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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> GSK Imitrex assistance program?
        
(Message started by: peterevil on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 11:41am)

Title: GSK Imitrex assistance program?
Post by peterevil on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 11:41am

Hello all,

I'm a long time reader but first time poster. It's nice to meet you all.

I'm in cycle and have crappy student insurance. I wondered if any of you have information on GSK imitrex assistance programs. I searched the message boards but didn't find an address or phone #.

As a student I have no income, but have been buying the subcu imitrex ($300 / 4 injections of 6mg) because my insurance only reimburses for 4 injections per 30 day period. I basically chewed through my stock pile (about 25 doses for the month) and am now at wit's end. I'm trying to see a neuro but don't know when they'll actually take my appointment. Once i see them i can probably get samples, but until that point it's going to get ugly.

Any help would be appreciated.

Title: Re: GSK Imitrex assistance program?
Post by LeLimey on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 12:14pm

Hi Peter,
I looked through past issues of the OUCH US Newsletter for you and found some stuff that may help you.
www.needymeds.com a resource for people who need help with the cost of meds.

There is also an article here by Matt Matlock in the June Issue entitled Free or greatly reduced Health Care which you should go and read. http://www.ouch-us.org/newsletters/05-2006/05-2006.pdf

Also look at the buttons on your left, the seventh one down is "Imitrex tip" and you might find that very useful too.

Have you read up abour red bull or Oxygen or any of the other abortives and tricks we use?

We will do our best to help you!
Helen

Title: Re: GSK Imitrex assistance program?
Post by peterevil on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 1:18pm

Thanks for the links, Helen.

I've tried the Imitrex tip and, weirdly, it doesn't seem to work for me. I'm not sure if i'm placing the needle too deeply or too shallowly (i use my tricep or deltoid), but the subcu isn't effective unless i use the statdose pen (even with just 3 mg). i must be doing something wrong.

I'm definitely interested in Oxygen but am not sure how i can get it. Where do you buy yours? It's not covered by my insurance and i'm not sure where i can get it (scuba stores?).

Thanks for helping. It's nice to be part of a community that knows what we're dealing with. I just had a Kafka-esque discussion with a nurse practitioner at my student health center and she said my imitrex usage (1 or 2 injections per day in cycle) struck her as not 'usual.' I wanted to slap her.

Title: Re: GSK Imitrex assistance program?
Post by chewy on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 2:09pm

GSK Bridges to Access Program

http://www.bridgestoaccess.com/

Title: Re: GSK Imitrex assistance program?
Post by Linda_Howell on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 4:59pm

One to two inj. perday is the recommended dosage as per GSK on the info sheet that comes with every stat-dose box. Tell her to do her homework. ;)

Quote:

I'm definitely interested in Oxygen but am not sure how i can get it. Where do you buy yours? It's not covered by my insurance and i'm not sure where i can get it (scuba stores?).

You need a prescription for oxygen from your Dr. You can then take it to a medical supply dealer like "Lincare" or "Apria" Make sure if you go this route that you get a non-rebreather mask, not the nasel cannula. When you go in they will undoubably set you up with an E-tank, a regulator that goes to 15 lpm a mask and a cart so you can roll it from one room to another.

Look more deeply into what your Ins. will pay regarding the 02, you may find out different than you think, but sometimes a 02 supplier will work a deal with you for cash if in fact Ins. Co. won't pay.

If all else fails there is welders 02, but that's another story..check into what you've been told here and lets us know. We will tell you what you need to know about that later.

Title: Re: GSK Imitrex assistance program?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Nov 4^th, 2006, 8:37am

If you have to end up buying abortives out of pocket, talk to your doc about Zyprexa. The advantage of a pill vs. O2 tanks, etc. when in class and it's very effective for some of us.

And, I almost forgot, on a per dose basis it's quite affordable.
----------------------------

Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.

Title: Re: GSK Imitrex assistance program?
Post by mcf69 on Nov 4^th, 2006, 11:42am

I'll bump up the thread I posted on it not too long ago