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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Migranol
        
(Message started by: FramCire on Jan 12^th, 2006, 10:59am)

Title: Migranol
Post by FramCire on Jan 12^th, 2006, 10:59am

Anyone used this stuff?

It is very expensive but my specialist wants me to try it and we are trying to get the insurance company to cover it. This specialist is a FP who specializes in Headaches so I am trusing he knows what he is doing. He says this stuff should help with the HAs for 24 hours per dose.

Anyway, I will be trying the nasal spray first. Jusr wondering if anyone had any experience, I am in the midst of a HA and looked thorugh a few pages and lost my patience trying to find a thread on this stuff.

I know this is a migrane medicine usually, but as I said, this guy is a headache speciaist and he wanted to try this (with my verapomil (sp?)) as a first line to try and get my sleep during this cycle.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by brewcrew on Jan 12^th, 2006, 1:11pm

Worked for me for awhile, but I replaced it with Maxalt as an abortive. The nasal spray made my sinuses feel like they were packed with concrete.

I'm sure it would still work, but I found something that was even more effective without the nasty side effect.

I haven't had to use either in over a year.

Bill

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by FramCire on Jan 12^th, 2006, 1:22pm

Migranol is supposed to work for 24 hours. Maxalt has never worked for that long for me. Did it for you?

DId you use Maxalt the dissovlable or the pill?

Also, Migranol can be invected too.

For you, did it work for 24 hours?

I am hoping it will work for at leats 9-10 hours so I can sleep at night.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by Karla on Jan 12^th, 2006, 2:40pm

Migrinol was the first med my dr had me try. When I went to the pharmacy to get the perscription filled the pharacist called it an old, dirty drug. Said there were alot newer and better ones out. He recomended Imitrix, Maxalt, Axert, Amerge, and Frova. Last 24 hrs? Never heard that and it only last me for 2 hours then the next attack came on. But Imitrix works that way for me also. Amerge and Frova are suppose to last 8-24 hours. And are promoted as such. I just can't believe migranol would last that long for ch with repeated clusters throughout the day. Try oxygen! see link <==
on the left side there for oxygen info. It is natural and great stuff to abort a ch. Good luck!

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by BK on Jan 12^th, 2006, 3:05pm

The nasal spray worked the first time I used it and I didn't have another ch for about 24 hrs then it didn't work on many repeated tries.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by FramCire on Jan 12^th, 2006, 3:15pm

This is my 2nd episode of CH, so I have tried a few things but Tuesday was my first meeting with this specialist. I have an O2 tank. I have tried many triptans and I have been on Verapomil (sp?) and Topamax. This guy runs a Headache Clinic and is on a bunch of headache boards and stuff and he is taking me off of Topamax and wants me to try Migranol.

He said it should last 24 hours but it can be repeated 1 time if needed.

This is the 1st drug he wants me to try that I havent. I am staying on the Verapomil as well and use the O2 if I get any HAs while on the Migranol.

Anyway, his nurses are in a fight wiuth my insurance Co over paying for the Migranol right now, so I might never even try it anyway.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by E-Double on Jan 12^th, 2006, 3:37pm

I think thats DHE 45......

Anyway from what I gather, DHE can be very effective yet it is apparently better in injection or IV forms.

Good luck.

My days of snorting anything are long gone

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by Pinkfloyd on Jan 12^th, 2006, 3:43pm

Migranal is DHE (dihydroergotamine) in nasal spray form.
It is, as the name applies, an ergotamine. (so don't use within 24 hours of any triptans)
That it is an ergot, it is considered an "older, dirtier" medication. Ergots have been around a long time (hence the old part), and do carry with them, many nasty side effects (hence the dirty part).
They have been around a long time because in many cases they are effective.

I would rarely get 24 hours out of the spray but did for years,, get 24 hours out of the injections.

Bobw

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by FramCire on Jan 12^th, 2006, 3:47pm

He said normally we would go to the injections but that the nasal version should work and since I HATE needles it would be worth trying first.

I will do the injections if the nasal spray doesn't work and after my experince with the Zonig nasal spray (not good), I probably should bite the bullet and inject.

Anyway, my HAs have ramped up and for whatever reason I feel like I have had a constant HA today. I don't know if anyone has had that feeling, but it feels like a constant pain in my head even when there isnt a HA. I can't really explain it.

Anyway, thanks for the input. Anyone else with input..... bring it!!!

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by pam s on Jan 12^th, 2006, 6:00pm

I tried the spray a couple of episodes ago. It killed the HAs if I got to them quickly enough, but it did nothing to prevent HAs. At the time I didn't know it was supposed to reduce the frequency as well as abort.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by Karla on Jan 12^th, 2006, 6:18pm

If the verapamil and topamax dont give you relief take out the topamax and add lithium. There has been lots of success with this combo. Good luck.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by thebbz on Jan 12^th, 2006, 8:58pm

Migranol as I was told by my doc was tylenol with ergotamine, and another pain reliever I cant remember. DHE is ergotamine on steroids. I have been treated with both. The DHE was inpatient IV drip with a detox period before treatment. (Triptans)>:( The migranol was something to try because I had not tried it yet. It was not effective. The DHE IV rates right up there with CH and is the lesser of two evils.
Disclaimer: This is just my opinion as should be viewed in that context. Make sure you have the proper administration of the O2 (Non rebreather mask). Looks like you have been through the most popular stuff, you might consider some of the alternatives due to the failure to find some consistant abortive and prevent.
[smiley=twocents.gif] All the best
jb

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by chewy on Jan 13^th, 2006, 8:10am

Quote:

pharacist called it an old, dirty drug. Said there were alot newer and better ones out.

Phamacist is smarter than the Doc.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by brewcrew on Jan 13^th, 2006, 11:17am

I don't believe Migranol has anything but DHE-45 in it. No Tylenol, no other pain relievers. As always, I could be wrong.

Never did I have the understanding that Migranol was suppposed to work for 24 hours. 4 hours, 6 hours tops. I did go in the hospital for IV DHE-45 treatment once, about 2.5 years ago. One IV dose every 8 hours for 3 days. Wonderful respite - until I got home. 36 hours after my last treatment, got one of the worst hits I've ever had. These lasted for about a week, but since the treatment, my cluster periods have been fewer and further between, and the intensity of the headaches has been reduced. Coincidence? Maybe.

I still abort with O2 and Maxalt, and I take 900 mg of lithium and 240 mg of verapamil daily to keep the beast away. Since the treatment, he's only visited me a handful of times.

Bill

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by FramCire on Jan 13^th, 2006, 11:22am

Normally I would take the Pharmasists word over tha Dr but this guy is a headache specialist and CH is not something I am guessing pharms know much about and I am guessing this Dr is mosre knowledgable than most.

If he says 24 hours, I'll still believe him, even though I don't know why he would say it. HJe did say I could take a 2nd dose if the first didnt last 24.

Anyway, the insurance battle has preventerd me getting it yet.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by brewcrew on Jan 13^th, 2006, 11:27am

I was always told no more than 2 doses in a 24-hour period (because of the stress on the circulatory system), not that one should last 24 hours.

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by sarahmom on Jan 14^th, 2006, 11:37pm

Hey, good luck with the Migranal. When I'm not pregnant lol, it is my life saver. I was first put on it at the Cleveland Clinic as an IV drip in the hospital for a couple days. Then, I came home and wore a pump that administered the DHE constantly, until I was out of cycle. After that, I used the migranal nose spray for a little while until moving onto DHE injections (all as needed). I highly suggest you take something like phenergan/reglan, etc. about 20 minutes or so before you take either one. It helps it pack a better punch, and helps avoid the nasea that comes with it. The nasal spray, as it starts to drain, gives you a big time gag reflex.

I now take the DHE injections (again, take when i'm not preggo lol), and you need not fear. I can not even feel the needle. I give the injection to myself in my belly fat. Relief comes more quickly that way, and less chance of any head problems hanging around. Very seldom do I have to give myself a second injection w/in a 24 hour period.

Over the two choices, I would much prefer the injections. There is one small side effect to the injections vs. the nasal spray. With the injections, sometimes there is a little bit of leg cramping. I'll take a little leg cramp over pounding head getting bruised!!

Best wishes!!

Title: Re: Migranol
Post by FramCire on Jan 15^th, 2006, 12:04am

Thanks for the input.

My Doc wants me to take the nasal spray 1 hr before my 1st nighttime hgeadache starts. Since mine are almost clockwork, that wont be too hard to do (assuming I ever get the stuff...insurance is making it tough..... but I will pay the $200 for 6 doses if need be to see if it works or wait for a sample in 2 weeks).

I have a good amount of belly fat so I might be willing to try the injection despite being a BIGTIME NEEDLE WUSS if the nasal spray is too much. I'll ask about hte other stuff if I get nausua (sp?) . THANK YOU!!!!!

I am not pregnant,, so that is not a worry.

Anyway..... thanks again for the input. I keep hoping this cycle is coming to an end. I am sleeping better these nights and I don't know why but I wont be complaining either.