Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
        
(Message started by: ChristineL on Aug 15^th, 2002, 1:41pm)

Title: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 15^th, 2002, 1:41pm

Last night I used the Imitrex injection for the first time. I did the Imitrex tip and only took about 1/3 of the shot.
Between that and the O2 it did get rid of my CH but I did have a couple of side effects for a few minutes and want to make sure it seemed a "normal" reaction.

Scalp on the top of my head felt like it was burning - this lasted about 2 minutes

Got a bit dizzy but only for a minute or so

Felt "nerve - endings" in my left arm, and certain places in my head sort of react - hard to explain - not pain but sort of short, quick, jabs. ( I have some nerve damage in my left hand and arm from another injury years ago)

Kept me awake. I was wide awake until about 3 AM - took the shot at 11 PM.

Thanks
Chris L

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by kari on Aug 15^th, 2002, 8:18pm

:P

I have felt exactly those things and even maybe more of a head rush of warmth/dizziness that crawls up the base of my skull. I now welcome the feeling, it means help is on its way!!
Good luck

Kari

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 15^th, 2002, 8:24pm

Thanks Kari - nice to know its "normal"

Chris L

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by Ree on Aug 17^th, 2002, 12:04am

did you also get the tightening in your jaw??? First time sometimes its a good idea to do the injection in front of someone... when it works its Heaven... hope it keeps working for you ... Ree

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by BigMike2344 on Aug 19^th, 2002, 12:56am

Side effects from Imitrex can be very dangerous. If you have a pre-existing condition (even undiagnosed) you could end up dead. Mostly heart propblems, I think. I would talk to my doctor about any side effects. Remember, Imitrex is available only with a Rx for a reason.

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by Sarge on Aug 19^th, 2002, 3:39pm

Not to rain on Big Mike's parade or anything :), he's a little too serious there, but since you probably went to a doctor to get the perscription to begin with and were probably told that there would be side effects and then when they happened they scared you, it's normal. I was told what to expect the first time I was given the injection of Imitrex in the doc's office and it still freaked me out so don't worry, your normal and you do get used to it. Also, the side effects associated with Imitrex are pretty consistent, the ones you start out with are the ones you generally have through out your usage. Take care, Sarge. :D

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 20^th, 2002, 9:49pm

Thanks everyone for your support. I have now used the imitrex a number of times and the burning sensation on the top of my scalp no longer happens. I do like that "warm" feeling that flows through me and wow do those headaches with the O2 combo disappear. No more waiting hours for pills to kick in.

Even though medical science isn't as far as we'd like this is a heck of a lot better than it was when I first started with them in 1976!!!

Chris L

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by BigMike2344 on Aug 21^st, 2002, 11:22am

Since I started using Imitrex none of the four doctors I used to get the prescription from warned me about side effects. I learned about them reading the enclosures. The side effects I had at first were VERY dramatic. And since I didn't have a heart attack or something at 3:00am I kept using it. It didn't matter that much how dangerous the side effects were because I was considering suicide during the clusters anyway.

The doctors I've known just prescribe medicines and say nothing about their possible drawbacks. Maybe they don't want to put ideas in our heads.

Read the literature available from your pharmacist about Imitrex. Some of it is really frightening.

On one occasion I came very close to buying the farm when I was on two medicines that potentiated each other and I went into thyroid toxicity. It was at that point that I learned that not all doctors are paying full attention or even cared enough to do so.

So, in my opinion, you can't be too serious when it comes to the meds. You don't want your parade to turn into a funeral.

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 22^nd, 2002, 8:51am

I hear ya loud and clear..................

I am one of those people that check everything out to the last detail over and over.

I talked to my Dr., the pharmacist and read the literature front to back. I made sure I understood the interactions with all my other meds and the possible side effects. It is nice, even knowing all of that, to hear first hand from others that what you are feeling is ok.

I am not a person who enjoys taking medications and I take the Imitrex as a last resort. Not only because of the expense and I am paying for it out of pocket but also because if the O2 will work by itself then its better for me.

Last night I woke up every hour from midnight on. They were fairly mild CH's with kips of 3-4. I would get up, take the O2 for about 10 minutes, CH gone and back to bed. Finally after the 4th one at 4 AM I bit the bullet and took just 2 ml of Imitrex. It allowed me to sleep until 8 AM this morning and today I can work. It wasn't my choice but I could either keep getting up every hour or take the Imitrex and get a few hours of sleep.

Chris L

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by notseinfeld on Aug 25^th, 2002, 1:23am

Took my first Imitrex injection as well, yesterday. I didn't have most of the side effects detailed here except to say that what felt like a mild electrical current ran through both arms for about 5 minutes. I did the full Monte, 6g.

What a friggin condition we all have.

be well all,
nots

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 25^th, 2002, 6:12am

Nots,

Get some insulin syringes or whatever you can get and try the Imitrex tip. I divide my dose into 3 - 2ml doses and it is more than enough. It is easy to take the Epipen apart. No need to waste it if you are limited by insurance or are paying for it yourself. Also if you get a refill make sure you only get the refills and not the whole kit again - costs less.

I also gave my pharmacist the NDC code for the single dose vials. He is going to order those for me so I don't have to pay for the fancy kit.

Chris L

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by forgetfulnot on Aug 28^th, 2002, 10:01pm

Side effects? Any sides I have delt with are pure pleasure compared to the alternative, :P ::) :-* :o

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 29^th, 2002, 6:11am

Amen to that!!! For those of us that Imitrex works for I feel sorry for the ones that can't get it due to Insurance restrictions or they can't afford it. I am not wealthy by any means but I do have a good job which allows me to pay for it out of pocket if I have to. Not the way I would choose to spend my money but for the relief I'll pass up spending my money on other things.

Chris L

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by Ree on Aug 29^th, 2002, 10:00pm

ok i might be a bad guy here but my doc said not to cut the dose in half... she said it has to stay in your system long enough to break the cycle if the cycle is to be broken... dont kill the messenger Ree

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 30^th, 2002, 5:51am

Ree,

I guess I am confused. Imitrex is new to me as a CH's drug. I thought it was only good for getting rid of the CH when you started to get one. Not as a cycle breaker????? Isn't that what I am on Pred for?

Chris L

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Aug 30^th, 2002, 9:04am

Ree,
Imitrex will not break a cycle in a clusterhead.
Maybe in a Migrainer, when a headache is going to last 3 days, then a migrainer might take a whole dose of imitrex to kill that paticular headache.
Clusters work different, as you know.
Imitrex is only going to kill your current headache. Why take 6mg when 1mg will do it?
In my experience...less imitrex last the same amount of time (pf) then the full dose.
I'm getting away with injecting .1cc imitrex to kill my current ha...that's 5 doses out of 1 vial!
I'm not killing the messanger here Ree...just letting you know WHY clusterheads can divide the imitrex up.
:)
Mast

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by ChristineL on Aug 30^th, 2002, 9:16am

Thanks Mast for the explanation.........that's what I thought - at least for CH's. I also find that 1-2 ml works fine.

Chris L

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Aug 30^th, 2002, 11:03pm

yes Chris, and WAY less side effects with the less dose. Gotta love that!
Mast

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by riavaigh on Sep 8^th, 2002, 2:00pm

BIG MIKE- I think you're right, can't be too careful. This drug sounds like it works though. I'm curious about it but those side effects sound yucky. I'd much rather feel cooling in my skull than a warm feeling. Maybe I'll read more about it.

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by BigMike2344 on Sep 8^th, 2002, 5:14pm

Hey, boys and girls,

If you haven't read my posting elsewhere on these boards I'll briefly share my new found miracle cure.

I was advised to try 400 mg of magnesium, 99 mg of potassium and 1000 mg of calcium for clusters and after forty years of torture - they are gone. At 400mg magnesium they hurt 80% less and at 1000mg magnesium they are totally gone. I now take 200mg as a maintenance dose everyday. Haven't used the Imitrex at all since I fell upon this "remedy". I now understand that most people are way short of the magnesium they need as it is essential in hundreds of bodily processes. So it seems that all I had all along was a mineral deficiency.

I read about magnesium elsewhere on the site but didn't think it would do any good since nothing else had in forty (gasp) years. I tired it after a vitamin guy at the health food store enlightened me.

Try it.

Title: Re: First time Imitrex user - was this normal?
Post by Ted on Sep 8^th, 2002, 6:49pm

Nice try BigMike but it's quite obvious you own magnesium mines throughout the world and are trying to increase and maybe even monopolize the market for magnesium intake by posting that here. Well, we'll have none of that.
Actually, I'm glad to hear it's worked so well for you. A number of people have found some relief from magnesium and somewhere on the old board I posted a bunch of studies about magnesium and CHs. Unfortunately a larger number of people haven't found much relief from it at all. You're one of the lucky ones.