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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Imitrex leave you exhausted?
        
(Message started by: Mattman on Feb 11^th, 2005, 12:42am)

Title: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by Mattman on Feb 11^th, 2005, 12:42am

Hey guys, going through a cluster period now. On Verapamil ER 180MG, still getting them right and left dont' know if it does much good. Also have O2 and Imitrex injections, but I hate doing injections I'm always exhausted afterwards. It knocks out the headache but I feel alot of heat and then if I'm laying down I could sleep for hours... yesterday I slept for about 5 after taking it.

Is this just me? I also am wondering how different the side effects are from pill to injectible form.

Thanks guys

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by nani on Feb 11^th, 2005, 12:56am

Hi Matt...I can't take triptans anymore, but when I used the Imitrex injections, I became flushed and shaky and tired. I don't know how much the pill and shots are different as far as side effects go, but the pill takes much longer to work and probably won't do much quickly enough. The verapamil dose you're on is pretty low. Most of us take at least 360 mgs a day and many take lithium along with it. Look on the medications board for ideas. There are also other triptans available like Zomig and Maxalt. Have you tried using oxygen? Look at the oxygen info button on the left. Pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by BobG on Feb 11^th, 2005, 1:00am

I really can't answer your question except with another question.
Is it the Imitrex that is leaving you feeling exhausted?
Or is it the battle with the pain?
For most of us there is other things going on during an attack besides the pain. Body temperature may rise or fall and cause the brain to call for more heat or cooling off. Most of us are up and moving, pacing and rocking. Blood pressure may change and the body needs to fight to correct it. Pulse and heart rate will change (not counting the effects of the imitrex). Many of us have our attacks after falling asleep. Waking up groggy and in pain takes it's toll.
Like I said above (before I got long winded), is it the imitrex, physical reaction to the pain, combination of both?
I don't know.

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by don on Feb 11^th, 2005, 7:29am

Quote:

On Verapamil ER 180MG,

Talk to your Doc about upping the dose. Thats pretty low.

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by Frank_W on Feb 11^th, 2005, 8:18am

My own experience with Imitrex was this:

Last cycle, I was on Verapamil, and had six 6mg shots of injectable Imitrex.

I was getting a bad headache one night, so I decided to try the shot. Oh god... It felt like my head was going to come off!! Sure enough though, it stopped the headache. However, the next morning, I had the first shadow I've ever had, in the eight years that I've had this condition, and it lasted nearly all day. I tried Imitrex two more times, and each time, it was just awful. I decided that the cure was worse than the condition, and I decided that no matter how bad it gets, I'd rather deal with the cluster than the Imitrex.

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by E-Double on Feb 11^th, 2005, 8:33am

Honestly... if I am having the nasty after effects of the trex than I probably injected too much....

Since splitting the dose I tend not to get the nasty exhausted, icky, gross feeling after unless I gave myself too much or I really got slammed hard... like Bob said could just be the after effects of battling overall.

Never an easy decision but life is full of difficult choices...

Good luck!

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by cherylc on Feb 11^th, 2005, 8:45am

The immitrex inj. work so quickly, but I always had the same problem...if I lay down I could sleep for hours. Then I started having the shakes, sweats and my heart was racing after each dose. I think that it is too strong...never tried to inject a smaller dose. I am now taking the 02 exactly as described with the non-rebreather mask. Headaches are gone within 10-15 mins, I can get up and function as soon as they are gone and it is a lot cheaper!!!

Good luck to you
Cheryl

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by Jimmy_B on Feb 11^th, 2005, 8:56am

on 02/11/05 at 08:18:12, Frank_W wrote:

I tried Imitrex two more times, and each time, it was just awful. I decided that the cure was worse than the condition, and I decided that no matter how bad it gets, I'd rather deal with the cluster than the Imitrex.

I second that...I've tried the shots & even though it took away the Cluster immediately...I felt like crap...tried the 100mg pills once when I was out of the injectable & didn't tae away the Cluster and I felt like crap for the entire next day....also seems like the cycles are shortened and the "shadows" are non-existent without the trex.

Jimmy

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Feb 11^th, 2005, 8:16pm

Yep - exhausted is my feeling also. Luckily, when I'm in cycle, the beast always visits between 9 - 10 pm. That usually means a good night's sleep for me, once I've hit the Trex. This last cycle, I had several during the day also. Found the more I used it, the more I got used to those effects and was able to get up and around in a few minutes.

I'd try splitting the doses. Maybe 3mg would make you feel less exhausted.

Kris

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by Damon on Feb 16^th, 2005, 9:47pm

I had the worn out feeling with the nasal sprays. I would curl up and not know if I passed out from the battle or if I just fell asleep. Have not had the same problem with the shots yet.
Damon

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by RDJ on Feb 16^th, 2005, 9:55pm

I agree the Imetrex leaves me tired also! I use the nasal, and I noticed that I could have one in the middle of the night, and sleep through till about 10am, and usually I am up around 7 in my normal sleep pattern. Now a not so nice question from everyone, but when I get into a pattern, I notice that when I clean my ears, there is alot more wet on the q tip than normal, also it just stinks, please do not laugh me off the board for this comment, just something I noticed, also sorry if I offended anyone with this little ordeal

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by pattik on Feb 16^th, 2005, 10:44pm

I think that Bob G. is correct about tiredness coming from the battle with the h/a. That much pain is very physically draining to me, no matter how I try to do the relax and accept thing. So by the time the shot or o2 mercifully takes effect, I'm wiped out for a while, as well as thankful for the relief.

Patti

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by BlueMeanie on Feb 16^th, 2005, 11:47pm

Agree with with Double E. If I do a full shot I get a really wierd feeling and a little tired. Battling the Beast always makes me tired anyway. Try a 1/2 shot. It's a BIG difference and the CH still goes away just as fast.

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by Tiannia on Feb 17^th, 2005, 2:55pm

Split your dose with the injections and see if that helps. Full shot make me worse I end up with shadows that have no end. But smaller 1/2 or 1/3 dose and I am ok.
See the tip to the left

Title: Re: Imitrex leave you exhausted?
Post by genek on Feb 18^th, 2005, 8:35pm

I'm on the 100mg pill and don't get the heat afterwards. Usually takes 5-10 minutes to work though. I think exhaustion after an episode is par for the course whether you're on or off meds... but 5 hours of straight nightime would be wonderful! :)