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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> My doctor reduced my Verapamil
        
(Message started by: jenrob2006 on Jul 21^st, 2006, 10:16am)

Title: My doctor reduced my Verapamil
Post by jenrob2006 on Jul 21^st, 2006, 10:16am

I had some major side effects from only 480 mg of Verapamil and because I have a heart issue, he reduced it to 240 mg last week. This is the second night in a row with less than an hour of sleep. I am still taking the melatonin at 9mg. They have slowly been gaining strength. Last night was worse than the one before. I also need to limit the caffiene intake because of the heart thing. I use O2 when I get a hit and it decreases the severity some. Any other suggestions? Can I try the kudzu (sp?) while I am still on the Verapamil? I am starting to get that hopeless feeling again. This cycle should be ending and instead it seems to have gotten a second wind.

Title: Re: My doctor reduced my Verapamil
Post by starlight on Jul 21^st, 2006, 12:45pm

Jenrob--
You might want to try upping the melatonin. I don't think it could hurt. I started at 9 mg and am up to 15 mg right now but it IS helping--it seems like when the headaches break through at night I need to add 3 mg (less than that does nothing for me). Last night they still broke through at 3 and 5 am but pain was WAY down and they did not last long at all (as opposed to the night before at 12 mg. The oxygen does not work the whole cycle for me either--my headaches seem to become immune to it and then that is the real hell.
I just filled a prescription for Verapamil yesterday but still haven't taken it--I am trying to milk the melatonin as long as I can so I am not sure what to tell you about Verapamil--my doc prescribed me 240 mg too--some say that is too low. Try upping the melatonin. Or maybe your doc can give you a totally different med??? Others here will know much more about those than me. I hope you get some relief soon. Let us know how it goes.

Starlight

Title: Re: My doctor reduced my Verapamil
Post by FRANKYT1963 on Jul 21^st, 2006, 6:05pm

HEY, ALSO ON VERAPMIL, BEEN TAKIN IT FOR ABOUT 15YRS 240MG PER DAY. IT DECREASED THE NUMBER OF CH, BUT DID NOT STOP THEM. WHEN I GET ONE I USE MIGRANOL SPRAY, IT STOPS THE ATTACK IN MINUTES ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D, IT WORKS FOR ME. :) :)

Title: Re: My doctor reduced my Verapamil
Post by kenco on Jul 22^nd, 2006, 10:50am

Hi, your doctor, or your neurologist ? find a provider who knows cluster. Quick.

Title: Re: My doctor reduced my Verapamil
Post by Marijke on Aug 17^th, 2006, 3:08pm

Agree!!! 240 mg will not do much in most people. Even if 480 is too much, maybe 360 or anything else in between may be OK and of help (dose for me between 360-480)