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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Cold Turkey Verapamil?
        
(Message started by: Mattrf on May 3^rd, 2006, 11:44am)

Title: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by Mattrf on May 3^rd, 2006, 11:44am

New headache specialist I got from here has said I have SUNCT not CH and had me go cold turkey off my 320 Verapamil a day.

Had a rough night, stopped the Verapamil yesterday afternoon and had a hell of a time last night. I woke up countless times either in a full body sweat or freezing my but off.
The new doctor wanted it out of my system so he can start me on new meds next week but he could have warned me it would suck.

Any one else go cold turkey on Verapamil and experience this?

SUNCT has a lot of the same symptoms as CH and is even a rarer disorder but may be easier to treat, at least I hope it is.

(SUNCT-Short-lasting, Unilateral, Neuralgiform headache attacks with Conjunctival injection and Tearing)

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by nani on May 3^rd, 2006, 11:47am

I think it's not wise to go cold turkey off verapamil because of potential heart/ blood pressure issues. At least that's what I've read here. Most people taper off.
Keep us posted, Matt. pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by Mattrf on May 3^rd, 2006, 11:49am

He said since my blood pressure was good and no hart issues that it would be safe, but it just sucked.

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by LeLimey on May 3^rd, 2006, 11:50am

ditto to what Nani said Matt, cold turkey is not a good idea for a blood pressure drug. You should reduce down off it more slowly even at 320mg
Helen

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by Redd715 on May 3^rd, 2006, 12:12pm

My opinion for what it's worth.....

Any Doc who would dare suggest a cold turkey stop of verapamil or any other BP medication should go back to medical school.

My BP is normally low, and no other heart issues. I was on a very low dose of verap extended release. 200mg to 300mg daily and I was on a 3 week taper to go off it at the insistance of my HA specialist.

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by E-Double on May 3^rd, 2006, 1:07pm

DANGER!!!!!!!!!!

My blood pressure was perfect and my doc had me taper off 40 mg per week

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by LadyLuv on May 3^rd, 2006, 1:32pm

For what it's worth Mattrf..

I would run not walk for a second apinion.. ditto to the comments above - Cold turkey is not a good idea...

Peace & Blessings
Lady Luv

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by Mattrf on May 4^th, 2006, 12:10pm

Well I am fine, last night was better then the night before but still a little rough but think I am fine. I get my MRI’s today and I am a bit scared what they may find.
I have read up on SUNCT and one of the causes is a mass in the brain putting pressure on a certain part of the brain, yes that would be a tumor. And I thought I was depressed before. I know there is a good chance they will find nothing but it still scares the crap out of me.

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by Drew_Va on May 4^th, 2006, 1:25pm

Hang in there Bro. Will be sending nothing but good thoughts your way!

Title: Re: Cold Turkey Verapamil?
Post by GuitarBill on May 9^th, 2006, 3:39am

on 05/03/06 at 12:12:29, Redd715 wrote:

My opinion for what it's worth.....

Any Doc who would dare suggest a cold turkey stop of verapamil or any other BP medication should go back to medical school.

I absolutely agree with this. Almost every preventative I have taken (from Prednisone to Lithium) I have had a tapering instruction. Most of the time the only cold turkey reason is because of a severe adverse reaction. I know it's tough, but please seek a new doctor....