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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Verap side affects
        
(Message started by: NotH20 on Mar 21^st, 2006, 9:51am)

Title: Verap side affects
Post by NotH20 on Mar 21^st, 2006, 9:51am

Folks,

I'm up to 960 mgs of Verap per day. We all know the "text book" side affects of this, but I was wondering the "personal" side affects that anyone has experienced on this medication.

Any feedback would be helpful.

Thanks, Mia

Title: Re: Verap side affects
Post by Charlotte on Mar 21^st, 2006, 3:10pm

The first thing I noticed was that I could sit still.

The early part of cycle was good, but by the end of cycle it seemed like direct open side main branch trigiminal nerve hits, consecutively, with little time in between, until I went off. That could have been a coincidence but it spooked me.

Also, I gained 40 lbs - in fairness, I also perfected my pizza dough recipe at that time.

Title: Re: Verap side affects
Post by nani on Mar 21^st, 2006, 3:15pm

on 03/21/06 at 09:51:20, NotH20 wrote:

I was wondering the "personal" side affects that anyone has experienced on this medication.

Personal, like, um, constipation? I mean serious, good lord do I need a colonic, kind of constipation. Water, fiber, more water and more fiber. Then top it all off with water and fiber.
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Verap side affects
Post by Jasmyn on Mar 21^st, 2006, 3:39pm

Yip Mia, what Nani said plus tiredness, lightheadedness and some very comical fainting spells but I actually lost weight and with the increase in dosage and a Pred taper it actually ended my 15 month long cycle.

There is always hope at the end of the over medicated tunnel ;)

Title: Re: Verap side affects
Post by burnt-toast on Mar 21^st, 2006, 6:08pm

Try these two links - good reference for most of the meds. we get to enjoy.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

http://www.drugs.com/

Verapamil is one of my base meds. I just wish someone could tell me why (medically) it works. Everything with this disorder is such a secret! ::)

Tom

Title: Re: Verap side affects
Post by Karla on Mar 21^st, 2006, 7:31pm

What Nani said + it caused me to have an irregular heart beat at 960mg/day.

Title: Re: Verap side affects
Post by NotH20 on Mar 22^nd, 2006, 8:45am

Thanks everyone......I've been experiencing some of the dizziness and light-headedness as well...but no fainting yet. My arms don't seem to have strength in them - maybe another side affect [smiley=huh.gif]

Thanks again folks for the feedback and the links. And Charlotte - care to share your recipe? I may need something to do in the middle of the night while the beast is visiting!!! :)

Mia

Title: Re: Verap side affects
Post by jon019 on Mar 22^nd, 2006, 10:52pm

Hi NotH2O,

Hope the name does not mean you don't drink enough H2O. Many benefits of hydration, even to excess.

My experience with verapamil:

has kept me out of cycle (I think, don't know) since 9/14/05.

Initially 480 mg/day, tapered to 240 mg/day, now bounce between 180-240 depending on shadows. No constipation but I do take 250 mg/day of Mg and of course, lots of H2O.

Side effects that I can identify include lightheadedness and an almost constant light "dizzyness". Fair trade in my opinion. Possibly weakness in the legs too.

Regards

Jon

Title: Re: Verap side affects
Post by NotH20 on Mar 27^th, 2006, 9:16am

Thanks Jon....actually the NotH20 name has nothing to do with drinking the water....."Waters" was my married name so it's just a little zinger at my nasty ex! ;;D

I've noticed a weakness in my arms too....was originally attributing it to the Prednisone (high doses for a while), but maybe it's the Verap....we shall see.

I am doing the water treatment - or at least attempting to drink as much as I can....it's really hard to do huh?

Thanks for your input and here's hoping for your continued pain free time. :)

Mia