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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Other side of Verapamil
        
(Message started by: Edu_Martins on Feb 10^th, 2005, 3:17pm)

Title: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Edu_Martins on Feb 10^th, 2005, 3:17pm

Im using Verapamil as preventive. I took 240mg and now i take 360mg. I dont know if its working very well, but i keep the faith.

I noticed that im having some kinds of nervous reactions, like having fast tremblings, or shakes....

Firstly i thought that as due to cold on my working room, at my job, but i noticed that it begun to occur recently (and Verapamil too) and its beggining to happen more times than usualy (as i rised the medicine from 240mg to 360mg).

Any of you had some kind of these reactions? Is this normal? Can it be my medicide, really, or is it just my imagination and its just nervous, like having stress.

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by sandie99 on Feb 10^th, 2005, 3:32pm

Verapamil have not caused me (so far, I've been taking it since last summer) no side effects whatsoever. But then again, we're not reacting to the meds on a similar manner anyway.

I hope it works with your CH, though. :)

Best wishes & PFdays,
Sandie99

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by JJA on Feb 10^th, 2005, 3:41pm

Quote:

Side effects...

swelling of lower legs, ankles or feet
shuffling walk
muscle or joint stiffness in arms and legs
trembling
swallowing pain or burning
difficulty speaking
fainting
joints - painful, swollen
bleeding, swollen, or tender gums
loss of balance
numbness or tingling of hands or feet
difficulty urinating
nipple discharge, abnormal (may produce milk)
hair loss
http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/001809.cfm#Side%20effects:

I would still check with your doctor though.

Jesse

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by nani on Feb 10^th, 2005, 4:05pm

Side effects...

swelling of lower legs, ankles or feet
shuffling walk
muscle or joint stiffness in arms and legs
trembling
swallowing pain or burning
difficulty speaking
fainting
joints - painful, swollen
bleeding, swollen, or tender gums
loss of balance
numbness or tingling of hands or feet
difficulty urinating
nipple discharge, abnormal (may produce milk)
hair loss
http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/001809.cfm#Side%20effects:

WTF?? Doesn't milk production require a hormonal change??

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Edu_Martins on Feb 10^th, 2005, 4:14pm

on 02/10/05 at 16:05:29, nani wrote:

Side effects...

(....)
nipple discharge, abnormal (may produce milk)
hair loss
http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/001809.cfm#Side%20effects:

WTF?? Doesn't milk production require a hormonal change??

Since I dont start a milk production, i dont care too much about it... ;;D

Serious now: i dont know too much about this medicine. Here in Brazil the trembling isn't listed as a collateral effect of Verapamil. thats strange.

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Wendy1 on Feb 11^th, 2005, 11:34pm

During a cycle I take 360mg twice daily. My last cycle was broke with this dosage, 1st time ever. I'm not having as good of luck this time, however I will stay on this dosage till their done. I DO believe this high of a dose has worked for the # of h/a and severity of them. It hasn't broke them yet and I'm about 3-4 wks in. I'll let you know if this amount cuts the usualy 6-8 wks short.

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Bob_Johnson on Feb 12^th, 2005, 9:19am

I posted this message on a chat group for dog owners (Vizsla). The issues are the same whether we are talking about animals or humans--so a little translating of words will make it understandable. The core idea: side effects are not an absolute--yes/no--issue. We must always balance potential risk with potential benefit. I'm concerned with the tendency to present comments about medicine side effects in terms which frighten folks away from trying meds which might be of benefit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This question about side effects from food (allergies) or medications pops up regularly. The problem is, we don't ask the correct questions. The issues are:

1. What is the rate or chance or probability that any particular side effect will develop?

Without information it's easy to assume that the list of side effects is a statement of what will happen if the med is used. In fact, side effects are reported in human medicine/vet literature as a rate of occurrence ranging from less than one percent and ranging upward.

It's important to ask the Vet for two pieces of information: what are the side effects?; what is the rate or chance that a particular effect will occur? Without information it's impossible to make a good judgment about using or not.

2. How serious are the side effects compared to the condition for which the med is being used?

We have a member whose Vizsla would have died from a systemic fungal infection without a med. The problem is that this med has serious and frequent side effects--but there were no treatment options.

3. How important is my judgment about the risk of side effects vs. the benefit of using this med?

Bottom line: A list of side effects is a statement of POSSIBILITIES. It is not a PREDICTION of what will occur. Wisdom calls for knowing both the risk and asking the vet what to look for, i.e., symptoms of side effects.

Bob Johnson

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Feb 12^th, 2005, 11:50am

Man, I am glad that someone listed those side effects. My Doc never told me any of those things. He said I would prolly get constipated.
I have been trembling a lot and sometimes get the shakes pretty bad. I'm only on 180mg a day. I thought I was getting parkinsons or something and was ready to schedule an appointment with the Doc for it.
Thanks all for yet more help!
PF wishes to all
BMonee

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Frank_W on Feb 12^th, 2005, 2:11pm

on 02/12/05 at 11:50:06, BMoneeTheMoneeMan wrote:

I have been trembling a lot and sometimes get the shakes pretty bad.

This is because of the constipation? Holy cow!! :o :-X ;;D

Sorry.. Just messin' wit' cha'. Hope you get some answers and some relief pretty soon, on ALL levels!

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by pubgirl on Feb 12^th, 2005, 8:48pm

Edu

Have you had an ECG? One should be done before you commence Verap and at every dosage increase.

It is only a precaution, but a necessary one.

Wendy

Title: Have been on it two weeks, and ....
Post by RollTide87 on Feb 13^th, 2005, 5:14pm

It is helping. I am down to 1 headache a day. Still taking the prednisone, but I am in the 20-30 mg. range. I am taking veramil 3 times a day...don't have the dosage in front of me. Here is what I have noticed....

Def. the trembling
Constipation
Hard to sleep, but I think that is the pred. more than anything
Feeling bad quite a bit (sick feeling - hard to pinpoint)
I also run a fever of around 100 degrees in the evenings.

Oxygen is also helping. Think I have 3 weeks left in this cycle....I hope

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Frank_W on Feb 13^th, 2005, 6:51pm

I hope you are able to find some relief, Rolltide. PFDAN's, -Frank

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by forgetfulnot on Feb 13^th, 2005, 8:11pm

Edu, I have been taking 720mg verap + 900mg lithium for several years. I have no tolerance for cold temps, to me that’s below 74 deg F. When I go in for a blood test they usually take it from my hand, before my veins stood out like a hard on. My Dr. can't really explain it but it's better than cluster headaches. Have them move your desk out on the sidewalk, you should be fine. :D

Good luck

Lee...............

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Edu_Martins on Feb 14^th, 2005, 11:09am

on 02/12/05 at 20:48:50, pubgirl wrote:

Edu

Have you had an ECG? One should be done before you commence Verap and at every dosage increase.

It is only a precaution, but a necessary one.

ECG? Im sorry, i didnt understood. If ECG is what im thinking (blood pressure exam), yeah, Wendy, i always have an ECG when i go to my doc.

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Frank_W on Feb 14^th, 2005, 11:16am

ECG, also known as an EKG. Electrocardiogram.

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Edu_Martins on Feb 14^th, 2005, 11:24am

Oh, i got it... I done an ECG when i started to use Verapamil, 3 months ago. My doc said that it will be necessary from time to time, jsut to prevent other problems.

(just a note: here in Brazil, we call ECG as Eletro, thats why i didnt recognize the examination name).

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by Wendy1 on Feb 15^th, 2005, 11:11pm

I have found my last 2 cycles (after 20 yrs) that Verapamil can break a cycle if taken in high enough dosages. THIS IS IMPERATIVE.

Question remains, can YOU take that much, everyone is different. I take 360 mg twice daily. My doctor informs me I am overdosing (hmmm, overdose or suicide) you decide doc. Although everytime I get checked my b/p is a little higher than normal. He prescribes me 240mg/day and I snitch and take an extra 120, and I tell him this. I'm convinced that Verapmil can be a huge cycle buster, although many docs are reluctant to prescribe this much, understandably.... and it isn't safe for everybody.

I have been in this cycle about 3 wks and I have not hade a bad one in about 1.5 wks, which is really good. I normally have a 6-8 wk cycle. I will be so thrilled if it breaks it for me again.

I would love to hear more input on Verapamil, how much ppl are taking.

WEndy

Title: Re: Other side of Verapamil
Post by ccbiggsoo7 on Feb 16^th, 2005, 12:05am

I get the shakes also, especially if its cold outside, I tend to really shake more in the winter months then summer. ( That really sounds logical) !