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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Medicate that first twinge! 
        
(Message started by: Elaine on Jul 26^th, 2003, 5:51pm)

Title: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by Elaine on Jul 26^th, 2003, 5:51pm

I have learned to take my imitrex at the first sign of a cluster. I know how much imitrex is, and I know a lot of you don’t want to use imitrex on a shadow. Every shadow I ever had led me to a cluster. I have been able to go days without pain just by talking my meds as soon as I feel that twinge.I use the imitrex tip a 1/3 of a shot Doing this has helped me lead a normal life. If its o2 you use get on it even with a shadow. Don’t fool around you will find you have more time for other things. I believe a shadow is our body telling us "DO SOMETHING NOW BEFORE ITS TO LATE!"

People who cannot take imitrex do what helps as soon as you feel the first twinge. Put ice on your head. Go take a cold shower. Try taking three to four Excedrin Migraines (don’t laugh it has taken the edge off for me a time or two when I had nothing) Take motion sickness pills before bed. Use a nose spray for that stuffed and runny nose. Do what ever you can to stop that pain but start with that first twinge! What ever helps you do it at the first sign?

The longer you let it go the harder it is to stop.

If you take a preventive Please make sure you take it on time every time.

It took me a long time to do this but I did and I learned I can go and do anything if I take my meds right.

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by catlind on Jul 26^th, 2003, 6:43pm

Yes Mom. ;D

You've been partnering with DJ on this movement haven't you? LOL

Today, when I got hit, I got on the O2 right away, and then went back to the puter. Didn't stay on long enough apparently. It came right back, and I tried to hold off.

After I finally got it aborted, Clark had this very long lecture for me.

He said "I bet each and every one of you that waits is a female and a mother?" Then went on to say, "you see, men are problem solvers, so when it starts to hurt, we just go ahead and take care of the problem right away, instead of saying I can wait, then running around going ow ow ow ow ow ow."

He then went on to say "Just because you women have babies, and CAN shit out a watermelon doesn't mean you HAVE to...so why do you insist on enduring the pain when you don't have to!!!!!!!"

Men and Mom's sheesh ;)

Luv ya lady

Cat

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by Hooter on Jul 26^th, 2003, 6:53pm

Elaine

I am with you on this one. I cannot prove but am pretty damn sure that I have blocked quite a few full blown attacks by taking Zomig when the shadow starts. It does sweet f.a. for me when the attack actually hits though. Then I hit the Imigran or 02 as fast as I can. The bugger is of course that my worst ones (like I'm sure most of you) have built up while I was asleep so are pretty full blown by the time I am launched vertically out of bed!

Hooter

P.S. I use the Zomig 'cos it is handed out like sweeties here, where they guard Imigran as if it were Gold bars in Fort Knox

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by Mark C on Jul 26^th, 2003, 7:49pm

Thanks E,
I am preparing for my fall visit now. This will be my first go round attempting to abort with 2 or 3 mg instead of the usual 6. O₂ is in the arsenal this time also! I am very glad to hear hitting it at the first sign of attack works. From I have read and my own experience with full shots the sooner the better.

Onward through the fog!
Mark

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by Linda_Howell on Jul 26^th, 2003, 7:57pm

I agree Elaine and when I had that awful head banger in NY it was because I told myself it would go away and did nothing. Then it was too late to do anything but try to make kindling out of the head-board.

oh, and Hooter? Imitrex/Imagran IS like gold bricks at Fort Knox. When Randy gave me 6 nasel sprays of Imitrex, not only did I cry but I also realized that if he had given me a 4 carat diamond ring, it wouldn't have meant as much.

Linda

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by Roxy on Jul 26^th, 2003, 8:37pm

Now Mom....I know you aren't talking about me....are you? ;D

You know I would never, ever wait........ ::)

You give good advice lady, and yes....I will start listening, but just cause I love ya!

Strange, but seems I heard this same lecture from someone in NY too......like Cat said.....Men and Mom's....gotta love 'em...... :-*

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by suzy617 on Jul 26^th, 2003, 8:57pm

Last year I only had the imitrex pills but I would pop that sucker the minute I woke up with the slightest pain. It always goes to a 10 for me so I dont mess around waiting. This year my injection will lay next to my bed and I will use it ASAP.
Never waiting suzy...
BTW...How YOU doing?? ;D

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by klp on Jul 26^th, 2003, 10:00pm

elaine. your timing is perfect. i just got on to post the question when do you take your shot. the minute i read your post i grabbed my imitrex and just injected. hope it helps. guess only time will tell. krista

Title: no pain
Post by rumplestiltskin on Jul 26^th, 2003, 10:03pm

Agree...almost 99%...right now...cause the Vera party has ended for me and every twinge is a sure-fire CH.

Butt.... in the past 2 years with Vera working...I was able to toy with the beast...delay action... my O2 had cobwebs on it....even aborted some with simple exercise. They just weren't ramping up the scale and were easily aborted or disappeared all by themselves.

Butt again... right now... I've just received samples of the new Frova and Relpax...so I'm trying to determine if they are gonna become part of my arsenal. This takes weapons testing. I take only the new pill and....pray. No O2...exercise...vinegar...ice...hot sauce....sex...or the kitchen sink....Very scary stuff, butt it's my way of giving a good trial to the new meds...whatta life.

...of course I get pissed if Georgia delays anything! I can take it...butt I don't wanna watch her take it.

Good Grief
den

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by Edna on Jul 27^th, 2003, 12:24am

Thanks Elaine, good advice gal.

And, Cat......tell Clark not to worry......not ALL women are that way......tell him there's one here in LA that is a big weeny woman when it comes to my ch pain.......hit, medicate = instantly for me

although this cycle may be a little different since I will be armed with O2 for the first time ever when it comes.....know I may have to "play around" to learn the right way...so.....

I sit waiting for the no good beast visit that's due this year .....bummer
:(

pf wishes to all
EDNA

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by badfly on Jul 27^th, 2003, 3:16am

Err ... dont wanna sound lame and err well stupid, but if the Imitrex is causing rebounds and prolonging the cycle (some useful tips I found hear), might it not be prudent to say that after a cycle has reached its peak at some point one should try to grin and bear it and detox oneself ?

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by Elaine on Jul 27^th, 2003, 7:39am

There seems to be different opinions about rebound headaches. My doctors seem to think rebounds are more from use of over the counter drugs.
I myself use imiterx and can say that i don't get as many cluster attacks as I did before I used it. I can also say that I have a much better life because of it.
I use imitrex for my clusters and my migrains. There are days I get hit back to back but not very many. I don't think they are rebounds I just think they are part of my clusters.
I don't take much over the counter drug the only way I use them is for a reg headache or I don't have imitrex.

My motto is I anit going to hurt if I don't have to. By taking my med at the first sign I don't get the full blow cluster so I don't have to remedacate. I have found that when I wait, it takes more med to stop it. I use a thired a shot with that first twinge, if I wait till its on me. I have to use more than a thired.

For the people who use O2 that doesn't cause rebounds at all. So they are safe.

As a 24 year chronic my best advice is med at first sign, keep the cluster away and you won't have to use as much. I can go days at a time now without getting hit.
After getting hit every day for all those years I love it, and it took this site to learn it.

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by catlind on Jul 27^th, 2003, 8:42am

According to our neuro and researcher Dr. Bigal, Imitrex will NOT cause CH rebound. They have proven that part of it. What happens with rebound, is if you have another type of headache as well, migraine, and you use daily imitrex, you could end up with chronic daily headache, it will not increase the frequency of the actual CH though, just other headache types.

If you end up with rebounds, it is his opinion, that your doc should be treating you for the rebounds as well as the CH and not eliminate a treatment because it may cause rebounds in a patient.

OTC meds will also cause rebounds, and as far as I was told by Dr. Haas, Naproxen Sodium (aleve) is the only otc that does not cause analegisic overuse headache (rebound).

Just my .02 worth

Cat

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by Jackie on Jul 29^th, 2003, 11:30am

Good post, E.....
I've always believed that needless suffering is foolish....now if I could just get Blake to hit the air at the first "twinge".....sometimes I swear the man is in denial....bless his heart :'( And...it looks like we're getting ready for another round at our house....damn!!!

Jacks 8)

Title: Re: Medicate that first twinge!
Post by ruskus on Jul 29^th, 2003, 12:02pm

First time using Imitrex, and I always hit the CH at the first twinge. I use 50mg pill during the day and injection if during the night. Imitrex has been a lifesaver. Also asked my doctor about rebound and she said not a problem with Imitrex. Coming to the end of my episode. Hurray.