Does any one use the Imitrex Shots?

[Jwp]

Please advice me on that. Thanks

[Brandy]

I use the injection on occasion. They are EXPENSIVE! But awesome! I only use them if I am really nauseated and cannot keep down the tablet. And I swear in less than 20 minutes I'm good as new. Imitrex is a lifesaver.

[Brandy]

Brandy wrote:

I use the injection on occasion. They are EXPENSIVE! But awesome! I only use them if I am really nauseated and cannot keep down the tablet. And I swear in less than 20 minutes I'm good as new. Imitrex is a lifesaver.

May I ask how much do you have to pay for them ?

[Betsy]

I'll occasionally use the injection but I HAVE to sit still or lie down for about 15 minutes after taking it because it is strong and I can feel it going through my body. After that I'm as good as new.

[michael]

imitrex injections have been a life saver for me. prior to this drug i found it possible to get any relief.

[Becky]

I've used the injection form for nearly 20years, it's a miracle for my disabling migraines. In the past I have tried the pill form and also the nasal spray form (not sure if that is even available anymore). But for me, the pill did not respond to my pain at all. And the nasal spray burned my sinus' and throat giving me laryngitis and chronic cough for nearly 6 months after 1 use. Needless to say I went right back to the injections. I never thought I'd be able to do the injection but as you other migraine sufferers know, when you have one - nothing else matters and the thought of an injection at that time is "nothing". At first I tried administering in my arm, that was most painful and difficult. Then I became worse and could not sig up and used my inner thigh, thought that was the best! Then at a worse than bad episode I couldn't even do that and administered in my abdomen. Haha, that flab area hardly even feels and the medication, for me seems to enter my system fastest if injected in the abdomen. But, I guess after 20 yrs of it, I've tried it all. Good luck to you all.

[Peter]

Becky wrote:

I've used the injection form for nearly 20years, it's a miracle for my disabling migraines. In the past I have tried the pill form and also the nasal spray form (not sure if that is even available anymore). But for me, the pill did not respond to my pain at all. And the nasal spray burned my sinus' and throat giving me laryngitis and chronic cough for nearly 6 months after 1 use. Needless to say I went right back to the injections. I never thought I'd be able to do the injection but as you other migraine sufferers know, when you have one - nothing else matters and the thought of an injection at that time is "nothing". At first I tried administering in my arm, that was most painful and difficult. Then I became worse and could not sig up and used my inner thigh, thought that was the best! Then at a worse than bad episode I couldn't even do that and administered in my abdomen. Haha, that flab area hardly even feels and the medication, for me seems to enter my system fastest if injected in the abdomen. But, I guess after 20 yrs of it, I've tried it all. Good luck to you all.

My experience is basically same as Becky's. Started injections in 93 when it first became available in US. Found pills and inhalers less effective. Question: Are there generic injections? Where?

[Long Time Imitrex User]

My doctor initially prescribed the injection for me some 15 years ago (6mg). I now primarily use the pills for convenience sake...but the injector is much faster. The only time I resort to the injection is when I have waited too long to take the pill and the migraine has gotten to a stage where I am becoming nauseated or so sensitive to light and sound that I have to go to a dark room. I usually tell my husband "I'm going upstairs to shoot myself" and he understands. I laydown for 20 minutes to 40 minutes and its GONE! You may feel a slight buzzy feeling that comes over your face...but the best affects are when you have no stimulus in the room (dark, no noise). I seriously have had a migraine pain go away within 15 minutes if caught early enough. That is because it gets into your bloodstream faster than by pill. Good luck!

[Ray]

You have used the shots for a long period of time, my question to you is what strength and what is the max that you have used? I have chronic cluster hd aches, 2-3 a day, and maybe 2 to 3 migraines a week - besides the other meds I'm on I was prescribed 2 6mg shots a day and for a quite a while have taken 14 shots a wk. I am concerned about the excessive use and the effect on my heart and chances of stroke. I'm 58 and have fought hd aches for the past 32 yrs. What is the most you have taken in a wk and what have been your side effects? Please respond to [e-mail] - thank you, Ray

[Bbethparsons aol com]

I have been using injections for about 4 years now. I pray they never get taken off the market. They work wonders for me. I can say in 30 minutes I am ready to function after giving myself a shot. They come in kits so you can put them in your purse. At first when I got them I had to use actual needles and I had a hard time with that...UNLESS my head started really hurting. I use Maxalt otherwise if I feel one coming on early enough. I usually wake up around 3 with my head pounding...I have no idea why. Fine when I go to bed...them BAM. God bless you all.....It is a horrible thing to live with.

[Darin]

I have used Imitrex in all forms for about 10 years. I didn't see anyone above describe how the actual shot works. Since many people are scared by shots, I thought I was add this. The Imitrex shot comes in the form of a dosage pen. You don't have to "stick" yourself. It looks like a pen. You hold it against your skin, and you press a button on top. This triggers the shot. Don't get me wrong, it still feels like a shot, but you don't have to worry about getting the needle in yourself.

I take the tablet now, but I took the shot for years because it was so fast acting and effective. It will generally get rid of a headache in 15 mins. You should lay or sit still because you will get a tightening feeling with tingles which will be made more intense if you are walking.

I switched back to the tablet for convenience sake. It usually takes about 30 mins to full act. I don't like that it is hard on my stomach though.

[H Ward]

I used imitrex shots for about 18 years. 6 a month. I actually began having more migraines when I began using the shots. C0-incidence? I'll never know, but the shots gave me my life back.
Then a year and a half ago I went into the hospital for atrial filbrilation. Dr put me on Cardizem for my heart. HAVE NOT HAD A MIGRAINE since I began taking that and have no side effects from it. Also found that if I eat less salt I don't even get those aggravating headaches.

[Renee]

Jwp wrote:

Please advice me on that. Thanks

I have used the injections for years when nausated with my migraines and they work extremely well. They are much cheaper to purchase in Canada. The best Canadian pharmacy I've found is NorthWestPharmacy.com .

[Jim]

The shots cost me $60 for two after my insurance coverage. The one I took this morning was my first, and it worked well. However I did take an anti-nausea medication at the same time so it's hard to say which one did the trick.

[Edie]

I used the injections from the time they were first released. While they were very effective, I found them a challenge to assemble and administer while in the throes of a migraine. Many was the time that I accidentally fired one off before it got injected - and what a cost that is! I've been using Imitrex 100 mg oral for the past few years - it requires more of a commitment of time to relief, but doable. I'm about to get my first generic (sumatriptan)- and optimistic it will be as effective.

[Sabrina- CA]

I use the 6mg injections. With my insurance they are about $20 per injection..but my insurance recenently hiked the price on me to $40 per shot, so I'm switching back to the pills. I was just given generic. Dr. Reddy's. The reason i switched to shots was for immediate relief and b.c the migranes would always come sometime in the early am hours like 3-4 am, so I'd have to get up, eat a whole bunch of food (so the pill have enough food to break down in my stomach) and drink plenty of water. It was a hassel while I was in dying pain! I'm on topamax now for migrane prevention- it's a miracle. 5-6 migranes a month to just 1 :)

[Renee-MI]

I've been taking imitrex for years, it's a life saver. Now out of the blue I go to get a refill & Blue Cross says I can only get it refilled once a month. Nice that they think they can limit the times I get a migrane. So now I just have to suffer? They are not gods, they have no right to override my doctor. They give me something to make my life change for the better,limit the pain, then take it away. I can't afford to buy it myself. This is such a crock.

[Philip FL USA]

I have used the shots for my cluster headaches it works in munutes i read a post about taking too many i am 37 and when in the throws of my cycle i have taken up to 5 shots a day they seem to last about 2 hours but that is at a cost of almost $1000 a day as bluse cross will not cover more than 4 a month so i hope the generic shots come out the pills just dont seem to help what does is zomig 5m if i take it early it keeps it at bay i stil feel like dog doo but can function

[Duff]

Lived with migraines for years before discovering Imitrex. Shots used to work in about 90 seconds, which slowed to 25 minutes over time. Switched to pills due to cost, but they take about 90 minutes. I can survive an extra hour to save a lot of money. Tried 21 preventive drugs (plus diets) and nothing worked. Plenty of weird side effects though. Even had one that made my feet swell so my shoes didn't fit.

[bflbatya]

I too have used the injections. They are strong and require that I lie down for 30 min. or so. But they work. I mostly use the pills now unless I have waited too long and the migraine is way too far gone.