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        New Message Board Archives >> Oct-Dec 2003 >> verapamil experiences??
        
(Message started by: phishphan on Nov 18^th, 2003, 9:58am)

Title: verapamil experiences??
Post by phishphan on Nov 18^th, 2003, 9:58am

so,,,finally got into the neuro..waited 5 months for that appt.
He says "yea, I think you have clusters"
Prescribes me verapamil.
Im on day 5..half at night right now.
On wednesday I start the half in morn. half at night..
I want to know how long this took to actually work for anyone out there.
I guess Im sittuing here still in denial,,,thinking "i dont know it still feels like a right sided sinus thing"
But the ENT says no, and the neuro says he doesnt believe its sinus either...
How long does this verapamil shit take to work?
I feel like I really belong here now,,,but still confused.

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by Miklos on Nov 18^th, 2003, 10:57am

For me, it is typically a two week ramp-up for the verapamil to be become effective. I also start lithium at the same time. Verapamil 240mg 2/day. Lithium 300 mg 3/day.

Hope it helps you. You did not state the dosage you are taking.

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by phishphan on Nov 18^th, 2003, 11:06am

right now half of a 240 in the eveneing.
Starting wednesday,,,half of a 240 at night, half in the morn.
the follwing week. Half in the morn, 1 full at night
the folling week, 1 full in morn, 1 full at night.
Basically hes got it taking a month till im taking a 240mg in the morn and evening...

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by Racer1_NC on Nov 18^th, 2003, 11:18am

I started out with 1 in the AM....one at night. Worked almost right away..... I wonder why he has you ramping up....

Bill

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by ShariRae on Nov 18^th, 2003, 11:29am

Mine was the same as Racer....got relief by the third day..it was a godsend for me...
Good luck...give it time
Huggs
Shari

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by 9erfan on Nov 18^th, 2003, 11:52am

Most Dr's want to see how it is going to affect your blood pressure (if it drops too low you can suffer from dizzy spells with verap) and that's why they ramp you up.

I started with 180 mg for 2 weeks, went to 240 mg for a month, and now I just started with 240mg in the morning and 120mg in the evening. It's my opinion from talking to my Dr's and from people on this board that if you get relief within a couple of days that it's not from the verapamil, it's just a coincidence. Verapamil takes a while to get into the system.

Stick with it phishpan.
Virginia

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by forgetfulnot on Nov 18^th, 2003, 3:06pm

From OUCH Verapamil SR

How long did it take to stop the headaches?
Response Number Percent Graph
1 week or less 14 13%
1-2 weeks 11 10%
2-3 weeks 10 9%
3-4 weeks 5 4%
more than 4 weeks 3 3%

Lee

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by sixtyminuteman on Nov 18^th, 2003, 3:58pm

Verap took 5 weeks this last time. I don't really know if it WAS the Verap or the natural end of the cycle, but it sure was great to get off the stuff and have normal bowel movements again! *L*

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by Prense on Nov 18^th, 2003, 7:33pm

on 11/18/03 at 11:06:23, phishphan wrote:

Doc is having you break them in half? If it's any sort of release form other than immediate, you cannot really guarantee half by breaking it. Either way, about 2-3 weeks...if it's gonna work for you. You might have to have the dosage increased after that if you are still not getting results. That seems like a fairly slow taper upwards to me...1 month? Are you chronic or episodic?? If episodic, your cycle could likely be over before you get to a usable level of verap.

I'm on 480mg/day with depakote 500mg/day and it's doing nothing for me...hopefully droping the kote and mixing in the lithium at the beginning of december.

My last doc tried getting me to break SR in half...I told him to piss off and prescribe the right shit lmao. I ended up firing him. ;;D

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by jonny on Nov 18^th, 2003, 7:57pm

Cant remember, I started taking Verapamil 12-13 years ago and have been taking it everyday since.

Hope it works for you like it works for me.

Heres a tip, if it dont work mix some Lithium with it.....that combo has nearly killed my beast and im chronic.

Good luck

..........................................jonny

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by eyes_afire on Nov 18^th, 2003, 9:12pm

I found god.
His name is Verapamil.
He is blue.
I hope he doesn't fail.
But after this morning...
I'm a little scared.

Verapamil has worked well for me for awhile.
I need at least 240mg (sometimes more ~360mg).
NO RAMP UP.
Lag time is about 1 week.

--- Steve

Title: Re: verapamil experiences??
Post by BruceD on Nov 18^th, 2003, 9:33pm

I love vera! Started working for me within a few days (started this Aug) and this fall has been virtually PF. I can't remember the last time that's happened. :)

Later
BruceD