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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> What Happened?
        
(Message started by: becky8 on Nov 1^st, 2004, 9:49am)

Title: What Happened?
Post by becky8 on Nov 1^st, 2004, 9:49am

I know you all are just going say "welcome to CH", but you know me I will ask anyway cause today I am really really down. I started verapamil 1 month ago today. And last week (all week) I was doing great, sometimes hit at night but nothing I couldn't stop. But this weekend I started during the day again, what's the deal? [smiley=confused.gif] :'( I only get a week (which WAS better than before) but I really thought the Verapamil at 360mg was really starting to work for me. I see the neuro next Tuesday and I am asking for 02, but again is the verapamil helping or was I just having a lucky break, I am sad and disappointed and pissed all at the same time. I just don't get this???? I know, I know "Welcome to clusterville!!!

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by DerbyDemon on Nov 1^st, 2004, 9:55am

The beast fought through the dosage. You didn't necessarily end a cycle, you just found some relief during one. Chances are your doctor will increase the verapamil or give you something in addition to it. Good luck.

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by don on Nov 1^st, 2004, 10:15am

Talk to your Doc about upping the dose.

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by becky8 on Nov 1^st, 2004, 10:52am

How bad are the side effects using Lithium with verapamil? I don't want to be a zombie and a clusterhead??

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by don on Nov 1^st, 2004, 10:58am

That will depend on the individual. Something that needs to be discussed with the Doc.

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by hoosierdaddy on Nov 1^st, 2004, 11:11am

Don,
Did you do a Prednisone taper during that week?

I found that I'm mostly PF during Prednisone taper.

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by becky8 on Nov 1^st, 2004, 11:32am

No, nothing, I wish I was eposidic so I could understand more. Because it seems here more are than chronic. I just can't say its a cycle or what, or like I'm at the beggining of my cycle or my cycle is ending. With being chronic is there any cycle or not in cycle. Just when I think I am understanding it alittle, I don't again.

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by don on Nov 1^st, 2004, 11:46am

I'm not chronic but what I do know is that chronics experiance episodic cycles within the chronicity of the CH.

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by becky8 on Nov 1^st, 2004, 11:54am

Don,
So what you're saying is sometimes I will have really bad weeks and then it will just be back to normal heavy shadows and smaller hits?So it doesn't mean my meds aren't working I just have to adjust my meds like epsodics do?If so will I learn how to do that (with a DR. help of course)

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by don on Nov 1^st, 2004, 12:06pm

I think so.

What we really need here is some chronic input.

Also keep in mind that most chronics are just whiners with Meeegraines. 8)

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by ArCane on Nov 1^st, 2004, 12:26pm

Sorry your having such a rough time becky. PF vibes heading your way. Hang in there.

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by nani on Nov 1^st, 2004, 12:34pm

Quote:

Also keep in mind that most chronics are just whiners with Meeegraines

Hey Don - kiss my chronic ass! ;;D

Becky- yes it's possible that you are having a cycle that will eventually go away and you'll be back to your "normal" shadows and hits. I take verap and lithium. I take the lithium at bedtime, so I won't get zombied out. I have high blood pressure so I plan on staying on the verap, but will talk to my neuro next week about the lithium. I also take Neurontin as a prevent and I take it all the time. Good luck hun. Hopefully you'll get some relief and/or your cycle will end soon. [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by don on Nov 1^st, 2004, 2:05pm

Chronics suck.

Episodics rule.

Title: Re: What Happened?
Post by unsolved1 on Nov 1^st, 2004, 2:36pm

on 11/01/04 at 14:05:59, don wrote:

Chronics suck.

Episodics rule.

Screw epesodics !! You guys got it easy. At least you get some remission. You shouldn't complain as much...just thank your lucky stars your not me !!

Becky,
Yes....Us ChRoNiCs experience better days and bad days !!
About the Verapamil ... most CH'ers (someone correct me if i'm wrong) don't get relief from Verapamil until they reach a dose of 480mg/day or higher. Some go as high as 720 - 960 mg/day (Personally, that would kill me). Taking high doses of Verapamil can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, and slowed heart rate. Your doc will have to make the decision on weather you can handle that much or not.
Lithium .... When taking this drug, you should have regular blood test (Lithium Levels) to see that you reach a 'theraputic level'. Too much can be toxic and cause 'tremors' (shakey hands) and general clumsiness...among other side effects.

Unsolved < Chronic as Chronic can be >