For those of you who also suffer agonizing migraines,

[cboy4]

and spend so much money on medication, some good news if you haven't heard.

I use Imitrex injection, and have had to pay my insurance co-pay of $48 per box of two shots of the Glaxo non-generic.

When I went to the pharmacy tonight, I was surprised to have my pharmacist tell me that FINALLY, there is a generic version of Sumatriptan Succinate. :bounce:

Now mind you, the Sandoz generic version came to $31 per box, so it's still very expensive. But I should still save about $100 per month on this miracle drug .. one that has kept me from pretty much puting a bullet in my head.

I'm not sure people who don't get migraines understand how much it costs to treat them. I could purchase a new BMW 3-series and the monthly payments would equate to what I spend on migraine medication.

So, I just wanted to pass this on to any of you who haven't heard.

I just found the press release from Sandoz:

[TZ]

1. You ought to post that in GD

I suffer from the occasional migraine but not enough to have to medicate for it...However I do know how expensive it is for people that need this. Good news indeed!

[cboy4]

2. Okay....good idea!

:)

[Bertha Venation]

3. Excellent news for you!

They suck, migraines. :hug:

[cboy4]

4. They sure do.

Thanks :hug:

[dropkickpa]

5. Wow, that's cool!

Great news! Imitrex doesn't work for me (none of the triptans do, I've moved on to ergotamines and anti-seizure meds) but it's a miracle and absolute necessity for those it does work for, glad to hear relief will be at least a bit more affordable.

[cboy4]

15. That's horrible the triptans don't work for you. It's crazy

how different our bodies react, which I guess is why there are so many different types of migraine medication. x(

[madinmaryland]

6. My wife uses that. It's the only thing that will stop the migraine dead.

She needs it 2-4 times a month.

On edit: Do you require it after the 49'ers lose?

:hi:

[cboy4]

16. I'm glad it works for your wife.

And yes, damn you. x(

[TZ]

18. lol. I understand...

My dad actually used to run a fever after his beloved Browns lost....

[livetohike]

7. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I've been using Imitrex injections since 1995....this is great news :hi:.

[cboy4]

17. Yay!!

I'm happy to spread the welcome news!!!

[Pithlet]

8. That is good news.

I've been able to get mine under control for the time being with Topamax, but that could always change. It's always good news to have more options available.

[Sanity Claws]

9. I'm glad you found something that worked for you

I also get migraines and found acupuncture and chinese herbs to be my salvation.

[kimmerspixelated]

13. I guess you and I are the only ones who believe in natural methods.

Mine are generally hormonally related. But food additives really wreak havoc, so really the purer the diet the less instance of headaches. I use both Ginger and the mineral Magnesium. Also, I heard listening to certain rhythmic beats has a lot to do with drumming it out! Oil of lavendar on the temples!

[skygazer]

14. It's not a matter of "believing in" them

It's finding some that work. My migraines are triggered by changes in my sleep patterns and in the weather. I can monitor my sleep patterns - I can't control the weather. I've tried roughly a brazillion different methods, natural and pharmaceutical, to control or ease my migraines which, by the way, can last for several days or even a week or more and are so horrible that I can only lie in a dark room moaning softly (except when I'm vomiting).

I would prefer NOT to have to use medications, all of which (that have worked) leave me feeling like I've got the world's nastiest hangover (only without the headache) but I have never found anything else that works. I can't afford acupuncture which I've long wanted to try and my insurance won't cover it. You are fortunate to find relief naturally but don't mistake a use of pharmaceuticals with a disinterest in natural methods.

I just read that over and realized it has the potential to sound snarky (damn internets - they should be able to convey tone). It's not meant snarkily, anyway. Just pointing out my situation. :hi:

[kimmerspixelated]

28. No problem...

I didn't mean to come across as throwing stones necessarily, either. I get a lot of nasty remarks from others(the pro pharma types that are completely closed minded), so I'm always a bit tense about posting!.... Have you tried Omega-3's in general?

[cboy4]

19. It has nothing to do with "believing" in natural methods.

It's a matter of what works.

And so called natural methods are ineffective in my case.

[eyepaddle]

10. This is good news.

My fiancee recently had a bad run with migraines--fortunately they seem to coming at her less frequently now, but any helpful news is welcomed in these quarters!

I used to suffer fro migraines and didn't realize it; I had thought they were just bad hangovers! One day when suffering through a hangover I saw the flashing lights and it all made sense. Fortunately for me, general over the counter stuff usually did the trick, albeit not always. I do remmember wanting to just cry after the third day of a headache once or twice.

Now that I don't drink anymore this isn't much of a problem for me. I wish it could be as siple for everybody.

[Forkboy]

11. When you say it's $31 per box, is that a month's supply, or just a week or two?

My friend downstairs has a neck problem, and he went in and got a cortizone shot 2 weeks ago, and every day since then he's had migraines so bad it makes him puke. He's had to miss work because of it (which isn't making his bosses too happy seeing as though he missed 7 weeks because of the neck problem in the first place). He might be real interested in this, because I mentioned Imitrex to him but the high price was way too much.

I'm lucky, I used to get real bad headaches due to out of control blood pressure, but even the worst of those was nothing compared to the few times I've had a migraine. I don't know how anyone who gets them regularly avoids killing people out of frustration.

[cboy4]

20. I wish it was a month's supply. Actually, I go through about

3-4 shots per week, which costs me about $360.00 per month with my insurance.

There is a program called Bridges to Access through Glaxo that helps people who can't afford the medication ... he might want to look into it to see if he qualifies.

I used it while I was unemployed for a period last year .. otherwise, I would not have been able to acquire it.

http://www.gskforyou.com/15_programs.htm

[Forkboy]

22. Cool. I'll pass that info onto my friend.

Thanks!

[Mike 03]

12. This is great news for my entire family.

My mother, my sisters and I all suffer with migraines.

I had to stop buying Imitrex because it was simply too expensive at $250 for nine tablets.

Great news, thank you!!!

[cboy4]

21. You're welcome. I feel like the migraine Santa Claus

:)

Isn't that something? Nine tablets for $250.

CRIMINAL :grr:

[femmocrat]

23. That is excellent news. Thank you!

I hope a generic of the tablet is soon to follow. I only have to pay the co-pay, but the savings would still be very nice.

Imitrex changed my life. I could not function without it.

[foxfeet]

24. I used to take Imitrex tabs

until I had a bad reaction (chest pains) and wound up in the ER and CCU overnight. Bummer.
I take amlopidine, a calcium channel blocker, as prophylaxis and it has worked VERY well for me. No migraines at all for a long time. Worth discussing with your doc.

[cboy4]

26. Yea, unfortunately I don't respond to the blockers ..

I recently started taking Topomax, so we'll see how that goes.

Not everyone reposnds well to the triptans, especially of you have high blood pressure.

But thanks for the info.

[FloridaJudy]

25. Triptans never worked for me

But this is great news for those for whom they do work.

I'm fortunate in that very low dose tricyclic anti-depressants do work for me, and they're cheaper than dirt. Weird how differently migraine sufferers react to different drugs.

[cboy4]

27. Yea, it is weird which is why there are so many different

migraine drugs .. particularly

Just like there are different kinds of narcotic analgesics. If everyone responded the same, there would be one standard opiate.

I also take a tricyclic (amitriptyline). And yea, VERY cheap.

Of course, I have to spend too much time explaining to people that I don't take anti-depressants because I'm depressed .. not that there would be anything wrong with that.

[SarahB]

29. Great news!

Is it the tablets or just the injections? I take the tablets as needed (fortunately for me about once a month), but would be willing to do the injections if I can get them in generic.