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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> bad times off imitrex
        
(Message started by: chopmyheadoff on Aug 14^th, 2006, 7:31am)

Title: bad times off imitrex
Post by chopmyheadoff on Aug 14^th, 2006, 7:31am

hey peeps, hope ur all having a pain free one !!

i was wondering . . iv been reading all your posts for a while now and there seems to be a general undercurrent that imitrex is bad stuff.

people mention nasty side effects but iv yet to have any
to me its a complete wonder drug.
if anything, it makes me feel kind of warm and "nice" for a minute or too after the shot.

can some of you share your experiences of imitrex with me ?? what are the bad sides ??

Title: Re: bad times off imitrex
Post by vig on Aug 14^th, 2006, 8:18am

Imitrex can be very helpful.

Many times, I needed a CH to stop and stop it quickly.
like at work. and the 'jabs' are VERY effective.

yes, it probably caused more headaCHes later, but I had to be 'on' at work at those moments (meetings, lectures, etc.)

yes, it was rough on my heart, I have a family history of heart disease, so it's a calculated risk. (how often, how muCH, etc...)

yes, it's expensive and the insurance companies balk at paying for how muCH you might need.

I think it is ONE piece of your CH arsenal.

(since I discovered Cluster Busters www.clusterbusters.com 3 years ago, I have not needed to give myself any shots, but I still have some in the refrigerator, along with a bottle of unused Verapamil)

arm yourself! stock up on a few of the things that work for YOU. The doctors don't have all the answers, some even less. You'll feel better going through this if you are prepared.

(pun not intended)

Title: Re: bad times off imitrex
Post by seasonalboomer on Aug 14^th, 2006, 9:10am

Hey chop,

I'm still in the "Imitrex is a miracle" phase of my life with CH. It is, for me, my last resort abortive, which I use when O2 for one reason or another won't knock it down. Usually this means the CH has ramped up to higher levels and I'm fumbling for my auto-injector and hoping I get it right, crying and rocking back and forth.

And yes, that warm feeling, the dissolve of the pain and that deep feeling of ahhhhhhhhhhh after it has done its job is what I choose to focus on for now.

i'm not in denial about the anectdotal info that can be gleaned here on the site. There are more than a couple of credible folks that seem to feel strongly that Imitrex either increased the length of their cycles or increased the frequency of their hits. So far I don't think that has been the case with me and the information is one reason why it is my "last resort" abortive - unless, like Vig, I have a pressing event that I simply need to be present for without a CH - then it's a first resort.

I agree with Vig, it doesn't hurt to stock and have an arsenal at hand. If anything it can help you build your confidence and assume more of an agressive stance to your CH management. For instance, I keep my O2 year round even though I usually have two cycles a year and this summer they came in handy as I'm in the middle of a really strange rogue cycle in which I'm only getting exercise/over heated induced CH's. I run, I hit the O2 and 5 minutes later, GONE! Without the O2 I would have viewed this as a full blown cycle and had to either kiss off exercise or have gone through about 7 full-on hits. But with my arsenal -- it's managed.

Good luck and build yourself a balance of approaches.

Scott

Title: Re: bad times off imitrex
Post by unsolved1 on Aug 14^th, 2006, 9:47am

Imitrex has saved my life. It has truley been a miracle drug for me. It is still the only thing that will stop a full blown attack. I don't leave home without it ... ever.

I wouldn't be here today without it. ;;D

UNsolved

Title: Re: bad times off imitrex
Post by E-Double on Aug 14^th, 2006, 10:41am

I never leave home without it yet refuse to use it unless in emergency like what Vig described.

I do not like how it makes me feel though it is better than a cluster.
I feel nasty when taking it just plain gross
I will use zyprexa to abort and find it as quick though I will also save it for emergency.

At the moment I do not take anything except oxygen.

That is my choice and for now I will stay this route.