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

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> to start or not to start Verap?
        
(Message started by: Putter on Jul 31st, 2007, 9:17pm)
Title: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Putter on Jul 31st, 2007, 9:17pm
Hello,
I am looking for insight on starting Verap. in the morning... ?   Should I based on the history of my CH? :-/
I started this cycle on June 14. I have been getting a min. of 2 hits per night, sometimes 3 or 4.
Each consecutive Cluster period gets longer by approx. one week. In 2005 it lasted 6 weeks. So I am hoping that this one lasts only 7. That would be sometime this week.  
Should I start the Verapamil or stick it out and see if they end??
I have o2 at home, but it doesn't always work... :(

Leanne
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Skyhawk5 on Jul 31st, 2007, 10:08pm
Leanne,
That is one tuff decision. I've been there. I can only give you my opinion. You sound like you are willing to over-ride your Doctor. I have also done this but I know this is a gray area. The oxygen does not stop "peak" hits for a lot of us. (still worth the ones it does)

This really is up to your educated decision, me I would skip the verapamil but advise your Doctor.

Keep the fight going!,    Skyhawk5    (Don S)
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by MR_FLOOR on Aug 1st, 2007, 2:07am
Hi Leann,

       I personally would take it just in case it don't end.It a great prevent for me.If your cycle ends you could always stop.Thats just my  opinion.I would never challenge the beast.




Dave  
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Wayne on Aug 1st, 2007, 2:24am
Leanne

I have to agree with Dave, these things are utterly unpredictable and theres no saying that your cycle won't go to 12 weeks or longer. The last thing you want to do is find yourself sitting here in 3 weeks time wishing you'd started, whereas stopping when you're sure your cycle is over is easy.
But then I am a big baby and I hate pain.

Cheers,

Wayne
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by barry_sword on Aug 1st, 2007, 6:59am

on 08/01/07 at 02:07:46, MR_FLOOR wrote:
Hi Leann,

       I personally would take it just in case it don't end.It a great prevent for me.If your cycle ends you could always stop.Thats just my  opinion.I would never challenge the beast.




Dave  


Hi Leanne, I agree with Dave. It would really suck to have this cycle drag on and not have a preventive med in your system.

I tapered off my Verap. a couple of times thinking I was out of cycle and got nailed. This is going into my 10th month and the shadows are strong so I will stay on my Verap. for awhile longer.

Hope you get some relief soon.

  Barry
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by chewy on Aug 1st, 2007, 8:00am

on 07/31/07 at 22:08:41, Skyhawk5 wrote:
Leanne,
You sound like you are willing to over-ride your Doctor.


Where does she say that?

Verap is a proven preventative. Why wouldn't you take it?
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Brewcrew on Aug 1st, 2007, 8:10am
You can always taper off in a week or two if all the signs are pointing toward remission.

  • If you start taking it and they stop, taper off - no harm done.

  • If you start taking it and they DON'T stop, you're really glad you started when you did.

  • If you don't start taking it and they stop, no big whoop.

  • If you don't start taking it and they DON'T stop, you'll be kicking your own ass around the block.

Logic in everyday life.

(modified to add bullet points - readability)
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by birdman on Aug 1st, 2007, 9:21am
Brewcrew couldn't have made it any clearer.  Plus, verap takes time to reach proper levels in your body.  For me it is roughly 1 week.  I would not wait another minute but you have to be comfortable with your decision.
Tim
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Guiseppi on Aug 1st, 2007, 10:23am
Your attitude and your treatment options are 2 of the few things we CAN control with this condition, so I understand the desire to maintain control over those decisions. But Brew makes a good point, the side effects are minimal, and it takes a little while to ramp up in your body. Be careful with making the mistake of thinking the cycles will ever be predictable. As soon as you do that he morphs on you just out of spite.  ;;D

Still, it all comes down to your call, keep the aborts close at hand and heres wishing you a short cycle!!!

Guiseppi
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by billyjoe on Aug 1st, 2007, 11:34am
This cycle has been my worst and longest, and it is also my most medicated.  There is some speculation here that the meds make the cycle last longer, but I know of no facts to back that up.
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Guiseppi on Aug 1st, 2007, 11:53am
A concern I share, I used imitrex injectable for the first time last year and my "normal" cycle of 12 weeks stretched to 8.5 months. The problem of course is he morphs so often the whole "cause and effect" thing stays elusive. Hang in there.

Guiseppi
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Putter on Aug 1st, 2007, 1:45pm
Thanks for the input everyone! I appreciate the logical explanation you put forth Brewcrew.  It's hard to be logical with all the pain and sleeplessness...

I started with the Verapimil today. The main reason I hadn't started earlier was I was nursing my 8 month old baby when this episode started, but he is weaned now.    
Another push to start, is I dont' think this cycle is coming to an end, but I am watching for any sign and wishing...

Once the verap. is in my system, will I know if the cycle has ended, or do I taper off and see if I get hit?
How do I taper off? (my dose is 180 twice a day)

Leanne
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Brewcrew on Aug 1st, 2007, 6:35pm

on 08/01/07 at 13:45:30, Putter wrote:
Once the verap. is in my system, will I know if the cycle has ended, or do I taper off and see if I get hit?
How do I taper off? (my dose is 180 twice a day)

Leanne

Leanne,

These are really questions for your doc. Here you will get as many answers as there are screen names. In general, most will tell you that, yes, you will have to taper, and that's how you will tell if the cycle is over. How fast? Your doc should tell you.

Bill
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by chewy on Aug 2nd, 2007, 6:14pm
I go off the verap when I go a full 2 weeks without a hit.
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by birdman on Aug 3rd, 2007, 11:34am
I have to taper slowly beacuse any quick drop causes the beast to rear his ugly head.  Everyone is different though.  Find what is right for you.
Tim
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Putter on Aug 5th, 2007, 10:48am
okay, 4 days on verapamil and I have been getting hit only once per night. I actually saw results after the first day and I did not expect that at all.  That is great because I was getting  2 - 4 times per 24 hours.
Last night I did not get a visit from the beast! who hoo!
Title: Re: to start or not to start Verap?
Post by Brewcrew on Aug 5th, 2007, 11:52am

on 08/05/07 at 10:48:37, Putter wrote:
okay, 4 days on verapamil and I have been getting hit only once per night. I actually saw results after the first day and I did not expect that at all.  That is great because I was getting  2 - 4 times per 24 hours.
Last night I did not get a visit from the beast! who hoo!

This is great news. Don't forget to consider the possibility that this is just a matter of timing and that your cycle may - just may - be coming to a close.

Once you are PF for two weeks, I'd try tapering off the verapamil to see.


Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.