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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
        
(Message started by: Mark C on Oct 26^th, 2002, 4:20pm)

Title: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Mark C on Oct 26^th, 2002, 4:20pm

I have been fortunate enough, through educating myself here and just being a pain in the ass to my Doctors and HMO to have received both STATdose pen and now single dose injection. I have never used the single dose injection before but can't help but think it will be easier to control the amount I give myself if the full 6mg is not needed.
May I have some of yalls experience with the single dose vs the pen?
I will hang up and listen now,
Thanks,
Mark

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Peppermint on Oct 26^th, 2002, 4:46pm

Not a clusterhead, but here's a suggestion. Imitrex tip at left to start... or see link below.
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/imitrex.html
Just thought I'd throw that in, in case you haven't seen it yet.

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by ChristineL on Oct 26^th, 2002, 6:05pm

Mark,

I am assuming you are using a regular syringe.

It's easy...........swab at the area of your skin where you are going to inject with alcohol. I use the top of my butt. Make sure you haver no airbubbles in the syringe. A good way to get rid of little ones is to flick it with your finger. Grab some fat and stick the needle in. Pull back a bit on the plunger to make sure you didn't hit a vein or something (nothing really back there you need to worry about) and if you don't see blood then inject.

It's simple. If you feel you need to practice - try an orange with water in a syringe.

I have been giving myself injections for years. It's really no big deal.

Make sure you bend the needle after use and get yourself one of the hazardous material buckets to throw your used needles in. Never use a needle more than once.

Chris L

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Mark C on Oct 26^th, 2002, 11:49pm

Thanks for the reply yall, I like the tip on the left for the STATdose pen, but for the single dose injection I think I can just draw 2 or 3 mg instead of the full 6mg and try to stretch out the supply that way. I am not a stranger to syringes, just to this single dose vial. I have not opened one yet but I am assuming it is a standard vial with a rubber top to insert the syringe into. If this is true, would it be possible to Inject to STATdose vial into the single dose vial so as to better meter the dose as needed?
HMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
The purpose of this is to not take more than 12mg of Imitrex in 24 hours, but allow myself more than two shots doing so, make sense? Sometimes two shots a day ain't enough and too much of this stuff ain't healthy as I understand. Whew.....................
Thanks,
Mark

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by ChristineL on Oct 27^th, 2002, 6:07am

Mark,

I break down my stat dose pen into 12 individual doses. I put mine into Insulin syringes so I would imagine you can do the same with the single dose vial and probably much easier. I also am going to get the single dose vials for my next script.

Chris L

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Peppermint on Oct 27^th, 2002, 7:23am

Mark,
This is another thread you should look at...recently started by Elaine - Imitrex shot tip...I think it answers your question as well.

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1034796329

(you probably already saw this but just in case....)

Good luck - Pepp ;)

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Mark C on Oct 27^th, 2002, 7:26pm

Thanks yall,
Lots of help.
I think I have a plan ;D
I would prefer the Insulin syringe the STATdose pen for two main reasons, I can control the syringe better and not get muscle, which I tend to do, and that makes my arm sore and I can control the dosage amount and not always use the 6mg, unless needed, or spread it out over several smaller doses over a day, depending on the cycle of course. I only want to use enough to subdue the HA and if what I read on this board is true I may not always need 6mg to combat the beast. My pattern has been when attacked to wait and make sure it is going to be a bad enough attack to warrant an injection. If I can use a lesser amount earlier in the attack, and it work, that would be a "Good Thing" ;D
I love you guys,
Mark

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by ChristineL on Oct 28^th, 2002, 3:44pm

Mark,

I find 2 mg works for me - even on my bad ones.

Chris L

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by NotH20 on Oct 30^th, 2002, 1:01pm

Mark C....

I don't use the STATdose pen unless it's an emergency....I use the old 6 mg syringes individually wrapped. For my next cycle I am going to try using a smaller dosage for each shot and see if that works.

I have the BEST way to get an injection - I get my supporter to give me the shot - darn I hate needles! ;)

Good luck to you......
NotH20

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Mark C on Oct 30^th, 2002, 10:50pm

I like that idea NotH2O,
It might be hard to give myself a shot during a full blown blast with a syringe. The pen is a no brainer. I also would like to try 1/2 dose at 3mg on my next attack, eariler in the attack. In the past I have waited until I am sure it is going to be bad before taking a shot so as not to waste a $65.00 shot.

Thanks for the replys all, great information.
Mark

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Svenn on Oct 31^st, 2002, 1:52am

It's easy...........swab at the area of your skin where you are going to inject with alcohol??????

WHAT A WASTE OF ALCOHOL ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: arkRe: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Lenny on Oct 31^st, 2002, 5:29pm

Mark,
2 mg. is all you will need ( it works just as well as 6mg.).
As far as the pen goes you can put that in your vial when it is empty with a q-tip( those vials never leak).
As far as alcohol goes ( never done that one ).Good luck and hopefully many PFDAN to come. What i meant about the pen,it will screw off and all you have to do is put the needle into the empty vial and with a q-tip push the plunger doun and all the good stuff can be used with the syringe ( make sure to get diabetic syringes ).

Title: Re: Imitrex single dose vs STATdose
Post by Bob P on Oct 31^st, 2002, 5:54pm

There was a guy here a while back who took a stat dose pen and cut 5 mm (I think) off of the white plunger. This resulted in him getting a 3 mg dose. He would then take the syringe part out and put it in an unaltered pen to inject the remainder of the dose when needed.

He said to be sure to mark your pens #1 and #2.

I'm not positive about the 5mm. You'ld have to play with it to make sure.