Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


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

        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> ? about verapamil
        
(Message started by: Jim R on Jun 18^th, 2003, 12:01pm)

Title: ? about verapamil
Post by Jim R on Jun 18^th, 2003, 12:01pm

Yesterday, the doc upped my verapamil dosage from 240 SR to 360 SR. This morning I took the first of these new pills and all morning and still now (early afternoon) I've been having heart palpitations and a vaguely upset stomach feeling. Have any of you on verapamil noticed this when increasing dosages? Of course, with all the other sh*t I'm on it could be one of those drugs as well, but I suspect the verap. Thanks in advance.

Jim R

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by fubar on Jun 18^th, 2003, 12:24pm

I'm on 720mg/day and have not had any problems with it. My doctor warned about constipation and also told me to be aware that high doses can lead to momentary black-outs if my blood pressure were to get too low.

If you start missing doses, I'll bet that would give you heart palpitations since you would effectively be elliminating the regulatory effect of the verapamil suddenly. Are you taking it as regularly as possible?

-Fu

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by Miklos on Jun 18^th, 2003, 12:42pm

During an episode, I normally take 360 mg/day with no problems. I have found that I get the best results (most even) when I split the 240 mg pills in half and take 120 mg in the morning, with lunch and late in the evening.

The lithium I take at the same time more than offsets any constipation effects from the verapamil.

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by cbolony on Jun 18^th, 2003, 1:15pm

Jim 240 mgs 2x a day no problems

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by ZAIRA on Jun 18^th, 2003, 2:31pm

on 06/18/03 at 12:01:50, Jim R wrote:

Yes Jim, I’m bradycardic at the moment >:(... but I use 720 mg of Verapamil... and it’s the first time that it happens me after 8 years that I’ve been using it... >:(

Good luck and all the best for you,

Zaira :-* ;)

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by Live4Fun on Jun 18^th, 2003, 2:42pm

Jim,

I am currently on a lower dosage of Verap (120 mg) and do not have side effects. HOWEVER, this is your heart you are talking about. Nothing to play around with. Call your doc and let him know immediately your concerns about the medicine. He may be able to tell you if it is Verap or not causing the condition.

Please, for your sake, call the doc. Too much at risk and we DO NOT want to lose you :)

Take care Jim and be well,

Bryan

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by Jim R on Jun 18^th, 2003, 4:02pm

Thanks everyone. Yes, I am chronic on verap - been on it for years. Started out at 120 then to 240, now 360. I take it every every morning. Can you split a SR tablet in half or does that break the slow release envelope and disapate the effects of the continuous release? I just never had this palpitation thing from it before, but then again with all the other drug interactions that may be going on, who knows what the cause is ???

I'll see how it goes tomorrow and report back. I have a complete physical exam (yes, the dreaded prostate too and in two more year, a baseline colonoscopy - I can't wait!!) and I will talk to the doc about it.

Best wishes to all.

Jim R

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by eyes_afire on Jun 18^th, 2003, 5:53pm

Hi Jim. Everytime I start verapamil or increase the dose, my heart feels fluttery. Eventually my body gets used to it. I'm currently at 360 mg. It's probably not a good idea to split an SR pill in half because it will probably destroy the 'sustained release' mechanism... then you will probably feel even more fluttery.

--- Steve, one of many...

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by fubar on Jun 18^th, 2003, 6:03pm

Steve is right, breaking them in half results in what pharmacists call a 'dump' of the medication into your system. The sustained release pill is meant to dissolve slowly, but when you break it in half, it dissolves all at once, hence the term 'dump'.

-Fu

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by Sweetestpea on Jun 18^th, 2003, 7:13pm

Hi, I'm new to this site, and I'm amazed at how many of us have this problem!!! I've just been diagnosed about 6 months ago, after suffering relentless for 4 years! My doc has me on 240 mg and I noticed swelling in my feet, so I lowered my dose back to 120. I have felt that same fluttering feeling and mine seems to climb into my throat also. I'm not sure exactly what causes it, but I'm thinking that it might be when I combine it with my Frova, (migraine med) I don't get it always, so I'm sure it must be a med mixture. :o

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by 2late on Jun 18^th, 2003, 7:20pm

verap effects my heart also, anymore than 360mg in a day & i get the fish floppin' in my chest feelin' , can't win, can we bro' ;D .................Jack

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by Miklos on Jun 18^th, 2003, 7:45pm

I have been splitting my 240 mg Calan SR pills in half since April 1986 at the recommendation of my neurologist -and- the pharmacist. Works for me, but then we are all different.

I do not take generic verapamil because it allows break throughs. That season of generic was one hellish episode. Likewise, my wife takes 80 mg per day of Calan SR for PAT; generic allows break throughs for her as well.

However, since you may be right, I will ask the neurologist for 80 mg tabs at the onset of my next episode. Perhaps it will be more effective.

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by stuey on Jun 20^th, 2003, 3:07pm

Jim, I have been taking verapamil for 3 years (240 mg once a day for blood pressure). After reading here that it helps ward off the attacks I took it upon myself to increase it by steps first to 480 and then to 720. No heart skipping anywhere. But you have to do what's best for you and your world, if it's something you're concerned about get off it. Palpitations are no joke. Find another preventative that doesn't give you those side effects. By the way, I am tapering off to go back to my normal 240 mg cause even the 720 did really nothing for me. Peace to you. Stuey

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by Jim R on Jun 22^nd, 2003, 3:01pm

Thanks all. I can't get off it though because it is not only one of my CH preventatives, it is for my blood pressure. Same for clonodine. The second day on the 360 mg. there was less "flipping", so apparently one can get used to the increased dosages in short order.

Jim R

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by Marijke on Jun 24^th, 2003, 9:22am

some of the SR-tablet can be cut in half, but in that case the leaflet may state so. Well, mine does...
When I increased from 360 to 480, my heart felt a little weird as well, but that got less after a week or so. If you feel unconmfortable, check with you GP.

:)
Marijke

Title: Re: ? about verapamil
Post by Big_Dan on Jun 24^th, 2003, 9:30am

... you need to beat-feet to a mufkin' doctor...

... don't mess with that shit, Hombre...

-Big Dan