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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
        
(Message started by: UnsolvedEquation on Aug 27^th, 2003, 6:01pm)

Title: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by UnsolvedEquation on Aug 27^th, 2003, 6:01pm

I'm leaving out for MHNI in the morning. They already said I would be admitted into Chelsea Hospital for awhile. They seem to believe that it's possible that my 'chronic' stage is being cuased by Imitrex rebounds. They want me to stop taking it ... or at least cut way back. Has anyone else been to Chelsea? Will they give me narcotics instead to control the pain? This whole thing doesn't sound like a very good idea to me. Has anyone else heard of Imitrex causing rebounds HA's ? Wish me luck ... I may be in for a WILD RIDE ! :o :'(

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by Cooked Brain on Aug 27^th, 2003, 6:19pm

Hi Un Eq,

YES, injections CAN cause rebounds. As far as the wild ride is conserned: I think they will put you on prednisone and or lithium (probably in combination to verapamil). At least, thats what the neuro had planned for me if the verapamil hadn't worked for another week. Luckily it did though...

It's quite a heavy treatment and the reason that they are taking you in is because they have to keep a close eye on you and your blood has to be checked every day. Hang in there, you'll be ok...

Hope you will do well, see if you can find a friend to update on the board when you're gone

best of luck to you

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by Mark C on Aug 27^th, 2003, 8:23pm

You may hear many opnions on this but research points to no.....
Thirteen patients suffering from episodic cluster headache were asked to record the characteristics of their attacks and drug intake for 1 year. All reported a high daily frequency of attacks (more than 3 per day) and the related overuse of s.c. sumatriptan. The results show that the overall incidence of adverse events among patients receiving sumatriptan injections for the treatment of cluster headache is low. The extended administration of this drug in episodic cluster headache did not result in tolerance problems or tachyphylaxis. (http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/medications/imitrex_rebound.htm)

And here....

Subcutaneous sumatriptan (6mg) is the drug of choice in abortive treatment of a cluster attack. It has a rapid effect and high response rate. In CH, unlike migraine, subcutaneous sumatriptan can be prescribed at a frequency of twice daily, on a long-term basis if necessary, without risk of tachyphylaxis or rebound. (http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/general/management_of_ch.htm)

You will find some seem to suffer rebounds and some not. I hope not!

PFDAN's
Mark

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by OneEyeBlind on Aug 27^th, 2003, 8:36pm

My GP, when I started using the Imitrex injections more than once a day immediately ordered the O2 as a substitute. I started using that and tried to skip the Imitrex. Worked for me. She thought I was having rebounds, I thought that my cycle was coming to an end and the headaches just came more frequently but with less intensity. Ah well, I used the O2 and things worked out for me. Just a happy clusterbud !!!!!! I love my GP !!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by UnsolvedEquation on Aug 28^th, 2003, 1:08am

Thanks for your input people. Thats kinna what i've been hearing lately...mixed thoughts on the subject. Some say yes it can cause rebounds and others say no it can't. All's I know is i've done thousands of shots. An average of 3 a day and as many as 8 a day for a LONG time. Docs told me once, I had had a heart attack but later said no I didn't. They say I'm gonna blow my heart up if I keep it up. They also say it may be what's fueling my LONG bout ( 3 yrs ). Lithium i've done ( twice ) with no results. Prednisone ( @ 50 - 60 mg / day ) will work, as long as I don't go down on the dose. O2 is no help. The ONLY thing that works is 5 mg of Imitrex subQ. ( unless I'm tore up by Stadol or Demerol ). DHE 45 works... for 48 hours. I could keep going. I'm just kinna wondering 'what's next?'. Guess i'll find out soon enough...I'm heading for MHNI and Chelsea hospital in 3 hours. I'll post a message when I get back and let ya all know what happened. Until then ... PAIN FREE VIBES coming at all of ya ! :)

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by Roxy on Aug 28^th, 2003, 1:12am

All I can say on this subject, is that when I use a lot of trex...I seem to get hit more. Whether it's the trex or just a heavy cycle, I don't know. When I go off the trex, the hits seem to slow down.....but it makes life hell with no shots.

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by UnsolvedEquation on Aug 28^th, 2003, 1:21am

For me ... no shots = no life. no shots = ER visit. There is no such thing as no shots. I don't go ANYWHERE with out. CAN'T. It's a disaster waiting to happen.

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by 2late on Aug 28^th, 2003, 5:32am

too much trex definatley caused me rebounds! good luck to ya! .............Jack

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by Patrick_A on Aug 28^th, 2003, 5:52am

Ditto what 2late says.
The more imitrex i used, the more CH's i got. Vicious fugging cycle!
Prednisone and Verapamil cocktail exclusively has eliminated all my CH's. Tapering down to nothing for the Pred. now.

PFDAN, Patrick

Title: Re: Can Imitrex cause rebound HA's ?
Post by jonny on Aug 28^th, 2003, 7:14pm

There is alot of data saying Trex dont cause rebounds but all I know is that when I take the shots I get three times the HA's thats why I dont use them.

.................................................jonny