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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2003 >> What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
        
(Message started by: Lori on Feb 8^th, 2003, 10:22am)

Title: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Lori on Feb 8^th, 2003, 10:22am

I see many of you talk about stocking up on meds while out of cycle to stash for when in cycle. I agree while in cycle, you can't get enough. So, my question is..how do you do it? Do you tell (lie to) your doc your in cycle and need scripts? Or do you all just tell them the truth and they are really nice and give you scripts? (I highly doubt the latter) And how long will all this stuff last???
In the past I've had cycles every 2 years..the last one 3 yrs apart. So, it's been a year now since last one and hopefully won't have cycle (ever) but want to prepare.

Thanks and have a great weekend!!

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by jonny on Feb 8^th, 2003, 2:46pm

Tell your Doc that your cycle has not stopped (lie)

Keep saying your HA's are there and you will keep getting the meds.

Simple

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

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Lenny on Feb 8^th, 2003, 9:02pm

I agree 100% of what Jonny had to say. You might also want to get friendly with your doc's asst.( i did that with my old doc's asst.)and she would get me alot of sample's ( imitrex - inj. ). You can even work your phar.(mine sells me the viale's at his cost $38 ea. 6 mg.viale ).As far as how long will it last ( i got ahold of some imitrex inj. about 3 - years ago that was app. 18 months past the experation date and worked just fine.
Good luck and hopefully your cycle will not come :)

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Linda_Howell on Feb 8^th, 2003, 9:47pm

As soon as I saw the title of your post, I came in here just in time to see 2 people posting the same thing I was gonna say.

Most Dr.s will give you a years worth of a prescription assuming you come in to have a physical every year. Get that prescription filled wether you need it or not.

If you're one who doesn't have a Dr. like that.....then lie.

Also, last month when I went for my physical, I cryed the blues for my Dr. as far as $$$$$$ is concerned. I left with a huge baggie full of Imitrex, Amerge and Maxalt...Of course he asked me to leave by a side door so as not to look like I was schlepping thru the waiting room with so much baggage..So ask his/her nurse first......if that doesn't work THEN ask the Dr.

Shit...Bat your eyes if you have to. Good luck to you.

Linda Howell

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by suzy617 on Feb 8^th, 2003, 10:17pm

I agree with you guys, lie if you have to but if you have a Dr. you can believe in then he will help you out. My new neuro (thank God he liked my smile) told me, dont worry, I have so many samples, you will always be pain free. Too bad it took me 21 years to find him...

suzy

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Lori on Feb 9^th, 2003, 5:55pm

Thanks all..I had a feeling I would most likely have to lie..I just hate to lie. BUT I hate CH pain MORE! I guess I need to go see my doc.

PFDAN to you all!

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by NotH20 on Feb 10^th, 2003, 10:54am

Lori,

Since most insurance companies have such strict rules on getting the meds that we need, I just fill my Rx every time I can - whether in cycle or not. I have yet to have my Rx run out, but if it did I would probably just call my doc - tell him I'm stocking up and to give me a new script. In my case, I've been going to the same neuro for about 15 years and most of the time he only sees me in the office one time per cycle (every 2 years) and the rest of the trial and error regarding meds is done over the phone.

I realize that my case is not the norm (for that I'm thankful). If I had a really hard time getting the script from my doc then I would lie my fanny off to get some relief.

Good luck to you,
Mia

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Roxy on Feb 10^th, 2003, 11:10am

When it comes to getting imitrex Lori....do whatever you have to do...don't call it a lie...call it a prevarication instead, if that makes it any better. Or like Linda said, bat your eyes and show some cleavage...whatever works.

Tracey

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by don on Feb 10^th, 2003, 11:49am

Depends on your Doc.

My Doc advocates stocking up. He knows the reality.
I have an open script year round.

Feel out your Doc then do what is best for YOU! Your the one who is in pain.

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Brian_Y on Feb 10^th, 2003, 1:15pm

I've noticed that my doctor has what seems like an endless supply of samples. Ask them to stock you up on those as well. You can say you can't afford them (which might be true seeing as how they are so expensive even WITH ins.).

They ususally have fairly long shelf lives too.

Any way I can screw a drug company, I take that opportunity too.

And of course, lying works...

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Lori on Feb 15^th, 2003, 8:54pm

Thank you all for your input. I went to see my family doc Friday for other health issues and did ask if I could have scripts for a couple different triptans so I could be ready for my next cycle..and she said sure. She also gave me some samples of the new triptan Frova. So I have 10 months of scripts for Imitrex inj. and Frova. So, that's cool. I was happy I didn't have to tell a lie. :)

It's nice to know there are docs out there who can sympathize with us and our need to stock up on these things.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by jonny on Feb 15^th, 2003, 9:07pm

Chronics never have to lie.....LMAO ;D

...........................jonny
HONKSTERAMA!!!

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Lenny on Feb 16^th, 2003, 5:37pm

Lori,
If i were you,i would not touch that "frova". I thought it was worthless ( i took it only 2- times,1-hour prior to bed to keep the beast away so i could sleep, as a preventative). Just recently i threw out a box of 9 ( could not find any takers ). Stick with the imitrex ( inj. ), much better. Good luck.

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Ueli on Feb 16^th, 2003, 8:29pm

Lenny,
What makes you such an expert on medication that you can categorically condemn Frova, after only two tries?

Have you never heard of the fact that some meds work very well for some clusterheads and not at all for others?

I looked through your previous messages to find a more specific report on your use of Frova, but all I found were some ultra right wing diatribes disparaging people who don't share your fascist view.

How about writing a bit more about clusters, what helps you and what not, than propagate your political conviction?

Ueli

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Marc on Feb 16^th, 2003, 10:06pm

Sorry Ueli,

But I have same opinion of Frova that Lenny expressed. (But I won't throw my political views into a thread about Triptans - just wouldn't seem right to me)

I tried Frova many times because I had very high hopes for its long half-life. In my case, Frova took much longer to kick in than Maxalt, Zomig or Axert - and did not appear to provide any extended time benefits.

I have not performed a search recently, but it seems that several people on this board have reported poor results with Frova as compared to Imitrex.

Marc

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Lenny on Feb 17^th, 2003, 10:40am

Ueli,
I dont claim to be an expert ( like yourself).As far as "FROVA" goes,yes i took it only 2-times( 1-hour prior to going to sleep).I have done atleast 3-seperate post regarding this medication( the first one on 09-16 or17-02).I took it on sept.11 and 12,on the 13 i woke up with a 10( 4:20a.m.),after about 1 1/2 hours i inj.myself with imitrex (which never failed me,EVER)2- hours later i did the same thing,again no releif ( are you still with me Ueli ? ).Both times i got no releif from the only thing that ever saves me from the beast ( oxygen does squat for me,i rely 110% on imitrex ( inj. ) as far as aborting my attacks,i am chronic).If i recall correctley you were one of the so called Fuckin experts that made fun of others and myself on our post ( regarding our longest attacks).BTW,this fuckin attack lasted "11 1/2 HOURS LONG".Since then imitrex has never failed to give me releif.BTW ( 2 ) i recall another post that you jumped on regarding rebound headaches from imitrex,a few of us were talking about and YOU the knowlegable one jumped in saying it is impossable to get rebound's by using too much of it ( it looked like you re-typed from the literature from G.W.( i was very impressed ;))
Ueli maybe you can tell me what med. you take.Are you chronic or episodic? What was your longest attack.BTW ( 3),that was such a typical european line, ( UGLY FUCKIN AMERICANS ) I've been to europe on a number of ocassions and the only places where i did not exp. any hatred( towards americans ) or shall i say JEALOUSLY was in Ireland,Italy and Holland.As far as you calling me"Fascist ",your way fuckin off. My father was born in europe and other relatives, i just happen to be very proud of being an "AMERICAN ",and you should be proud of what you are aswell ( FUCKIN UGLY AMERICANS ) that is a very typical line ( AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE FUCK I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!). As far as this bullshit goes,i am thru with it.So why dont you tell me about you and your clusters( what works for you and what does not ) i am very interested.

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by jonny on Feb 17^th, 2003, 5:26pm

DING DING!!!!

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by suzy617 on Feb 17^th, 2003, 5:57pm

Round up the Tag Teams! :-/

suzy

Title: Re: What's the best way to stock up on triptans?
Post by Frank on Feb 17^th, 2003, 11:15pm

on 02/09/03 at 17:55:16, Lori wrote:

Thanks all..I had a feeling I would most likely have to lie..I just hate to lie. BUT I hate CH pain MORE! I guess I need to go see my doc.

PFDAN to you all!

I figure it's just getting even with the insurance company. They lie when they say we can't possibly need more than six per month.