Jump to content

Imigran Injections


miszter
 Share

Recommended Posts

We are moving to France in July (can't wait!).  However, I suffer from severe migraine for which I have to take Imigran injections.  These actually make my life bearable and I am hoping that I will still be able to get them in France.  Does anyone know whether I will be able to?  What is the procedure for repeat prescriptions?  I know I have to register with a doctor (which I will do as soon as we arrive), but I am a little confused as to the way it works in France!

Hope someone can help

Miszter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All medications that are in use in the UK are available in France - you are not moving to a third world country, you know [;-)]

You might also be interested in this article:

AstraZeneca has launched a new fast acting nasal spray version of its migraine treatment Zomig.  The product is intended to bypass many of the problems associated with conventional tablets and subcutaneous injections and bring relief of symptoms within 15 minutes.

Nausea and vomiting during attacks mean some migraine patients find tablets difficult to take, and also slow to take effect, whereas a dislike of needles dissuades many from using injectable formulations.

Dr Andrew Dowson, Director of King Headache Services, King's College Hospital, London, UK says: "The symptoms of migraine vary enormously and sufferers need a choice of treatment. Doctors need to take a patient need and preferences into account when treating migraine and a range of formulations is required to ensure that patients get optimal therapy every time".

GlaxoSmithKline's Imigran (like Zomig, a member of the triptan drug class) is the most prescribed product in the UK migraine market, with 645,000 prescriptions written in England last year. Imigran is also available in a nasal spray formulation.  Sales of Zomig outside the US increased by 18% in the first nine months of 2002, with a 35% growth in France.

Once you register with your doctor, he will select the best treatment for your long term condition and he will issue you with a renewable prescription for three months supply.  Your pharmacie will issue you with a months supply at a time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks very much for the info.  It is a great relief to hear that I can get that particular drug as it is the only thing that works.  Incidentally, I have tried the nasal spray because I am not keen on needles (!) but it doesn't work for me and I would rather stick a needle in myself than endure hours or days of severe pain and nausea.

Miszter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You may also find that your French doctor will spend a great deal of time trying to solve the problem. A friend of mine who suffered badly from migraines has had all sorts of tests including a brain scan. His brain was fine, which surprised some of us. [:P] His migraines are pretty much under control now and when they do occur, they are reduced in severity. I'm not sure what he's being prescribed for attacks but in addition, he's on a low daily dose of betablocker which seems beneficial.

Good luck. [:)]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The ethos in France is to look very closely at the cause of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms.

When you sign up with your French doctor be prepared to be sent to see lots of specialists and to have lots of tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. All in a very short space of time.

This is advice very much from personal experience during the last 12 months as it has happened to my wife who has a long term incurable disability but still the local doctor went through all the motions and with excellent results for my wife.

You should also be aware that a Chemist can override what your GP prescribes. I don't know what the criteria is but don't just expect to tell your doctor what you want him to prescribe and expect to get it.

Best of luck.

Benjamin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]

All medications that are in use in the UK are available in France - you are not moving to a third world country, you know [;-)]

 

[/quote]

 

Whilst I agree with your general sentiments, this is not absolutely true. My husband suffers from emphysema and one of his (many) medications is called Spiriva. I have asked at several pharmacies and they do not have it in France. Don't forget that different countries approve medications at different times. Spiriva was approved in the UK about a year before it was approved in the US, for example. I believe that this drug is on the way to being approved in France but anyone who is on a newly developed medication would be well advised to check it's availability first.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've had the same problem with some medications not being available in France, even if they are available in other parts of Europe (and sometimes even if approved in France).  Part of this can have to do with the drug companies not thinking they make enough money in the French market, this was actually told to me BY one of the drug companies that I called directly to find out if something I was taking would be available here soon.  The answer, NO.

However, Imigran injectible is available here; it may not be a covered prescription though, even though the tablets are. I take ZomigOro, which dissolves on the tongue and doesn't need to be used with water.  I used the Imigran (it was called Immitrex in the U.S.) before that.

I have had very severe migraines for years as well, but my doctor here diagnosed them as cervical headaches.  To make a long story short, I was referred to a neurosurgeon who performed a heat coagulation of the Arnold's nerve at the Clinique des Cedres in Toulouse.  This has had the effect of reducing my headaches by about 60 or 70% and making the ones that I still get milder and easier to control.

PM me if you're interested in more details that may not be of interest to the "group mind."

PG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to suffer migraines & started taking Feverfew & found them brilliant.  I was amazed that something herbal could make such a difference - where painkillers had failed.  My headaches weren't as bad as yours -  but my old boss (old, as in not my boss any longer, not as in age) used to miss work for weeks at a time, due to her migraines.  She was on every tablet available - with no results - so I got her some Feverfew tablets & her headaches virtually stopped & the ones she did get were nowhere near as bad.  She couldn't believe it & now tells everyone she knows who suffer from migraines, about them. 

It might be worth giving them a try, if you haven't already. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I too used Imigram injections in the UK. My doctor here said that the French health service would not cover the cost (although I could have a precription and pay for them). He implied that "they" were concerned about it's safety!  I now use the "melt on the tongue" pilss mentioned by an earlier poster.  They work well but are slower than the jab (which for those who don't know works in minutes). It takes about half an hour to see any effect. Much easier when on, say, a trip though as don't need to go into the "ladies" to take it.

Talk to the doctor here once you are registered.

 

Mrs H.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also used to take Imigram injections. Luckily now I no longer have migraines.[:)] However I saw or read somewhere that Imigram was available as a nasal spray too. Has anyone any experience of this, or did it stay on the market? I used to hate taking the injections as they sting like fury, but better than the migraine,[:(] so I would think the spray would be a good idea - and probably faster acting than the tablets.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I tried the nasal spray several years ago, but didn't like it at all.  Mostly, I found that there were times when I couldn't be sure if the spray had actually worked properly or not.  Since you can't do a second spray for a couple of hours, it meant waiting in pain to see if it went away.  If the spray was faulty, then you'd just wasted a ton of money on something that you couldn't get replaced.

Seriously ineffective, IMHO

PG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Much has been covered on this subject but just an update and of Sunday.  My wife has suffered for years from migraine and takes Zomig and which has been available for some time and by nasal spray.  The tablets do not work for her.  Our Doctor in France issued a prescription for Zomig in nasal spray took it to the Pharmacy and it is not available in France.  Then took it up with the manufacturer it is not available in France.  She cannot take Imigrain as she is allergic to one of its constituent parts and whilst not averse to injections (she takes Humira for RA) just cannot take the product.

Thus Zomig is not available and Imigrain is.  Thus there is not universal acceptance here of those medications which are available in the UK.

On a side issue I had on Sunday to take a prescription for our elderly neighbour to the Garde Pharmacy as her husband was being discharged from Hospital and the Pharmacy at the hospital was not open over last week end.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I too suffered with severe migraines and had extensive tests too, thanks to BUPA.  Unless you are a real migrain sufferer you can not begin to understand the condition.

I left my job, moved out of the EU, had 360 days of sunshine, did the ladies 'who lunch' thing and my migraines were few and far between.

Beta blockers only work on certain things and would not have helped me.

I used the Imigran injections too but did not like that, I was then prescribed the Imigran nasal spray, this was a disaster, they did not have the same affect and distressing to use,  I prefered the tablets and took them for many years.  I knew before an attack and only rarely left it too late.  I then used the injectors as a back up, but this was very rare.  I lived in Turkey and they sold 100g and also a small dose of 50g, not sure if the have it in France.

I have now moved to France (supplied with my cheap imigran) and the migrains seemed to have dissappeared.

So I suggest living in France, do not work, do the ladies 'who lunch' thing, while the hubby is working on the house, and drink the vino.

 

.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...