Hello all,

I'm new to the board and extremely happy to have found this site. I have been diagnosed with Cluster Headaches by my neurologist after I was referred to him by my primary physician. They did a catscan and all they could tell me is that I had CH's. I been having this horrific pain for years now but it only came once or twice every so often (months apart) and I was just dealing with it. I finally went to the doctor, got diagnosed, and it all make sense now. I know exactly, maybe to a lessen degree after reading some of the more severe symptoms, what most of you are going threw and I commend you for the site.

Here is my first post and my first question. The medicine I was prescribed (Zomig 2.5mg) is nowhere mentioned on this site and I was just wondering if anyone has heard about it. I'm now starting to wonder why they prescribed that after my CH diagnostic. Any feedback from the board would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help on this matter.

J

Hi and welcome. Zomig is a drug that is part of the triptan family. Zomig has two flavors: regular tablets, and oral disintigrating tablets.

The reason you don't see it mentioned very much here is that neither kind of tablet is very effective for CH... because it takes too long for your body to absorb it. Of the two varieties, the oral disintigrating tablets would work faster.

Chances are that your neurologist doesn't know much about cluster headache medications, or is one of those overly cautious types.

I would give it a try. And if it doesn't work then go back to the neurologist and inquire about Imitrex injections. They work in about 5-6 minutes for me.

Also request a prescription for Oxygen which works for most people as good as Imitrex or better, with no side effects. It has to be prescribed and used properly to be effective though (see the "oxygen info" link on the left side).    

Hi J, welcome aboard, we're glad you're here...only sorry for the reason.

First, read ALL the oxygen links..might just eliminate a whole lot
of consternation over all the meds...

Second, there is another version of Zomig...a 5 mg nasal spray.
When the O2 doesn't work, it's a sanity saver for me...

Best,

Jon

Go ahead and try it, J.  It's best to use any abortive as soon as possible when you realize you are getting hit.

Did the neurologist talk about a preventative?  There is so much to learn about cluster headaches and most of us take information to our docs.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

Glad you found us! I have seen several people post of success with the Zomig nasal spray but never tried it myself. Do read the oxygen info link on the left. Amazing the success people are having with aborting attacks using the 02. I can stop an attack in its tracks in 6-8 minutes using oxygen. Cheap, no side effects and works well.

Joe

I'm currently on the 2.5 mg regular tablet Zomig. This medicine works but it takes too long to react although is a huge step forward from when I was just taking Tylenol. I was so naive not knowing what I had that I was just taking regular aspirin.

I'm interested on the nasal spray now since I read this post (thank you Jon), it sounds like it would work quicker. Awesome feedback, thank you everyone.

J

Hello,

         Zomig was the best thing that ever happened to me for about 10 years. All it would take was about 15 minutes and the CH was gone. But the last cycle it didnt even touch the pain, and then i found oxygen and imetrex. Life is good.


                          Coach Bill

Hello J and everyone else. My name is Drew and am brand new to the site. Ive been suffering from clusterheadaches for 5 years. I also take zomig, oral disintegrating. and topomax for long term?? It doesnt work nothing does really. i dont have access to oxygen so i just ride out my HA which never turn out good. As for zomig. it works good. you just have to take it qick enough enough or it becomes useless.

give it a shot although i would ask for 10 mg. 2.5 may be to weak... depending on severity

tiredguy27 wrote on Jun 11^th, 2009 at 10:25pm:

give it a shot although i would ask for 10 mg. 2.5 may be to weak... depending on severity

Hi Drew and welcome,

PLEASE...read the O2 threads....left, top, ALL over...there are alternatives to the standard suppliers. Without O2, I would not have the bit of sanity I possess...

Re Zomig...if you are gonna use...and I do as my LAST resort...and I do consider it a miraculous salvation...it's gotta be the nasal spray. Some, but few, find relief with the tabs...it takes too damn long...not so with the spray.

As you say, "timing is everything"...a tab aint gonna do it...

Best,

Jon

Welcome to the board Drew. Do check out the oxygen link. I remember the horror of riding these damned things out for the 45-90 minutes they'd keep ahold of me. With 02, 6-8 minutes and the beast is gone. Beats the hell out of the 90 minute dance!!!

joe

I take the 5mg tabs and they work great for me. As soon as I feel like the beast is coming on, I take one right away.

Lebowski wrote on Jun 12^th, 2009 at 5:28am:

I take the 5mg tabs and they work great for me. As soon as I feel like the beast is coming on, I take one right away.

That is the most effective way to use zomig.  I would try O2 first, but if you're going to go the triptan route, then the 5mg zomig tablet is the absolute best triptan abortive I've tried.  I get rebounds from the nasal spray zomig, but usually have quite a bit of pain free time after taking a 5mg pill.  As far as zomig pills not being effective, I know several people who use it, have had great success with it and wouldn't dream of ever going back to trex again.  I've been using zomig 5mg pills for about the last 7 years and can state for a fact that CH doesn't have nearly the negative impact on my quality of life that it used to have when I was using imitrex.

J/Jarot,

Having a triptan bail-out abortive is always a good idea in case you're trapped away from your oxygen or on an airline flight...  I've tried the zomig dissolving tabs and nasal spray.  I think the generic imitrex nasal spray is less expensive...

Call your neurologist and have him write you an Rx for oxygen therapy.  The guideline suggestions for doing this are on the Medications,  Treatments,  Therapies board under "Obtaining a Prescription for Oxygen Therapy."

Check your PM InBox.

Take care,

V/R, Batch