Migraine

I'm glad it all worked out for you, Lynne.

I have never tried the injectables, but was wondering what would be available for me. I talked briefly to my doctor about it. He said one of the injections was Imitrex, which is one of the triptans I can't use.
Do any of you use Toradol injections? I have that with home health care when I am in status migranious, it does work. The nurse puts it right in the IV. I also take Benadryl, and use to take Zofran when on home health but it caused my heart to pound so I am not going to take that again.

Lori

Hearts,

Just in case you don't know the difference, the Imitrex injections are subcutaneous (little needle) and come preloaded in a nifty device - you just hit it against your leg and it pops the needle in and you're done. Most doctors will let you try it in their office, make sure you don't have an adverse reaction, and write you a prescription if everything works out. You get a faster dose that way. If I could use the triptans, I'd definitely try that.

I use Toradol IM and Benadryl IM at home. (Intramuscular injections are a little different to administer, as you probably gathered from this thread. You have to be trained by a nurse to give them). Being able to do those injections at home has saved me probably three ER visits since my last hospitalization. Once I mastered the procedure and my fear, I have become truly grateful to my doctor for trusting me enough to train me and send me home with these prescriptions.

By the way, my experience with Benadryl is that the oral dose works a lot differently than the IV or IM. The IV and IM tend to have fewer side effects and are more powerful, since your gut isn't absorbing the medication along the way.

Too bad you can't use the Zofran. It is my gold standard anti-nausea drug. I love it. There are other antinausea options, though.

Hope this helps. I'd ask the doc about the possibility of injections. Worst thing that can happen is that he/she will say "no".

Lynne

I have IM DHE and Toradol at home, and as someone remaked, I don't think of sticking the needle into me as much as I think of sticking it into the pain. And The needle prick and drug sting is NOTHING compared to the migraine, so with that in mind, I just take a deep breath and in goes the needle.

As others have said, the DHE stings, so I go for the Toradol first because it doesn't hurt at all. I think if I gave the one that hurt first, I might be more chickin for the second shot.

I am SOOOO lucky, though! My husband gives me shots if he is home whem I need them. He is a real pro. They showed him once, and once he got over the idea that it might hurt me, he's fantastic.

An Injection of Humor

Setting: The bedroom, where my husband is preparing to give me a shot.
(Imagine you are outside the door listening.)

Him: Are you ready?

Me: Yes, just stick it in.

Him: OK. If you're sure.

Me: Yes, just stick it in and get it over with....[a pause]...Well, just do it!

Him: I'm already finished.

Me: Really, I didn't feel a thing.


This is an actual conversation. My headache was horrible that time, and he was still nervous about the shots. After this conversation, we said if anyone had been listening outside the door, they would have gotten a very different idea of what was going on in our bedroom.

better late then never?
i sit on the toilet (with the top closed). this way it makes my outer saddle bag pop out a little. i always wondered what they were for! ha!
with the stat does pen for imitrex i do fake (without the needle in the pen) trials before i do the real thing. this way i can make sure i have a good place on my thigh to pull the trigger.
boy do i hate needles! ugh!

I know I am late in this discussion too. I have been reading a long time and found that this one hit close to home.

I have been doing at home injections of Toradol, Ativan and Phenergan for close to 4 years now. There is only one think that I feel the need to warn people off about.

If you can have someone else do the injections-do so. They can give them in places you cannot reach *snicker*. I have scar tissue that has built up in my legs from self-injection and I hardly have a place in my upper thighs I can inject myself any longer.

Other than that, I highly recommend it. For me, it was a great improvement over having to sit in the waiting room at the ER 2-4 times a week.

Though I do not experience "migraine" headaches, I have horrible headaches none the less. I feel for each and every person here and hope that you get relief from any treatment you're provided!!!!!!!!!