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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
        
(Message started by: dannyspleen on Nov 2^nd, 2004, 12:22pm)

Title: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by dannyspleen on Nov 2^nd, 2004, 12:22pm

Hi all,

Have been suffering for about 4 weeks (once daily, usually at around 8pm or 1am). Thanks for the fabulous information. Imitrex injections work great, but Blue Cross will only help with 2 injections/month (with $40 co-pay)... so aside from some sample pills from a wonderful doctor, I'm outta luck.

Any good luck with oxygen or other treatments? I hope these go away soon. :-)

--Dan

Title: Re: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by Filbert on Nov 2^nd, 2004, 12:48pm

Hi Dan welcome to the board! Oxygen is a successful treatment for many people. As for the question about preventatives there's lots of great info to the left if you've not read up already.

All the best Filbert.

Title: Re: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by dannyspleen on Nov 2^nd, 2004, 1:05pm

Thanks, Filbert! I'll ask my doctor about oxygen. Sounds like (from further reading I've done) that some folks have trouble getting oxygen prescribed for "just a headache" (if only they knew!), but it's certainly worth a shot. No pun intended.

Best wishes,

--Dan

Title: Re: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by nani on Nov 2^nd, 2004, 1:09pm

Welcome danny and sorry you're here. Many have had relief with oxygen. Another thing folks do is hoard their injections by getting them filled when they don't need them (between cycles). Good luck to you and read everything in the site...information is our best defense.

Title: Re: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by Redrum on Nov 2^nd, 2004, 4:44pm

There is a good tip too the left there on stretching your Trix. You may want to try Melatonin too its worked wonders for me. And a big YES on the O2

PFDAN! ~Andy

Title: Re: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by Bob_Johnson on Nov 2^nd, 2004, 7:03pm

Might consider trying this med. Obvious advantage of carrying with you and lower, per dose, cost cf.Imitrex.
------------
1: Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.

Title: Re: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by Giovanni on Nov 2^nd, 2004, 7:40pm

Your physician can request a "over-ride" on the quantity you need and most likely you'll get it. At one time I was getting 9 boxes per month for $20.00 co pay. I no longer need it because of O2 and the alternative treatment.

I would caution you on using imitrex too much as it will make you cycle longer and more intense (at least it did with me).

Good luck,

John

Title: Re: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by dannyspleen on Nov 3^rd, 2004, 9:11am

Once again, thanks all for the great info! I found a colleague here where I work (through this wonderful board!) who is loaning me his 02; I'm hoping this will help. I'm also trying to hydrate myself as much as possible, and if necessary I'll check with my doctor on an Imitrex override. You folks are wonderful!

--Dan

Title: Re: Newbie Here... Thanks for Great Info!
Post by don on Nov 3^rd, 2004, 9:34am

Oxygen has never been affective for me but I strongly encourage you to try the O2 before persuing the long road to adequate imitrex coverage.

If you do persue the imitrex converage then have your Doc send the insurance company a letter of neccesity and call them if neccesary.

Insurance companies that are HMOs will limit you to the average monthly needs of a migraine sufferer. It has taken a long time to educate the Docs and it will take even longer to educate the insurance companies. Especially the HMOs.