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New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
(Message started by: cwp2002 on Oct 20th, 2004, 6:13pm)

Title: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 20th, 2004, 6:13pm
Had my first Imitrex injection last night.  I started to sweat, then my heart started to race. My chest started to tighten, and I had this real funny tingly feeling in and around my ears.  [smiley=huh.gif] My headache stopped after about 20 min but theses symptoms persisted for about 45 min.  And here is the hell of it, The devil woke me up in the middle of the night Pissed off and hotter than the hinges to the gates of hell. I called the doc and he said stop taking it. try maxalt.  I was more than a little disapointed because I was really excited about being able to abort the HA.  I didn't have the O2 yet but they delivered it today. I guess I'll try the maxalt... Has anyone had this happen? how about Maxalt.?  by the way, 50 bucks a shot was worth it to spend some time with a little hope.

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by marcus on Oct 20th, 2004, 6:28pm
I was given imitrex a while back and it didn't do nothing for me but make me have an anxciety attack.  I hate that stuff, I'll never take it again, didn't do nothing for my headaches and pain.

In His Love,
Marcus

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by Jonny on Oct 20th, 2004, 6:31pm
First time I took trex I got a hot tingly feeling in my face, the more I took it the less I had that feeling.....But, the more I took it the more HA's I got.

Get on the 02 as soon as you feel the slightest twinge.....Thats the key with 02

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

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 20th, 2004, 7:00pm
Jonny,...........

what do you use to abort besides o2?  

Oh By the way, The doc said something a little strange: He said that Clusters if untreated could cause an anyerism ( spelling, I know)  Scary thought HUH?

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by lionsound on Oct 20th, 2004, 10:02pm
you know not to mix triptans within 24 hrs of each other, right?

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by karma on Oct 21st, 2004, 7:20am
I've never heard of a CH causing any ism other than pain and desperation. Possible? maybe, but unlikely.
Any of the triptans may cause more ha's
    02 is great, trying to stay realxed during a hit works for me. Its real hard to accomplish sometimes but slow,deep breathing from the dyaphram and concentraing on staying relaxed works for me. It seems that the more out of control I get the longer the hit lasts. I drink lots of cold water during a hit and breath, breath. It doesn't stop the pain but i does lessen it and shorten the hit.

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by jmorgan52 on Oct 21st, 2004, 8:23am
Sounds a bit like my first imigran inj. I had been getting my mind around to trying it our for a long time and was quite anxious because of all the possible side effects noted on the leaflet. I also felt wierd. But.... the nexy time was ok and every time after was ok. Id it didn't kill you the first time it is probably ok. Just make sure you or your doc are not just over-reacting. It did abort your headache so maybe give it anmother try?

My experience with Maxalt was useless. I tried it several times and it did nothing. The last time I took it right at the start of the CH and the pain just ramped up until I was in agony an hour later. I then got out the inj in desperation and 10 mins later was feeling great again.

John

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by jmorgan52 on Oct 21st, 2004, 8:24am
Sounds a bit like my first imigran inj. I had been getting my mind around to trying it our for a long time and was quite anxious because of all the possible side effects noted on the leaflet. I also felt wierd. But.... the next time was ok and every time after was ok. If it didn't kill you the first time it is probably ok. Just make sure you or your doc are not just over-reacting. It did abort your headache so maybe give it another try?

My experience with Maxalt was useless. I tried it several times and it did nothing. The last time I took it right at the start of the CH and the pain just ramped up until I was in agony an hour later. I then got out the inj in desperation and 10 mins later was feeling great again.

John

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 21st, 2004, 9:19am
Nobody said a thing about not mixing triptans in 24 HRS.  Thanks doc!   I think maybe I will try the Imitrex again. But hell  it wasn't long after and the HA came back with a vengance.  Last night THe O2 and Maxalt Just pushed My HA off Untill This Morn. I had to have my wife drive me in to work while I was busy trashing my eyeball.  At least this time it wasn't back and angry like the night before. Although this is the First A.M cluster I have ever had.  ( way to start the day, at least I don't look to stupid pounding coffee, cup after cup in the A.M.)

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 21st, 2004, 9:44am
called the doc, He doubled the dose of verapamil and put me on depacote? What is that?

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by vig on Oct 21st, 2004, 10:06am
Depakote is an antiseizure medication (Epilepsy?)
Divalproex Sodium.
http://depakote.com/dephome/dephome.htm

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by dafreeman on Oct 21st, 2004, 10:26am
Had my first Imitrex shot last night and unfortunately (or fortunately – however you want to look at it) had my second one this morning at work. Both times the HA was completely aborted!  :D I do feel more side effects with the shot vs. the nasal but (for me anyway) it's well worth it. I get tingly arms and feel hot but it goes away after 5 - 10 minutes (along with the dagger through the head). I also found out that I'm covered for O2  [smiley=sayyes.gif]! So, I'm going to the Dr. today to get the ball rolling on that.

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 21st, 2004, 1:10pm
congrats on that freeman,
My first bottle was covered by ins but same thing the O2 and maxalt moved my HA to the AM. Called the doc asked about a portable O2.? He said cool go for it called INs they say No way!  SO I have a call into the local O2 dealer and the fire dept. to see if I can pull a few strings. we shall see!

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by dafreeman on Oct 21st, 2004, 2:06pm
Good luck getting the portable. I just hope the process of getting the home O2 goes smooth for me now....I'm really looking forward to giving it a try.

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 21st, 2004, 4:37pm
Yeahm, O2 is Schweeeeet,. ;;D

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by don on Oct 21st, 2004, 5:09pm

Quote:
He said that Clusters if untreated could cause an anyerism


He should share that little insight with the rest of the world.

Through all the Docs I've used, good and bad, not one has mentioned that.

Of all the sufferers I've known over the years not one has developed an anyerism.

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 21st, 2004, 6:41pm
You know that little tidbit of info scared the hell out of me.  I am not defending him but I could see that happening, Because I do some really stupid stuff during a HA, not to mention my Heart rate goes up, I don't breath, I Hold my breath and push, All kinds of crazy stuff I know I shouldn't do. But Hey what do I know. Doctor Muskrat (As I call him) Has Had a grand total of 7 Ch patients in 10 years in two offices.   He has a ton Of experince!

Title: Re: Imitrex, good for you, bad for me!
Post by kcorrigan on Oct 21st, 2004, 7:07pm
Same here. My DR (family doctor for 16 years) said that I am only the 3rd person he's ever treated with CH. I love him to pieces, though. He's one of those amazing DR's that lets me tell him what's wrong with me and what I'd like to try to do to treat it, esp. with my HAs. He's at a lost and just learning as we go. Needless to say, I had him refer me to a neuro at the Cleveland Clinic for a 2nd opinion.



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