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New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Imitrex Nasal Spray
(Message started by: SLanegan on Feb 7th, 2005, 9:27pm)

Title: Imitrex Nasal Spray
Post by SLanegan on Feb 7th, 2005, 9:27pm
Hey everyone.  Been a cluster head for almost 10 years now.  The devil just hit me again last week after leaving for over three years.  Went to my doctor and he gave me the Imitrex Nasal Spray instead of the shots.  I don't like it because I can taste it in my throat.  

Couple of questions:

1)  Any way to not taste it in the back of the throat?  I know this sounds weird  (the last thing I need during a visit by the devil is a nasty taste that makes me want to puke) but, after taking the spray I turn myself upside down so the drip stays in the nose cavity.  Is this stupid or what.  Doesn't quite work when I am doing a dance though.

2)  The med info that comes with the spray said not to take more than two doses in a 24 hour period.  I used to take a shot every time (3 - 6) times a day back a few years ago.  I know that I wasn't supposed to.  Can I continue to take the spray every time I get an attack, or do I need to lay off it and only use for a Kip scal 7 or above?  

What do you all think?

US Army Master Sergeant

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal Spray
Post by E-Double on Feb 7th, 2005, 9:33pm
If you prefer the shots tell the doc to give you the shots!!

If you do go back to them there is a trick many of us do to extend the injections.....see the imitrex tip to the left....Very helpful...

Haven't used the spray pretty much for the reasons you mentioned.....Tried it once and stayed with the injections...

Too much use of triptans can be hazardous but all in all it depends on you......Not a doc  ;)

Best to ya

Eric

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal Spray
Post by bigred on Feb 7th, 2005, 9:46pm
  master sargent.  I Have also used the nasal spray with little controll. They want you to plug the opposite side of the nose your putting the spray in and at the same time breath in thru the bad nose and out the mouth lightly. This is easier said then done when your in a kip 9. Its almost imposible to not get it running down your throat or out the front of your nose where it becomes useless. Stick with the injections. Their is little room for error, At least thats what I have found.
   Good luck
Bigred
 

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal Spray
Post by Kevin_M on Feb 7th, 2005, 9:48pm

on 02/07/05 at 21:27:53, SLanegan wrote:
1)  Any way to not taste it in the back of the throat?

Well, it seems after using it, the taste is going to happen.  Try not to sniff so hard, you don't want it down in your throat where it then goes to the stomach to get into the system.  You want it absorbed by the membrane in your nose for the fastest route.  Just tilt your head back a bit and breathe just slightly more than a usual inhaling breath.  Don't snort it.  This is just for for a better effect, the taste, well, just try to keep it in your nose, that's what counts.  If you feel like it after it's all done, gargle.  



Quote:
2)  The med info that comes with the spray said not to take more than two doses in a 24 hour period.  I used to take a shot every time (3 - 6) times a day back a few years ago.  I know that I wasn't supposed to.  Can I continue to take the spray every time I get an attack, or do I need to lay off it and only use for a Kip scal 7 or above?

Personally, I've used it more than twice a day, double that at least.  Look into getting a better prevent and also O2 for good help and use the trex for when it seems to persistantly keep returning stronger.  That will help you more.   It's possible longer cycles can result by using too often.  But when you need it, you need it.  It would depend on your reaction, but I've found it relatively a safe drug otherwise.   Depended on it many years but now a good prevent, O2, and the trex when needed is better than the trex n/s alone, by far.    

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal Spray
Post by SLanegan on Feb 7th, 2005, 9:53pm
Thanks Eric, BigRed and Kevin for the advice.  Eric, I read the trick, might give it a try, I hate needles, but when I get my attacks, hell anything is better than the pain of the eagle talons.  I am going to give the spray another chance as that is pretty much my only way of getting my meds for now.  Will experiment more in how to inhale the meds through my fricken nose.

Thanks

MSG

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal Spray
Post by vig on Feb 7th, 2005, 9:54pm

on 02/07/05 at 21:33:48, E-Double wrote:
If you prefer the shots tell the doc to give you the shots!!

If you do go back to them there is a trick many of us do to extend the injections.....see the imitrex tip to the left....Very helpful...
Best to ya

Eric

http://www.kdlltd.com/vig/partialImitrexShot.jpg
;;D

Title: Re: Imitrex Nasal Spray
Post by Damon on Feb 8th, 2005, 12:28am
SLanegan,
    I have used both the sprays and the shots. I am a chronic and it got to the point where I had to use two sprays per HA and was still lucky if it killed a Kip 5-8. My experience has been that the shots are much quicker and effective.....10-15min.....and gone with none of that wiped out feeling after.
   Hope this helps,
                  Damon



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