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NeilB CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 22 England Gender:	Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 8:26am I got some Sumatriptan from the doc thinking, it must work, everyone on here swears by it. But it doesn't touch my pain at all, is this 'normal'? NSAIDs, especially Naproxen, seem to reduce it a bit, so it's back to them, I suppose. Neil
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lorac CH.com Old Timer Offline Imagine Posts: 433 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Reply #1 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 8:38am have you tried Zomig?
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seaworthy CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Posts: 706	Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Reply #2 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 8:40am I have never heard of imitrex not being at least marginally effective for CH. Do you have a CH diagnosis?
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gizmo CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Posts: 522 Germany Gender:	Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Reply #3 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 9:18am Imitrex injections or tablets?
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Marc Ex Member Gender:	Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Reply #4 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 9:20am That is very unusual. Generally, the Triptan class of medications work far better than NSAID's for Cluster Headaches. NSAID's can be quite effective for some other types of headaches, but almost useless against Cluster Headaches. Marc
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NeilB

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Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all
Reply #5 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 9:43am

Thanks for the replies...

lorac : No, I haven't tried Zomig, but I have tried Maxalt, another triptan, and it was similarly ineffective.

seaworthy : Yes, I am diagnosed with CH – seen 2 neurologists. But yes, I am surprised (and disappointed) how ineffective the Sumatriptan is. I’m seeing the neuro again in November, he may be interested that Sumatriptan didn’t work. Verapamil does help though.

gizmo : Tablets.

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MPMIII CH.com Veteran Offline Posts: 112 Alabama Gender:	Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Reply #6 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 10:17am Talk to your neuro about getting the injections. The pills are far to slow to combat CH. Best of luck. Regards, Malcom
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gizmo CH.com Hall of Famer Offline Posts: 522 Germany Gender:	Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Reply #7 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 10:37am What Malcolm said and also make sure to get Oxygen prescribed.
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bejeeber

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Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all
Reply #8 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 12:16pm

NeilB wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 9:43am:

Tablets.

Tablets. There's your problem.

The fact that you're here asking questions is a good sign, because you do have to take matters into your own hands if you want to deal with this condition effectively.

Doctors routinely prescribe ineffective stuff, so it's necessary to go in there having done your research and let the doctor know what you really need.

Fortunately you came to the right place to find out what actually works. Here are a couple links for starters:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

For an abortive the Imitrex pills are a joke, you need the injections, and non - rebreather mask high LPM O2 should probably be your first abortive to use, with the imitrex handy as a backup just in case.

As far as a neurologist who prescribes imitrex pills for CH is concerned - I suggest from now on you trust him. As far as you can throw him. Might wanna try another doctor, and not wait til November.

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« Last Edit: Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 12:25pm by bejeeber »

CH according to Bejeeber:

Strictly relying on doctors for CH treatment is often a prescription that will keep you in a whole lot of PAIN. Doctors are WAY behind in many respects, and they are usually completely unaware of the benefits of high flow 100% O2.

There are lots of effective treatments documented at this site. Take matters into your own hands, learn as much as you can here and at clusterbusters.com, put it into practice, then tell this CH beast Jeebs said hello right before you bash him so hard with a swift uppercut knockout punch that his stupid horns go flinging right off.

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MJ

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Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all
Reply #9 - Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 11:01pm

NeilB wrote on Sep 23^rd, 2009 at 8:26am:

But it doesn't touch my pain at all, is this 'normal'?

NSAIDs, especially Naproxen, seem to reduce it a bit, so it's back to them, I suppose.

Neil

Hi Niel.
Never tried the tablets.
Sumatriptan (immitrex) injections did nothing for me either. They dont work for everyone.

However the naproxen, (wich I am a believer in for some of the CH side symptoms), may be a greater benefit in combination with the tablets as it is now being combined for those who have poor results with sumatriptan. be carefull.
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

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MJ

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Pixie-elf CH.com Hall of Famer Offline I've tried the rest, and busting is the best! Posts: 517 Beaumont,Tx Gender:	Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Reply #10 - Sep 24^th, 2009 at 1:49am You should read this post by Batch. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or It may explain why you have CH, and trex ain't cutting it.
Back to top	As far as I'm concerned, cluster busting has been the best treatment I've tried. No migraines since I started it, and my hits have gotten so much better. Wanna know more? Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or It's saved my life. IP Logged

NeilB CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 22 England Gender:	Re: Sumatriptan (Imitrex) - no effect at all Reply #11 - Sep 24^th, 2009 at 7:14am Thanks MJ and Pixie-elf, both interesting reads. N
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