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New CH.com Forum › Cluster Headache Help and Support › Medications, Treatments, Therapies › Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.

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Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. (Read 4526 times)

Sinead

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Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Feb 16^th, 2010 at 5:17pm

Question:
I have not had a full blown attack since I last posted last week. Went to the doctor and got Ergotamine and Imitex. I have been taking 3 ergotamine every night to prevent an attack waking me from my sleep. However, each day i sleep and wake with the left side of my had throbbing..not enough to bring me to my knees by far. But enough to remind me that the cluster headaches are here.

Should i continue to take the ergotamine everyday? should i stop the ergotamine (have to wait 24hrs before i take the imitrex inject-able) and wait for the full blown attack then take the Imitrex?

Not sure if i can go through each day with this shadow and small headache...how do i make this small pain...go away.......

Thanks for your support.
Sinead

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Grinner62 CH.com Veteran Offline Posts: 131 Wichita Falls,Texas Gender:	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #1 - Feb 16^th, 2010 at 9:34pm I've had luck making shadows go away by drinking an energy drink. I like the 5 hour energy, it tastes like lickin' a turd, but they're small enough to choke down in one swallow.
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Skyhawk5

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #2 - Feb 17^th, 2010 at 12:36am

If you take an Imitrex injection within 24hrs of the ergotamine your family may be more sorry than you. Dangerous to do. I've done similar and almost died from it.

If you expect your Dr to know the best treatments for CH you may wait a long time for relief. Read all you can on this site to educate yourself so you can tell the Doc what are the best treatments.

More info than most Dr's are aware of is right here. If we wait for them to catch up to what we experienced CH'rs know, hell will freeze over first.

CH is rare so Dr's don't have the time or the "patients" to know.

Don

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of the Beast , I have O2 so I fear him not.

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anthony g CH.com Old Timer Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 318 manhattan nyc Gender:	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #3 - Feb 17^th, 2010 at 3:52am AMEN SKYHAWK! THIS SITE SAVED MY LIFE THIS CYCLE FOR SURE! I AND MY DOC LEARNED! I THINK THE KEY IS FINDING A DOC THAT IS WILLING AND OPEN ENOUGH TO LISTEN AND WORK WITH YOU AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! THANKS CLUSTERHEAD.COM!!!
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Bob P

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #4 - Feb 17^th, 2010 at 6:47am

Quote:

been taking 3 ergotamine every night

That's 21/week, double the allowed dosage. Keep an eye on your fingers & toes. Had a friend who woke up one morning to find his toes turning black. Gangrene was setting in from lack of blood circulation.

Your dull headache could be a rebound headache from the cafergot.

Mrs. Barlow, I never, and I repeat never, ever pissed in your steam iron. "SHUT UP HUB!"

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Sinead

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #5 - Feb 17^th, 2010 at 7:21am

Gangrene was setting in from lack of blood circulation.
damn....that is real scary....I was prescribed to take 2 but i am taking 3 ergots a day. I was told to take 2 a day for 12 days....

It looks like after 12 days on ergotamines I will be on my own. with only the Imitrex....

I just want let members know that I have NOT used ergotamine and the Imitrex together. As i have been cautioned not to do so.

But i was not cautioned by my family DR about the abuse of ergots.

Thank you all for educating me. I really am so glad that I found this board.

Sinead Smiley

« Last Edit: Feb 17^th, 2010 at 10:29am by Sinead »

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clavers CH.com Veteran Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 142	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #6 - Feb 17^th, 2010 at 9:46am My neurologist prescribed dihydroergotamine injections. If I get a CH I give myself an injection and use O2 until it is over, then I am free from any future attack for at least 24 hours. I have always understood that taking ergot and imitrex within 24 hours of each other is extremely dangerous.
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Brew

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #7 - Feb 17^th, 2010 at 11:09am

clavers wrote on Feb 17^th, 2010 at 9:46am:

I have always understood that taking ergot and imitrex within 24 hours of each other is extremely dangerous.

Can be dangerous. Not is. If your doc gives you the clearance, you may be able to use them closer in time to each other, but don't do it without your doc's approval. He/she will probably want to do a cardiac work-up on you first to make sure you don't have any underlying heart problems.

"I have been asked if I have changed in these past 25 years. No, I am the same. Only more so." --Ayn Rand

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MattyAA CH.com Veteran Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 242 Poland, EU Gender:	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #8 - Feb 18^th, 2010 at 12:25am Words of wisdom Brew, peace.
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Bob Johnson CH.com Alumnus Offline "Only the educated are free." -Epictetus Posts: 5965 Kennett Square, PA (USA) Gender:	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #9 - Feb 18^th, 2010 at 8:51am While ergotamine is an old time preventive for night attacks, the dose is 2mg. Have you discussed trying Melatonin, every day. Some people find this blocks the night attacks.
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cappu99

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #10 - Feb 18^th, 2010 at 11:04am

I started the melatonin last week (in peak of my cycle). I find that 9mg works for me. I was getting hit at 1am ad 5am, after about three days of melatonin i started sleeping through the night. Last night I was not home overnight and did not take the melatonin and I got hit at 5am!!!
I use redbull during the day, and 500mg magnesium. ...I believe my cycle in ending. I have used imitrex to get through this cycle. I see a nuero next Monday, about getting O2 for next cycle.
I have found more info on this site than an Dr. ever gave to me in the past.
My new nuero was recommended to me by a member on this site!!!! GOOD LUCK

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Brew CH.com Sponsor CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 14163	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #11 - Feb 18^th, 2010 at 11:39am Quote: Last night I was not home overnight and did not take the melatonin and I got hit at 5am!!! Any reason in particular that you didn't bring it with you? It's not like lugging an M-tank around or something....
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cappu99 CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 14	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #12 - Feb 18^th, 2010 at 1:38pm I worked an overnite shift...I was afraid I would fall alseep while working!!!!! Did not want to chance it. It was only a 3kip drank a couple of bottles of water and took an excedrin migrane...seemed to help. But like i said, I believe my cycle in ending., it started just before x-mass.
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Brew

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #13 - Feb 18^th, 2010 at 1:51pm

cappu99 wrote on Feb 18^th, 2010 at 1:38pm:

I worked an overnite shift...I was afraid I would fall alseep while working!!!!! Did not want to chance it. It was only a 3kip drank a couple of bottles of water and took an excedrin migrane...seemed to help. But like i said, I believe my cycle in ending., it started just before x-mass.

That's a whole helluva lot less exciting than "I met a really hot chick at this sports bar...." Grin

"I have been asked if I have changed in these past 25 years. No, I am the same. Only more so." --Ayn Rand

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Sinead

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #14 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 12:59am

Brew..happy to hear that you met a hot girl..and did you get a date ..a second date??? Kiss

Back to reality...I stopped taking the Ergotamine after reading these posts as it totally scared the hell out of me. My headaches were gone for 3 days.. i believed that the cycle ( a very short cycle) of 3 weeks where done...
Firstly I was correctly diagnosed by the best DR-see my post ‘introducing myself”...well he sent my treatment to my family doctor. She prescribed that I take 2 ergotamine each night before sleeping for 10-12 days..Well. I was I was overdosing and taking 3 pills each night to prevent an attack..I must say honestly that this for me worked...
But this is the scary part...after the post from another member he mentioned and cautioned me that I was overdosing..I stopped taking the ergotamine after reading that post….i also have a imitrex on standby waiting for an attack!!
Well, since I stopped the ergotamine my feet and hands are extremely cold..I mean freezing cold.......

My shadow headaches stopped about 2 days ago .. i thought and felt very lucky to have a short cycle..

Well lucky old me… tonight they came back....thank god this time i have medicine and for the very first time as a cluster head I injected myself with Imitrex....my headache was at about a kip4 which is pain but not like the kip 9 as i experienced in my past episodes.(without treatment may I add)

i took about 30 mins ago.. i am pain free but do not feel if my cluster is totally gone!!!! he is lurking in the background..if you know what i mean...
This message board is like a diary to me. So I am sorry if I go on and on..
I am worried and concerned about the amount of ergotamine I was taking and the cold hands and feet that i am experiencing. i am happy that i finally plucked up the courage to inject myself...which was not that bad.. I also injected myself before the pain became unbearable..

I want to say thank you to my new family as you are the only people on this planet that understand what I am going through..

May you be blessed with a pain free night and if not then we are all here for you.

I

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Bob P

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #15 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 10:00am

The cold fingers & toes will go away. Imitrex is a vaso constrictor more specific to the blood vessels in the head. Cafergot will constrict the vessels throughout the body, hence the cold fingers & toes. I've used cafergot for many years. I usually take 20-25 per week and have the cold fingers & toes also from the blood flow being reduced in the extremities. You just have to be on the lookout for the blood flow shutting down completely.

Mrs. Barlow, I never, and I repeat never, ever pissed in your steam iron. "SHUT UP HUB!"

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Brew CH.com Sponsor CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 14163	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #16 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 11:18am Quote: Brew..happy to hear that you met a hot girl..and did you get a date ..a second date??? Huh? I met a hot girl in 1966, married her in 1982, and have been head over heels since, but I'm not sure how you got to your conclusion. Nevermind.
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Sinead

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #17 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 11:22am

Brew you made a comment earlier...anyways..you where just probably trying to humor us...

What a night!!! I woke at 4:30 with an attack. I got my Imitrex injection (I am very afraid of needles) and when the needle went in it startled me and I pulled it out too soon. A little medicine went in because the attack ended in about 20 min and never reached its peak..I feel back to sleep..

Then boom at 7.08am another attack. Man I was shit out of luck..Now that I have no more Imitrex to take as i have taken the daily dose. And I cannot take the ergots as that would be dangerous.
So I had to just ride out the attack.
I do NOT like the needle..I know it works but it is sore to inject and my thighs are bruised today and I still have a big shadow headache….
I have a prescription for Zomig nasal spray at Walgreens that that I am going to pick later.
Right now i sitting with my Monster Energy drink trying to take this damn headache away...

« Last Edit: Feb 19^th, 2010 at 11:25am by Sinead »

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Brew

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #18 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 11:30am

Sinead wrote on Feb 19^th, 2010 at 11:22am:

Brew you made a comment earlier...anyways..you where just probably trying to humor us...

Yes, I know. And I used quotes and laughy face at the end. The implication was a hypothetical situation, not directly quoting anybody in particular.

Like I said - nevermind.

"I have been asked if I have changed in these past 25 years. No, I am the same. Only more so." --Ayn Rand

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Bob Johnson

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #19 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 12:18pm

In all seriousness--if you read all of your posts before this one you will read several expressions of just how much anxiety is influencing your capacity to care for yourself.

Until you can learn to control the anxiety, I'm concerned that your self-care will be compromised. Good meds can't overcome anxiety which prevents them from being used wisely.

You might consider whether you can use this approach:
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

If this seems too complex you might consider seeking a counselor who is experienced in cognitive approaches to anxiety.

Bob Johnson

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Sinead

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #20 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 1:25pm

Bob, thank you for your advise. I do know that I am letting this get to me but these headaches scare me...
I know that i need to be more in control..and understand that i do have a life and that they will go away.

I have printed out the Url that you posted and will read it and practice on changing my thinking habits.

Sinead

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Chad

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Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex.
Reply #21 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 1:45pm

Sinead wrote on Feb 19^th, 2010 at 1:25pm:

My friend, learning how to manage your pain will come in time. I was very scared at first thinking I have to live with this shit for the rest of my life. Then I talked to people, doctors and especially this site and I learned you can't dwell on the pain or think of that next hit. Live your life your fullest in your pain-free time. You too will learn how to manage your pain and then you'll feel educated and equipped to deal with each hit during your cycles. I hate the beast just as much as the next guy, but when he comes around, I play hard ball right back and that's not letting him get the best of me.

Ask us anything, vent, do whatever, but realize are all here to help each other as a family.

Peace out!

Chad

When the PAIN starts, I FIGHT back!

Rivea Corymbosa seeds were my KO punch, now D3 is the front runner!

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Brew CH.com Sponsor CH.com Alumnus Offline Posts: 14163	Re: Shadow headaches-ergotamine/Imitrex. Reply #22 - Feb 19^th, 2010 at 2:34pm And understand, too, that some of us will not coddle. I am one of those. If you don't want to know how it really is, don't ask me. If you do, I'm happy to give it to you straight.
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