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Topic: side effects w/verapamil (Read 12465 times) |
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boomer52
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side effects w/verapamil
« on: Jan 1st, 2006, 5:10pm » |
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What side effects if any has anyone had with verapamil? I take 480 mgs.
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Racer1_NC
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #1 on: Jan 1st, 2006, 7:50pm » |
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Your bowels will probably go on strike....other than that, it hasn't bothered me.
Bill
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Redd
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #2 on: Jan 1st, 2006, 8:14pm » |
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You are still standing upright I presume? Besides what Bill states, remember NO Grapefruit...
The med dropped my BP dangerously low, so I had to go off of it. Hope the constipation isn't bad enough to drive you off the med if it's helping with the CH.
Keep us posted.
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E-Double
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #3 on: Jan 1st, 2006, 10:18pm » |
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lethargy!!!!!!!
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boomer52
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #4 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 2:56am » |
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So far my bowels haven't gone on strike and I am still standing upright. I don't think I am lethargic uhhhhhhhhh, just kidding. So far everything is good and thanks for the info. I am also taking lipator for high cholestrol and I just wonder if all of these meds will mess with my heart, liver or something. Also am taking imitrex whenever I need to.
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Jasmyn
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #5 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 10:54am » |
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on Jan 2nd, 2006, 2:56am, boomer52 wrote:| So far my bowels haven't gone on strike and I am still standing upright. I don't think I am lethargic uhhhhhhhhh, just kidding. So far everything is good and thanks for the info. I am also taking lipator for high cholestrol and I just wonder if all of these meds will mess with my heart, liver or something. Also am taking imitrex whenever I need to. |
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Yip, what Bill, Red and E-Double said plus heart palpitations and nausea if you up your dosage.
Just know you will never be able to be an organ donor but you are welcome to learn to play an organ, we have quite a few musicians here 
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Guiseppi
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #6 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 11:03am » |
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Since verapamil is a likely option for me on the 11th when I FINALLY get to see a real live doctor....I was hoping someone else would have answered this question before I had to ask it. My wife...loving supportive goddess of my universe that she is, asked me to check with the guys on the site and see if the high doses of verapamil caused any manly unpleasant side effects. Something she had read up on. You can e-mail me straight if you're not comfortable posting answers, thanks in advance. You people truly are my lifeline to sanity these days.
Guiseppi
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zanychef
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #7 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 1:11pm » |
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us and sanity ?? somethings wrong 
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totka2
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #8 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 1:23pm » |
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Sleepiness and low blood pressure (90/60 mmHg after 2 strong coffee)
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Kris_in_SJ
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #9 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 8:11pm » |
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Can't answer the "manly" question, since I'm of the opposite sex. However, Verapamil is a beta blocker usually given for heart problems as opposed to blood pressure. That being said, if you are possibly experiencing a decreased libido, it's more likely due to the fact you're in cycle and using all your energy just to survive it.
Lowered sex drive is much more common with calcium-channel blockers and other types of blood pressure meds.
Hang in there - and eat plenty of fiber.
Hugs,
Kris
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Doug_L
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #10 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 10:09pm » |
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Verapamill is a calcium channel blocker.
Do have a full physical done every year if you take verapamill or lithium.
I just got out of the hospital ICU unit from an 11-day stay with 5 days out of ICU.
They told me that the verapamill has caused my liver to enlarge and also the lithium has caused damage to my kidneys that cannot be reversed.
I was on that cocktail for years and can now never go back on either of those drugs again.
This is very depressing for me as that was my working cocktail to keep my cluster at bay.
So now it’s back to the starting gates to see what else will mess up my system.
DougL
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Redd
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #11 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 11:12pm » |
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Topomax is well known for the kidney issues and stones. I wasn't aware Lithium could as well. You are correct that Verap is a Calcium Channel Blocker.
There are other weapons in this war against the beast. Hope you find something else as a working coctail.
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boomer52
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #12 on: Jan 2nd, 2006, 11:56pm » |
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Thanks for the info everyone, I guess I won't be an organ donor. I go to a new neurologist the 13th, maybe I will find out something different from him. Thanks again, Jay
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burnt-toast
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #13 on: Jan 3rd, 2006, 5:12am » |
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Currently at 720mg per day - good diet and fluid intake can usually eliminate potential bowel issues.
As with just about every med. prescribed for CH there are a number potential side effects. More common at higher dosages is swelling of legs and ankles when taking Verapamil.
The following links contain some good information but also discuss with your pharmacist who often can provide more detailed information.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
http://search.drugs.com/search.php
Tom
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zwibbs/Scott
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #14 on: Jan 3rd, 2006, 8:14am » |
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Now you had to mention effects on " manly" functions--GREAT!!-------Only kidding---The only thing that a doctor friend of mine said about Verapamil was NOT to make any sudden movements as it will lower your blood pressure on a dime...will lead to possible dizziness and light headedness ( spell check).
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BK
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #15 on: Jan 3rd, 2006, 4:42pm » |
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on Jan 3rd, 2006, 8:14am, zwibbs/Scott wrote:| Now you had to mention effects on " manly" functions--GREAT!!-------Only kidding---The only thing that a doctor friend of mine said about Verapamil was NOT to make any sudden movements as it will lower your blood pressure on a dime...will lead to possible dizziness and light headedness ( spell check). |
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I can testify to the sudden movements leading to dizziness. Doesn't last but for a few moments but I wouldn't want to be standing at the edge of a cliff when it happens. 480 mg makes me a little tired but can still get on the treadmill. It's been said on other Verap. threads but if the bowels don't like the med, make sure to drink extra fluids, increase fiber or take a softener.
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Jonny
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #16 on: Jan 3rd, 2006, 4:51pm » |
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on Jan 2nd, 2006, 10:09pm, Doug_L wrote:Verapamill is a calcium channel blocker.
Do have a full physical done every year if you take verapamill or lithium.
I just got out of the hospital ICU unit from an 11-day stay with 5 days out of ICU.
They told me that the verapamill has caused my liver to enlarge and also the lithium has caused damage to my kidneys that cannot be reversed.
I was on that cocktail for years and can now never go back on either of those drugs again.
This is very depressing for me as that was my working cocktail to keep my cluster at bay.
So now it’s back to the starting gates to see what else will mess up my system.
DougL
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I take it you were not having the requied blood work every six months when on this cocktail?
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Kris_in_SJ
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #17 on: Jan 3rd, 2006, 8:05pm » |
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OK - I feel really stupid here!
I believe I said that Verapamil was a Beta-Blocker - consider my former nursing license revoked permanently!
Verapamil is a calcium-channel blocker (it's the reason it works on clusters). I consider myself thoroughly slapped upside the head!
It tends to be ACE Inhibitors that interfere with libido.
Mea Culpa!
Kris
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Jonny
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #18 on: Jan 3rd, 2006, 8:32pm » |
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on Jan 3rd, 2006, 8:05pm, Kris_in_SJ wrote:OK - I feel really stupid here!
I believe I said that Verapamil was a Beta-Blocker - consider my former nursing license revoked permanently!
Verapamil is a calcium-channel blocker (it's the reason it works on clusters). I consider myself thoroughly slapped upside the head!
It tends to be ACE Inhibitors that interfere with libido.
Mea Culpa!
Kris |
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Dont sweat it, Babe...there are so many names and descriptions of these things its stupid.
My Neuro says that I have been taking this shit so long that I should up and lower to dosage as I need to, cause I know more about it than he does.....Now thats scary....LOL
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
- Guiseppi
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Doug_L
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #19 on: Jan 3rd, 2006, 10:38pm » |
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Nope Jenny
The PCP I had told me I was on a low of a dose that I did not need it.
Now I know better.
The verapamill actually caused my heart to beat from the inside out. I had to have a pacemaker put in while I was in the ICU. 240meg of verap 3x’x a day for 10 years and all of the sudden I almost popped off the face of this earth.
DougL
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Mr.YL
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #20 on: Jan 6th, 2006, 10:11pm » |
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No clusters so use your own brain
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Katherinecm
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #21 on: May 14th, 2006, 5:53pm » |
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I had a weird, all over my head, dull headache about 20 minutes after taking it. I was lethargic all the time. Combined with trex I think it is what pushed me into the chronic state... suddenly my hits went from being predictible like clockwork to more frequent, more severe, and with no predictable schedule at all.
Katy
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madaline
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #22 on: May 14th, 2006, 8:33pm » |
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Hi, I have just read what Doug_L wrote about as the effects of the Verapamil on his liver. I have been on 600mg. time release pills (all taken at once, every night) for about three years. I asked the cardiologist as well as my neurologist about side effects and they all swore that you can take it long term without it affecting your other organs. I think the doctors I spoke to are not taking into consideration the high dosage we are all taking.Now I am a wreck listening to Doug's experience. Has anyone else had such a terrible thing happen to them as a result of long term Ver. use?
I hope you are staying well, Doug.
Madaline
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| « Last Edit: May 15th, 2006, 1:03am by madaline » |
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Gator
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #23 on: May 15th, 2006, 7:41pm » |
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Just to add something I haven't seen here...It is recommended that your doctor do an ECG before every dosage increase over 480mg.
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I_can_dance
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Re: side effects w/verapamil
« Reply #24 on: May 17th, 2006, 12:12am » |
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My husband just went from 240mg SR verapamil without side-effects or effect up to 1-120mg SR at night +4- 80mg short acting during the day 30-60 minutes prior to a hit. Total mg now 440 for the past 4 days with noticeable lethargy and 1 episode of racing heart beats. He also started 2-3mg trex injections that aren't helpful. Does the lethargy usually get better and should he see a change in his CH by now? He started nearly 3 weeks ago.
Paula
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