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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Imitrex Nasal
        
(Message started by: Camerooskis_Mom on Dec 3^rd, 2003, 11:11am)

Title: Imitrex Nasal
Post by Camerooskis_Mom on Dec 3^rd, 2003, 11:11am

I did an archive search & found a few of you were prescribed the nasal form of imitrex.

The pedio neuro said that the taste left in the mouth often creates a prob in children refusing to take it again. I'm asking for tips or tricks.

He suggested I give Cammie a cinnamon or root bear (or other strong hard candy), have him lean forward - hold his breath, and then administer the spray.

Thankfully he has not had a full blown attack since we came up with the hand signals (YEAH!!!) but for if or when the time comes I would like to make it as painless as possible.

Thanks!

P.S.: I'm not comfortable giving Cammie the Imitrex given his age but I am even less excited that the next drug in our aresnal given to us is Midrin :-[

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by Paigelle on Dec 3^rd, 2003, 11:16am

Midrin will knock him out. I can take one Midrin and go to sleep and I am 35! I feel Midrin is best for a migraine or tension. It has never worked on CH for me.

As for the taste of Imitrex nasal. I think no matter how bad the taste, that the pain will be worse and he won't care. Good luck!

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by thomas on Dec 3^rd, 2003, 11:24am

[quote author=Camerooskis_Mom link=board=meds;num=1070470040;start=0#0 date=12/03/03 at 11:11:20]He suggested I give Cammie a cinnamon or root bear (or other strong hard candy), have him lean forward - hold his breath, and then administer the spray. [quote]
Sounds like a great idea. Just make sure he breathes it all the way in. You've got to snort that stuff up your nose - it may cause him some discomfort.

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by Cluster_head on Dec 3^rd, 2003, 11:59am

Imitrex nasal has a tendency to make me vomit. Be prepared for that as well.

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by Piglett1969 on Dec 3^rd, 2003, 12:58pm

on 12/03/03 at 11:59:38, Cluster_head wrote:

Imitrex nasal has a tendency to make me vomit. Be prepared for that as well.

It did the same thing to me...actually it just made me gag. But it DID work. :)

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by wip5150 on Dec 3^rd, 2003, 1:37pm

I've used Imitrex Nasal (20 mg.) to abort individual CH's for about 6-7 years. For me, they work about 75% of the time but, as said above, I'd rather eat a slim jim off the floor of a fish cannery than taste it. But, given, the choice of bad taste or no pain, I choose lack of pain.

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by mediccpc on Feb 2^nd, 2004, 4:19pm

One of the tricks I use when I use the nasal spray is tip my head forward, infuse the medicine then pinch my nose off. Do not inhale or sniff. The medication is absorbed into the mucas membrane in about 60 sec. See if this helps.

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by Tiannia on Feb 2^nd, 2004, 5:16pm

I have the inhalers as well. The taste that they are talking about is very bitter. And it is long lasting. I ended up having to use one this am at 6:30 and got the sniffels and still got an after taste and it is almost 8 hours later. Yes a strong tasting candy after wards will help.

Also I would make sure that you are comfortable using it. The tip is large for me and I am a grown woman, I would think that giving it to a little one would be difficult. I have ot make sure that the tip is a little damp, and the nostrel that you are going to use is most as well.

I have not tryed the tip with the squeezing of the nose as I dont use them unless I have to as only 6 are cover every 25 days. But I think I will try it next time.

Good luck with Cameron (that is my sons name as well :))
Tia

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by pubgirl on Feb 2^nd, 2004, 6:12pm

Cameron's Mom

I use the nasal and what I do is, snort once ONLY, then stop breathing in through that nostril to prevent as much as possible going down the back of the throat. It is when it hits the back of the throat that the bitterness starts.
I also have a very sweet drink ready and lots of water to wash away the taste, a favourite sweet after this would be a good idea too.

If it's any help, you kind of get used to it but it does taste pretty bad.

Wendy

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by t_h_b on Feb 2^nd, 2004, 7:03pm

It's very hard to get a child to do a nasal inhaler correctly, even if there is no foul taste involved. It's also hard to get them to do shots. I've done both the nasal spray and subcutaneous injections and frankly, I prefer the injection for all of the reasons mentioned above plus the injection is less complicated and the dosing can be controlled.

However, your son CAN learn either--he has a chronic condition that must be treated, and very young diabetic kids accept injections and young asthmatic kids do nasty-tasting inhalers.

I don't know his history with the injections, but at 7 or 8 you should be able to talk to him about these options and let him participate in the decision about which to use. Maybe you can talk to him about a "little ow to stop the big ow".

You can get anesthetic creme to use for the shot (but you have to wait a little and speed is everything) and if you give it on a very fatty place (bottom) and gently pinch a lot of tissue up, it really doesn't hurt but for a second.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that is going to get rid of the taste of the nasal Imitrex. And it does last. Very strong peppermint candy made with real peppermint oil is what I used, the kind that stings if you breathe through your mouth. You might even try pure oil or make your own very concentrated candy just for this purpose. You might also try crushed ice or a strong flavored slushy as the cold helps dull some of the taste buds as well.

The suggestion about tipping the head forward is your best bet--try to keep it out of his mouth in the first place.

Good luck with this. How is he doing with the oxygen now?

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by Camerooskis_Mom on Feb 3^rd, 2004, 9:40am

Thanks Guys! More good advice.

At the Pedio Neuro on Friday, the nurse said one of the Teen patients had accidently left her purse w/ nasal Imitrex in the car (frigid north). Having it chilled took out the taste. Other patients are now refrigerating it and receiving the same results they say. I was told to watch the package temperature range.

Right now the Camster is fighting me tooth & nail about taking it which gives me a new perspective on his idea of the Pain Scale. Let me know if the above trick makes a difference for you please. :-)

O2 is helping when he is talking to me about it - we are catching more of the attacks early enuf now to abort (2 have slipped through in last month - this is a MAJOR victory for us).

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by t_h_b on Feb 3^rd, 2004, 8:43pm

It's great to hear that he's dealing better with the O2--brave little fellow to be able to deal with these things.

The package for the nasal Imitrex does say 36 to 86 degrees. Your fridge may or may not be too cold. Maybe there is an area somewhere in it, maybe in a drawer, maybe on the top shelf, that stays 38 or 40 degrees. (If you don't find a spot maybe you could even get a little cube fridge to keep at 40 if the nasal Imitrex becomes a long-term solution.) Probably the idea is to not let it actually freeze. If this works it's great news for everybody who takes Imitrex nasally.

Still curious here as to how he fared with the Imitrex shots IF he tried them.

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal
Post by benj on Feb 4^th, 2004, 5:45am

mediccpc, great tip on the nasal spray - I'll be sure to give that a try.

VERY strong and sweet cordial to wash the aftertaste down (which comes in about 10-20 minutes time of initially taking the drug). You say that he is resistant to do it again and that this has given you an idea of his pain threshold? Don't be fooled. I HATE the taste, and will put it off until it reaches maybe an KIP8 or so. I mean I HATE it.

I'm so sorry for your boy. I reckon it's hard enough for us adults to deal with this pain let alone a kid who doesn't know how to cope yet. My thoughts are with you.xxoo

good luck and keep us up to date