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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Hi I'm new to this site
        
(Message started by: agostini514 on Mar 30^th, 2007, 3:32am)

Title: Hi I'm new to this site
Post by agostini514 on Mar 30^th, 2007, 3:32am

Hi. My name is Donna. I have suffered with migraines my entire life. I have never been told what kind of migraines I have but after reading some of the stories, I think I have CH. The pain is so bad I vomit, have wanted and tried to smash my head against the wall, have to go to the hospital at times.

I want to tell everyone something very important that I experienced. My doctor prescribed Imitrex shots for me instead of the pill because I throw up. I am 54 and took this medication for years. Anyway, I don't take it any more because on Nov, 19, 2004, I had a bad migraine and took a shot of imitrex and it put me in cardiac arrest. I had no prior heart problems. My friends daughter was with me and called 911. I was dead when the EMT's arrived. They worked on me for 20 minutes before they got a heartbeat. On the way to the hospital, they lost me 4 more times and had to use the paddles. When I arrived at the hospital I was in a coma and on life support and showing signs of brain damage. My family is very spiritual and prayed with our pastor over me most of the night. To make a long story short I survived with short term memory loss for a short period of time. I have the hospital report and it says at least 15 minutes lasped with no heartbeat or oxygen to my brain. To date my heart and brain are normal.

My message is be careful using imitrex because it can end your life!!!!!

I just read a very sad story about a woman, 40, with a history of migraines (maybe CH). Her doctor prescribed 50 mg imitrex pills. She took these pills over a 3 day period. On the 3rd day she took 1/2 pill, laid on her bed to take a nap and went into cardiac arrest and died. She wasn't as fortunate as me. So beware all who take imitrex.......this drug can end you life.

I just wanted to pass this along.

Title: Re: Hi I'm new to this site
Post by LeLimey on Mar 30^th, 2007, 4:29am

Imitrex injections and imitrex pills both have information leaflets in the packaging. Whilst I don't think triptans are our only option they ARE effective and shouldn't be discounted.

There are people who can't use them and if someone takes 50 pills in three days when the recommended dose is 2 per day then there are no surprises that someone dies are there?

Quite frankly 50 of most strong painkillers within three days will kill you andbeing alarmist about one of the most basic drugs used for CH is not helpful.

I'd recommend you see a headace specialist neuro as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis as with over 600 headache types many symptoms overlie each other and it takes an expert to unravel exactly what is wrong.

Taking the wrong meds for your condition can kill so an accurate diagnosis is crucial.

Good luck with that
Helen

Title: Re: Hi I'm new to this site
Post by seasonalboomer on Mar 30^th, 2007, 4:41am

I'm sorry you have such bad headaches. Have you taken the Cluster quiz here on the site. It may help you be able to describe better your symptoms so that when you do go to a nuero he can accurately diagnose and possibly set you up with treatments options that help you manage your headaches.

As for the scary Imitrex story, we appreciate the input. But, as many of us have become our own advocates we attempt to learn all we can about the treatments available to us. That includes learning what medications can do for us, and in some cases, to us.

I would caution you to please be fair when addressing what people should or should not do. For those with healthy hearts/vascular systems, and cluster headache, this drug has changed so many lives for the better. As a sufferer for many years that felt there was nothing but a future of anxiety in worrying about when the next cycle, or the next CH hit would come, because I didn't believe anything could help me, Imitrex has been a lifering to me.

It has also helped me keep it together during cycle at times. I use it appropriately and like any drug, am as careful as I can. Which we now know we should be just as careful with any drug, over the counter or prescribed. Look at Tylenol...take several of these each day with a few glass of wine habit and you can probably kiss your liver goodbye.

Good luck in finding an answer to your headache problem.

Scott

Title: Re: Hi I'm new to this site
Post by Rosybabe on Mar 30^th, 2007, 4:03pm

all medications have side effects,everyone reacts different to triptans, everyone must be careful and check for any heart diseases before starting a treatment on triptans. But either way, you should not be afraid to use something that will make this nasty pain go away!!

Title: Re: Hi I'm new to this site
Post by chrisw on Mar 30^th, 2007, 9:58pm

I have always said that ch will kill me some day, one way or another. Either I will have a heart attack from all the meds, or I wont be able to take it any more, and that will be the end.
I will take the risk with the triptans. There is sometimes no other relief, only death.

chrisw :-/

Title: Re: Hi I'm new to this site
Post by pieface_49 on Apr 4^th, 2007, 10:35pm

Hello Donna, welcome. I too, read the stories and knew I had found people who understood me. Take the "Cluster Quiz" to the left. Read the "Medical Info" also. CH sufferers do not normally vomit. Migraine sufferers do. If you suffer from CH, there are other abortives that will help. Oxygen is the foremost abortive to CH sufferers. In fact, there seems to be OTC medicines such as melatonin that will help CH sufferers during an episode. Stick around and you will learn. I honestly, do not know because I have been misdiagnosed for many years.

I can only assume Chrisw is in cycle? There are many known abortives. There are many known preventatives. What works for one may not work for another. What I do hear, is there is no hope. Heck, I would welcome a half hour episode. Supposedly, oxygen will abort within 10 minutes. I mean no disrespect. I am ignorant because I believe I have been misdiagnosed for 4 years. There is light at the end of this tunnel. What I have read, is if you have CH, there is hope and help. What I have read is if you don't have CH, there are other avenues of help. What I do know, is if you suffered from CH in the 1600's is you would put your afflicted hand (RH/LH) hand in a pot of boiling water to help with the pain. Heck ya, it would take the pain away for a minute :). If you grew up in the 1800's, you might have been lucky to quell the pain with tar on the afflicted side of the face.

God, and I do not know how to qualify that term, do I need His help sometimes. I yell His name out too often :( or, I cuss at Him.