Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


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

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Blood Pressure ???
        
(Message started by: pfunk on Apr 13^th, 2006, 6:21pm)

Title: Blood Pressure ???
Post by pfunk on Apr 13^th, 2006, 6:21pm

Just wondering? I have still been HA free since Feb. 23 but I seem to be having some BP issues. I'm taking 540mg of verap as I was while in cycle. What seems to be happening is that it is okay for a while after I take it but seems to spike a few hours later. I thought it would go down by now and that doc would at least tell me to loewr the doseage. Should this be an area for concern or am I just being paranoid? Along with that the doc seems to think I might have sleep apnea and I'm going in for a sleep study on the 23rd of this month.
Much love and PF wishes to all.

Patrick

Title: Re: Blood Pressure ???
Post by BikerBob on Apr 13^th, 2006, 6:52pm

Hi Patrick,

Congratulations on no HA for the past 7 weeks.

What's your normal BP while on 540mg verap and what does it spike to?

Verap is an old BP drug and is less effective in treating high BP than many of the newer BP drugs. If your BP is high on 540mg verap you could talk to your doc about combining 25mg hydrochlorothiazide with the verap, then start tapering off the verap while continuing to monitor your BP. If your BP gets high again while tapering off the verap you could continue taking the hydrochlorothiazide and replace the verap with an ACE inhibitor like Mavik or a beta-blocker like Toprol. Ask your doc.

BB

Title: Re: Blood Pressure ???
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Apr 13^th, 2006, 6:57pm

BB said it best - Verapamil is rarely used for high blood pressure any more. There are much more effective meds out there.

It seems time to me - with no clusters for over a month - to wean slowly off the Verapamil - work with your doc on this, as it took me quite a long time to do it.

I've found HCTZ and Enalapril to be my magic BP cocktail. Talk to your doc about trying new meds and getting off the Verap. Trust me ... you don't want to stay on high doses between cycles. When the next cycle hits, you'll find you need even more.

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Blood Pressure ???
Post by Tom K on Apr 14^th, 2006, 7:32pm

Do yourself a favor and buy a cuff. Monitor your BP before, during and after cycle. I even try to get a reading after injecting to make sure everything is happy. I'm on 20mg of Benicar when not in cycle, and continue it even when on Verap unless my doseage goes above 720. I take 2-180mg Verap at night and 2 in the morning. Don't notice any real drop in BP except when ramping up. YMMV

Title: Re: Blood Pressure ???
Post by unsolved1 on Apr 14^th, 2006, 8:07pm

I have problems with my BP also, especially when on DHE or other Erogotmines. I use Catapress TTS-2 patch. 1 patch last for a week. It's alot easier than taking pills everyday.

Goodluck

UNsolved