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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Maxalt 10MG.
        
(Message started by: Jimmy_B. on Jan 5^th, 2007, 5:12pm)

Title: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by Jimmy_B. on Jan 5^th, 2007, 5:12pm

Hi everyone...

Just started a cycle and they been slow to ramp up but are now at the cresendo of the cycle.

First a little background: Been getting episodic clusters since the age of 15. Cycles usually last a month or two and usually start off at 1 or two H.A.'s a day...ramp up to 3 or 4 a day (with heavy duty pain) then slack off until they end.

I refuse to take imitrex injection cause they make me feel as if I'm having a coronary. Also get heavy duty anxiety with imitrex. As well as nausea. It's a shame cause the trex injectible always works. O2 has not helped and I usually don't have the patience with trying to get the O2 from a doctor anyway. Too much expense as well as a hassle bringing to work, etc...

Anyhow...like I said...the cycle has started about 3 weeks ago and I was given Maxalt 10MG sublinqual. Now I got a killer (8 or 9 scale) early this morning and took the Maxalt...but it took a good 1/2 hour to work. Hell, it could of just been the H.A. ending in that amount of time...but was just checking if anyone has used and had luck with the Maxalt sublingual.

Also any tips that I haven't heard of in the last few years would also be great.

Jimmy

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by pubgirl on Jan 5^th, 2007, 7:22pm

It's too bloody slow!

If Imigran doesn't agree with you, have you tried Zomig nasal. It is slower than the Imigran injections but faster than the Maxalt melts.

Wendy

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by E-Double on Jan 5^th, 2007, 10:57pm

Another fast acting med that is not a triptan is zyprexa.

A few of us including myself have found this to be extremely effective and inexpensive.

It will kill an attack (if it is going to work) as quick as a jab of trex.

It is classified as an antipsychotic however this should not deter if you are indeed looking for an alternative to triptans whether it be for medical reasons or $$$.....
It has been great without the nasty side effects so many of us feel with triptans

Good to see ya and sorry you're getting whacked!

E

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by brewcrew on Jan 6^th, 2007, 9:14am

Maxalt is absorbed in the gut, not in the mouth, so you would be better off to swallow the thing. The reason they developed the MLT version is so you can take it anywhere, without a drink of water. It is no faster than the pill form. And you're right - it takes about 20-30 minutes to work.

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by TonyG1 on Jan 6^th, 2007, 9:44am

Tried the 10mg MLT today and one attack shortly after midnight which I was able to get under control without the triptan --- another attack at 5:30a.m -- did take the 10mg mlt -- two mountain dews, a few cups of coffee, more excedrin migrane later and I'm still shadowing... it is now almost 10 a.m. -- Maybe I didn't take it as quickly as I should have ... ?? Bottom line, when I revisit my doc later this month.... back to the trex !!!!!

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by TonyG1 on Jan 7^th, 2007, 10:46am

on 01/05/07 at 22:57:49, E-Double wrote:

Good info Erik !! Thanks!

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by pubgirl on Jan 7^th, 2007, 11:39am

Jimmy

Don't assume that because Imitrex gives you bad side effects that all triptans will. Imi seems to be the worst offender for side effects and is pretty "old" now.

Unfortunately only Imitrex and Zomig come in fast delivery forms currently, but if neither if these suit you, quite a few people here get some good short term prevention effects from some of the other triptans if used as this occasionally (they are too slow to abort a full blown attack) e.g. Frova

Wendy

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by Salvelinus on Jan 7^th, 2007, 2:38pm

I tried Maxalt a few years ago and it did nothing for me . . . an hour-and-a-half later I was still banging my head. Same thing with Zomig. Imitrex nasal spray almost always works within 10 minutes, but I agree that sometimes the side effects aren't pleasant. For me, they are much better than the pain, though.

One thing I noticed yesterday as I was looking at my new insurance plan is that Imitrex is in a cheaper class of drugs than any of the other triptans. From this thread I guess it may be because it's older, but it works so much better for me.

About the Zyprexa . . . just how fast does it work?

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by pubgirl on Jan 7^th, 2007, 5:02pm

on 01/07/07 at 14:38:58, Salvelinus wrote:

One thing I noticed yesterday as I was looking at my new insurance plan is that Imitrex is in a cheaper class of drugs than any of the other triptans. From this thread I guess it may be because it's older, but it works so much better for me.

It is SO old that you can now buy it over the counter in a high street chemist here and this country is notoriously really squeamish about any drugs that can be purchased.

W

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by Jimmy_B. on Jan 8^th, 2007, 7:52am

Thanks a lot. I'll talk with the Doc about the Zomig & Zyprexa.

Jimmy

Title: Re: Maxalt 10MG.
Post by StressFree on Jan 16^th, 2007, 3:32pm

I've had luck with the Maxalt 10mg (non-sublingal). Any oral abortives I've used, I always try to take with hot water, tea, coffee or whatever is hot. Usually I get full effect in 15 minutes, 20 minutes max. To stop what often is over an hour of high KIP level pain, it is well worth it to me. I always took it at first twinge of an attack (that special tightness that starts up in my jaw and back of neck). Didn't have rebounds from it like I did with oral Imitrex either. Also alternated every other day with Stadol nasal spray. In both cases, I would take a second dose if necessary. Very effective last round. Also was on Prednisone taper and verapamil. The Maxalt and Stadol were very usefull in controlling the breakthrough attacks. Rich