Welcome. I didn't see any mention of oxygen in your abortive treatment plan. Click on the oxygen info link to the left.

Using Imitrex time after time only leads to longer cycles, rebound headaches, and an empty pocket.

Coffee's good - have you tried an energy drink (one that has the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee plus around 1000mg of taurine) instead? For many, they work even better than coffee.

You have not mentioned a prevent yet. I use lithium, blocks about 60-70% of my attacks most of  the time, really reduces my dependence on abortives.

Verapamil is ususally the first round try at prevents with Topomax also having a loyal following. The idea is to reduce both the frequency and the intensity of your attacks. Worth talking to your doc about. And do look into oxygen, has all but eliminated my dependence on imitrex. You'll hear that  alot as it's giving a lot of people their lives back.

Then read the Imitrex tip in the left. You can get up to 3 aborts from EACH shot. I have never tried it but many here swear by it.

If coffee works well try energy drinks, Monster, Red Bull, any containing caffiene and taurine. I prefer sugar free red bull just for taste. Chug it at the first sign of an attack. I use it with my oxygen for a 1-2 punch.

Welcome to the board. I'm  alittle concerned about your current regimen......is the doc you're seeing a headache specialist? There's so much available to make life more liveable then just imitrex. Pull up a seat and read like crazy, wishing you a short cycle this go round.

Joe

Quote:


Hi Mike.  yes the Ins. Co's will limit the amount you can recieve and that is because CH is so rare and no research of note has been done and we have to piggy-back on the migrainers for our meds.  Imitrex being the number one.  Lets face it Migrainers do not usually need more than 6 per month, so that is all we can get.

People here are correct that too much Imitrex can only prolong and do indeed cause rebounds...that said however...

Where are you living?   Are you in the U.S?   If you are...please PM me, o.k.?   

Linda Howell, Family Services

And the Canada thingie....I did find a prescriptive online pharmacy in Canda that would fill a larger Rx with a doctor's order. I also have had to alternate between imitrex and migranal, although being careful to avoid 24 hour overlap. My neuro says he trusts me and has no problem filling both, so long as I keep him informed. That has helped me to do what was just suggested: keep a backup supply handy. Do check out the tips on the left. Blessings! lance

CudtheGrind wrote on Jul 7^th, 2010 at 9:51am:


I am in the same boat and have described it as gov./ins. 'Sanctioned Torture'

The best thing you can do is get your hands on some O2 and try the imitrex tip in the left menu bar.

Not sure if this will work for you but another thing you can do to get around the Ins co. is have your doc also prescribe the imitrex nasal along with the imitrex shots, most ins. co's will fill both at the same time, that is the route I had to go.  The nasal doesn't work as well or as fast, but in a pinch it will have to do. 
I save my shots for the killer hits and use the nasal for milder 5-7 kip scalers mostly when I am at work. 

Good Luck to you and let us know how it goes.