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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> trying frovatriptan as preventative
        
(Message started by: zanychef on Oct 20^th, 2005, 10:30am)

Title: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Oct 20^th, 2005, 10:30am

hi all
after recommedation from helen i've started taking frovatriptan as a possible preventative 2.5mg a day to start ,will see if it gives me longer between hit (currently 10 a day) ,if yes then i will up to max dose of 2x 2.5mg per day but will loose the safety net of trex then thank god for o2!
will keep posting whenevr i'm at home to let you all know how it goes
zany
p.s. although its prescribed for migranes maybe they'll do us some good for once lol

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by lionsound on Oct 20^th, 2005, 11:43am

on 10/20/05 at 10:30:38, zanychef wrote:

Hi zany,
I'm taking a guess that by what you wrote above you already know not to mix triptans. *phew*:)

Still, I'll state it here for good measure...do not mix triptans within 24 hours of each other.it can be very dangerous, resulting in death.

I hope this helps you catch a much desreved PF break!
Please keep us posted.
Be well and PF,
lionsound

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by thebbz on Oct 20^th, 2005, 11:13pm

Bump Lionsound
Wait at least 24 hours between and only under the supervision of the GP.
Switching Triptans can work when one other fails to abort. Lived it. Works sometimes
jb

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 20^th, 2005, 11:34pm

on 10/20/05 at 23:13:02, thebbz wrote:

Bump Lionsound

Geez, I hate to see anything need to be bumped in this section, our one last bastion of true help and faith.

Frova, as a preventitive, will either work, or it won't. If it works, then you need an insurance plan that will give you enough to make it worthwhile. Pretty tuff sell.

If it doesn't, you wait a reasonable amount of time before you use another triptan prevent, if that's your choice.

Great time to look into the Zyprexa, non-triptan alternative, since you're already running the trial route. A few more Olanzapine reports would be most welcome. No idea how it relates to triptan use. Bob J and Eric have been using it pretty successfully. One's old, the other reads right to left. What more could you want?

Beta testing's hard work.
RJ

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Lizzie2 on Oct 20^th, 2005, 11:40pm

Actually it shouldn't be a problem for Zany to get enough Frova as he's in the UK. They don't have to worry with prescription plans hehe

My neuro and I are about to embark on the fight to get my 60 Frova a month out of blue cross. That ought to be fun. In the meantime, I'm stockpiling by refilling my prescription as much as I can and trying not to take it as often as I need for now.

That's our next step if the Lyrica fails. Dunno how long Lyrica takes to work....not doing anything yet, but I'll keep hoping.

Frova works great in preventive fashion for me most of the time. Every now and then, the beast and severe migraine break through, but I've found the Frova to be extremely helpful! :)

Best of luck!

Carrie :)

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Oct 21^st, 2005, 3:05am

you're right about it not being a problem getting my meds as it is covered in our health service ;;D
took first dose yesterday and had a reasonably good night , only on o2 twice ;;D
could be coincidence could be them will wait and see.
according to PG 2 diff.triptans in a day is ok as long as the 2 doses are not overstepped
pfdan to you all
zany
p.s as i work away from home i e-mail my requirments to my doc he then posts the scrip for me to take to local pharmacy how cool is that!

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Lizzie2 on Oct 21^st, 2005, 11:39am

Very cool about your doc being able to post your scripts if you email! That's nice. :) I can call my doc's office and they can do the same for me, but it takes about 2 weeks. As I work on the same floor as the neuro office in the hospital, I can always just stop by if I need a script! hehe

If it were me, I think I'd try to ditch the trex ASAP and rely on the Frova and O2 if you find the Frova working! I no longer use any fast-acting triptans now that I have Frova...however, with my insurance, I can currently only get 18 tabs a month. So I only take it twice a week when I work 12 hour days. I also have Amerge which I can take twice a week when I work 8 hour days! LOL Just be careful - even if PG did say it was okay to take both as long as the doses don't overlap, I would still use with caution!!!

The good thing about Frova is that it appears to be relatively benign as far as triptans are concerned. My neuro told me that there's nothing in the literature showing that Frova would not be safe for long-term preventative use. I guess time will tell as more people use it that way!

Take care,
Carrie :)

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Oct 22^nd, 2005, 3:18am

i haven't had to use a full shot of trex since starting on the frova 2/3rds actually and that in two days!!
long term use i'm hoping shouldnt cause a problem either
just keeping my fingers crossed here
thanks for the support
zany

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Kateeast on Oct 23^rd, 2005, 6:44pm

I found that waiting for my nighttime attack before I took Frova always gave me a good nights sleep. I used 02 to abort. If you find (like I did) that the hours become shorter between attacks, leave off the Frova for a few days then resume for better results.

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Oct 24^th, 2005, 9:19am

i havent used any terx for 2 days now ;;D
o2 as abort 3 times
the frova is helping i think but will wait a month before i am sure cutting down on verap too ;;D
keep all posted
zany

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Karla on Oct 24^th, 2005, 2:25pm

I used frova and it was only effective for two hours for me and then the beast would come back. I found it as effective as imitrix and skrewed over the rest of the day because I can't take any more meds.

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Oct 27^th, 2005, 2:24pm

first week up on the frova all went well till i forgot to take it yesterday :-[ before i was still getting hit but down to about 3 per day ;;D
today 7 so far :'( took it again tonight but shadowing bad) so will wait and see some more
zany

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by thebbz on Oct 27^th, 2005, 10:16pm

:) Keep on the fight ZC. Hope the demon hates the Frova.
jb

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 27^th, 2005, 11:23pm

on 10/27/05 at 14:24:26, zanychef wrote:

first week up on the frova all went well till i forgot to take it yesterday

Bzzzzzttttt.
Soldiers don't forget their guns.
Surgeons don't forget their scalpels.
CHeads don't forget their meds.

5 yard penalty. Illegal procedure.
RJ

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by TxBasslady on Nov 1^st, 2005, 6:56pm

on 10/27/05 at 23:23:01, Mr. Happy wrote:

Bzzzzzttttt.
Soldiers don't forget their guns.
Surgeons don't forget their scalpels.
CHeads don't forget their meds.

Just like American Express.....Never leave home without it.... Never, ever forget to take it....it does you no good, if you don't use it.

I took Frova....till I learned that the Kudzu worked for me. I haven't taken a Frova pill since sometime last January. My Doc had me take it at the start of a CH...more of an abortive... than a preventative. I did take it like a prevent a couple times. However, at the high cost of $190.00 for 9 pills....I decided to forego the prevent method.

Jean

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Nov 1^st, 2005, 8:26pm

amazing the price difference! my gp pays£16.20 for 6!
still they aint doing chit as a prevent at ath moment :(

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Mr. Happy on Nov 1^st, 2005, 11:01pm

on 11/01/05 at 20:26:57, zanychef wrote:

still they aint doing chit as a prevent

Heard that once or twice in the past. Good immediate success, then it peters out. And if missing one dose renders it ineffective, it's time to think about Plan #2.852. Hope it works for you for the remainder; still, planning is everything.

You always have your CMasx (http://clustermasx.com),
RJ

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by TxBasslady on Nov 1^st, 2005, 11:01pm

Zany,

Ya know...we're all so different. The Frova may not work for you. You may have to try something else.

When I took the Frova as an abortive, it never lowered the pain level of the CH. It did shorten the attack timewise though. My normal CH would last an hour to hour and 1/2. The Frova cut that down to 18 to 20 minutes. My CH always comes at night....and usually by the time I would wake, it was too late to stop it anyway.

I will say, that the best sleep I ever had, was the sleep that came after a CH that I treated with the Frova.

I sure hate that you're having a rough go. Lots of vibes to ya...and plenty of hope that things get better for ya, sweetie.

Jean

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Jasmyn on Nov 1^st, 2005, 11:54pm

You hang in there and take your meds like the good boy you're supposed to be! ::)

Hope it keeps on working but if it doesn't do what that Happy man said:

Quote:

it's time to think about Plan #2.852

;;D

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Nov 2^nd, 2005, 3:20am

actually i'm on plan 3,128.5 ;)
still here still posting coz i NEVER EVR GIVE UP ;;D

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Beastfodder on Nov 2^nd, 2005, 6:28am

Very interested in seeing how you get on - heard about Frova being a good tip the other day through one of the guys at OUCH UK.

I'm in cycle now and whilst clusterbusters and O2 are giving me the best defence I've yet found - Frova would be my next choice if it all goes terribly wrong.

Apparently it lasts a fairly long time in the system compared to Imigran and as such offers a route to a sleeping through the night.

Best of British in getting the beast back in its box.

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Nov 2^nd, 2005, 6:36am

hi beastfodder if you read my last post you'll find it isnt working that well as a prevent nor am i getting much sleep:( but then as we say horses for courses)and what doesnt work (long term) for me might be worth a try for you ;;D
i'm going back to my drawing board :-/
ian

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by theoldboiler on Nov 2^nd, 2005, 9:36pm

Ian

I experimented with Frova in my last cycle which was my most vicious yet and found the first time I took it , it seemed to block well and I got 8 hours sleep afterwards. It then didn't work so well and I had a horrible "triptan hangover" feeling from it as well as attacks.

I now reserve it for emergencies when I need a short term block. Towards the end of the cycle I had to attend a very emotional wedding and reception and I used it successfully to block off attacks for the duration of that.

It now sits in my armoury with 02, Imigran and Zomig as an option, not an answer.

Wendy

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Beastfodder on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 7:22am

Interesting thread - certainly doesn't seem to be a golden bullet for the headaches then, triptan rebound headaches etc. Still I've caught more headaches this year than ever before with shrooms and O2, couple I've had have been less than half the normal two hours in length tho closer to kip 9 than 8 - just six more weeks to go hopefully and no really nasty meds.

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by LeLimey on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 7:41am

I use it in the same way as Wendy, it will give me a day PF - or has so far - but it does come back to bite me on the bum. You have to weigh up what its worth though and sometimes knowing I'll have a few hours PF is worth it.
There are others though who I know who use it on a daily basis and are having tremendous success with it which just goes to prove our first commandment that "Wha works for one doesn't work for all and vice versa"

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by zanychef on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 9:30am

think i'm just going to use it for when the workload is heavy

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 11:52am

That's what I do. I take it on days I work 12 hours.

I don't get bit on the arse after it though. I do get a blast of a return of my migraine and CH after it wears off, but were I to take a 2nd dose in the evening then, it wouldn't be that way.

I'm still considering it for prevent as it's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Too damn $$$$ though!

I certainly do love Frova :)

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Wendy on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 12:23pm

Still unsure how this works? If you take as preventive are you off other preventives? Or do you take as needed? Or can you take along with verapamil til you know? I know you can't mix triptains. Keep the info coming guys, please

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by pubgirl on Nov 3^rd, 2005, 12:46pm

Wendy

It isn't a true preventive like Verapamil is as it only works, if at all, as a short term block i.e. hours because it remains in the body longer than most other triptans

You can take other prevents with it, but you need to be careful of taking any other triptans with it as you will be "layering" i.e. taking a different triptan while the Frova is still in your system and risk possible overdose.

I took an Imigran jab a few hours after the Frova when an attack broke through and 02 failed and I felt bloody awful, but Imigran makes me feel bloody awful anyway so it might have been that. This wasn't advisable by the way but I was desperate and had "lost it" at the time and hubby couldn't bear it any longer and passed me a prepared jab and I used it.

Wendy

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by Wendy on Nov 8^th, 2005, 8:03am

Seeing my GP today, next week a new neuro . Question? What form does the Frova come in? Injection or pill? I am in cycle but getting the M's too! Anyway I thought I would ask for that today to deal with the M's and hopefully my CH is backing off somewhat. Anyone know?

Thanks :)

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by phydeaux on Nov 9^th, 2005, 1:59am

I tried Frova for three weeks, working up to the level my doc wanted. ALl to no avail, as after several weeks at that level there was no noticeable difference in the attitude of the beast. So we moved on to other things.

Hope you all have better results than I did with it...

Title: Re: trying frovatriptan as preventative
Post by pubgirl on Nov 9^th, 2005, 2:11am

Wendy

Over here it only comes in pill form and the brand name is Migard, I think it is just called Frova over there

Wendy