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        New Message Board Archives >> Oct-Dec 2003 >> Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections question
        
(Message started by: Kevin_ on Dec 14^th, 2003, 11:06pm)

Title: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections question
Post by Kevin_ on Dec 14^th, 2003, 11:06pm

I have been getting the crap beat out of me all weekend with multiple 4-7 Kip scalers. I usually get 1 per day about 1-2 hours after sleep. Last night I had 3 (2 am, 6 am & 8 am), and am now coming off of another (8 pm), it is still shadowing after 1 injection and 30 minutes of 15L O2. What is you all's best recommendation for which type of Imitrex is best. The reason I ask is because I "borrowed" a couple of pills from a co-worker (I was desparate, I was at work and the beast made a visit to my noggin) The pills stopped it both times and left me with peace and quiet for exactly 12 hours (both times). Twice today the beast would not leave so I tried the injections. They don't seem to have the same effect for me as either the pills or the nasal spray. Is this normal? What is the best method? I was thinking the injections would be the most effective due to the dosage and ability to quickly enter the blood stream. Thank you all for your insight. Your expertice and insight is appreciated more than I can ever convey to you. Kevin

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Karla on Dec 14^th, 2003, 11:13pm

If Imitrix is going to work for you they should all be the same just different speeds of kicking in and making the headache go away. They all last the same time length. At least that is what I have always found and was told. The shot is the fastest acting. The nasal spray is just a couple of min. behind the shot. The pills can take 30-60 min. to kick in.

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Mac on Dec 14^th, 2003, 11:35pm

Kevin, I've only used the 'trex nasal spray.It's worked for me so far.

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Little Deb on Dec 14^th, 2003, 11:40pm

I used the shot once and it didn't work for me. I think I should have injected it in my arm instead of my fat leg.

Used the pills once too. Worked ok if I got it right away, but slow.

I use the Zomig ZMT that disolves under the tongue. I like it.

Good luck.

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Orneryolefart on Dec 14^th, 2003, 11:50pm

At best, treatment of CH's is an inexact science. Whatever works for you, use the hell out of it.
Orneryolefart ..... a clusterhead for 45 years

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by forgetfulnot on Dec 15^th, 2003, 12:01am

Quote:

I think I should have injected it in my arm instead of my fat leg.

Deb, please don't talk about clit rings and fat legs the same day, blew my fantasy away.

I have been using injection's since they came out, busted my cluster every time except for a couple. Sometimes they would come back in 4-6 hours. The pill forms would appear to last longer as they are absorbed slower, much higher in strength and therefore be in your system longer. I get dizzy reading all that half life doctor stuff. If the injections don't hold the beast off try some maxalt of other triptan pill a couple of hours after the injection. Easy for me to say, hard to get a doctor to go along, that's what got me through the worst time of my life, without both, see ya later..........

Lee

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by BlueMeanie on Dec 15^th, 2003, 2:28am

Kevin,

Have you read the Imitrex tip to the left ? Not sure if your using a whole injection at a time. I find that in most cases I can use 1/2 and get the same results.

Have you tried Amerge yet ? It works for me most of the time as good as the Imitrex.

As orneryolfart said: It an inexact science. Every Clusterhead has different methods & aborts that works.

It seems the Beast will arrive and not leave no matter what you do sometimes.

I use Imitrex to chase off the Beast for awhile then switch to Amerge to battle for awhile. For me, it lessons the chance of how often the meds don't work.

Vibes for PFDAN

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by jmorgan52 on Dec 15^th, 2003, 8:06am

tried all 3 quite a few times. only the injection is fail safe for me. The pill takes for ever to work and I often puke it up while waiting for it afte an hour with no relief. The nasal spray is a total waste fro me. Inj takes less than 10 mins to be PF - so nice :-*

John

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by pubgirl on Dec 15^th, 2003, 8:37am

Like always, it's a personal thing. Nasal works very well for me

Wendy

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Ree on Dec 15^th, 2003, 8:48am

Hi Kevin sorry you are still suffering... At the convention we were told the injections bring the fastest relief, but don't last as long in your body. The nasal spray takes a little longer lasts a little longer. The pills take the longest and last the longest in your body... Have you tried zomig yet... or Amerge???? Zomig works great and I think lasts in your body. They don't have an injectable zomig but they did just come out with a nasal spray... I take zomig and MY migraines are sometimes 9-10 hours
zomig works best for me. Dave has used them for his clusters and says less side effects...(tightening in the throat and joints) Good luck Buddy... this too will pass. Just believe it will end and it will... love to you ree

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by OneEyeBlind on Dec 15^th, 2003, 10:19am

I tried the nasal spray, and while it worked, the taste kind of choked me. So I moved on to the injections and they were heaven ! Worked faster and no after taste ! You need to make sure you hold down the button on the injector pen so that all the medication is released. Perhaps this was your problem ?

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by ZAIRA on Dec 15^th, 2003, 4:50pm

I'm sorry :'( if you are in a bad time but happy if you found us, this place is the best thing about CH, all the support, knowledge, love and much more around here! Welcome home, Kevin!

I have taken Imitrex Tablet, Nasal Spray, Injections (and suppository also ;;D, there are in Italy).. the best are the shots!

Peace to you, Zaira

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Patrick_A on Dec 16^th, 2003, 12:51am

on 12/14/03 at 23:06:04, Kevin_ wrote:

IMITREX CAUSES REBOUNDS!!

Patrick

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by BstnEagles on Dec 16^th, 2003, 5:51pm

Hey,

I regualry use the Nasal Spray. It works great for me but the taste is kind of gross. Just drink lots of water until the taste goes away. I have no expereince with the tabs and the injections are a little to scary for me since i HATE needles. I have also tried Zomig Nasal Spray which is a new med on the market. It works simarlily and has less of a nasty taste. I think that the triptans are all preety much the same. They have been making me feel kind of weird lately though. I think it could be the SSRI I am taking.

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Ree on Dec 16^th, 2003, 6:34pm

Ed........ be sure you are taking that SSRI everyday... they are so hard to go off of... I can always tell when I don't take mine because my head feels like its spinning. Pretty weird feeling......... kinda like Im walking sideways lol......(like a crab) Im sure I will pay for that statement............. Hows your head??? ree

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by jonny on Dec 16^th, 2003, 7:03pm

on 12/15/03 at 00:01:10, forgetfulnot wrote:

please don't talk about clit rings

Where the fuck was I that I missed this?

All I have tried is the Trex shots and they are by far the fastest thing that ever worked for me be it kip 5 or kip 10.............but I cant use them no more and it has nothing to do with my heart......REBOUNDS!!!!!

..................................jonny

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Smartin on Dec 16^th, 2003, 7:30pm

I am new to this site and am still in wonder at how much I have suffered for nearly 25 years with CH and have never been brave enough to pursue this with my doc. I never understood the "episodes." When I would complain to the doc about my temporary bouts with excruciating pain in my face, he would ask silly questions about how long the pain lasted and if I was still suffering and did I want some sort of pain killer. When I'd describe the pain in more detail, he would say that he hadn't heard about a headache like that before and that it was probably a sinus problem that would resolve itself.

I have been going through an episode for nearly 6 weeks now and have 2 or 3 6 - 8Kip hds a day. the most severe always wake me up at 12 or 1 am. I keep thinking that the episode is nearing an end, but then I never really know. They just seem to stop abruptly. I was in remission for nearly three years...since I moved to Phoenix...I actually thought that the dry air out here had cured me. Then the devil decided to rear his ugly head in October.

This may not be the forum for me to tell all of you how happy I am to know exactly whats wrong with me...I scored 100% on the survey...I've made an appointment with my doc and have printed all of the info to take with me. Although I have a 3 or 4 kip right now...I am a very happy person indeed.

Good night all and have a happy holiday season.

--Steve

Title: Re: Imitrex-Tablet, Nasal Spray or Injections ques
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Dec 17^th, 2003, 12:29am

ANOTHER STEVE!!!! Get in line Steve :)
Glad you found the board, and welcome to our family.
Take care, read EVERYTHING!!!!
Mast