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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Anyone have experience with Actiq Lollypops on CH'
        
(Message started by: Dallas_Denny on Sep 6^th, 2005, 12:55pm)

Title: Anyone have experience with Actiq Lollypops on CH'
Post by Dallas_Denny on Sep 6^th, 2005, 12:55pm

Just completed an almost 14 week cycle the end of June and during that time I was referred to a pain management doctor. He prescribed Actiq (active ingredient is fentynil and is FDA cert for break thru cancer pain) and said he has had great success with it for CH sufferers. Of course, UHC declined coverage!!!! Anyway the Doc fought the battle for me and they have now approved the script for a year @ 30 lollypops /mo ($585.00!!!) but thought I'd see if anyone has any experience with them before I fill it.

Thanks,
Dallas_Denny

Title: Re: Anyone have experience with Actiq Lollypops on
Post by Karla on Sep 6^th, 2005, 4:10pm

Talk to your dr about using the duragesic patch (fentanyl). I get 2 boxes of 5 patches each. I put on one patch every 3 days. I was chronic having 8ch/day for several years. I have been pain free for about 3 years now. I have gotten my life back due to these patches. I don't feel high or doped up either and can fully function. I would ask my dr to go this route because it has got to be cheaper and you will have around the clock coverage. To me 30 lolipops wouldn't have done me any good getting 8 ha a day. I would run short before the months out. Maybe that isn't your situation. Good for you then. Plus I hate the taste of the pops and there is no taste in the patch. There are a small few of us who use the patch and have had wonderful pain relief. My insurance had no complaints paying for the meds as long as it keept me out of the hospital and HR. Good luck.

Title: Re: Anyone have experience with Actiq Lollypops on
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 6^th, 2005, 7:06pm

Hi Denny,

Welcome. It's rather hard to answer your question without knowing more about you. For example, how long have you been diagnosed as a clusterhead? What other abortives, preventatives, etc. have you tried? What about Oxygen therapy - have you tried that?

I mainly ask, because most clusterheads prefer to avoid heavy-duty drugs and narcotics (and most knowledgeable neurologists do too).

If this is a last resort for you, you might try searching the archives. A number of clusterheads have tried this therapy when all else failed.

Sorry you're suffering. Sending PF Wishes,

Kris

Title: Re: Anyone have experience with Actiq Lollypops on
Post by CHTom on Sep 6^th, 2005, 11:54pm

Actiq is an excellent abortive for break-through pain for some sufferers, especially since you are using the fentanyl patch-no mixing of different drugs. Good luck and PFDANs.