Posted by Todd (216.199.4.230) on May 06, 2000 at 20:45:09:
In Reply to: Welcome Dave C posted by Dave H on May 06, 2000 at 19:32:11:
Sorry to contradict you, but this is a pet peeve of mine.
Imitrex tabs work within 10 - 15 minutes for me, 20 at the outside. The trick is to read your shadows and take it before the actual cluster hits.
At $13/tab, none of us wants to waste one, so we tend to wait too late. It took me several years and a few cycles to 'read' my head, but it is well worth it. The tabs are every bit as effective as the injections, but FAR harder to use correctly. I know I've wasted a few on shadows that would most likely never convert to clusters, but I consider that cheap insurance.
For me, the process goes this way:
I get a shadow. I fix and drink some strong coffee. If the shadow continues to build, I know a cluster is coming. So I take the tab. Then I fix a damp washcloth with icecubes inside. As soon as the Demon strikes, I put the ice on my temple and start pacing. I keep the ice on until the cold hurts so bad I can't stand it (which helps distract me from the cluster). Then I keep it on some more. I've also tried heat, but couldn't figure a way to keep the whatever hot enough long enough, so I went back to ice. I've microwaved damp washclothes, but to work they have to be too hot to hold.
My opinion (and it's just an opinion) is that the drowsiness isn't from the Imitrex, but from the mental, physical and emotional exertion used to fight the Demon. I'm plum wore out, even after a 10 minute attack.
KTSSU,
T