I haven't had a cluster cycle for over 2 years and 2 weeks ago super happy clustertime hit me like a grand piano from a hot air balloon.  I'm used to the Imitrex injections in that grey case that come 2 per cartridge where I can pull them out with my fingernails and inject half of it with a qtip (because you only really need half, and insurance only gives you a quarter of what you need at a time anyway).

So I just filled my new prescription for Imitrex and Whiskey Tango FoxTrot, tower, what are these new pre-filled syringes from Caraco?  The plastic shell looks solid, and I can't get at the little glass vial inside without somehow dismantling the plastic, and not having done this to this particular device before, I'm a little afraid of breaking something I shouldn't.  I don't exactly have an unlimited supply of this magic sauce.

Has anyone hacked one of these magic wands open?

- Barry

I have not, Barry, but it sounds as if the design is intended to prevent "hacking." You can ask your pharmacist to set you up with insulin needles and 'trex vials as an alternative. With these you can control your dosage exactly. I do keep the autoinjectors at hand, though, for when I'm out in public. Less obvious than shooting trex with an exposed needle. Sorry I couldn't help more. God bless. lance

I haven't had the "privilege" of ending up with these yet, but if it is AT ALL possible to "hack" into these, you best believe I'll find out how... one way or another.  ;)

By the way, not sure you've seen this thread yet, but it might help...

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theAnthonyCarter wrote on May 24^th, 2013 at 11:26am:

By the way, not sure you've seen this thread yet, but it might help... START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Being a little bit biased, I assure you that thread will help ;)

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Ok, so I assume they're talking about the ones made by Caraco.  I have to wait until Tuesday to call my new neuro get him his office to call my insurance company to get an override to allow me more shots every month (they only allow 4 per month - fun!) and when I get more I'll dismantle one and take pictures.  I'm not very handy with tools and such, but I  have a Dremel tool I can use.

Sorry I don't know how to hack it.  I'm new to using imitrex injections (used only 2 prefilled injectors so far).

As I read here it looks like I can use less stuff to get rid off pain and it will help to save a ton of money. So I asked the pharmacist to get me know vials in place of injectors. The pharmacist first tried to ignore my request asking for a new prescription but I told them to look at the prescription they had on file. Thanks to this site, I specifically asked my internist to prescribe vial form of the medicine. 

So the pharmacist verified the prescription and told me that they didn't have them in stock but could order for the next refill.  I bought 2 prefilled injectors today as I wait for upcoming CH. But next time I'll have vials.

Sorry that I am of no help but thanks for posting this. I'm learning that half of the stuff could work instead of the whole dose. 

Marsik,
Many of us have achieved abort with only 2mg, which is 1/3rd.  Trial & error, to each his/her own.

-Gregg in Las Vegas

LasVegas wrote on May 28^th, 2013 at 9:53pm:

Marsik, Many of us have achieved abort with only 2mg, which is 1/3rd.  Trial & error, to each his/her own. -Gregg in Las Vegas

Wow. Thanks Gregg! This is great and valuable info as these injections are so-o-o expensive. They work for me, but it does feel like I get too much medicine because I experience quite a few side effects. It really almost knocks me out. It looks like I will be experimenting once get imitrex in vials.

Marsik,
You can experience it now with the autoinjector units we are discussing on this thread.  Read above of what I posted how I hacked into one of these. 

If you can be patient, do it while not in CH attack, and have a multi tool or needle nose pliers, you can do it before you get the vials making most use of your trex.   

-Gregg in Las Vegas

So I plan on trying to disassemble the injector pen made by Caraco. Has anyone done it successfully without trigging the auto-injection mechanism and could suggest somewhat step-by-step directions?

I took the used pen apart so I know what to expect inside. The vial is not glass but plastic. It looks like my main worry would be not to activate the auto-injection mechanism and how to suck the medicine out of the vial.  Here are some pics of the used pen.

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The plastic vial.

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Marsik,
Get the vial out with trex still inside.  Careful not to poke yourself.  So wrap it in tissue or something until you need to use it.

Then when ready to inject, hold the vial in place with needle into your skin entry point, as if it were the auto injector unit. 

Use a qtip to push through the opening of the vial (push out 1/3rd and see how that works, maybe 1/2 if 1/3 doesn't abort) and the trex will do its magic, similar to the Imitrex Trick-yellow tab on left side of screen.

-Gregg in Las Vegas.

:'(

Took the pen apart on the onset of ch. Bad timing, I know but I just somehow decided to go for it in agony. I think I injected half or maybe a tiny bit less than half with a qtip. Usually I get the relief within 5 min 15 min max, well it didn't happen this time.

I decided to give it some time and of course I chose not the best timing for that either...With no one else in the house to help, I, with half open tearing eye, ended up half-consciously giving my little one her evening bath and going through her bedtime routine (l read "goodnight moon" with ch, i think that's kind of impressive. Well, at that time I didn't think this way, I was just hoping not to pass out from pain)

After I put my daughter to bed, maybe 30 min after the first injection, I decided to inject the rest of the medicine. I thought of injecting less, e.g. like additional 1/4 of the vial but the pain just took over me and i decided not to continue with the experiment this time. So I ended up getting the full dose. 15 min later my pain subsided and I fell asleep.

Not sure why the smaller dose didn't work. It could be that I injected the first half late as ch progressed while I was cutting the pen :D or maybe smaller dosage just doesn't work for me. I'm thinking/deciding if I should continue experimenting with dosage or not. Poking myself with a needle twice kind of sucked too. I really wanted to save $ badly and paid for it with some self-torture.

Oh, if anyone needs detailed instructions how to break into the pen and release the vial I can post some pics of where i cut the pen (i used bread knife as a saw and kitchen scissors). The vial extraction was a success. Only I would not know how to store the remainder of unused medicine. I wonder if putting the needle protector back is a bad idea or if it's better/obligatory to use a sterile needle cap? Would it need to be put in the fridge or something.

Marsik,
Patience is tough when attacked, congrats! :)

Sometimes 1/3rd will work and other times as you mentioned, you just want to avoid taking the chance and giving a larger dose.  Don't give up on less of a dosage trial and error.  Rebound are common, so the less trex used the better.

Use something sterile to place your vial/exposed needle in that will also protect you from getting poked.

Glad it helped.  Please do post your photos for others to hopefully learn easily, as this new generic Suma device is something we all are having to now learn thanks to big brother pharma. ;)

-Gregg in Las Vegas

PS  O2 is truly the way to go!  Have you got any yet?

Got a prescription for O2 today.  I'm working on getting the equipment. Dealing with / finding cure for CH is like a science project.

Here are the pictures of what I did to take the pen apart and retrieve and use the vial.  I can attach only one pic at a time.

Pic 1.

I used a bread knife and cut through 2 layers of plastic all around the pen.  See the pic for the actual spot to cut on the pen.

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Pic 2.

Once cut the pen into 2 pieces you won't be able to get the vial out.

I used kitchen scissors to make cuts on the plastic container that surrounds the vial. After that you'd need to remove the needle cover and retrieve the vial.

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Pic 3.

Vial with the needle cap off and the use of Qtip to push the medicine out.

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Hi Marsik,
Great photos. Thanks for sharing with us! :)

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Holy crap that looks complicated.  I'd love you forever if you made a video.

Incidentally, if you happen to be a CH sufferer in the Austin, Texas area, avoid a Neuro named Dr. Petroff. 

Oh, it is actually easy, if you read through the steps and look at the pics.. I actually did it when CH was starting :o

1. Cut the pen in half (as shown) with a bread knife.
2. Use scissors to make cuts on the plastic container (as shown in pic 2), take the needle cap off and release vial.
3. Now you can use inject medicine with a qtip (pic 3). Qtip will be pushing the medicine out (pic 3)

Since this experiment I've ordered vials, not auto-injectors, and will be using those.

You can practice on the used pen too first :)

You were right, it was easy.  To anyone going to try this, I suggest you practice first on a used injector, just to see what you'll be doing.  You don't want to try to cut through the injector completely, just around the shell like Marsik said.  I use a Dremel tool and it's really simple.  Once through the outer shell I pull off the bottom part but save the endcap to protect the needle.  Then it's a matter of CAREFULLY pulling off the top part without hitting the injector button on top.  From there, you can pull the thing apart to get to the glass vial and Qtip half the the happy juice into you.  You can save the rest in whatever's left of the plastic shell and replace the endcap carefully so you don't bend the needle.

I tried asking for the vials by my neuro (whom i've since fired) and the people at the CVS just stare at me blankly. 

also, have them ready, because you wouldnt want to be trying to do this during a hit.  practically impossible. 

vlarg wrote on Jun 16^th, 2013 at 1:04am:

I tried asking for the vials by my neuro (whom i've since fired) and the people at the CVS just stare at me blankly.

I have had Imitrex filled several times and found the pharmacies as clueless as doctors. My insurance will pay for 10 Imitrex shots per month, so in my travels I have picked up...
10 vials (what was prescribed)
10 boxes of 5 vials
10 boxes of Statdose refills (contains 2 doses)

Along with the vials, I need syringes, so depending on the pharmacy I either get 10 syringes, or maybe the next time 10X 10 packs of syringes.  :-?

All considered as 10 as far as they know.

Yes, I can take apart pens, reduced the amount of Imitrex to 4mg, put it back together and take the SubQ injection in seconds while in the dark rocking & rolling with The Beast !! (But I use DHE45 IM injections up to twice daily (PRN) in hopes of preventing any reason for needing an Imitrex injection for a cluster attack)

6 mg of Imitrex is usually too much for me, 4mg works fine.

Detailed instruction from me ??  .... I doubt that. I'm not qualified. Also,  I don't have the same pen as you do. But according to your pictures (Which were great), It looks pretty basically the same thing. Getting the 'pen' itself open to be able to get to the glass medicine container (the syringe) and then using a Q-tip or similar object to push out (X) amount of medication. Simple enough !??! I GOT IT ! You can keep what you don't use in a Sterile vial (pretty cheap) and draw it up at some late time and at any different amount you may require at that time.

Good Luck!

I4B

Disclaimer: I" NOT A DOCTOR and in my opinion you should seek a doctor for questions, comments, concerns, etc.  *Sorry, had to include that nowadays.
[smiley=watchdrama8jm.gif]  Ok, carry on !

Check this out, as I posted back on the OZ CH site, back when:

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Cheers, Ben.