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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Imitrex Question!
        
(Message started by: ClusterChris on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:09am)

Title: Imitrex Question!
Post by ClusterChris on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:09am

After reading alot of posts I'm getting the idea that most of you hold out to at least a kip5 or better before hitting the imitrex. Is this really the case? I'm jabbing myself the intstant i know its coming. How to do you guys hold out in pain when you have the cure right beside you?? You guys are a hell of alot tougher than me!

I guess I could be going a little over the daily limit but I can't help myself. I need to stop the pain. Hell, i'm using my trex that expire last year from my last cycle because i need to stockpile or the doctor won't rescribe me anymore. 2 a day is all they will give me. If i've already used 2 hits in a day and i get hit hard, you really think i'm going to hold out. Not a chance!

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by barry_sword on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:17am

Good morning Chris.I'm no help on this one for you, I have never tried the imitrex injection, YET!

Hows the head doing?

Barry

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by ClusterChris on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:22am

Hey Barry,

Can't believe you havent tried the injections yet. Not that i'm trying to push it on ya or anything. But I honestly couldnt live without them. Unless of course i do get to try oxygen one day.

My noggin is shitty, Couple good attacks last night, pretty much a zombie right now. But pf so I'm happy!

How are you makin out?

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Redd on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:24am

Just a few points I want to make.

1) Can you get the vials instead of the auto-inject? Much easier to break the doses down into 1/2 to 1/3 doses that still work like a charm, but gives you more aborts per day?

2) While I understand your fear of any hit, with the limited amounts we can get of the golden elixer, there has been some talk within the medical community, and among sufferers that imitrex appeas to possibly cause rebound attacks, and/or possibly extend the length of a cycle.

3) the more trex you pump in...(and this is just my opinion) the sooner you could possibly get to the point where it no longer works. This doesn't happen to everyone, but as many people here will attest, meds that onced worked well, tend to stop working over time.

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Bond007 on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:29am

I've gotta agree with Redd. I know I've suffered from rebound CH's from taking too much trex. I was once in a fortunate position where my PCP was allowing me to use 2 or more a day every day. It wasn't long after that that my headaches got markedly worse, then the trex stopped working altogether. Be careful with that med. It can work wonders as an abortive, but when abused it can no longer become useful to you.

Best of luck! PFDAN's!

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by barry_sword on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:38am

Hey Chris, sorry how you are feeling. My cycle started Nov.06 and still getting hits. Only one last night(kip7 at 20mins) going to my neuro tomorrow so will get my second opinion on the blisters on my head.

I've been through two pred. tapers this round and they worked but do not want any more of that drug for now. I am going for medical o2 this time, lets see if I can get a script from my neuro. I know what you mean about welding o2 and insurance, I don't want to lose everything over it either.

My cycles drag on for a long time for being ephisonic (sp) but good days coming I am sure. If and when my cycle ends I will stay with this board as I have said before, I do not turn my back on family, and you my friend are part of my family.

Barry :)

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by ClusterChris on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:39am

hello redd!

I do get the vials and split them in halves. It has worked perfectly for me for the past 5 or so years. but when i get more than 4 attacks in a day I have no choice but to use more. I t may sound a little strange but as far as the rebout headaches, I would rather have more hits in a day and be able to kill them off quickly then have fewer hits lasting alot longer. I am not very good at handling the pain.

as far as getting my hands on it, I just act as though I am still in cycle for about a month after they have actually gone away so that i keep getting them prescribed. then for the next cycle i already have a months supply on hand for all the times i need more than 2 vials a day! which is almost every day anyway!

I dont know what I would do if they stopped working altogether but I have a pretty good idea! Thats one road I don't want to cross.

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by ClusterChris on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:44am

Damn barry, sorry to hear its been going on so long, but I'm sure the pf days are on their way. Never heard of the blisters before, Is that Ch related? Hopefully it's nothing serious. My thoughts are with ya anyway bud!

If you happen to get the neuro to prescribe ya the o2 please let me know and perhaps i can contact him/her to talk to my doc.

Thanks for being there!

Chris

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Margi on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:47am

ohhhh.....HUGS to you Chris :( We've been where you are and know so intimately the desparation that cluster brings.

Having said that, now I'm gonna give you shit...using too much Imitrex is such a double edged sword, bud - you know that, right? Not only is it a vaso-constrictor and it can AND HAS shut down blood vessels that need to stay open (like the guy who od'd and his STOMACH shut down), it really can AND DOES cause you to have more attacks.

My Mike had 10 attacks in a 24 hour period last cycle and I honestly thought I was losing him, that he was going to off himself that day. All because of Imitrex. We were out camping and couldn't bring the O2 tank with us, 'trex was our only defense. Bad idea, and we had to come home to get him back on the O2.

Please know that I am most certainly not judging you and COMPLETELY understand the point you're at, ok? I just hate Imitrex....an expression my grandfather had comes to mind. "He's the kind of guy who will shake your hand and pee in your pocket." Imitrex, bad. Oxygen, good.

more hugs,
Margi

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by barry_sword on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:51am

Chris, the blisters are on my cluster side and my GP thinks they are shingles(UUUGGGGHHHH) sore as hell but want my neuro to make a second opinion. Pred. reduced my immunity system so makes one vulnerable to these things, that is why I do not want anymore of it.

I will let you know about the o2 tomorrow though.

Take care, PFDAN, Barry

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by ClusterChris on Apr 25^th, 2007, 9:58am

LOL Margi,

I would have been disappointed if somebody didn't give me shit. I am more then willing to give the oxygen a try if I can get my hands on it. I realize the risks that are involved with the trex but you know as well as I do, when thats your only lifeline, your going to take it! I would like nothing more then to get off all drugs.

You also just scared the shit outta me with that "losing the stomach" part. I have a stomach ache now and reading that just made it about 10 times worse. Now I'm a little paranoid!

Thnaks for giving me the friendly smack upside the head!

Chris!

Keeps me posted Barry, Hope all goes well!

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Margi on Apr 25^th, 2007, 10:03am

no, darlin - I would never smack a clusterhead upside the head...just a kick in the ass, I promise. ;)

I'm sorry, didn't mean to scare you. That is a true story though - I think the guy did 8 shots in a day or something and his stomach did shut down on him. He survived though but I bet he never did that again.

Today's a new day, Chris - today's the day we's gonna get you some o2 - mmmmmkay??

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Bond007 on Apr 25^th, 2007, 10:11am

on 04/25/07 at 10:03:07, Margi wrote:

no, darlin - I would never smack a clusterhead upside the head...

Hmmmm, as long as you aim for my left temple/peri-orbital regoin, I just might thank you immensely!! ;;D

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Margi on Apr 25^th, 2007, 10:13am

LOL Bond....like that's the first time a clusterhead has asked me to do that....LOL

:-*

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Bond007 on Apr 25^th, 2007, 10:18am

Sometime figting pain with pain is most comforting! ;)

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Rosybabe on Apr 25^th, 2007, 4:09pm

oh yes , if you get to hit it just right..it numbs the pain a little bit, and any little bit is always welcome! this is why after I get hit I have bumps in my head [smiley=laugh.gif]

hey Chris, you HAVE to give O2 a try, and you also need to learn some ways to cope with the pain, like maybe concentration or meditation, breathing techniques, you should be able to handle at least a K4 or 5 with O2 or without it, what if imitrex quits working???I am so worry that you will find yoursekf one day without the relief that imitrex gives you...Really hope you get to feel better soon and give the Doc of your a kick in the head to make him give you your O2.

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Gator on Apr 25^th, 2007, 11:28pm

Trex is too damn expensive to use for every little hit that comes along. At home, I usually won't use it for anything under a 7. Other than that, it really depends on where I am and what I'm doing as to when I'll reach for the trex. If I have my O2 tank available, I'll hold out on oxygen for up to 15 minutes before I'll pull the trigger on a trex injection. Fortunately for me, O2 at 15lpm + clustermasx = relief in under 10 minutes most of the time. If I'm away from the oxygen and I'm somewhere I can "disappear" for a while, I'll ride it until I see it's going to get bad and then I'll hit the trex. If I'm stuck out in public or am somewhere where I can't get away for more than a few minutes, I'll hit it as soon as I feel it coming.

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by Linda_Howell on Apr 25^th, 2007, 11:42pm

Quote:

I'm getting the idea that most of you hold out to at least a kip5 or better before hitting the imitrex. Is this really the case?

Where did you get that idea?

from here?

If you wait to do ANY abortive til it reaches a KIP 5....you are going to be one sorry....uh...person. Take whatever abortive you have.... at the 1st. sign

Title: Re: Imitrex Question!
Post by ClusterChris on Apr 25^th, 2007, 11:49pm

Thats what I'm doing Linda, but i go over the limit quite often. After reading many posts regarding the trex, I saw that some dont use it untill it reaches a 5 or so! I was shicked myself.