hi there just found out that its ch that i have got..doctor gave me sumatripan nasal spray today without seeing me.its going to be the first time i have ever taking anything except pain killers for ch. and im a bit nervous about taking it tonight as it says on the leaflet not to be taken if your a heavy smoker. which i am. so can anyone advise..thanks alan....

I've actually used them on occasion - always with success, never with side effects. I'm not a smoker though.

Injectible imitrex (AKA Sumatriptan, Imigran) is known to be the most "guaranteed" form for aborting CH attacks, and what I usually use, but the wife had some nasal sprays laying about for her migraine prescription and I had run out of injections, so what the hey I gave 'em a go. She believes she had some allergy/asthma type reactions after using them for awhile.

ALthough the injections are expensive, you only have to use 1/3 to 1/2 doses a la this tip: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE, which of course cuts down the expense and risk considerably.

Sorry I don't know anything about smoking and the nasal spray.

Stick around here! This site will probably save you as it has me.  There are lots of ways to combat CH and a person or 3 is sure to post here about the benefits and effectiveness of O2 therapy.  8-)

I've taken the nasal spray while I smoked, but I didn't smoke much.  My doc said it should be fine as long as you can breathe ok but he's not the most competent doc in the world.  You could try calling NHS direct if you're worried and checking the actual guidelines?

I found it didn't work for me but no sideeffects apart from the godawful taste lol.

I smoke like a chimney and use the nasals all the time.

YMMV

For years it has been routine to see warning against smoking if you have CH. However, I've never seen a medical statement of why this warning is useful or needed.

My layman's guess is that this warning arose when CH was regarded as a vascular disorder and, since smoking compromises the health of the circulatory system, it was believed that one should reduces stressors to the degree possible, i.e., don't smoke.

I can only say that I've not seen any science to support smoking as an important risk to CH folks.

I am a smoker (pack and a half a day). 

I have used Imitrex nasal and had no problems with being a smoker.  When it was prescribed, about 6 yrs ago?, my Dr didn't warn me about smoking and Imitrex and I damn sure didn't read the warning BEFORE I snorted that stuff. I was more the relief now and read later kind of person.

I cannot advise yes/no on the smoking and trex.  I can only tell you of my experience.  (and yes, if that's what was given to me to take the beast away, I'd snort first again)

Mightymeaty, take that injectable. I swear, there is no better feeling (except orgasm) than to feel a huge hit take the way to escape. Imitrex all the way I say, and I am sure many here are with me.

Im a 1st time ch sufferer who has been done with my last (and only i hope) episode for about 3 wks. Used a lot of nicotine containing products most of my life and found that anything that had nicotine in it (snuff, smokes, cigars) would bring on a k9 quicker than I can type.
Alcohol also. Glad to report I am sucking on a cold one now but have really cut back on the smoking. It definately helped me. Good Luck

I take oral sumatriptan, and i read the leaflet and worried about smoking and taking them, i asked my doctor, and he said it was fine aslong as i wasnt smoking more than 10 a day.

Wow!! I'm a smoker, and currently on the tail-end of my cycle, and headed for remission. At the peak of my cycle, I'm up to 200mg-250mg of oral Imitrex. My Dr. never mentioned any risks from smoking and Imitrex.  :o

Jeez, I guess I dodged a bullet.