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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Vearapamil Question
        
(Message started by: BigCoffinHunter on Oct 6^th, 2006, 8:06am)

Title: Vearapamil Question
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Oct 6^th, 2006, 8:06am

I've seen several references by folks saying that Verapamil caused them to become chronic. I was wondering how they pinpointed Verapamil as the cause. Many of us find Verap a wonderful treatment, and I was wondering if there were signs you got while taking it before you went chronic. Anything we should look for while taking it?

Title: Re: Vearapamil Question
Post by Charlotte on Oct 6^th, 2006, 8:21am

Hey, big, I'm so glad you posted. I am about to try Verapamil again. I'm a little nervous.

I now do not think that it made me go chronic. I now think that I have always had an unusual headache cycle which usually starts with a few months of 1 a day, then a few months later goes to 2 a day, and used to only go as far as every 3 hours until this round.

When I took verapamil, the dr prescribing it just prescribed it, and then took a year sabatical. the next dr didn't know me or my history.

When I hit the back to back part of my cycle, I thought the Verapamil caused the back to back hits. I didn't even have words for what was happening, and I didn't know they were back to back end of cycle headaches which I now know happen every time, and, of course, the new dr thought I was a druggie.

So, no, I no longer think verapamil made me go chromic and I am about to try it again.

Charlotte

ps I also took fiorinal back then.

Title: Re: Vearapamil Question
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Oct 6^th, 2006, 8:41am

That's good news then. I had my followup with my neuro yesterday. He was quite happy that the cycle had ended. He told me that next time they start up, he'll start me off immediately with a steroid run, Verapamil, and Methergine. Apparently he has had a lot of luck with Methergine shortening or stopping a cycle if started immediately.

Title: Re: Vearapamil Question
Post by Charlotte on Oct 6^th, 2006, 9:33am

that is good news. I am happy for you.

c

Title: Re: Vearapamil Question
Post by burnt-toast on Oct 6^th, 2006, 10:01am

Verapamil provides significant benefits for me. I came out of the gates chronic and in my case it helps me live a somewhat normal existance.

Originally Lithium Carbonate alone helped (for about 2 years) but adding Verapamil a decade or so ago significantly reduced the number of attacks as-well-as severity of attacks that I get throughout the year.

I recently believed I was getting little or no benefit from it so with my docs. approval attempted to slowly reduce and then eliminate it. In a few weeks the number of attacks more than doubled with severity levels off the KIP scale.

Needless to say I'm back at 720mg Verapamil combined with 1200mg Lithium Carbonate - attacks and their severity have returned to more acceptable levels.

I may not love taking it but it does help me deal with a chronic condition. Exactly the opposite of some posts I've read. I would like to hear more from folks who believe it made them chronic.

Tom

Title: Re: Vearapamil Question
Post by Trond on Oct 9^th, 2006, 2:45pm

Hi Tom

I have been on verap for aprox. 5 years.
the first two years I was episodic with episodes of 16 weeks once a year. In these episodes verap seemed to work fine at 480mg daily.

Year three I was beginning my annual episode as usual, and was placed on verap again but had to take 960mg for it to have significant effect. The problem this year was that the episode never seemed to end. It went away as usual, but as soon as I tried to quit the verap I was hit again. I was able to reduce the dose to 480mg but not under.
Next episode I had to go up to 960 again, and stay there. In other words this episode never seemed to end.

After this I have had ups and downs, but this year(april) I was hit despite my verap of 960. From april to now the CH has been worsening and I have worked my way up to 1200mg(even tried 1440 on own risk) but obviusly the verap dos not work anymore.

My neuro has put me on lithium and will eventually trap down the verap if the lithium is working.

I cant onhestly say, or state, that verap has made me chronic, but actually I cant refuse it either.

Anyway this is my story, and I whish you good luck

Regards

Trond

Title: Re: Vearapamil Question
Post by burnt-toast on Oct 9^th, 2006, 6:44pm

Trond,

I went misdiagnosed and untreated for two years before finding a Neuro. that understood this disorder and began treating it. Did this period of untreated symptoms cause my chronic condition?

I don't believe anyone can confirm or deny that treatment and/or lack of treatment can cause chronic symptoms. Unfortunately for a small group of suffers this disorder goes chronic and we must find ways to deal with it.

Best wishes,

Tom