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Topic: How long to take Verapimil for? (Read 991 times) |
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BMoneeTheMoneeMan
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How long to take Verapimil for?
« on: Jan 18th, 2005, 10:50pm » |
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I am on Verapimil and only take 180mg a day. The doc said it would take 2 weeks to maybe start to lessen the frequency of the CHs. My pharmacist said it would take 2 months.
Anyone know what is typical dose and time length for Verapimil?
(I am episodal)
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BMonee
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vig
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #1 on: Jan 18th, 2005, 10:51pm » |
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the doctor's statement is more accurate.
a week or two, if the dose is high enough....
that's a little low
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nani
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #2 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 12:22am » |
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That is a low dose. Most here take upwards of 360 mgs a day. I've heard it takes a couple of weeks to start working and my understanding is that you should probably stay on it a couple of weeks after the episode is over, just to be sure.
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Lizzie2
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #3 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 9:14am » |
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I actually take 800mg/day (total over 3 divided doses) and I'm a small person who is a rock when it comes to the verapamil side effects at the current moment! My heart rate yesterday when I had an EKG done was 91, so it isn't even slowing that down at the moment!
800 is 80mg increase over the 720 daily I was taking before....seems to be helping somewhat for the moment on the cluster side of things! Last big bang was Sunday at 2am... I keep fingers crossed. 
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Bob P
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #4 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 10:26am » |
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From Dr. Goadsby:
verapamil
Verapamil is the preventative drug of choice in both episodic and chronic CH. Clinical experience has demonstrated that higher doses than those used in cardiological indications are needed, so outpatient assessment and follow-up is appropriate. The dose is increased until the cluster attacks are suppressed, side-effects intervene or the maximum dose of 960mg daily is achieved.
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Pegase
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #5 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 11:13am » |
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For me Verap, with 240 mg, took at least 6 weeks to be fully effective...
Usually, I think 240 mg is the basic dose... except if you're in a maintenance shift...
Phil
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AlienSpaceBabe
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #6 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 11:58am » |
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240 mg keeps the shadows at bay during my "off" cycle
480 mg is currently keeping them from hitting hard, giving me only rough shadows....
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BikerBob
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #7 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 1:50pm » |
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I've been episodic for 30 years and I'm in cycle again. I saw a new neuro a week ago. I told him I took Verapamil @ 240mg/day during a few previous cycles for several weeks and it didn't seem to have any effect. He said the dose was too low and gave me this script:
Verapamil 120mg ER Capsules #100 (with 3 refills)
Take 1 capsule twice daily X 3 days
2 capsules am & 1 capsule pm X 3 days
2 capsules twice daily X 2 weeks
then 2 capsules am & 3 capsules pm
He told me to check my blood pressure regularly to make sure it doesn't get dangerously low.
I'm at 480mg/day now on my way to 600mg/day (unless I score some shrooms) and I haven't noticed any effect yet.
I intend to continue taking the 600mg/day until I'm PF for 2 weeks, then taper off it.
Bob
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Bob P
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #8 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 3:14pm » |
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Hey BB. At around 480 my sphincter slams shut like it's been super-glued! I've never been able to go to a high enough dose to make any difference.
Next time I'm trying lithium or elavil.
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Lizzie2
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #9 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 3:32pm » |
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on Jan 19th, 2005, 3:14pm, Bob P wrote:Hey BB. At around 480 my sphincter slams shut like it's been super-glued! I've never been able to go to a high enough dose to make any difference.
Next time I'm trying lithium or elavil. |
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Elavil..= pure evil...don't do it!
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Redneck
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #10 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 6:37pm » |
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Ditto on the Elavil ! I hated it and it didn't do me any good at all.
Edit: Still can't spell 
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| « Last Edit: Jan 19th, 2005, 6:39pm by Redneck » |
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Sylvan
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #11 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 7:29pm » |
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Quote:| Hey BB. At around 480 my sphincter slams shut like it's been super-glued! |
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| « Last Edit: Jan 19th, 2005, 7:30pm by Sylvan » |
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Filbert
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #12 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 7:40pm » |
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AAon Jan 19th, 2005, 10:26am, Bob P wrote:From Dr. Goadsby:
verapamil
Verapamil is the preventative drug of choice in both episodic and chronic CH. Clinical experience has demonstrated that higher doses than those used in cardiological indications are needed, so outpatient assessment and follow-up is appropriate. The dose is increased until the cluster attacks are suppressed, side-effects intervene or the maximum dose of 960mg daily is achieved.
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Also from P. Goadsby at the OUCH uk London regional meeting last year in June.
Question from member of the audience;
"Do you think there is any chance of verapamil extending cycles or turning you chronic?"
Answer
" Probably"
I find that worrying.
Filbert.
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PittsburghJoe
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #13 on: Jan 19th, 2005, 9:17pm » |
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The prunes are a good idea, though I take daouble fiber supplements when I'm on verap and it does no good at all.
Plus, when I finally do find relief, I tend to bleed. Homey don't play dat.
(Putting on deflecto-suit for the comments that will run thru some minds about that one)
Joe
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Bob P
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #14 on: Jan 20th, 2005, 9:50am » |
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No comment Joe. I even took some old, super duty, laxatives with phenothalen in them and they didn't help. Ever read the book "Alive" where the soccer team plane crashes in the Andes and they turn to eating the dead to stay alive? There are descriptions of them becomming constipated from eating just dried meat. I felt like I was there!!!!!!!
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Mrs. Barlow, I never, and I repeat never, ever pissed in your steam iron.
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hilbily
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Re: How long to take Verapimil for?
« Reply #15 on: Jan 20th, 2005, 10:31am » |
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My doc upped the Varapamil when I went into cycle, and put me on magnesium supplement. The Mg would possibly help with HA, and also act as a lax to counteract the effects of the Vap. He also had me on B vitamins,CoE10, and Feverfew , as he believes migraines get intermixed with clusters Jim
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| « Last Edit: Jan 20th, 2005, 11:00am by hilbily » |
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