Monday, February 13, 2012
Friday, June 26, 2009 SteveW asks

Q: Rebound withdrawl ...

I've been on high dose (daily) Maxalt wafers and Imitrix injections for years.  The doc is highly suspicious I'm rebounding.  Due to a major change in life's circumstances I'm now suddenly much more in control of my environment and would like to slowly lower my demand for these meds to a more sensible level - if that's really what's going on.  I understand this could take a few months.  Do you have a link somewhere that would take me to a written set of procedures, instructions, etc. to help me endure this campaign?  I expect this could be a tough procedure.  Thanks in advance.  SteveW.

 

 

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Answers (2)
6/28/09 4:26pm

Steve,

 

Sorry, but no, we don't have any written procedures and instruction. How to stop rebound and how long it takes varies greatly depending on the patient's body, what medications they've been taking, how long they've been taking them, and more. The best thing to do is work with your doctor to get out of the rebound cycle.

 

Good luck,

Teri

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6/30/09 9:02pm

Nebula and Teri,

 

Thank you both for your input.  Maxalt, Imitrix and Paxil I've just found out are cautioned in the internet literature.  It can be a nasty mixture.  I've also just learned that Maxalt and Imitrix really should NOT be used in combination - certainly not in the same day.  I somehow wasn't aware of this.  So here's what I've done:

 

Two weeks ago, following a strict program of cloistering myself at home, going to bed in a blacked out room at first sign of an attack, avoiding social, food-based and environmental triggers to the best of my ability, I've been able to cut the Imitrix down to two injections in those two weeks.  It's all been done by focusing on using Maxalt only.  For me, this is huge progress.

 

I plan to stay on this program until four weeks have passed, at which time I hope I can say goodbye to the Imitrix for good.  Right now my Maxalt intake is one per day.  For the second month I'm going to try to find a way to cut back on the Maxalt somehow.  Which for me means actually trying to go through whole days at a time.  Could be quite a challenge, but now I've a better handle on things.

 

I'll keep posting here until things have settled down to a dull roar.

Thanks again,

Steve.

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9/30/09 11:19am

Hi Steve

 

I am an English woman with similar problems , but with sumatriptan(Imigran here) & codeine.

I am having about 10 days off work to try and cut out the codeine completely & only use aspirin,paracetamol(not sure what you call them!) with occasional sumatriptan when it gets unbearable.

I don't think my case is a s bad as yours as I never had injections,but I understand most of your pain.

Just read a couple of articles which mention taking regular small dose triptans in order to detox from other painkillers!!!!

 

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6/27/09 11:30pm

Steve, 

 

It is hard! I went through my own little detox from imitrex a few months ago and it did take a while. I was given a prescription to non-habit forming muscle relaxers to help me (I tense up when I get headaches). I was also given a prescription to lunesta. If the pain was unbearable I would take one and try to sleep the migraine off. I'm on the other side of the bridge now and life is much better. I'm convinced that a great majority of my migraines were the result of a rebound cycle. Good luck! 

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