Posted by pinksharkmark (196.3.74.234) on July 22, 2000 at 11:38:42:
In Reply to: a question for you posted by Shari on July 22, 2000 at 08:28:33:
Here is what I have found about Imitrex and Zomig:
First, the Imitrex. In the early stages of my cycle, before the attacks get too powerful, I have found that I can cut a 100 mg Imitrex pill in two, and use just half to abort a CH. I know, I know... it is possible to buy 50 mg pills, but they cost almost exactly as much as the 100 mg pills, so cutting them in half saves me a TON of money. As the cycle progresses and gets to the point where I need an entire pill I switch over to Zomig.
I know, I know, the instructions for Imitrex say not to crush them or break them up, but I think that is nonsense. The pink coating on them eventually gets dissolved anyway, and the Imitrex is released, so what's the difference? By cutting them, the good stuff just gets released a few minutes earlier. I think this a GOOD thing! I always take a couple of soda crackers and a sip of milk with them just to be kind to my stomach.
For me, and for many others who have posted here, the Zomig works faster and lasts longer than the Imitrex. If I take Imitrex at the peak of my cycle, I get 4 headaches per 24 hours. If I take Zomig, I get 3 per 24 hours. The Zomig allows me to get eight hours sleep per night. It also cuts the cost of my pills.
I have found the Imitrex nasal spray to be MUCH less effective than the pills. True, it kicks in faster than an Imitrex pill, but not THAT much faster than a Zomig pill. BUT.... for me the spray never completely aborts the CH, just knocks it down several notches. Worse, the effects last only a couple of hours... three at the most, for me.
It sounds to me, Shari, as if you are in the same boat. If you are getting as many as three attacks in seven hours, the spray is wearing off too fast.
As for taking both Imitrex and Zomig within 24 hours... you'll have to decide for yourself, but I have done exactly that literally dozens of times with no bad effects that I could ever notice.
Bottom line... my advice is to get a hold of some Zomig and give it a whirl. After sixteen years of dealing with this miserable disease, it is my drug of choice.
Good luck!
pinky