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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Just need an opinion
        
(Message started by: ShannonJ on Jul 26^th, 2004, 2:44pm)

Title: Just need an opinion
Post by ShannonJ on Jul 26^th, 2004, 2:44pm

I always say this but God am I greatful for this site and all of you. I have gotten alot of advice and tried some new med's and started verapamil as a preventative. Well the verapamil is only 120mg once a day. Within a week of taking it my cycle ended. Not sure if it was just over because it had been about a month and a half and that's how long mine last or if the med was strong enough and helped. Alot of people have said that it may not of been strong enough so just curious on what you may think. Also for the lucky ones that have a remission for a year or more do you still take preventatives during the time that you know you aren't going to be in cycle or do you wait until they start again?
Shannon

Title: Re: Just need an opinion
Post by don on Jul 26^th, 2004, 2:54pm

It has been suggested that you continue the preventatives for 2-3 weeks after you are reasonably sure your cycles has ended.

I doubt the verapamil stopped your cycle. Fot two reasons:

1. 120 mg/day is very low dose
2. It takes acouple of weeks for verapamil to reach a theraputic level to begin with.

Title: Re: Just need an opinion
Post by klp on Jul 26^th, 2004, 3:01pm

I also take the verapamil 2-3 weeks after my cycle ends. My remission is usually 10-11 months so as soon as i got my 2nd shadow this time i started the verapamil again and am happy to say I haven't had a full blown attack or anythin greater than a kip2 since starting it. I also did the prednisone taper 80mg-0 and take 9mg of melatonin. my verapamil dosage is higher though. I start with 120mg twice a day for 3 days then 120mg three times a day for 3 days then 240 mg twice a day till the cycle ends. I taper off the same way. also the verapamil i use is SR.(sustained release). hope this helps krista

Title: Re: Just need an opinion
Post by Little Deb on Jul 26^th, 2004, 7:35pm

I take a low dose of Procardia XL (like Verapamil)
This time I started it right away when I decided it was really a cycle that had come. Also within a week, I have been very happy no bad hits, and minor shadows.

I take mine for 2-3 weeks too, when I haven't felt any shadows for awhile, then I taper off. I don't take it when out of cycle.

in cycle and happy for now....................Little Deb

Title: Re: Just need an opinion
Post by thomas on Jul 27^th, 2004, 8:46am

I do not take meds out of cycle, that would not be a smart thing.

Title: Re: Just need an opinion
Post by mustang on Jul 27^th, 2004, 9:10am

I am chronic and take 640mg of Verapamil dailey.
When I try to taper down I start the shadows.
Have been on this does for 9 months and been
pf for 6 months for the most part.

:) :) Mustang :) :)

Title: Re: Just need an opinion
Post by Prense on Jul 27^th, 2004, 1:09pm

The only advantage to taking preventative meds out of cycle is to handle the upcoming cycle faster. If you have no idea when your next cycle is, then...

Even if you "think" you know when your next cycle will be, odds are you will be wrong...

Thomas gave good advice.

Chris

Title: Re: Just need an opinion
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jul 27^th, 2004, 8:14pm

Hi Shannon,

Glad the beast is leaving you alone for awhile.

Unless you have other problems like hypertension that might require Verapamil, it's probably best to wean off it between cycles.

When my last cycle ended, I continued to take 120mg/day. It sure didn't prevent the next cycle from coming. In fact, when the next cycle hit, my doc had to quickly ramp up the dose to 480mg/day before I started seeing improvement.

This time he's weaning me off totally (my cycles are several years apart). Once I was sure it was over (about 10 weeks for me), he had me decrease my dose by 120mg every two weeks. So far, I'm down to 240mg/day and counting - no twinges or shadows so far. Hope this helps.

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Just need an opinion
Post by IndianaJohn on Jul 29^th, 2004, 2:42pm

I had the same problem with verapamil. I took 480mg daily and it didn't prevent my current episode. I would have to agree that it's best to ween of the meds out of cycle to reduce the chance of them not being effective for the next one.

Sucks that there is always a next one...

John