Is sumatriptan addictive? I dont wanna take these things unless I get a really bad attack but man it did take away most of the pain last night. Someone please answer:)

Hi Jamesss
I have taken sumatriptan injections for CH for 2 or 3 years now, and no, I don't believe they are addictive. Not for me anyway. There are pills (which take far too long to get into your system to be of much help), nasal spray (not tried it) and the auto injections which I swear have saved my life.  I NEVER leave home without them. On occasions I have taken 2 per day for several weeks, but no sign of addiction. It is possible to get rebound headaches from too much sumatriptan, but for me they are the kind that can be taken care of with over the counter headache meds (my favourite kind).

I should stress here that the most important thing you need to do is get a definate diagnosis, as there are many conditions that mimic CH, and they all respond to different meds. You need to see a headache specialist. Hopefully some one here will come along with info on how to find one. Tell us where you live - some one may know the right doctor in your area.  On the left of your screen there is a blue tab "cluster quiz". Take the quiz as it will help lead you to an answer, and maybe print it out so you can show your doctor.

In the mean time, sumatriptan is for CH and migraine, so if it takes away your pain I would go ahead with it. Also, search these boards for posts about a vitamin D3 regime which has gone wild here and proven to be successfull for over 80% of those who try it.

Hope this helps
Maz.

Maz, thank you for the reply. I was doing some research, and I noticed that if you do take sumatriptan for a migraine that you can end up getting rebound headaches. Maybe since I have been on and off the medications since may 31st, what im experiencing are those. I might just be constantly triggering my own headaches? Im not sure at this point, everyday I have a new theory about why I have this eye twitching on my right eye and the dull pain.

I live in Virginia, and I actually dont have insurance. But I'm a Veteran, so I can use the VA hospital, but it just takes a little longer to get appointments. My next appt is for an MRI, and thats in mid July. And then the follow up with the nero isnt untill September. Crossing my fingers that these migranes or whatever they are are gone by then. Im going to try and not take any medications, and see how that goes for the next few days. This site is very helpful, and even if I dont have CH, yall are a strong bunch.

Anyways, im off to bed and hope yall have a good night.

Eye twitching and the dull pain sounds like your getting
shadows which is all part and parcel when suffering
from CHs.

Cheers, Hoppy.

Shadows? Im confused.  Is that mean its dying down?

Shadows are what we call very mild attacks of CH. All the symptoms, but reduced pain. Sometimes they are a warning that a big one is coming, and often they are present between attacks throughout the whole cycle.

As to the severity of your pain compared to others, we are all different. And each attack can be different too. Although we do compare our symptoms it's really more just out of curiosity. The one symptom that is common to all of us though, is the pain. I guess we all cling on to the hope that we will find some one just like us, who has found the answer.

Something you could try - at the very first sign of an attack ( don't wait till it ramps up) chug down (really fast - big gulps) a red bull energy drink. It's the combination of caffiene and taurine in a sudden hit which does the trick, so any drink with those ingredients will do. Monster is another favourite. It doesn't work for every one but lots of people here find it eases the pain and sometimes can even stop an attack in it's tracks if you get it quick enough.

Another fool proof abortive is pure oxygen. But, this is important You need a minimum of 15 litre per minute - 25 is better, with a non-rebreather mask. Get either of those wrong and it won't work.

The sumatriptan injections only come in 6mg doses but many people find 3 mg is enough. If you google "cluster headache splitting injections" there is a clip of a guy showing how to split the injections into smaller doses which may reduce rebounds or other side effects. It helps with the cost too.

Getting an MRI is good as it will rule out anything more sinister, but the only way to get a diagnosis of your headache is by trial and elimination with the different drugs. As I said before , the different kinds of headache respond to different meds. What works for one condition will not work for another. Believe me, I know from experience. I was 5 years before I got a diagnosis and the correct meds. Five years of my life that I can't get back.

I can't speak for others but for me the rebound HA's don't last long. Usually a thumper in the morning but after a couple of strong doses of asprin or something similar ( I take three) it will go. If your pain is continuous and you can't shift it it's probably not a rebound.

If it is CH it may well be gone by the time you see your neuro, as most of us are episodic. Individual attacks typically last anything from 20 minutes to three hours (although we are all different here) with 2 - 6 attacks a day for several weeks. Then it will go away - till next time. Remissions can last anything from a few weeks to several years. A few lucky ones never get another attack. But they are VERY few.

Good luck with it all. And keep coming back here for support and friendship if you need it. We all have a connection here that can't be beaten, and it helps just to talk and know that there is someone out there who understands what you go through.

Let us know how you get along.
Maz.

And im not sure if anyone can answer this question.  What are some things an MRI can pick up that a CT with the injectable dye didn't? 

What are some things an MRI can pick up that a CT with the injectable dye didn't? 

Can't answer that, but for me they were looking for tumours, bleeds - anything that doesn't look normal I suppose.

You probably already know your answer from the CT but have the MRI anyway. Better to be safe than sorry.
Maz.

Jamesss wrote on Jun 15^th, 2014 at 5:06am:


Yes, an MRI is able to resolve much finer detail than a CT scan, so it can identify issues like bleeds, tumours, etc. that are much smaller than can be seen with the CT scan.

Hi again,
The pills are next to useless as they take half an hour to get into your system and for many the attack is more or less over by then. There is a nasal spray, which is reported as being better, but I haven't tried it myself. The auto injectables however are a godsend. They will abort the worst ch (for many) in 5-7 minutes.

Some people report after effects and side effects that they just can't cope with, but personally I don't have any of these. Just blessed relief. They sting a bit and I end up with little bruises all over my legs, but compared to a CH that's a walk in the park.

The cost is prohibitive for many people in the USA (luckily here in England the NHS covers it) but the trick is to stock up with a few when you DON'T need them. It will spread the cost and you'll be well armed for when you do.
Maz.

Jamess wrote, I have the 25 mg sumatriptan pills. Are the shots better?
Yes, as Maz said, but I haven't heard of 25mg Triptans
before, the norm are 50mg Imitrex pills or Imitrex auto
injectors, also ask your doctor about going on a preventative like Verapamil too keep the beast at bay.

Hoppy.

You CAN overdose on them, but 25mg is a very low dose. I didn't know they were available in anything other than 50mg and 100mg. I take 50mg, but (I know you shouldn't) I have on rare occasions in desperation taken 2.

Some will argue against this, but as the pills take so long to start working, I sometimes take 50mg before bed and it helps to ward off the night time attacks so you can get some sleep.