Hi, and I'm sorry for everyone who must suffer with these diabolical headaches.  I have been getting the cycles for over 40 years, but nothing ever worked for me until I found Imitrex, and the injection works within 6-8 minutes; but here are my questions:

1) I'm well aware of the 2 injections within 24-hour rule, but I changed that rule to 3 a few years ago, and though that doesn't happen often, I was wondering if anyone else is pushing the envelope?  I'm sure most people have reached the point where they almost didn't care, you just need relief!!

2) On occasion, I haven't located my injection properly (I use my thighs), and some of the medication flows down my leg.  This does not seem to alter it's effectiveness however, which leads me to think that smaller doses might be better, especially if that would permit extra injections!  I'm prett sure I wrote a letter regarding this to GlaxoSmithKline years ago, but never received a response; comments anyone?

3) I've had all kind of difficulty on occasion with insurance companies, trying to get the medication. One company decided that a 30-day supply was 4 injections!     Other times, after my doctor's intervention, I was given way more than I could possibly use, which brings me to my next question regarding expiration dates.  I'm guessing that many people have used it past the exp. date, but I'm wondering how far??  I know that I've used it at least many months after, and it has always worked.  Also, I've heard that when medication gets older, it does not get dangerous, it just loses some of it's potency, but since lower doses seem to work anyway, that shouldn't be a problem.

4) Since the injections are so precious, I don't use it until I'm absolutely sure that I need to!  Sometimes, I'll load up the injector, clean the site with an alcohol swab, and place the injector on my thigh, but not fire, and the beast subsides. My question is, can you place the medication back into the holder, and reload it again at another time, or should you just leave it loaded?

5) Lastly, though the medication works quickly for me, most times the pain intensifies after the injection, until finally subsiding a few minutes later.  Is that common??


Thanks for viewing and any insight you can provide.  And may you all find relief!!   

I have only a little experience with imitrex, and it was all positive. Worked great for me. Read the imitrex tip on the left, it'll show you how to get more bang outta each shot! And several people have posted of using expired trex and it worked fine.

That being said....read the oxygen info tab on the left. Works as fast or faster then imitrex, way cheaper and no side effects. I still keep Imitrex around in case I get caught without my oxygen, but oxygen is far and away my first choice.

Does your doc have you on any kind of a preventative medication? Verapamil, Lithium, Topomax? The idea being to reduce the number of hits so you're not always having to abort attacks.

Welcome to the board, danged glad you found us!

Joe

During my last episode I used some that were over TEN years old. They worked fine.

You came to the right place to ask these questions Neil17, because that imitrex tip Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or is really going to save you as it has me.

Just a couple of observations.

I quit using the thigh and now find a spot above the belt to the right or left side. Don't feel a thing. Be sure to keep the needle in a full 5 seconds.

I have used injections as much as 8 years out of date without a problem.

After your CH episode is over, keep the prescriptions coming and build up a stash. See if you can get a parallel script for the nasal spray.

Use O2 as much as possible to keep the Imitrex daily use down. Most of us have probably blown the 2 or 3 a day limit at one time or another, or another.