Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> What is the reason for the ECG w/Verap
        
(Message started by: HeadhurtinMama on Oct 10^th, 2006, 4:12pm)

Title: What is the reason for the ECG w/Verap
Post by HeadhurtinMama on Oct 10^th, 2006, 4:12pm

I am curious of this as I have been on verapamil for about a year now and my neuro has never ordered one. I am currently up to 480 mgs in the morning and 240 in the evening, but have recently started having some chest pain. My primary doc did and EKG that came back fine, but has also ordered the ECG, but have to wait two weeks for that, but I am to call back it it gets worse or more frequent. It's not like I am high risk for heart disease, I am a 29 year old non smoker. I am just a little concerned that the verapamil may end up doing more harm than good. Even at that high a dose, I am still having several hits a day, they are just lower in intesity. I am also on Topamax, for about 7 weeks now and I'm finally feeling like the "stupid" is wearing off. Thanks!

Bridget

Title: Re: What is the reason for the ECG w/Verap
Post by BikerBob on Oct 10^th, 2006, 5:18pm

Hi Bridget,

EKG and ECG are the same thing. An electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. ECG is used to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats as well as the size and position of the chambers, the presence of any damage to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart.

When people use verapamil for CH, the dosage is usually increased over a few weeks from low dose to high doses. Typically, doctors will do an EKG when you get to 480mg and again each time the dose is increased (to 600mg, 720mg, etc.) Verapamil lowers blood pressure so these tests are done to measure its effects on your heart. Chest pain is not a common side effect of verapamil.

Your doctor must not be concerned about your chest pain if he's willing to wait 2 weeks for an ECG.

Describe your chest pain. What is your heart rate? (check your pulse, how many beats per minute?). Check your blood pressure (some large drug stores have BP machines you can use for free).

If your chest pain is serious or if your BP or heart rate gets too low, get medical help immediately.

BB

Title: Re: What is the reason for the ECG w/Verap
Post by HeadhurtinMama on Oct 10^th, 2006, 6:25pm

Hi BB, thanks for the response. Pulse is 48, BP yesterday was 104/53, which is a little higher than what it has been running lately. I thought that ECG stood for echocardiogram which is what I am having done in two weeks. Sorry, maybe not all of the "stupid" is wearing off after all! She is concerned that my mitral valve is prolapsing. If is gets any worse, I am to call her immediately and she will send me to the ER to get me in quicker, but that is what she thinks it is. Her concern was that the pain was spreading up the shoulder. My electrocardiogram was ok.

The chest pain is about an inch left of center under the breast bone, it is a sharp pain, lasts for maybe five to ten minutes and then stops. I haven't noticed anything that triggers it, in fact the time that it hurt up my shoulder, I was still laying in bed.

So, who knows, at this point I'll have it checked out and try not to worry about it.

Bridget