Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Well I am back
        
(Message started by: davidj35 on Jan 25^th, 2005, 2:23pm)

Title: Well I am back
Post by davidj35 on Jan 25^th, 2005, 2:23pm

It has been a while since I have been here, but I am back in cycle and thought this may interest someone. I have been suffering with ch for about 6-7 years and like most of you was misdiagnosed for the first 2 years. I was sure I was going to kill myself. After many hits and misses I believe I have found a course of treatment that has has been a godsend for me and may help others. Last year during my annual spring cycle I tried 02 and Imitrex pills. I was getting too many a day ( and I can't imagine giving myself a shot) to use the nasal (6 or more per day) and my script was 200 mg a day of imitrex. In 100 mg form this only took care of a small part of dealing with the bastard. I cut the pills in half taking only 50mg as a preventitve when I knew the hour was coming and I couldn't get to my 02. This along with 10-12 lpm of 02 when I could use it has given me my life back. I know Imitrex is not supposed to be used as a preventitive but as we all know when you are in full cycle you can set your clock by the chs. Just wanted to post this and see if anyone else has been taking this course of action or if anyone has any questions. Thank You and good luck to all of us.

Title: Re: Well I am back
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jan 25^th, 2005, 8:08pm

Hi David,

Sorry you're suffering again. Have you tried the Trex nasal spray? No needles, but works much faster than those pills.

Kris

Title: Re: Well I am back
Post by eyes_afire on Jan 25^th, 2005, 8:37pm

Quote:

I cut the pills in half taking only 50mg as a preventitve when I knew the hour was coming and I couldn't get to my 02. This along with 10-12 lpm of 02 when I could use it has given me my life back. I know Imitrex is not supposed to be used as a preventitive but as we all know when you are in full cycle you can set your clock by the chs. Just wanted to post this and see if anyone else has been taking this course of action or if anyone has any questions.

Yes, I have done it several times. My access to nasal and injectable imitrex is limited so sometimes it's more cost effective to cut it off with a pill before it even starts. Main downside is when it backfires... like early this morning. Woke up 3:25am feeling ghosts... took pill... big mistake... 5 min later CH ramped up fast. I had to gut out a Kip 9 for 45 minutes (about the time it takes a pill to work... or a CH to end). I'm hoping it was a renegade attack because right now I'm oxygenless.

--- Steve

Title: Re: Well I am back
Post by Chillrmn1 on Jan 25^th, 2005, 8:53pm

Have tried the same thing using 50 mg trex pills as a preventative also knowing these are meant for abort reasons. Would take these on a six hour schedule. Last time doing this experienced a full blown Kip 10 which was intolerable. Resorted to injecting 6mg Imitrex which took about 20 minutes to abort. Injections usually respond with me in 5 - 6 minutes when not taking pills.

After this episode, never again will try using trex pills for preventative purpose. This is how it affected me. I don't even bother with the pills anymore, takes to long for the reults to abort.

Title: Re: Well I am back
Post by Mr. Happy on Jan 25^th, 2005, 11:29pm

The whole pill approach sucks. Did it for several cycles, thinking this was the Bee's Knees. It's not my fault. I didn't know any better at the time.
Sometimes, pills are the only option, thank you very much insurance company. If you chew pills, then Imitrex should be the last choice on the dance card, unless you know it's the only one that works. There are lots of other triptan pills out there that take just as long to work, and they ALL have a much longer half life..........see: sleep for 6.

Quote:

right now I'm oxygenless.

This is an indignity which none of us should have to endure. Even as we speak, EBay is alight with regulators and E tanks, some of which will be in my grubby little mitts within the fortnight. I am personally committed to the Right to Oxygen for all CHeads, on demand.

Victory or Death,
RJ

Title: Re: Well I am back
Post by Gator on Jan 25^th, 2005, 11:52pm

David, welcome back. Seems you have found what works for you, at least for now. 6 months ago I was using Zomig NS to abort but had to change insurance companies which forced me to switch to trex. I was needlephobic at first, too. Trust me, after you've done it one time the mystery and the fear is gone. I used the stat dose kits at first and the trex tip from the left. I experimented and found I can abort an attack using 3mg. I could either get 4 stat dose kits or 10 vials a month from the insurance company. The math was easy. 4 more shots using the vials. So now I use the vials and 30 guage .5cc short needle syringes. It's a heck of a lot easier measuring a dose than guesstimating using the stat dose and no reusing of needles. I hardly feel a thing except relief coming down in like 5 - 10 minutes. To quote a very old phrase: Try it - you'll like it. LOL

Good luck and PF2U,

Gator

Title: Re: Well I am back
Post by davidj35 on Jan 26^th, 2005, 10:38am

Thanks for all of your input. My Doctor is clueless and hadn't even heard of chs till me, I was the one who had to tell him about O2. He is prescribing what I guess are the easiest scpripts to figure out (O2 and trex). I would love to know more about other triptan pills. I can't get enough of the nasal spray to cover a whole day and night, my Dr. will only prescribe 200mg per day per the insurance company so that is why I am using the 50mg pills. While in cycle I can get 6 to 8 a day ranging from 5 to 10 on the Kip. Also can someone please tell me about the rebreather mask, I just have a regular mask that seems to work okay but if something works better I am all for it. PF to all. Thanks

Title: Re: Well I am back
Post by JoeS on Jan 26^th, 2005, 3:01pm

Quote:

tell me about the rebreather mask, I just have a regular mask

Not sure what you mean by regular mask. The kind you want is a "non-rebreather," which essentially forces you to breathe 100% oxygen. Here's a pic:

http://www.headachesupportgroups.com/oxygen/nonrebreather.JPG

The bag at the bottom is the key. It should have a one-way valve over it that allows you to breathe oxygen from the bag, but doesn't allow your exhaled air to go into the bag. The tubing comes in below the valve and fills up the bag with O2. The flaps on the sides of the mask are also "one-way" in that they allow exhaled air out, but don't allow outside air in.

Hope this helps,
Joe