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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
        
(Message started by: rmbreset on Jan 8^th, 2003, 12:10pm)

Title: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by rmbreset on Jan 8^th, 2003, 12:10pm

My company has changed healthcare providers my copay for imitrex injections has gone from 10.00 to 50.00, the nasal is less, but how soon does it provide relief vs. an injection. i get my headaches during my sleep so I awake already in pain.
thanks,

Title: Re: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by Karla on Jan 8^th, 2003, 1:06pm

I always got relief from the ns in 6 to 10 min.

Title: Re: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by cbolony on Jan 8^th, 2003, 1:16pm

I like the injection but the nasal spray works good
just a little longer than the injection.When i run out
of the injections i used the spray.

Title: Re: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by rmbreset on Jan 8^th, 2003, 1:31pm

Thanks, I can always count on quick answers from this board, don't know what I'd do with out it. Now I just have to price out the difference to see if it's worht it. Of course the problem is my new provider Merkmedco considers a perscription/usage based on a migraine sufferer not a cluster sufferer.

Title: Re: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by marcatcap on Jan 8^th, 2003, 6:05pm

Hi. Never did that well on the nasal spray but maybe I'll try again since it did work for some of you. Here's a suggestion - Why not plan on taking a trip to Mexico? While you are there, you might wander from Pharmacia to Pharmacia collecting the medications you need a an incredible price - less than your co-pay. That's what I did. Then you get a nice vacation and sort of beat the insurance Big Brother.
When I first started using Imitrex injections, several years ago, my insurance would only let me pick up one box at a time from the pharmacy. After a year of letters back and forth, they let me pick up 3 boxes in case I might need medication on the week-end. After another year of letters they let me pick up 5 boxes in case I wanted to go on vacation. They now use a different kind of program when the medication comes from some place that specializes in injectibles and inhalation stuff and the like. They also deliver and I was able to get 20 boxes at a time. But get this....if I want Imitrex pills the limit is 9 pills a month. There is also a limit to the nasal spray, but NO limit on the injections. . . Insane, isn't it? But all that is moot, my own insurance just expired until I get a new job.
So, my advice is to explore your options at the insurance company, and don't be afraid to make waves. You might even look at some kind of supplemental insurance and see how the costs vs. out of pocket measure up.

Title: Re: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by Mr.Happy on Jan 8^th, 2003, 7:03pm

Never used the injectables. Nasal spray usually takes ten minutes....but I'd usually have been huffing canned air 8 of those minutes.
Managed to get rid of the night time nasties by gnawing on Zomig tabs right before bed.

Worked like a charm.

Slept like a baby,
RJ

Title: Re: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by tgz23 on Jan 8^th, 2003, 11:54pm

When I first got imitrex my Dr. gave me nasal spray, I thought it was great it worked for me in 10 to 15 minutes maybe a little longer. So I went to get my RX filled. I have a 20% copay and a 15 day supply is $750. They would only give me six inhalers at a time. I used a dozen inhalers and happened to back to my doctor and asked if he had any samples. He only had one inhaler and asked what I thought about giving myself injections. I was game for about anything, so I tried it and got the hang of it. Although I don't like shots I think stat dose pens are the best, they work very fast for me. Since I live in a small town and think I'm about the only person using them He gives me samples all the time. Sorry for the long post. Hang in there.

Title: Re: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by JDH on Jan 9^th, 2003, 12:59pm

I have used both and in my opinion there's a BIG difference in the nasal spray and the auto injector.
To me the injection seems to work much faster...usually within 5-10 mins compared to 20+ mins with the spray and that extra 10 mins or so can seem a lot longer if you're getting hit bad.

Title: Re: Imitrex injection vs. nasal - relief time
Post by Dave_W on Jan 9^th, 2003, 2:33pm

Hi Gang,

I've used both and my results are: injection less than 5 minutes, nasal spray sometimes right at 5 minutes but always less than 10.

Here in BoomTown Tennessee, the injectors are $65.00 and the nasal sprays are $27.50.

Insurance picks up 6 per month, no matter what format (injection, spray, or pill).

I always try oxygen first, and if I don't have some relief by the time 15 minutes is up (or if the attack is a 9+), then I do Imitrex.

Ya know, I have a relative who's the local Glaxo rep. Gonna have to corner her one day....

The Olde Decrepit One 8) 8) 8)