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New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
(Message started by: Jeff_08 on Jun 25th, 2004, 8:47pm)

Title: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by Jeff_08 on Jun 25th, 2004, 8:47pm
After reading the latest about Imitrex i'm thinking of asking my doctor to let me try Zomig ns. How fast and how good does Zomig work? Do you get the same rebound headaches like with Imitrex?Thanks

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by Lizzie2 on Jun 25th, 2004, 8:58pm
Hey Jeff,

I never used the Zomig NS so I can't say how fast it works.  I know it's different from person to person.  However, I do know that you can get rebound from overuse of any triptan drug (imitrex, zomig, maxalt, amerge, frova, axert, relpax).  Most docs will limit it to at most twice a day at most two days a week.  However, allowances are genearlly made for people who suffer from clusters.  Rebound is something you really have to watch, though!! Especially with chronic use.

Take care,
Lizzie

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jun 27th, 2004, 7:33am

on 06/25/04 at 20:58:13, Lizzie2 wrote:
Hey Jeff,
 I know it's different from person to person.  

Lizzie is right again. I've done all the Triptans and ONLY imitrex injections work for me. The rest have been useless.

Unsolved

PS..My opinion: I don't think you need to worry about rebounds unless your using LOTS of it ... like I do (Many per day). Besides, rebounds are not my first concern ... my first concern is getting rid of the immediate headache asap !


Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by Jeff_08 on Jun 27th, 2004, 1:15pm
A couple of times i had to take 5 shots in a day [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by Ueli on Jun 27th, 2004, 1:36pm
From the OUCH Research Library (http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/medications/imitrex_rebound.htm) about the "danger" of rebounds from triptans and how to use them to get off rebounds from analgesic over-use.

Remember, insurance companies twist all available facts to construe some shoddy arguments to escape from paying for enough medication.  >:(

PFNADs
Ueli                 [smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jun 27th, 2004, 2:02pm
I do more than 5 a day on a regular basis

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by Gator on Jun 28th, 2004, 3:49pm
I use Zomig NS.  I have never taken anything else, so I cannot draw comparisons.  My neuro prescribed me no more than 3 per day, even though the recommended dosage is no more than 2 per day.  Zomig works for me in about 5 - 7 minutes.  It aborts over 95% of my attacks.  I usually can get through a day with O2 and maybe one, but there have been days I used 3.  Have had days I wanted to use 4.

As far as rebounds?  I am more concerned with aborting than rebounds.  Through the various medications, I am down to 3 - 5 attacks a day and some shadows in between those.  I have not noticed an increase in attacks since starting Zomig NS.

Some say it extends the time between attacks, again I cannot draw a comparison.  I do know that on a bad day, I can abort one and within and hour and a half or two hours be getting hit again.  

Hope this helps some.  Every medication affects every person differently, if at all.  Zomig may or not work for you, but it's definitely worth a try.  Costs about $35 per inhaler without insurance.  From what I understand, that's cheaper than Imitrex.

Gator

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by thomas on Jun 28th, 2004, 4:02pm

on 06/28/04 at 15:49:53, Gator wrote:
Some say it extends the time between attacks,

When compared to the imitrex stat-dose, for me, you bet your ass the time between attacks is longer with the zomig(pill form) haven't used nasal spray yet.

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by E-Double on Jul 4th, 2004, 10:54am

on 06/27/04 at 14:02:42, UN_SOLVED wrote:
I do more than 5 a day on a regular basis


Pardon my confusion....That's not 5 full shots? Is it??

I just started (yesterday on imitrex stat)
The first one I took (full 6) sent me flying: felt like a kip 11. WOW, head felt like it was on fire and my attack still lasted about an hour

The next attack I had yesterday, I spilt the dose. Was a bit nervous but was easier and gave myself about 1/3 (approx 2 mg) of the fluid. Also about an hour but no head burning

The third and final of the day :) i gave myself another 2mg and that lasted only 40 someodd minutes without any "weird" effects?

This morning I've already had 2 attacks.
First one was under (woke me up)40 minutes using the trex and the second literally my first 15 minute experience ever. I was psyched.

I don't know what to say as far as diff. meds. Still new to me.
The first time I experienced Zomig the beast went away fairly quickly! Then little by little they were back to the way it appeared to be before meds. I went 3 weeks on that stuff.
With the Imitrex it might be the same way who knows or (hope I don't jynx) maybe I'm nearing the end??
I honestly don't know.. I really don't remember what the end of a cycle feels like for they never occurred like this. (used to be just woke up pain free until again next year...now all day??)

The only thing I can say for sure about the difference is that I don't feel so fuzzy or "yucky" on the imitrex as I did with zomig. I don't even know if that means anything!!

Sorry for rambling...

Good luck,
Eric

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by miapet on Jul 4th, 2004, 11:13am
IF Imitrex does cause rebounds (or any other treatment that cuases rebounds) . . .then using it, would be as if we are handing the beast the bat . . .we hit the beast, hand it the bat, the beast hits us, hands us back the bat . . .talk abot a viscious circle!
*positive light and energy*
miapet

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by Prense on Jul 4th, 2004, 3:05pm
My understanding of "rebounds" is that they are HAs caused by medication.  That does not mean they are CH attacks.  I'll take a HA of lesser pain intensity multiple times everyday over this crap.

Some claim, however, trex causes more CH attacks and longer cycles.  To me, this is not the same as rebounds.  I have not experienced any of these effects, and I am coming up on a year using trex.

Chris

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jul 5th, 2004, 7:40pm

on 07/04/04 at 10:54:25, E-Double wrote:
Pardon my confusion....That's not 5 full shots? Is it??

I require 4 mg per shot. Yes, I DO ALOT EVERYDAY.


on 07/04/04 at 10:54:25, E-Double wrote:
I took (full 6) sent me flying: felt like a kip 11. WOW, head felt like it was on fire and my attack still lasted about an hour   ....    gave myself about 1/3 (approx 2 mg) of the fluid. Also about an hour but no head burning

Doesn't sound like Imitrex is helping you much.
They stop my headaches in 5 - 15 minutes.

Unsolved

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by thomas on Jul 6th, 2004, 11:23am

on 07/04/04 at 15:05:57, Prense wrote:
My understanding of "rebounds" is that they are HAs caused by medication.  That does not mean they are CH attacks.  I'll take a HA of lesser pain intensity multiple times everyday over this crap.

Some claim, however, trex causes more CH attacks and longer cycles.  To me, this is not the same as rebounds.  I have not experienced any of these effects, and I am coming up on a year using trex.

Chris

Call 'em what you want to, but with trex, I get more ch hits than with zomig.

Title: Re: Zomig vs Imitrex stat dose
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jul 6th, 2004, 12:23pm

on 07/04/04 at 11:13:55, miapet wrote:
IF Imitrex does cause rebounds (or any other treatment that cuases rebounds) . . .then using it, would be as if we are handing the beast the bat . . .we hit the beast, hand it the bat, the beast hits us, hands us back the bat . . .talk abot a viscious circle!


For me, it's either swing the bat or not. You're right, it is a viscious circle.
Call them 'rebounds' or whatever you want .... a kip 9 is still a kip 9. Zomig won't work for me, I MUST have Imitrex injections.

Unsolved



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