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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Verap..  Side effects, etc
        
(Message started by: pfunk on Dec 13^th, 2006, 1:23am)

Title: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by pfunk on Dec 13^th, 2006, 1:23am

I have noticed that along with my nosebleeds recently I have noticed quite a few other things happening to me. First, I am having vision problems( blurred, double, etc.) I have become very drained and weak, even as far s to be blacking out and fallling asleep without warning. I was at work yesterday at 1:00, sat down to call the doic and next thing I knew I jumoed up and it was 3:15. My BP is very spuratic; went to ER last night ans it was 129/72 and when I got homeit was 157/98. Doc said it was nothing to worry about but I can't help it. The thing that is worrying me the most right now is the SWELLING. I am getting serious swelling in my feet and ankles with some red spots and discoloration around the swollen areas. Once again this docd sais not to worry but I do know that this kind of swelling can be signs of things such as diabetes, hypertension and Congestive heart failure. I'm not trying to say that I have any of these but we definitely shouldn't rule out the possibilities right? Afterall, my father died from congestive heart failure and I watched as his swelling just got worse and I couldn't do anytihng about it.
Please give me any feedback and/or hrlp that you may be able to offer here as I am experiencing alot of things that have never happened tom and it is making me pretty nervous, however unwarranted it may be.

[smiley=huh.gif] :-/ [smiley=huh.gif]
Pfunk

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Dec 13^th, 2006, 8:31am

If you're blacking out, then I would think your BP is getting too low. I'm surprised your doc didn't lower the dosage.

I had the exact same problem with my ankles swelling. I was already tapering off since my cycle ended, so he just lowered my taper dose more and it went away within a few days.

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by Bob_Johnson on Dec 13^th, 2006, 8:54am

Continuing to work with your doc is obviously needed but....

Your anxiety can also boost BP as can the simple act of driving your car from ER to home. In the short run, one of the best things you can do is remind yourself that your thinking about congestive heart disease, etc. will keep you in a constant state of fear/anxiety.

EVEN IF you have heart disease developing (and the changes are slim for a young person) it's not an emergency. That is, you have time to work this concern thru with your doc. Try and relax a bit and give your body a few days to adjust to the Verap and keep our doc informed.

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Dec 13^th, 2006, 10:16am

That just set off a light bulb over my head. Magnesium. I just looked it up, and saw that drinking large amounts of alcohol can result in mag. depletion. Right before each of my cycles started, I had been on vacation, with copious amounts of drinking involved. Next time something like that happens, I will make sure to take a mag. supplement.

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by burnt-toast on Dec 15^th, 2006, 8:21am

I'm at 720mg Verapamil daily down from 980mg. When at 980mg my legs and feet swelled. My doc wasn't overly concerned with this common side effect but tapered my dosage until the problem abated.

I still experience slight light headedness, mostly when standing up after sitting or bending over to work on something low. Again this is a common side effect that my doc. has me monitor. If it stays where it's at he doesn't believe there is reason for concern but if any increase occurs he wants to taper my dosage down again.

The best advice I can give is to keep records of your symptoms, discuss them in detail with your doc. and follow her/his recommendations.

Tom

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by Karla on Dec 15^th, 2006, 10:14pm

I was at 980 and was miserable. I had swelling in feet and hands. I had irregular heart beat. vision was affected. I was light headed and short of breath and had very low blood pressure. I had severe constipation. etc. I finally yelled loud enough that my dr took me off of the stuff. It wasn't doing anything for the ch and I was so misserable to boot. I hope you find some relief soon.

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by pfunk on Dec 17^th, 2006, 2:49am

Went to the doc on Fri and he said that the swelling was definitely from the Verap. I was concernerd because of some of the other things that cna also have fluid retention as issues. My dad passed away due to problems due to congestive hear failure. That, of course was not what his was but doc did put me on Lasix and we are tapering down the doseage of the Verap. I don't believe I've ever peed this much in my whole life. Thanks to all for the help and info. Much Luv & PFDANS.

Pfunk

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by johnd7 on Dec 17^th, 2006, 4:12pm

Kind of a silly related question. I know you are not supposed to drink alcohol when on Verap but I was wondering if anyone has done that and if so, what MG of verap were you on and how much did you drink? Also, my Dr. did not say anything about tapering off Verap, can I just stop taking without tapering? Once stopped how long do I need to wait before having drinks?...lol. I am not a alcoholic but just had some events coming up which at I wanted to enjoy a couple drinks.

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by prcole18 on Dec 18^th, 2006, 12:16pm

on 12/17/06 at 16:12:29, johnd7 wrote:

I didn't even know you wern't meant to drink on Verap!

I'm on 720mg & don't seem to have any problems when I go out at the weekend & get on the Vodka.

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by Dazed and confused on Dec 28^th, 2006, 2:12pm

I'm on 1120mg Verap right now and enjoy a beer or a glass of something stronger. I get a shadow about an hour later but no full blown CH. I have asked the doc. about alcohol and Verap and been told that it's no problem with the 80mg pills but the 240mgs and alcohol don't always mix for some reason. I was on the 240's years ago and was wired to the moon after a few beers.

I have major swelling as well and am in pain in my feet and legs. Walking is very painful. My face is swollen as well which sucks.

I have tapered off the Verap before but was on a high dose of cortisone while the Verap levels reduced. This had the effect of ending a two year cycle and left me CH free for two years. Took a few beers while on the cortisone and needed to take an imitrex shot. I was completely out of it for about 30 minutes, so I would not recommend that particular combination.

Peace
Trev

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by JeffB on Dec 28^th, 2006, 2:25pm

Verap has no side effects for me and I drink when I want with no bad reactions. I was upped to 240mg mainly for bp reasons but have gone back down to 120mg since my bp is under control.

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by karma on Dec 28^th, 2006, 2:37pm

Severly blocked plumbing, swelled up, damn near killed myself during a normal training session and the constant shadows didn't stop until I threw the stuff in the trash.
Give me a chance and I'll tell you how I really feel about Verapamil for CH :D

Title: Re: Verap.. Side effects, etc
Post by JeffB on Dec 28^th, 2006, 2:54pm

Thanks, but I can get a pretty good visual about your blocked plumbing. LOL

Thats why I have a cup of coffee in the morning. I would say I'm like clock work but I think atomic clock is more like it.