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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Verapamil and Lithium
        
(Message started by: sekaufm on Aug 28^th, 2006, 10:37pm)

Title: Verapamil and Lithium
Post by sekaufm on Aug 28^th, 2006, 10:37pm

ok here's the latest with me,

I went to the Neuro today he can't believe the Prednizone and verapamil hasn't worked! I told him BELIEVE ME!! The oxygen isn't working all the time either. He said I am very rare normally these 3 work.

He stopped the Prednizone because fear of me blowing up ( I was almost done with the dose anyway, I had 2 more days) He put me on Lithium 900 mg a day and also to continue the Verapamil 120 MG a day. He also gave me a sample of the Imitrex shot and that is my savior!

Here's the problem, my insurance said they will only cover 1 dose I repeat 1 DOSE of the Imitrex! I said are you crazy I use 1 dose in one sitting!!

Also I was a little confused as to why I am using 2 preventatives. I know he knows what he's doing but I thought I would get your guys opinion. I was reading the enclosure on the Lithium and boy that could have some side effects!! Has anyone tried these 2 together?

Thanks, Sylvia

Title: Re: Verapamil and Lithium
Post by maureenv on Aug 28^th, 2006, 10:52pm

hello Sylvia

I don't know anything about the other but I was on 120 mg of verap and it did nothing after talking to others on here I was told that, that low of a dosage rarely works so I talked to my nero he uppt it to 440 mg a day and has been working wonderfully very few attacks and low on the kip scale at that.

I know some don't like to use the nasal imitrex but your insurance might cover that if nothing else (mine does) but limits the shots go figure. I figure it's better than nothing

Good luck and hope this helps

Maureen

Title: Re: Verapamil and Lithium
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 29^th, 2006, 10:24am

Explore the OUCH site for material on this problem. Basicallyl, the doc can contact the insurance company and negotiate an increase.

Title: Re: Verapamil and Lithium
Post by Jonny on Aug 29^th, 2006, 4:45pm

In my opinion your doc is starting you out to high on the Lithium and to low on the Verapamil. But then again I am no doctor.

I was chronic for 31 years, 14 or so years ago I was started on Verap 240 and Lith 300 which didnt do much. The nuero bumped it up to 480 Verap and 600 (900 if it got real bad) Lith, that combo wiped out 80% of my HA's. I finally had a some what normal life back, but I did have to take these meds everyday for all those years and have blood work done every six months because of the Lith.

Remember one thing though, nothing works for everybody, that combo may or may not work for you.

If you take Lithium at that level for more than six months you need to have blood work done, your doc should do blood work 2-3 weeks after you start taking it to see how your body is adjusting to it.

PM me if you have any questions.

Good luck, friend!!

Title: Re: Verapamil and Lithium
Post by Guiseppi on Aug 29^th, 2006, 7:08pm

Lithium has been my first line preventative for I think about 15 years. I'm 6'0" about 190 pounds, 46 year old male. I take 1200 mg of lithium a day when on cycle and get almost complete relief. I use oxygen or imitrex for the break thru head aches. The only side affects I've experienced over the years is a little lethargy, (not like what the movies portray) and when you first go in it you pee.....a lot! I get a little of the hand tremors but not much else.

I'm in law enforcement so I'm limited as to what I can take. Give lithium a shot it gave me a semi normal life back. Just don't tell your friends you take lithium, they talk real soft around you!!!!! Good luck with the imitrex, that stuff is magic for me.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Verapamil and Lithium
Post by burnt-toast on Aug 29^th, 2006, 8:10pm

Verapamil, Lithium, Prednisone, oxygen, etc., etc., etc., do not work for everyone. Unfortunately Meds. used to treat CH are carryovers from other disorders - no CH specific meds. are available at this time. You're situation is not unusual.

Before taking any medication, even under a doctors care take time to research them. Your Pharmacist is a good source and the following links provide good information.

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

http://www.drugs.com/

Prednisone is a preventative usually prescribed for short term use - tapers of a week or two appear to be most common. Long-term or frequent repeated use can be dangerous. I sometimes use it to treat bad flare ups and it provides positive results only 40% of the time. It's but one of the meds. in my bag of treatment options.

A combination of Verapamil and Lithium is common. It helps some and as with most CH treatments doesn't seem to help others. Both require about 7 to 10 days to reach sufficient blood levels for maximum effectiveness. The usual process is to start low and adjust upward until the condition improves then leveling off at the most effective dosage.

Jonny has provided very important information. Blood levels/liver function should be tested when taking Lithium. Seems everyone metabolizes it differently and not everyone can handle higher dosages or long term use.

I've taken 1200mg Lithium Carbonate and 720mg Verapamil for years and the combination improves my condition but does not stop attacks. This seems to be the typical result of this combination for most sufferers.

Working closely with your doctor to adjust meds., dosages and even medication schedules is important to finding the right combination for your condition.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Title: Re: Verapamil and Lithium
Post by BB on Aug 29^th, 2006, 10:43pm

My DH has been on Verapamil and Lithium , the Prednisone taper didnt work for him. And it took 2 weeks and for the dosage of Verapamil to reach 720 mg daily and Lithium to 1200 mg daily for them to work.

They still have not stopped the cluster attacks completely but he has gone from 8 attacks a day mostly at KIP 10 to 2-3 a day at KIP 4,5 and now all could be aborted within 2-5 mins with 1/3 of an Imigran ( Imitrex ) injection.

Also he needs to up the 02 flow from 8 lpm to 15 lpm sometimes if its a bad attack, and make sure you use a NON REBREATHER mask, and take deep regular breaths as soon as you feel an attack is mounting.

Talk to your doctor about increasing the Verapamil dosage a bit more to see if it helps ? My DH blood pressure had to drop from his normal reading of 145/90 to 100/60 for it to work.

Good luck and painfree wishes to you.

Annette