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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> dividing the meds
        
(Message started by: curtisdsc on Sep 20^th, 2002, 8:43pm)

Title: dividing the meds
Post by curtisdsc on Sep 20^th, 2002, 8:43pm

Hi all, I have been crawling around here for a few days reading the various post and learning some things. It has led to a question. Some of you talk about splitting the shots. Is it possible to do the same with the pills? I take 50mg tabs at a time. I know I can cut them in half but is the pill made such that the medication is evenly distributed or is there filler in it. I am down to four tabs and my insurance has limited me to 9 headaches a month. Any info appreciated. Also glad to find out I am not alone.

Oh yea, sorry to keep running on here but does anyone have the feeling that if you could just pop your neck the pain would go away. Mine are always on my right side and I feel like if I could just pop that side of my neck it would all go away.

Title: Re: dividing the meds
Post by domm on Sep 20^th, 2002, 10:30pm

Curtis - I use the pills also but I've never tried to split them. My Doc (at my request) gave me Oxygen, Imitrex and Verapamil. It took about three weeks of increasing doasge of the Verapamil to show significant prevention (no CHs for five days now). Until then, I would pop and Imitrex and hit the O2. The O2 would abort the pain in about 5 minutes and the Imitrex would then chase the shadows and complete the process in about 20 minutes.
Never had the neck problems, but I do notice that I have to conscientiously remind myself to relax that side's muscles. I cringe and tense up with the pain and have to force the relaxation. When I can manage it, it does lessen the intensity.
Check out the OUCH board, they have some great info also, and some help on insurance. Also Glaxo-Welcome, has an 800 number on the Imitrex box that you can call and get some help with insurance companies from them.
Good luck and I hope you find what you need
domm

Title: Re: dividing the meds
Post by _Binger on Jul 27^th, 2003, 1:05pm

Curtis----I wouldn't worry about splitting up the pills, I've been doing it quite a while now, my doctor does not seem to think there's anything wrong with it. Also---the 100 mg, 50 mg, and 25 mg are all the same price. So you can easily get the 100 mg and split them up.
Good luck!!! Binger

Title: Re: dividing the meds
Post by Hound_Dogg on Jul 29^th, 2003, 6:54am

Curtis,

You can usually divide any pill that is immediate release. All immediate release meds usually disolve immediately anyway, so cutting in half usually will not hurt.

Do not cut in half any medication that is long acting or sustained release as you can get too much medication at once.

All that said...if you are really worried about it. Call a Pharmacist. They should be able to answer for ya.

Jim

Title: Re: dividing the meds
Post by ave on Jul 29^th, 2003, 2:43pm

Pressing the right pint in the neck gives some relief but I don't remember anybody posting that the pain would go right away.

It relieves, and that IS something.

Do you have Oxygen? It might make for less pills. O2 chaed most of my attacks completely after only 10 minutes.

Title: Re: dividing the meds
Post by Svenn on Jul 29^th, 2003, 5:01pm

Hi there

This is my coctail

Verapamil Retard 120mgX5-7/daily during cycle 3 weeks after last hit tapering down with 1 verap every 3/4 days until you are on 1 a day.1 a day for another 2 weeks you can decide to quit the verap or take 1 a day.Oxygene alone at 10ltm for 15 minutes or combined with imitrex-shots does miracles.The shots should start working in 6-9minutes.a few seconds after that you are almost painfree
Prednisolone in high doze for 10 days 80mg
then over a 3 weeks periode step down like 70-60-50-40-30-20-10-5mg every 3/4 day
This work fine for me

The very best from Svenn