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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Edema and Verapamil *Updated per Dennis :)*
        
(Message started by: LindsayLoo on Sep 5^th, 2007, 5:02pm)

Title: Edema and Verapamil *Updated per Dennis :)*
Post by LindsayLoo on Sep 5^th, 2007, 5:02pm

I had my verapamil up'd yesterday and now I have cankles. My feet and calves are actually flush with my thighs. I know swelling can happen but how much is too much?? Should I call the dr about this? This never happened before while taking the Verap but i know w/ blood pressure meds it is common. Anyone else had this problem??

Thanks, Lindsay

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by Brewcrew on Sep 5^th, 2007, 5:06pm

on 09/05/07 at 17:02:39, LindsayLoo wrote:

I had my verapamil up'd yesterday and now I have kankles. My feet and calves are actually flush with my thighs. I know swelling can happen but how much is too much?? Should I call the dr about this? This never happened before while taking the Verap but i know w/ blood pressure meds it is common. Anyone else had this problem??

Thanks, Lindsay

I'm guessing that it's not a good look on you? Hillary's been pulling it off for years.

I'd see my doc, or at least give him/her a call. That sounds excessive.

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by LindsayLoo on Sep 5^th, 2007, 5:24pm

on 09/05/07 at 17:06:55, Brewcrew wrote:

I'm guessing that it's not a good look on you?

DH said it's about time I got rid of my chicken legs lol so maybe it is ;;D I personally feel like I need to go out and buy those support stockings heh

I'd see my doc, or at least give him/her a call. That sounds excessive.

Thanks Brew. I just put a call in. It's getting to the point where my ankles don't want to bend when I walk. It isn't painful just really uncomfortable and restricting.

Thanks,
Lindz

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by Kevin_M on Sep 5^th, 2007, 5:29pm

on 09/05/07 at 17:06:55, Brewcrew wrote:

I'd see my doc, or at least give him/her a call. That sounds excessive.

Have heard of it happening to a bothersome extent, most likely nothing to do with it but from another female. Agree with above; opinion, assessment and explanation in order.
I've swelled somewhat for awhile but not prolonged or excessively.

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by barry_sword on Sep 5^th, 2007, 6:07pm

I'm on 480mg Verapamil daily and very little swelling, A Doc visit is probably a good idea just to be safe.

Barry

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by LindsayLoo on Sep 5^th, 2007, 6:18pm

on 09/05/07 at 18:07:13, barry_sword wrote:

I'm on 480mg Verapamil daily and very little swelling

This is what I am taking now. I was on 240 a day. I am a tiny girl though. I'm 5'5 and 110. Maybe it is too much for me. The swelling is getting worse, my hands are getting a little stiff now too and so far no return call from neuro. (I hate that I can't ever get through to the neuro, it's starting to annoy me)

Lindsay

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 5^th, 2007, 7:13pm

If that is the only thing you changed?

If you don't hear back from the Dr and the swelling continues a trip to the ER may be in order. Don't take any chances Linsday. We like having you around.

You need a Dr's opinion on why you're taking on water.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by phil_h on Sep 5^th, 2007, 7:59pm

I had that happen... md told me to go right to the er.... There it was decided I was having a negative reaction to 480 verapamil and 10 norvasc ,,,, I was told Ihad to discontinue both rxs immediately... They kept me overnight. They pointed out to me I had been admitted to the er doa as a result of 960 verapamil , 10 norvasc and 2 imitrex shots that day back in November..... swelling of ankels began the day before I died.... Ihad a 6 week bout with the beast of multiple kip 7's-10's daily .. nuerologist put me back on verapamil and ramped me up to 960 in 5 weeks............ it combined with norvasc and my heart rate bottomed out....... Believe it or not... after several weeks in the hospital recovering from dying , being brought back to life 3x's , 5 day coma , last rites 2x's .... I survive my experience ,get released from hospital under the care of new md team.....they put me on 480 verapamil and 10 norvasc and 10 days later I'm back in er............. I fired mds , got a new set...they explained to me in the er that verapamil and norvasc combined as a blood preasure medication and in effect I od'd on bp meds... verapamil never really worked for me {4 prior runs ] and I am allergic to it ....... GET TO ER...... ADEMA gets worse without medical help ... goodluck... phil h

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by E-Double on Sep 5^th, 2007, 8:15pm

Yup...
I developed cankles bigger than my grandmother.
This developed following a flight to the OUCH Dallas convention in '05
I took a diuretic and it subsided.
Doctors were aware and told me it was not an emergency. It subsided in a few days.

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by barry_sword on Sep 5^th, 2007, 8:48pm

Lindsay, keep us up to speed, ok.

Barry

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 8^th, 2007, 7:09am

Ok, I'm done waiting!

How are you Lindsay?

Did you go to the ER? Has your edema gotten any better? I'm just worried since you haven't updated this thread again and I haven't seen you post anywhere else either.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil *Update*
Post by LindsayLoo on Sep 8^th, 2007, 8:05am

Thank you for the concern and many PM's & Phone calls. I thought of you guys too. I am ok, but not...If you don't want to know personal info about me..Don't continue to read on.

Ever heard of DVT and Phelbitis (sp?)

*EDITED/ DELETED BECAUE I SHARED FOR LONG ENOUGH* :-[

I am trying to cope the best I can at the moment and being strong for my girls & everyone around me..I don't want people to walk on eggshells w/ me or get those "looks" like I did the first time around. I know I shouldn't be sharing this but maybe this time around I won't have to go through it alone so to speak, I have you guys, or so I hope.

*Looking for a shoulder to lean on, not sympathy*
Lindsay

Isn't it funny I can get blood thinning injections but NOT Trex injections! ASSES!

Edited for typos

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil *Updated per Dennis :)*
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 8^th, 2007, 8:24am

Lean away Lindsay. That's what we're hear for :) Thanks for the update. And no, that wasn't TMI.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil *Updated per Dennis :)*
Post by Brewcrew on Sep 8^th, 2007, 8:29am

Why should you not share this? You goof. That's a boatload of shit to deal with right there.

Healing thoughts and prayers goin' up.

By the way, what's a DVT?

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil *Updated per Dennis :)*
Post by LindsayLoo on Sep 8^th, 2007, 8:50am

on 09/08/07 at 08:29:36, Brewcrew wrote:

By the way, what's a DVT?

How it was explained to me was it's a deep clot in my vein that can break away and travel up and possibly cause a pulminary embolism. Hence why I was swelling below the clot. My leg was burning up and OMFG did it really start to hurt. WOW!

DVT -Deep venous thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep inside the body.

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) mainly affects the veins in the lower leg and thigh. A clot (thrombus) forms in the larger veins of the area. This clot can interfere with blood flow, and it may break off and travel through the bloodstream (embolize). The traveling blood clot (embolus) can lodge in the brain, lungs, heart, or other area, severely damaging that organ.

Risks for DVT include prolonged sitting (such as on long plane or car trips) or bedrest. It also may be caused by recent surgery (especially hip, knee, or female reproductive organ surgery), fractures, childbirth within the last 6 months, and the use of medications such as estrogen and birth control pills.

Risks also include overproduction of red blood cells in bone marrow (polycythemia vera), cancerous (malignant) tumor, and having a condition in which the blood is more likely to clot (hypercoagulability).

Title: Re: Edema and Verapamil *Updated per Dennis :)*
Post by BC_Battler on Sep 10^th, 2007, 2:24am

Wow, so sorry to hear you're going through this.

I'm going through something similar - I had my Verap upped earlier this year and I am dealing with major swelling and pain problems in my legs. Neuro says it's no big deal, but vein specialist says it will always be a problem as long as I take max dosage of Verapamil. Hmm, who to believe?

My problem is that if I lower the Verap dosage, the CHs get really nasty. They're nasty enough anyway, and with the exception of a few short breaks a year I'm a chronic sufferer, so lowering the Verapamil doesn't seem to be much of an option.

Instead, I have serious edema issues that are new this year and none of the doctors can agree on what to do!

Anyway, it's okay, but it's amazing how confusing this situation can be. Best of luck with what you're going through - you're not alone.

Here's to pain-free days and nights. Cheers.