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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2004 >> is verapamil or topamx long term 
        
(Message started by: jeepman on Mar 14^th, 2004, 10:15pm)

Title: is verapamil or topamx long term
Post by jeepman on Mar 14^th, 2004, 10:15pm

Hi all,

seems I may have go back to Dr. my cycle began again after a month or so sabatical, I have always been an episodic clusterhead, usually 1-2 years between events, their back, seems like the more i treat them I meaner they return, like their not working out the whole cycle for that term, and anything I take/do to derail them, seems to only piss them off and make then return sooner, and stronger...I've done
FROVA, I do imitrex nasal nightly at onset, andd have taken depakote, prednisones, and some others overr the last many years of cycles. Usually when they are past, they are threw for a year or better..NOT THIS TIME.. [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: is verapamil or topamx long term
Post by jeepman on Mar 14^th, 2004, 10:16pm

oops, my QUESTION is, is Verap, and Topamax LONG TERM TREATMENTS? or just a few weeks on them to break cycle?..

Title: Re: is verapamil or topamx long term
Post by ave on Mar 15^th, 2004, 6:12am

I just know about Verapamil. It takes a liottle while to kick in (different for all of us) and it is easy to raise or lower the dose as you see fit if youfeel the need.

Ideally you use it during all of your cycle, and no, it does not abort the cycle. I don't think anything does, apart from shrooms for some.
Pred does not either. Just makes it manageable for other preventives like Vera to kick in.

When you feel the cycles has come to an end wean yourself of Vera. Lower your dose and if nothing bad happens, just take less and less till you can leave them in the meds. cupboard

Title: Re: is verapamil or topamx long term
Post by jonny on Mar 15^th, 2004, 2:52pm

Ive been taking Verapamil twice aday everyday for about a dozen years, But thats probably because im chronic......LOL ;;D

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

Title: Re: is verapamil or topamx long term
Post by toader on Mar 15^th, 2004, 11:26pm

From what I know (which ain't much), dopyemax is more your short-term thang. Some can only tolerate being stupid -errr - "alterered" on it a few weeks, others a few months. I just call it the "new me".

Longer than that there other considerations like increase risk of kidney stones, alien abductions, and irrational fears.

I've been on it for 3 months now, but I'm weaning off (honestly!) - not cuz I'm better, but cuz I just can't take it anymore!!! We had some great times though. (sniff)

Title: Re: is verapamil or topamx long term
Post by stuey on Mar 17^th, 2004, 3:33pm

I've been taking verapamil for several years because of high blood pressure, but the headache specialist raised me to 960 mg SR which I have been taking for almost 10 mos. I guess. Actually, it is the only thing that stopped my CH cycle after several days so I would have to disagree with Ave on that one. Prednisone didn't stop it, nothing did until my verapamil was raised to 960. It seemed to abort my cycle with this dosage. My primary neurologist suggested I continue taking the high dosage since it helped the CHs and lowered my blood pressure simultaneously. Stuey

Title: Re: is verapamil or topamx long term
Post by Edski_1 on Mar 17^th, 2004, 4:47pm

My neuro says you can stay on topamax "forever"...however, I have my doubts. Between the kidney stone possibility, the possibility of blood acidosis, there seems to be the possibility of long term psychological changes if you stay on it for a while...

Not surprising given the major side effect is forgetfulness. I've been on it for a bit over 2 months...it's been great for the pain, and I've generally gotten over the dopeyness, but I've also been struggling with unemployment. And frankly I'm beginning to wonder if the stress is starting to get to me. I'm not sure my cycle is "broken" or not...but I'm not sure my psychological "ice" is too strong right now. I am not sure I really feel like the real me. :'(

I think I have to call the neuro tomorrow. A week ago I wanted to weak off topamax becasue I had hopes the CH cycle was over...I've had a few days with shadows since, so I'm not sure of that. But feelings of uselessness and worse...well, I've never had that before.

But then again, I was never laid off before too, and felt this sort of societal rejection. But this is a POWERFUL medication, and is used to trea bi-polar disorder, so it stands to reason (at least to me) that it may be affecting my mental well being...

So, IMO, topamax should NOT be considered a long term med.