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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Imitrex Rebounds?
        
(Message started by: findjoshua on Jan 6^th, 2007, 11:42am)

Title: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by findjoshua on Jan 6^th, 2007, 11:42am

Hi. I'm in the middle of one of the worst cycles I've ever had (I thought last years was bad) - and of course I'm caught w/o O2 or adequate meds. I have managed to get a script for O2 which should be here next week. In the meantime I'm taking Imitrex 20mg nasal spray which generally helps, but I'm getting so many CHs a day that I have used the entire box (6 doses) in about two days. Not good... Is the trex causing the more frequent headaches as I've been using it more? If so, does that mean Imitrex is not the medication for me or do I just need to not take a dose everytime I have a headache, even though it's around.

If anyone can make sense of what I've posted :) - please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,
Joshua

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by Kevin_M on Jan 6^th, 2007, 11:57am

It can be said there has been an expressed consensus by more than a few of trex use and frequency coinciding, however, in this case, six hits in two days would not be anything unusual for CH.
Without oxygen yet, if you choose not to take a dose when one is oncoming, would be up to you, being that:

on 01/06/07 at 11:42:54, findjoshua wrote:

and of course I'm caught w/o O2 or adequate meds.

Quote:

I have managed to get a script for O2 which should be here next week.

When I've expressed an urgent need to the oxygen company I use, they've managed to make a special delivery to my area each time. ;)
(they seem familiar with cluster headaches)

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 6^th, 2007, 4:25pm

I hope you are using a preventive med at a suitable dose.
-----
Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by findjoshua on Jan 6^th, 2007, 4:39pm

I was using Verapamil, but it didn't work for me this cycle, maybe I need a higher dose. I'm going to a neurologist in the next week or so to evaluate a new/better approach at preventatives.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by Kevin_M on Jan 6^th, 2007, 5:05pm

on 01/06/07 at 16:25:25, Bob_Johnson wrote:

I hope you are using a preventive med at a suitable dose.

That was an important area of mention into the equation here Bob that may very well help in the need of less abortive use, and without which can keep repetitive hits occurring still highly disruptive and painful to endure despite the available abortive of using n/s trex when it would need to be used.
Fifteen minutes, and too occasionally at times more of accelerating CH in situations, waiting for it to overtake a hit, especially if taken late, can incapacitate most all abilities on the job. Waiting at a 6 or 7 for little while before things begin to gradually back off is escaping the further depths of CH but motivation develops over time for that feeling to more desirably be prevented, and also a most important search, which should be out there. Take the initiative pressing for a preventative. ;)

*didn't see your post while I was writing. Good step Joshua. :)

ps. concerning effective levels of verapamil, for me, it seems to also slightly slow the onset of a coming hit, like the breakthrough has to fight a little harder with its momentum, giving a little more time for the higher Kips to be headed off when available abortives like n/s trex or oxygen are available, where minutes matter. Pain level always matters.

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by michellepaul on Jan 7^th, 2007, 7:40pm

Yes, imitrex rebounds have been an issue for my husband as well. His neurologist has suggested not taking more than 2- 2mg injections/day. Or, no more than 200 mg in pill form per/day. Something to do with the fact that the sumitriptan speeds up the heart.

I personally have taken a 100 mg imitrex and I felt like my heart was going to go through my chest.

Best of luck to you.

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by TonyG1 on Jan 7^th, 2007, 8:00pm

on 01/07/07 at 19:40:31, michellepaul wrote:

I personally have taken a 100 mg imitrex and I felt like my heart was going to go through my chest.

Michelle - Curious, do you suffer from CH or migranes as well ?

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by michellepaul on Jan 7^th, 2007, 8:05pm

TonyG1, are you a doctor, is that why you want to know? Or are you genuinely concerned for my well being.

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by TonyG1 on Jan 7^th, 2007, 8:19pm

on 01/07/07 at 20:05:30, michellepaul wrote:

TonyG1, are you a doctor, is that why you want to know? Or are you genuinely concerned for my well being.

Actually concerned; however, I can see you're a little on the edge so I'll take the higher road and not go down that path with you.

Joshua - Sorry didn't mean to detract from your thread. Hope you get some relief soon !

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by michellepaul on Jan 7^th, 2007, 8:53pm

Sorry, I had 2 people birddogging me on a Xango topic that I started. The way you highlighted a sentence in my post is the way that they did.

Thankfully, I'm just a normal female who gets a migraine 1-2/month depending on my cycle. My husband has been diagnosed with Chronic Clusters going on 18 years now.

I tried one of his 100mg imitrex pills one time to see if they would work for my migraine. Plus, I wanted to see what one felt like to see what he felt when he took it.

Again, sorry for the weirdness.

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by Ob1kanobee on Jan 8^th, 2007, 12:09pm

O.K. I have what some might consider kind of a sissy question, but in my case it really is a phobia. I don't like needles or snakes.

Do those imitrex auto injectors hurt/painful? I know these darn headaches hurt, so I don't think I would have a problem with an auto injector to relive the pain, just wondering what it feels like. Also, where do you poke yourself with the darn thing?

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by michellepaul on Jan 8^th, 2007, 2:14pm

Hi,

I just asked my husbands take on the imitrex auto injector.

What he has done is placed the tip of the injector in the deltoid of his arm (outside of the shoulder). He's injected it in his thigh as well. Don't forget to clean the area with rubbing alchohol first.

He also said when you're in that much pain, you actually look forward to using the injection because you know that within 30 seconds to a minute the relief is coming. Much quicker than the 100mg imitrex tablet which can take up to 45 minutes.

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by gonz2112 on Jan 8^th, 2007, 2:35pm

on 01/08/07 at 12:09:31, Ob1kanobee wrote:

Do those imitrex auto injectors hurt/painful? I know these darn headaches hurt, so I don't think I would have a problem with an auto injector to relive the pain, just wondering what it feels like. Also, where do you poke yourself with the darn thing?

I personally don't think the needle hurts. The trex can sometimes burn a little, but it happens very fast and is well worth it. I no longer use the auto injector so I can split the dose in half. I usually do it in the shoulder and I have used my thigh.

Mark

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by michellepaul on Jan 8^th, 2007, 3:23pm

Yes, I have split the dose in 1/2 and injected my husbands arm by hand too. That works.

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by vietvet2tours on Jan 11^th, 2007, 10:53am

on 01/08/07 at 15:23:43, michellepaul wrote:

Yes, I have split the dose in 1/2 and injected my husbands arm by hand too. That works.

Hey I see you moved to Wyoming.It's abbreviation is Wyo. not Wy.Have ya got any Xango for sale? This troll is really michellepaul.

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by froggy on Jan 11^th, 2007, 8:34pm

Anger issues again I see. Last time I checked, it wasn't a crime to change your name and location. I've two homes, you loser.

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by vietvet2tours on Jan 12^th, 2007, 10:06am

on 01/11/07 at 20:34:22, froggy wrote:

Anger issues again I see. Last time I checked, it wasn't a crime to change your name and location. I've two homes, you loser.

http://alumni.imsa.edu/~bock/deadfrog.jpg

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by UN solved on Jan 12^th, 2007, 12:46pm

on 01/07/07 at 19:40:31, michellepaul wrote:

Something to do with the fact that the sumitriptan speeds up the heart.

I've never had Imitrex effect me like that and I've taken as much as ANYONE !! It may sometimes cause chest pain/discomfort ... but I've never had it speed up my heart.

UNsolved

Title: Re: Imitrex Rebounds?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 12^th, 2007, 1:22pm

on 01/08/07 at 12:09:31, Ob1kanobee wrote:

I am needle phobic and although I use the Imi injections rarely (use 02 mainly) they don't bother me as I can't see the needle!

Also I find injecting muscle ANYWHERE hurts more. If you have any flab, pinch an inch and jab there. I use the unwanted roll of fat I have around my middle :-[
It is no slower than injecting anywhere else and hurts less (most diabetics I know inject there too)

Hope this helps

Wendy