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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Imitrex Injection Tool
        
(Message started by: GtrMn on Sep 15^th, 2007, 10:32pm)

Title: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by GtrMn on Sep 15^th, 2007, 10:32pm

http://members.cox.net/southernfury/ImitrexTool2.JPG

Hey folks!

Been lurking here about 8 weeks out of the year for the past 7 years. (If you know what I mean) ;;D

I actually came up with this after reading DJ's imitrex tip..which works like a champ for me. Of course you know it's no piece of cake trying to "gauge" 2mg's when you have a k-7 and can't see!

Anyway if interested I'll post a step by step "how to" on this "tool"

Oh yeah...since this is my first post...tad of background. I've had CH's since I was 15 and that was 38 years ago..ain't it fun! ;;D

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by Ray on Sep 15^th, 2007, 11:56pm

That sure looks interesting. I'm sure others would like to read about the details.

Ray

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by soulroach on Sep 16^th, 2007, 5:25am

looks neat. If you get a chance we'd all like to read the details on that bad boy.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by Jonny on Sep 16^th, 2007, 5:31am

It looks primative......id rather spike the vial in my arm, but thats just me. ;)

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by UN solved on Sep 16^th, 2007, 8:09am

Looks cool, but will it fit in my blow dart gun so I can help out a clusterhead from across the room ? ;;D j/k

UNsolved

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by GtrMn on Sep 16^th, 2007, 8:26am

http://members.cox.net/southernfury/ImitrexTool3.JPG

Ok here’s a step by step how to on the Imitrex Tool

Materials needed etc.
1.) ¼” brass or aluminum solid dowel.
2.) Silicone carbide sandpaper…at least medium and fine grit
3.) Small file
4.) Electrical tape (other types will work)
5.) Electric drill or drill press
6.) Tape measure with 32nds increments
7.) Hack saw
8.) Pencil or fine permanent marker
9.) 1 USED and 1 NEW Imitrex vial

Step 1.) Cut the dowel to between 2 1/4” – 2 1/2” in length.

Step 2.) Put the dowel into an electric drill and taper the previously cut end slightly with a file. This will take off the rough edge and make it easy to slip into a Imitrex vial..

Step 3.) With a course grade of sandpaper sand about half the length of the dowel so that it fits easily into a USED Imitex vial.. You only need to take off a couple thousandths of an inch so test it frequently.

Step 4.) With the dowel inserted fully into a USED Imitrex vial, take electrical tape and wrap in around the dowel exactly where the top of the imitrex vial ends.

Step 5.) Using a NEW Imitrex vial, Insert the dowel and mark the dowel with a pencil or fine permanent marker where it stops… ( I like to spin the dowel to make the mark all the way around the dowel). This is your Start Line.

Step 6.) Measure the distance between the Start line and the electrical tape. The measurement should be 21/32”. Divided by 3 ( for 2mg per dose ) the distance between marks becomes 7/32”. Make 2 pencil marks (or fine permanent marker) 7/32” apart in between the Start Line and the electrical tape.

Step 7.) Insert the dowel back into a drill and spin it …you should be able to see the marks and complete the circle with a pencil or marker.

Step 8.) (Optional) I found the pencil marks will wear off fairly quickly (especially if you use it the maximum of 6 per day) so I decided to spin the dowel in the drill and using the edge of a file make a shallow permanent groove into the dowel where the marks are…I then use a permanent marker to get ink into the groove…then sand it again with fine sand paper to take off any of the marker that gets outside of the grooves.

Note: I always use this “tool” on the first and second shots and then the Imitrex injector on the third shot. It’s helpful though to have the third mark (electrical tape) so you can see if a vial is used up.

Hope this helps!

Tom

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by Sean_C on Sep 16^th, 2007, 10:13am

We don't have to do it like that anymore, its very easy to get clean syringes.

No offense, but why risk staph infection etc etc. My hats off to ya GtrMn, but like jonny said, its old school.

Sorry for the negative post on your first visit. :-/

Sean...................................

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by GtrMn on Sep 16^th, 2007, 11:05am

on 09/16/07 at 10:13:25, Sean_C wrote:

No offense taken....just how I do it. Plus I always wipe the syringe off with alcohol after...then before using it again.

You say new syringes? How do you get the Imitrex out...to use a different syringe each time?

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by UN solved on Sep 16^th, 2007, 12:06pm

You can get Imitrex in vials and draw up whatever you need .

Your idea and tool is still interesting though. Hats off to ya !

Did you know the stat doses come in both 4mg and 6mg doses now too ?

PF Wishes

UNsolved

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by GtrMn on Sep 16^th, 2007, 12:15pm

You can get it in vials now?! Hmm need to check in my area to see if they can get that....Sure would be a lot easier that way that's for sure! Do you know the vial size and what not?
Thanks!
Tom

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by Ray on Sep 16^th, 2007, 12:55pm

on 09/16/07 at 12:15:16, GtrMn wrote:

You can get it in vials now?! Hmm need to check in my area to see if they can get that....Sure would be a lot easier that way that's for sure! Do you know the vial size and what not?
Thanks!
Tom

The vials contain 0.5 mL containing 6 mg of Imitrex. A box contains 5 single-dose vials, but of course we can divide the doses as we draw them up into a syringe. I use 30 gauge 1/2 cc insulin syringes (needle length is 1/2 inch).

The NDC # is 0173-0449-02 This is the number that the pharmacist and/or Doctor can look up.

It may be a lot simpler for you to use and less painful than the 26 gauge needle that gets less sharp each time you use it.

With regards and PF wishes,

Ray

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by Mark C on Sep 16^th, 2007, 1:14pm

Welcome...thanks for the tip.
Auto-injectors were my first love, then vials which precluded using a needle more than once and allowing more controlled amounts, then nasal spray, (nice) and now.....this (http://headaches.about.com/b/a/130041.htm) ......which I have yet to try.....but will. ;)

More Here (http://www.zogenix.com/products.html)

http://i7.tinypic.com/6c324ph.jpg

See Ya,
Mark

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by GtrMn on Sep 16^th, 2007, 1:21pm

Thanks Ray! I'll check into those vials and also what my insurance co. will cover per month....Sounds like a winner to me!

Tom

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by GtrMn on Sep 16^th, 2007, 9:09pm

One other ? Do the vials come with syringes? Thanks!

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by chewy on Sep 16^th, 2007, 9:39pm

Depends on your state. Doc might have to write a seperate script for the syringes.

My insurance covers 4 a month. You can get more with a pre-approval.

Title: Re: Imitrex Injection Tool
Post by mcf69 on Sep 16^th, 2007, 10:52pm

on 09/16/07 at 13:14:20, Mark C wrote:

Interesting find Mark, I kinda wondered when a pharm/bio med company would come out with something like this. The technology has been in use for years, I remember my father talking about getting his military innoculations by an "air gun", it looks like this company has come up with a portable version of the system.