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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> How long to wait for relief?
        
(Message started by: findjoshua on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:02am)

Title: How long to wait for relief?
Post by findjoshua on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:02am

Hello. I have posted before re the meds I take for my clusters, which currently are Maxalt-MLT and Immitrex nasal spray. I have an appt. with my doc to get some oxygen and also discuss other meds which I read about on this site. Although I've gotten clusters for years it seems I have neglected to realize that 5 minutes in a headache seems like 30 minutes. So I tend to take the trex or the maxalt initially when I feel it and freak out and just take another dose like 10 or 15 minutes later when the pain feels like it's just getting worse and worse. It's only since I've started chatting on this site that I've been looking at the clock when I feel the pain coming and keeping tabs of how long it lasts etc. Bottom line is I'm curious what other people's experiences are with how long immitrex and/or maxalt take to work for them. So far, the nasal spray is my best bet. I'm hoping oxygen works too when I get it. Hope this post makes sense.
.
Joshua

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by nani on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:26am

I can't use triptans anymore, but I think 10 - 15 mins later is too soon. You shouldn't use both within 24 hours either. Triptans are vaso-constrictors, and you don't want to constrict too much...it could be dangerous. Have you tried oxygen? You could always hit it first, and follow with the nasal spray if needed.
JMHO
pf wishes, nani

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by zanychef on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:46am

it should be at LEAST one hour between doses of triptans!
i know when i used 'trex it would make the HA worse for a little while (i liken it to the veins constricting all over the body first and in the head last) i dont know how quick the maxalt is but think it is slower acting than trex so maybe leaving it that little bit longer (hard as this maybe) to allow for it to work properly??
just my HO
Ian

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by Margi on Nov 28^th, 2005, 12:03pm

:o

Your doctor should be SHOT for allowing you to mix triptans at ALL!! >:(

It's VERY dangerous to mix triptans, especially that close together like you are doing. We have a member here who suffered a heart attack from doing what you're doing! PLEASE BE CAREFUL!

As well, repeated use of Imitrex has been known to increase frequency of attacks - my husband sure noticed it. I sure hope you can get some oxygen and get it quickly - it is a very effective abortive.

I'm sorry to hear that you're having a rough time, and I do understand your desparation in trying to stop your pain. I'm just trying to let you know that you could be causing yourself MORE pain with the way you're using the triptan meds. I also remember a case of someone using imitrex repeatedly and they ended up in ER because of excruiciating abdominal pain. :( It's a constrictor. It totally shut down his stomach and he very nearly died.

Until you can get the oxygen, try ice bags, frozen peas, anything cold....also drinking ice water can help.

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by Mr. Happy on Nov 28^th, 2005, 12:34pm

Josh, you shouldn't be waiting for a triptan to kick in. You SHOULD take the triptan of choice, then IMMEDIATELY get on O2. The triptan can take it's good old time kicking in, while you beat the CH into submission with canned air in a few minutes.

Order a Clustermasx (http://clustermasx.com) today, no questions asked. Just do it. If the doc won't give you a script for O2, call a local commercial gas supplier and rent O2 tanks from them. Don't wait on a doc or anyone else. Never tell the wleding people you're inhaling the O2.......you can always play stupid and tell them you're going to learn how to use a cutting torch for an art class......you don't know WHAT it's all about, just that you need to supply your own oxygen with a standard 540 connection.

Order that Clustermasx (http://clustermasx.com) immediately, and then get thee to the oxygenery. If you need a regulator, I've got a box full and can have one in the mail the next day for under $20 in most cases. You'll be huffing happily in no time.

Breaks over. Get to work, man.
RJ

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by findjoshua on Nov 28^th, 2005, 2:53pm

Thanks. Am def. getting o2 asap. My doctor didn't recommend I mix, I just happend to have both prescriptions from different periods of my cycle. I use only one in a 24 hour period (one type that is.)
.
Either way, I'm not waiting long enough before I take 2nd dose, that's pretty clear. Thanks for all the advice, seems like o2 is my next great hope :)
.
Re the cold, it's weird, sometimes cold, sometimes hot helps. The only thing that seems 100% is that I'll get the headaches, the rest is all degrees of maybe.
.
Joshua

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by unsolved1 on Nov 28^th, 2005, 3:12pm

Imitrx injections take about 7-15 minutes to work for me.

UNsolved

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by BlueMeanie on Nov 28^th, 2005, 11:46pm

I use the Trex shots. (They work way faster). I found that if I take them too soon, sometimes it doesn't work and I have to go back for more. :(

The best way for me is to have the shot out and ready to go. Wait until the CH ramps to 5-6 KIP scale range, then jab. It usually will kill the CH in about 10 minutes or so. You're right though, it seems like 1/2 hour or more.

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by Kevin_M on Nov 29^th, 2005, 12:13am

on 11/28/05 at 11:02:36, findjoshua wrote:

the meds I take for my clusters, which currently are Maxalt-MLT and Immitrex nasal spray.

So I tend to take the trex or the maxalt initially when I feel it and freak out and just take another dose like 10 or 15 minutes later when the pain feels like it's just getting worse and worse.

I'm curious what other people's experiences are with how long immitrex and/or maxalt take to work for them. So far, the nasal spray is my best bet. I'm hoping oxygen works too when I get it.

With the nasal sprays, catching it early is important. Waking with it already going, the wait for a n/s can be long in catching up, ice packs, and several are required while it does get worse. Catching it too late with a nasal spray has gone 40 minutes for me but at the time, the only hope. Daytime hits caught early can go 15-20 minutes. Those nights are over, I got the O2 and the Clustermasx. It backs it down much faster.
Until then, with the n/s - ice packs kinda helped for me, it was something.

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by chewy on Nov 29^th, 2005, 6:51am

Imitrex injection at onset. 3-5 minutes.

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by TxBasslady on Nov 29^th, 2005, 2:00pm

Print out the information on the 02, and take it when you see your doc, if you think it would help to insure his approval.

Pay close attention to the flow rate needed in order for the 02 to work successfully. If I recall, it's between 12 to 15 lpm. Anything less may not do the trick. This is important if you are depending on a Rx from your doc. He/she needs to stipulate the flow rate.

Randy is definitely the go-to person for the regulators, if your doc is not willing. Ben's clustermasx appears to be the ultimate, so by all means, click on that link in Randy's post.

Good luck with your doc visit.....let us know how things turn out.

Jean

Title: Re: How long to wait for relief?
Post by findjoshua on Nov 30^th, 2005, 8:29pm

Hi all. I did get the 02 (high flow) and I got Verapamil too. I posted elsewhere in this group tonight about insurance and o2 and what others' experience has been with that. I'm pretty confident I will be able to get it covered though.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! More to come as it happens :)