Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> verapamil taper?
        
(Message started by: maggie_may on May 21^st, 2003, 8:41am)

Title: verapamil taper?
Post by maggie_may on May 21^st, 2003, 8:41am

I went to see my neuro last night and he was happy to hear that I seem to be out of cycle - no attack for 2 months, Yay! That was one hell of a 6 month cycle and I am finally glad to relax again. So, he's put me on a verapamil taper - Monday night was my last 240mg. Starting last night and for 15 days, I'm taking 180mg and then 120mg for another 15 days before going med-free for the summer.

My question is, how many episodics are weaned off their verapamil and then go back on it when they come back? Is this typical, because I've seen that some people take a very low dose just to maintain the verapamil in the blood so it doesn't come as quite a shock to the system when they need to go full on again.

maggie

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by Miklos on May 21^st, 2003, 8:59am

The schedule your doctor recommended seems quite appropriate, although I usually taper down a little bit more quickly. I do not take the CH medications while out of cycle. If an episode starts, I start the full dose immediately with no ill effect.

Glad your coming down now.

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by CJohnson on May 21^st, 2003, 9:08am

on 05/21/03 at 08:41:05, maggie_may wrote:

I went to see my neuro last night and he was happy to hear that I seem to be out of cycle - no attack for 2 months, Yay

Na, na, na, na,
Na, na, na, na,
Hey, hey, hey,
Goodbye.

Congratulations.

PFDANs
-Curtis

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by Joanie on May 21^st, 2003, 9:25am

Hey Maggie,

Glad to hear you're pain free now. :D

I also taper off the verap at the end of a cycle, but a little more quickly then you are doing and do not take meds when out of cycle. Normally, my cycles are very predictable and I start on the verap about a month before they hit full swing so that I can start building the meds back up in my system.

Enjoy your pain free time!!

Joanie

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by stuey on May 21^st, 2003, 9:44am

Mag I honestly can't answer the question cause I have to take verapamil every day cause of high blood pressure (240 at least) but I am thrilled to hear you are pain free!!! That's exciting to hear and I am happy for you. Peace to you. Stu

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by JDH on May 21^st, 2003, 10:52am

First of all, congrats on your pf time! Gives you a whole new outlook on life, eh?
As for the Verapamil, I was on 480mg ER daily during my last cycle and once it came to an end my Dr dropped it down to 120mg daily.
HMMMMPH, Other than the constipation thing >:(
all has gone well.
hope the pfdan's continue,

Jim

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by cbolony on May 21^st, 2003, 11:09am

maggie_may glad to hear that you are PF.
I been out of cycle for over two months still taking
Verapamil 240mgs 2x aday can't get rid of these
shadows.
Stay PF maggie_may

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by jonny on May 21^st, 2003, 4:50pm

:'( :'( :'(

12 years and no taper, I once quit cold turkey my Verap and Lith................Dont EVER do that its not fun.

Good for you, Maggie :)

...................................jonny

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by els on May 21^st, 2003, 9:02pm

Maggie.

WOOHOO!!! els

Title: married to vera
Post by rumplestiltskin on May 21^st, 2003, 10:23pm

Episodic. Cycles unpredictable. Started 160/day 2 years ago.
Very good painfree times.

MY PROGRAM:

Everytime a CH broke thru I requested an elevation.
I've worked my way up to 480 in the morning and 240 at night. No CHs. I do get vague lil old familiar precursors that I hit with Midrin and/or O2... they rarely develop into the pain. No hint of an identifiable "cycle"....and don't want one.

I HAVE NO INTENTION OF STOPPING VERAP AS LONG AS I'M PF JUST TO SEE IF I'M "IN CYCLE".

Time will tell...till then...I party.

Walk in the sunshine
den

Title: Re: verapamil taper?
Post by maggie_may on May 22^nd, 2003, 7:30am

Thanks for all the great info. I think my neuro is taking so long with the taper because this is the first time that I've ever been on this med - though he didn't say that. Probably next cycle he'll taper quicker, because my body will be familiar with the med. Though he did sound a little too optimistic to me - saying something like 'hopefully they're gone and they won't come back'. I don't know if he was referring to my cycle being over or if they won't come back at all. If it was the second, I think he'll be in for a rude awakening :-X

Jonny, I don't ever intend on stopping any meds that I'm on cold-turkey - especially the verap. Even when I accidentally miss one night of em, I'm messed up the next morning with shadows...

pfdans
maggie 8)