I have been taking the stat-dose for years in the gluteal region, am notice people are taking them in the arm, stomach, hip, etc.  Does one area offer quicker relief than another?  The pain factor of where I give my shot doesn't matter to me personally, but if one area gave quicker relief, then I would try it.  

I have only used two locations for the injection.  My thigh, and my stomach.  The thigh worked best for me, so I have never tried the stomach again, nor the arm.  WAIT a minute!  I DID use my arm a couple times!  (I was in public, and didn't have shorts on, so I thought it MIGHT be wise, not to pull my pants down ...)  I had forgotten about that.  I didn't notice any difference in using the arm, verses the thigh.  I just find the thigh easier to use.

As a side note, I discovered that if you inject the shot, in the valley between the two muscles (I have no idea of the names) (the front muscle, and the back muscle) (the valley between the two, on the outside of your thigh) you don't even feel the injection!  I have to look to make sure that the needle went in!

The one time I did use my stomach, I didn't think it worked as fast.

But then the above, is just me ... YMMV ...

Chck

To me, it's either the thigh (spelling?) or the front of the upper leg which appears to give the quickest relief.

As Chuck states, I also only use the arm when in public.

The upper arm seems to be a little faster for me but the thigh is very close to the same and the stomach seesm to be the slowest.
  I use my upper arms the most but I only use half the stat dose and save the other half(see imitrex tip to the left) without using the stat dose pen I've found it hard to inject in my leg the skin seems tougher than the arm or stomach.
      Phil

Thanks for posting this about Imitrex. I have just got my Imitrex auto inject stat kit and have not used it yet. Chuck, I found that valley on my thigh you were talking about, and if and when I need to inject that is where I will do it.

always the arm.  I'll also make a fist and release it many times rapidly as if I was donating plasma.  It is suppose to help things flow quicker

side of the upper part of the thigh for me-  I believe the same place that chuck is describing.  It is a fatty part for me , so i rarely even feel it-   I just go into the bathroom , pull down the pants and there you have it- relief in 5 minutes....  Although working up the courage to jab yourself the first time is pretty intense,   I now feel like an old pro-

Kelly

The one place that didnt work for me is my stomach. The actual fluid had a hard time going in and left a nasty bruise. I use my arm. Its easy and effective. and remember you can get at least 2 doses for each needle (3mg worth)

Be careful with the auto-injectors, first off when you place it against your thigh...the instructions tell you when you push the button...to hold the button for 5 seconds for all the medicine to dispense.

What they don't tell you is its like a shot of lightning or what I would imagine a bullet to feel like...and was so unbelievably painful...I screamed so loudly... I was not prepared for that.

Its now my "last resort" of a med. I will do an Imitrex pill first, SubQ with a .5ML needle 2nd then my last resort.

Site aside, you get used to the needle pokes...but the shots of lightning I don't think one can ever get used to.

Good luck.

One more example of "your mileage may vary!" ;)

When I was using the auto injectors, I'd push it against my butt cheek and push the trigger. It was more of an itch then a sting, couldn't really feel the needle. Which is good because I HATE needles! The only sensation the med gave me was the "snakes up the back" feeling as that stuff rushed to my brain!

Joe

Have you tried using oxygen to abort CHs? This doesn't have any issues with needles and is a whole lot faster than using sumitriptan tables. Using a non-rebreather mask and 25lpm I can kill mine off in under 5 minutes.

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I have only ever used my thigh - any where on the thigh will kill an attack in 5 - 7 minutes for me. I have never experienced the pain reported by DaronB. Just a quick sting, much less painful than injections I've had at the doctors in the past, and compared to the cluster headache it doesn't even register on the scale. No side effects for me either. Just blessed relief.

I am doing a lot of travelling very soon, starting this week end, so like ClusterChuck I may give my arm a try to preserve my modesty.

Well, since no one has mentioned it, I use my calf. I do this because Imitrex is my abortive of choice when I am in public. It's easy to push up my pants leg and either use a syringe (not generally when in public) or the autoinjector. Works fast as always and its quite discreet. blessings. lance

Auto injectors in the shoulder were my place of choice for as long as I can remember, but often found myself with blood dripping down my arm; so I switched to the stomach once I figured out the Imitrex tip and spared my wardrobe from stains ;)

A 2mg shot with the help of an insulin syringe or auto injector pulled apart using a Qtip pushing the med gently into the skin about 1 inch away from the belly button.  Easiest to sit down when doing this.

Either way, shoulder or stomach, I can abort within 1 minute or less; but the stomach is much more comfortable and easier to get to.

-Gregg in Las Vegas