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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Blimey LeLimey!!
        
(Message started by: BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Aug 15^th, 2006, 8:20pm)

Title: Blimey LeLimey!!
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Aug 15^th, 2006, 8:20pm

Hi Doll,
I overheard you talking about different kinds of triptans, and I would like some more info if you could spare the time.
I am interested in trying a nasal spray, the only reason is to get longer relief than just the 4 hours from sumatriptan. With all those other triptans, can you maybe talk a little about the differences? Are there any different side effects between the different triptans? How are the nasal sprays measured, and would I be able to take less than the recommended dose?
Are there any more negative consequences of having a triptan in your system for 24 hours rather than 4 hours?

Thanks a lot, Princess LeLimey. Any other pertinent info you think I should know would be greatly appreciated.

:-*
BMonee

Title: Re: Blimey LeLimey!!
Post by chopmyheadoff on Aug 16^th, 2006, 2:47am

alreeet mate -

think you a little confused about the whole nasal spraqt thing.
i have imigran nasal sprays aswell as the sub cut injector and the only difference is that the nasal spray takes about 15 minutes to get into your system.

it lasts the same amount of time as an injection and you still can only have 2 a day.

you CANT however, split the dose, as the sprays come in single use throw away units that fully discarge on a press of a plunger.
the way they are designed it would be impossible to do any kind of "imitrex tip" with them unfortunately :(

hope that clears things up about the sprays.

about different triptans im afraid i only have experience of imigran so ill pass u over to lelimey who has lots of experience im told ;)
(they all do in bingham !! )

Title: Re: Blimey LeLimey!!
Post by LeLimey on Aug 16^th, 2006, 5:37am

Hi Brian,
There are alot of triptans as you know, some more effective for CH than others. I know there are people here who use Amerge, Maxalt and Axert but I haven't heard enough consistent information about any of them to be prepared to recommend them over others.

The three I find to be most effective for CH are
Sumatriptan - Imitrex/Imigran (UK)
Zolmitriptan - Zomig
Frovatriptan - Migard.

Sumatriptan is the only one with an auto injector facility. This means its the fastest acting of all the triptans but it's also the most prehistoric. It has a half life of just two hours and, since you can only use two doses in 24 hours thats pretty grim if you are in high cycle.

I know we have the Imitrex tip but the problem with that is although you are still only using the same amount in MG you are constricting your blood vessels up to six times in a 24 hours period which is the same effect as using 6 full shots really.

Imitrex nasal sprays are next to useless, they take too long to kick in and then the half life is far too short too and as for the tablets, well.. I'd suggest using them as slug pellets.

As far as Zomig goes its a fantastic nasal spray but as with all triptans, worse than useless as a pill. It simply doesn't act fast enough.

The nasal spray is very effective, takes about 20 mins to kick in but then gives up to 12 hours pain relief.

Frovatriptan is the one tablet I will recommend but not as an abortive. Its "worth" is as a preventative.
All triptan pills can take up to 2 hours to kick in which is why they are so worthless however, if you have a regular time for a hit (ie 2am) then you can take a frova before bed and completely knock that hit on the head.
You can speed up delivery by taking it with a fizzy or a hot drink too. Frova has a half life of up to 26 hours. You can still take 2 doses within 24 hours so potentially you can be pain free just using Frova. I wouldn't recommend it though as I firmly believe that overusing triptans do cause hits to come back harder eventually.

For use to guarantee a good nights sleep or a couple of busy days to be pain free Frova is a very good option. I truly wouldn't recommend anyone use it as a verapamil alternative for instance.

Now to answer your question about effects from triptans.

The reason Imitrex injections can make you feel so oddis that they are so fast acting. They are strangling every vein in your body as fast as they can! The nasal sprays and the tabs do exactly the same but take longer to kick in so you don't feel the "rush" you feel from the injections.

The biggest disadvantage with nasal sprays is they cannot be split. The reason they come in higher doses is because delivery is a bit hit or miss when you're squirting stuff up your snout! However with the half life that does become immaterial really.

Are there any more negative consequences of having a triptan in your system for 24 hours rather than 4 hours? Simple answer is no. If anything because they kick in more gently they are probably "kinder" if such a word can be used than the stranglehold from Imitrex.

I hope this helps, if there is anything else you want to know speak up! Not only will it help you but anyone else who wants the same info.
Have a good day!
Helen

Title: Re: Blimey LeLimey!!
Post by chopmyheadoff on Aug 16^th, 2006, 6:31am

right likkle fountain of knowledge int she :) ::)

btw - i found that the imigran nasal sprays worked every time for me - in about 10-20 minutes . .

maybe it was because it was the first thing i tried and my body was an imigran virgin !!! :P

Title: Re: Blimey LeLimey!!
Post by LeLimey on Aug 16^th, 2006, 6:41am

Thats possible chop (oooh.. the temptation to do JUST that! :) )
However.. which would you pick?
Imigrain nasal which lasts two hours or Zomig nasal which lasts 12?
I think when you have similar delivery methods there is no sense whatsoever in picking the one that has a shorter life.

Title: Re: Blimey LeLimey!!
Post by serendipity on Aug 16^th, 2006, 6:55am

Helen, that is such great information on the triptans! You are a wonder. :-*

I've used Frova for a couple of years and it didn't take me long to make the connection that after I took it, I didn't get a headache for the rest of the day, but I didn't know it had such a long half-life. I thought it had more to do with how my body reacted to it.

I've found that Frova is great to use in conjunction with O2. When I get a bad hit, I immediately take a Frova and then start on the O2. The O2 takes care of the headache, and the Frova nips any remaining scary shadows that sometimes still remain after using O2. And then, like Helen said, no more headaches that day.