Take a 50mg tab Imitrex / Imigran 30mins before going to
bed ,this is known to help some folk get between 5-7hrs sleep without that wake up call from the beast. But, always be wary your headaches getting pushed forward and getting more attacks during the day. Also this 50mg tab counts as part of your daily dose.

Hoppy.

And taking sumitriptan every night might result in medication rebound headaches too.

Hi Mike,
True. But, "the devil you do the devil you don't"

Hoppy.

I hear what your saying hoppy, the sumitriptan tablets ?
  is that the same as imigran tablets ?
that is basically my only form of defence. I only take the 50 mg one and have only taken 2 at once, once.
this time last year was my nightmare, and my neuro said, just keep taking them, 4 attacks a day, and 1 or 2 during the night, I was taking well over the max permitted, the chemist wouldn't give me any more without a direct phone call from my neuro.  if I took it, at the very very earliest time I first felt a tingle, I'd only get a 15 minute ( kip 10 ) attack  ( I had no idea about 02 at this point )
but to cut along story short, I was told to use the pre-take method you described, when I went to bed to stop the 2.00 am and 5.00 am attacks,  what happened was as mike described, it pushed the 2.00 am one to 6.00am and the 5.00 am one to 9.00am and I still got the normal 4 hits thru the day.  I got the rebound effect happening so bad, it was like ground hog day.   cycle ended 4 weeks later and the next cycle I found batch and the forum.  haven't needed to actually get 02 yet and only taken 1 imigran in the last 4 plus months.
if someone doesn't get the rebounds from that method, that's absolutely fantastic,  but it nearly finished me  LOL

kindest regards hoppy
colin

wrote on Jan 17^th, 2014 at 1:53am:

I hear what your saying hoppy, the sumitriptan tablets ?   is that the same as imigran tablets ?

Imitrex is the brand name in the US, Imigran is the brand in the UK, Australia and NZ, with sumitriptan being the generic name.

Hi Colin,
Yes, Imigran. It's great to hear your going so well, and
getting your life back. For me it's like living in a different
world. Without CH's. Back when i was on Imigran, i had the
same problem with my Chemist as you. So i went to different doc's and Chemist each time to get around it without the hassle. If we lived in the UK it would'nt pose
a problem. You can buy them over the counter at any Chemist.

Best to you, Hoppy.

I absolutely take a imitrex (I'm on zomig now) before a go to bed during a series of CH.  I don't get them very often, last round was almost 5 years ago, but they would come twice a day at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.  This last round was 65 days, but I would take a pill before bed and it worked 100% of the time for me.  I never woke up screaming at 2:30, and my mornings were great.  I didn't do the same for the 11:30 timeslot because I would never know when the series would finish in that case.  The only negative thing I could have done with this method was extend the length as every other series in my life only lasted 30 days.  I doubt it works like this but it has crossed my mind, that it worked out to be the same amount of actual headaches (twice a day for 30 days / or once a day for 60). 
I am back on the site after a long time because I think they are coming again :(.  I am not complaining as I know full well there are so many, if not all of you that suffer so much worse than me - but I am still not looking forward to it. :-[

As for taking a pill before bed, I say go for it - give it a try, what do you have to loose?  It worked for me perfectly.

Good luck,
Brad

Brad wrote,
As for taking a pill before bed, I say go for it - give it a try, what do you have to loose?  It worked for me perfectly.

Hi Brad,
I'm pleased to hear your getting some good zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
and pain free nights.

Hoppy.

I tried that once.pills were all i could get from my gp until I went to my neuro.
My gp wanted me to take a half tablet with 3 or 4 ibuprofen before bed.
Didn't help.nor did a whole one.still woke around 1 am with the urge to shut my head in a car door repeatedly .

I've got one.has anyone ever tried to crush and snort a imitrex pill?

Quote:

Taking a 50mg tab Imitrex/Imigran 30mins before bed has a proven record.

A "proven record" of what?

The validity of ideas like this one, possibly interpreted as "medical advice" should be called into question.

Please show us the clinical trials or evidence based science for your claim. I for one would be very interested to know more. As would my specialist, the principal developer of Zolmitriptan with particular knowledge of the triptan drug group.

I've asked him about this practice in a clinical consult, my specialist does not recommend this practice. I realise some people do this, but generally abortive triptans should be used - as abortives.

Taking oral Sumatriptan at any time, will still leave the body vulnerable to CH attack, within a relatively short period of time.

(In "layman's terms" Hoppy - It won't "buy" you a night's sleep, CH free):


Quote:

After oral administration, multiple peak concentrations are observed, but a concentration that is 75% of the final peak concentration is usually reached within 45 minutes. Total plasma clearance is rapid, with an elimination half-life of around 2 hours

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

The Pharmacokinetics of Sumatriptan are well documented.
Do you know something about the Pharmacokinetics of Sumatriptan that we do not, Hoppy?


Quote:

Pharmacokinetics: the characteristic interactions of a drug and the body in terms of its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. - Journal of the American Medical Association.

Esheel31 wrote on Mar 7^th, 2014 at 9:08pm:

My gp wanted me to take a half tablet with 3 or 4 ibuprofen before bed. Didn't help.nor did a whole one.still woke around 1 am with the urge to shut my head in a car door repeatedly .

The advice of a GP who is suggesting using ibuprofen as part of a CH treatment plan has to be questioned given how ineffective pain killers, even the strongest narcotics, have on CH pain.

I have to give it to him though.he has admitted he knows little about CH.young guy fresh out of school.very smart though. That was my first appt with him.2 weeks later @ my second visit he came in with a binder loaded with info he had researched.found my neuro for me(who is fantastic by the way),started me on the pred taper with verapamil prevent and got me in with the neuro early.called me a couple of months ago and asked if I would be intrested in zomig. I said I try anything to help.later told me he buttered up his pharmaceutical rep and got me three months worth of samples.

I tried it Hoppy after you suggested it to me. The instructions say they shouldn't be taken in advance but what the hell. I'll try anything (almost) once.

I take one at bed time, and it works for me. I don't get away with the CH - they just get pushed back a few hours and I have extra daytime ones, but at least I get a nights sleep. And that helps a lot when you're fighting this battle.

The instructions also say " take one 50 mg tablet. Some people may need 100mg. Do not take more than 300mg in 24 hours". So when I'm having a really bad time I take two. It must be safe or they wouldn't say it.

I have also, on rare occasions when I've been going out of my mind, gone over the reccommended dose in 24 hours with the injections. Two injections in 20 hours instead of 24, so they were still widely spread apart. I've been so desperate that I figure there is nothing I can do to myself that would be worse than this. Although I obviosly would not reccommend this to any one, I had no ill effects.

I didn't know you could get them over the counter here.
Maz.

Hi Maz,
Nice to hear from you and that you are learning all the tricks
of the trade to do battle with the beast. Being a pom i often
pop onto OUCHUK site and i've read lots of good reports about the bedtime nightcap, it was also listed on there treatments and remedies board. That site got hacked last year and there just back up and running now. So now they have to start all over again.You say you get through the
night now without a wake up call i love it. But hears a thought have you tried taking one when you get up to
see if you get some extra pain free time during the day.

Hoppy.

Duh...........didn't think of that. As it happens I think my current bout is coming to an end. I've been PF for several days now, till this evening when I got a K3.It went away by it's self in about 20 mins. The previous one was tuesday, also a short K3. So now I will stock pile a few meds ready for the next time, but I won't need so many now thanks to the 02. But thanks for the suggestion Hoppy. Next time around I'll give it a go.

Didn't know you were a pom. Where from?
Maz.

Yeh, i came here in 1972 as a 10 pound pom. First to Sydney
then worked my way around oz and finished up here in Perth.
Where i met my wife. My home town is Oxford and go there
on regular trips to catch up with my brother and sister. And,
my brother who lives in Switzerland. We shall be meeting up
with him and his wife in Nice later this year. Via London and
Mykonos.

Hoppy.

maz wrote on Mar 8^th, 2014 at 10:45am:

I don't get away with the CH - they just get pushed back a few hours and I have extra daytime ones

Entirely consistent with the drug's well described Phamacokinetics.

Maz wrote,
but at least I get a nights sleep. And that helps a lot when you're fighting this battle.

Hoppy.

Hoppy wrote on Mar 9^th, 2014 at 12:27am:

but at least I get a nights sleep. And that helps a lot when you're fighting this battle.

I really understand the benefit of a nights sleep. It is just a case of weighing up the benefits of the postponing of the CH, the risk of rebound CHs from using a triptan "too often" and since you're limited as to how much triptan dose you can have in a day, being one dose down before you start the day.

So much of CH medication choices is about the risk / benefits / side effects and how you work out what works best for you.

Esheel31 wrote on Mar 8^th, 2014 at 8:16am:

I have to give it to him though.he has admitted he knows little about CH.young guy fresh out of school.very smart though. That was my first appt with him.2 weeks later @ my second visit he came in with a binder loaded with info he had researched.found my neuro for me(who is fantastic by the way),started me on the pred taper with verapamil prevent and got me in with the neuro early.called me a couple of months ago and asked if I would be intrested in zomig. I said I try anything to help.later told me he buttered up his pharmaceutical rep and got me three months worth of samples.

That sounds like you've found a good GP to work with as it isn't too easy to find someone who is willing to admit that their knowledge needs to be increased, then for them to do the research and to also know when it is a good idea to also refer you to a good neuro.

You'll also be benefitting anyone else who has CH who sees the same doctor as they'll be starting from a good knowledge point.

Yes, I still have all the CHs the beast has planned for me - you don't get away with anything. But the choice is , have 6 Chs a day or have 6 CHs a day while you're exhausted. I'm a dreadful insomniac even when I'm well, so I need all the sleep I can get. When I first started having CH, before I had a diagnosis or meds, it went on all day and all night for weeks untill I felt so ill in every other way I was starting to think there was only one way out.

After taking the night time pill I do sometimes wake up with an absolutely ENORMOUS headache, but it's an ordinary headache (my preferred type)  ::) which I can take care of with OTC pain  meds. If that's the price I have to pay for avoiding night time hits thats OK with me.

Hoppy, Oford is do-able for us. Next time you come I'd love to meet up if you have time.
Maz.

Maz wrote,
The instructions also say " take one 50 mg tablet. Some people may need 100mg. Do not take more than 300mg in 24 hours". So when I'm having a really bad time I take two. It must be safe or they wouldn't say it.

That means you can take 6 x 50mg tabs in 24hrs when i was
on them it was 4 in 24hrs. I would get two attacks a day one in the morning and one in the arvo. So based on that if i got night attacks which i did'nt i was allowed 2 more tabs. one before going to bed and 1 spare. So this thread was based on your daily dosage.

Hoppy.

Hi Maz,
Good morning, hoping you got some good zzzzzzzzzzz. Just
a thought,did you take the D3 regime throughout your cycle?
When i started on the regime during my Spring 2012 cycle
my headaches went from the normal two a day up to six a
day but i read on here this can happen. But, i hav'nt had
a CH since, food for thought. Yes we will be in Oxford after
Nice. So i'll PM you closer to the time it would be great to
catch up with you and your lover of books hubby lol.

Hoppy.

Hi Hoppy, Yes I have been on the D3 regime since June last year. So unfortunately it hasn't had the result I was hoping for. But that said, apart from a few big ones, on the whole my hits have been milder and the cycle much shorter than usual. So I guess that is a result after all.

You called my hubby a lover of books.  [smiley=JAW_DROP.gif]  I'm rarely without a book - I've always said  reading was the best thing I ever learned to do, but I don't think Len has ever read a book in his life !!!

Looking forward to Oxford.
Maz.

Maz, I remember a thread started by Calico, and i said
i've never read a book in my life, you said thats just like
my hubby, so we have one thing in common lol. It will
be great to meet you both. Have you been to Oxford before?

Foot-note My wife bought me the Keith Richards LIFE to take
on the trip we made there last year. She thought because he
was born at the same place and year as me that would do it.
I've managed to read the first chapter, not bad a lol.

Hoppy.

Sorry for being thick about the books. I get it now !!! You have a good memory.

I passed through Oxford once when I was working as a tour guide, but we didn't stop.
It's a truly beautiful city from what little I saw.

Len says he did read a book once, about firemen (he used to be one) but he can't remember when.
Maz.

You beat me to it. I just added a foot note to my last message. Looks like Len beat me by 12 chapters lol.
Yes, Oxford has so much history it can be mind bogling.

Hoppy.

Hoppy,
Where do you get your data supporting a 5 hour reprieve?

Personally I think it is stupid to consume any medication without symptoms to require consuming medication.

Rebound attacks are common from Imitrex as are other side effects that can be prevented by not taking a medication before the actual need, hence consuming prior to bed while pain free.

Melatonin before bed is much more safe!  o2 is safe!  The anti-inflammatory regimen is safe! 

Unless i'm experiencing an attack, i'm not an advocate of consuming medication that has over 2 dozen possible adverse side effects until I absolutely must ingest it.

"To each his own"

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Well i know of two members here since posting. And, if the
UK site had'nt been hacked by the Chinese and lost all their
data i could have guided you to dozens and dozens more.

Hi Gregg
I know it's not the best practice to take imitrex before bed while pain free, but it does help me.  Surely it's no worse than filling your self up with preventatives which have to be taken all the time. I have taken so many drugs prescribed by my doctor which just didn't work. Indomethicin and gabapentin were taken long term, both dangerous drugs that I didn't need and could have caused more harm than good.

I've been on D3 since last june but still getting hit. I have 02 which is great but getting 4 hits a night -by the time I've spent at least 30 minutes each time on 02 there's not much chance of sleep. Melatonin at 15mg didn't work for me either. Still couldn't get to sleep (I'm an insomniac at the best of times) and still getting hit. I also have temazepam for my insomnia which helps me get to sleep but doesn't stop the beast waking me up 4 times a night. I just couldn't cope while exhausted from night after night with no sleep, followed by 5 or 6 daytime hits too. I was feeling so ill, and dark thoughts started to settle in. Incidentally, I don't suffer with depression at any other time, never have. My husband stays up all night too to watch over me.
So it's not doing him much good either. God alone knows what I may have done without him.

Yes, I have a headache the next morning, but as I said before it's an ordinary headache that I can take care of with OTC meds and I don't have any other adverse effects. If and when I do then obviously I will stop as I did with all the other useless stuff. I know it has to be counted as part of my daily allowance so I start the day one dose short, but now I have the 02 I can afford it, and I'm now taking far less imitrex than I used to.

I guess we all have to find our own way with this thing in our heads and believe me I've done far worse.
Maz.

Hoppy, I love all the history, heritage, architecture etc. I was born in Portsmouth, also steeped in history, particularly Naval history, and now live about 6 miles north.

I can't imagine a life without books. Some times I even get up early so I can read for longer.   [smiley=deal2.gif]
Maz.

Maz, My wife is the same never without a book. I was in
Portsmouth many moons ago when working as a Sales Rep.
Nice place to live.

Hoppy.

Maz, Just a thought. Have you sent a PM to Batch see if he can tweak the vitamin D3 regime to suit you?

Hoppy.

Hi Dears,
I am episodic and I have started a new cycle, just to transfer my experience,  I am trying a new treatment for my CH  attacks, when I feel that the attack is coming ( during day of course) , suddenly I start to exercise heavily, like fast running for about 5 minutes when i my heart beats goes up. until now 4 attacks have aborted by this action without any medicine. may be you my friends also can try this one! :)

To hoppy and maz and all others,
I know I am a little late to this post but after reading this thread you have given me validation.   I explained to my doc that I did not want to take Imitrex cause it gave me rebound headaches.   They swore it wouldn't do that.   My headaches always came at 08:30 everyday with one or two more interspersed throughout the day.   Imitrex killed the pain but then I started getting the HA at 01:30.   Never had nightime headaches and imitrix changed my cycle and my sleep was interrupted.   And the 01:30 HA lasted longer and if it was possible were stronger.   Hope this gives info to somebody else down the road. 

Craig