do 10 vials of trex without any special effort and from what I hear will go higher than that with the proper leverage applied.

Check with your insurance company and your neuro.

Gator

Title: Re: ? concerning Imitrex injects, Zomig NS and reb
Post by Jimmy_B on Aug 27^th, 2004, 7:07am

Carl,

Can't answer your question on the rebounds with Zomig...but , if you can....have your Doc order a Nuclear Stress Test. That way your Doc can check for any Heart Trouble and if the Imitrex is a good option for ya.

This is the one reason I can't take triptans...because of the chest pain. Even though they say the heart is healthy...it still flips me out. Better pain then dead.

Jim