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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Rizatriptan
        
(Message started by: runningwildjoe on May 6^th, 2003, 11:09am)

Title: Rizatriptan
Post by runningwildjoe on May 6^th, 2003, 11:09am

Quick history - had CH's 10 yrs ago for about 5 months.
Had been CH free until 2 wks ago! :-/
They started up with a vengence after one of my runs (hence my name). Read recently that exersion can trigger CH's -- damn & I love to run!
Now to the subject: my doc perscribed Maxalt 10mg tablet (Rizatriptan) - tabs that desolve on the tongue for fast effects. I used Ergomine (??) years ago which didn't work so I had to ride out the CH rollercoaster!
Maxalt REALLY WORKS!! It's awesome fellow sufferers!!
Within 10 minutes of the tablet desolving, my CH is gone! I'm so afraid I'll build up some tolerance or something will cause these life-savers not to work.
To my knowledge this in non-narcotic (I'll a recovered addict/alcoholic - 15yrs) and, besides their high cost, I can't find any drawbacks to this medication. I have an HMO & pay $10 co-pay -- the receipt says my plan has saved me $86 --- that's for 9 tabs!!! Thank God for insurance.
I guess that's enough for my first message...looking forward to reading & sharing information. I"M NOT ALONE!

Title: Re: Rizatriptan
Post by Karla on May 6^th, 2003, 1:03pm

It is a wonderful drug. Zomig I believe also comes in the form that disoves under your tounge and is fast acting. Imitrix comes in nasal spray and is fast also besides the shot form which is ultimate fast.

Title: Re: Rizatriptan
Post by els on May 8^th, 2003, 6:06pm

It's really strange but Maxalt, the dissolvable ones did nothing for me. My doc gave me some samples and when I got hit I took one then 25 mins or so another one, still nothing. I didn't dare take more so I just cried and cursed for another half hour or so till it passed.
Zomig (Zolmatriptan) works very well for me. Sometimes I take a half a tablet (2.5 mg) or if it feels like it's going to be a bad one I take the whole thing. I chew them up though, they seem to work a lot faster that way. It's usually about 15 mins. They really don't have much taste.
My problem is cost. Right now I can get 4 pills in a prescription for 30 dollars, three time in one month, so that's 12 pills for 90 dollars. Thank God for samples when I can get them. We're trying to get insurance to pay for more at once.
Verapamil seems to be working fairly well,but so far he will only give me 360 mg a day.
Good luck to you, els

Title: Re: Rizatriptan
Post by gills on May 9^th, 2003, 6:50am

It is good you have found something RW. Hope it works for you. I have just discovered sumatriptan succinate self injections and they worked!!! First relief I have found in 20 years of 3 months a year CH's. Like you, I hope it continues to work for me as it will change my life if it does.

I tried the tablet form but it did nothing for me. The self injector (Imigran Mk II) in Australia took 6 to 7 minutes to work and was total and instant in relief. By this I mean no gradual pain relief, but immediate once the drug took hold. It was if the beast just suddenly let go.

Gills

Title: Re: Rizatriptan
Post by Frank on May 9^th, 2003, 10:50pm

Quote:

I tried the tablet form but it did nothing for me. The self injector (Imigran Mk II) in Australia took 6 to 7 minutes to work and was total and instant in relief. By this I mean no gradual pain relief, but immediate once the drug took hold. It was if the beast just suddenly let go.
Gills

Imitrex injections work in about 6 to 7 minutes here too. Sometimes I'll just watch the clock and think to myself "don't go insane Frank... six minutes to go"... "don't need to start screaming, four minutes left"... "you're going to live through this... one minute to go".... and finally about six minutes later "ahhhh! relief!".

Now if I could get my idiot neurologist to quit telling me there is no difference between tablets and injections... ???

Title: Re: Rizatriptan
Post by Frank on May 9^th, 2003, 11:00pm

Quote:

-snip- My problem is cost. Right now I can get 4 pills in a prescription for 30 dollars, three time in one month, so that's 12 pills for 90 dollars. Thank God for samples when I can get them. We're trying to get insurance to pay for more at once. els

Check out Walmart. When I was shopping around for Imitrex injections (two statdose refill pack), I found the price varied from $124 to $301 depending on the pharmacy. Walmart ended up having the best price (where I could go to the store and pick up my prescription)... however the Canadian on-line pharmacy prices are even better. :)

Title: Re: Rizatriptan
Post by Seiji on May 10^th, 2003, 5:04pm

maxalt i think comes in 2 strenghts a 10mg and a 20mg tablet
think about getting the 20 and cutting it in half

Title: Re: Rizatriptan
Post by Seiji on May 10^th, 2003, 5:07pm

sorry it comes in 5 and 10 not 20

Title: Re: Rizatriptan
Post by katethecelt on May 11^th, 2003, 7:34am

Welcome Joe,

I'm very glad you're having success with Maxalt. Ask for samples. A good idea I read here is to get your meds refilled as often as allowed - to stock up when an episode hits. I did not see Maxalt listed as a narcotic.

As for exercise, it is recommended as an abortive measure at the start of an attack. I read this on the board & on the medical info page on the left. I hope you can find a way to include running in your life.

Maxalt did not work for me at all, but everyone is different.

Wishing you PFDAN's

Kate