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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> verapamil
        
(Message started by: BrianJ on Apr 6^th, 2007, 10:59am)

Title: verapamil
Post by BrianJ on Apr 6^th, 2007, 10:59am

Hi all ok im confused with this my doctor has give me a script for 3x 40 mg wich =120 mg per day what i have read on here that is to low is this correct?? i have had 2 ECGs and my heart is in healthy working order

Also is this drug addictive ???

any advice is appreciated im not in cycle at the momant but if thay come as usual i will be in 3 months

Thanks
Brian

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by BikerBob on Apr 6^th, 2007, 2:38pm

I would follow the doctor's instructions and ask him to increase the dosage when your cycle starts. It's not addictive.

BB

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by BrianJ on Apr 6^th, 2007, 5:51pm

Thanks bob do i start taking them now or when my cycle starts ??

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by burnt-toast on Apr 6^th, 2007, 6:48pm

As you point out theraputic Verapamil levels are usually higher (I'm @ 720mg daily) but most docs. like to start low and increase to find the lowest level that works for each patient.

Follow instructions from your doc. as to when to begin and how to stop taking this and all medications. Work closely with your Doc. to experiment and find the best theraputic levels and most effective approach to treatment.

Tom

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by chewy on Apr 6^th, 2007, 8:41pm

That is pretty low but as Burnt pointed out most Docs start low as verap does have some side effects that may not be tolerable by everyone.

I wouldn't start until your sure your going into cycle and then start immediately. Starting early isn't going to prevent a cycle from happening.

When you enter the cycle and the verap isn't providing relief then talk to the Doc about increasing the dosage.

Also keep in mind in can take around 7-10 days for verapamil to have theraputic value.

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by BikerBob on Apr 7^th, 2007, 12:07am

on 04/06/07 at 20:41:44, chewy wrote:

I wouldn't start until your sure your going into cycle and then start immediately. Starting early isn't going to prevent a cycle from happening.

chewy, how the hell do you know why his doctor prescribed 3x40mg verap? He said he's out of cycle, doesn't expect one for 3 months and has had 2 ECGs. Maybe it's for high BP. How do you know why he saw a doctor while out of cycle? How do you know that "Starting early isn't going to prevent a cycle from happening" for some people?

BB

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by chrisw on Apr 7^th, 2007, 3:42pm

I took verap all during my off cycle months in the hope that it would prevent a new cycle from starting. I was pain free for over a year, which is the longest I have ever gone. But, once they started it seemed the verap, didnt have the same effect it did when I took it only during my cycle. It isnt nearly as effective this time around.
also, mycycle which usually lasts 2-3 months is now at 7 months and still going strong. Maybe I am paying for those few extra pain free months.
anyway, i cant say if being on it during pain free months helped prevent the beast from returning, but maybe it did.

I dont think it is in the slightest bit addicting. I have had no trouble going off of it.

Do what your doc says, and if you think it isnt working at that dosage, tell him that you need to increase the dosage.

good luck
chrisw :-*

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by Rockcoat on Apr 7^th, 2007, 8:09pm

Verapamil is also used to treat high blood pressure. My doc wants to monitor me closely so my BP doesn't fall too low. I would not change doses without first clearing it with your doc.

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by chewy on Apr 7^th, 2007, 8:13pm

Quote:

How do you know that "Starting early isn't going to prevent a cycle from happening" for some people?

Real simple Tricycle Bob. I've been using verap for 12 years now.

Quote:

Maybe it's for high BP

Read his post again Bobbi. Read slow. Its really pretty clear.

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by BikerBob on Apr 7^th, 2007, 9:19pm

on 04/07/07 at 20:13:32, chewy wrote:

Real simple Tricycle Bob. I've been using verap for 12 years now.

Read his post again Bobbi. Read slow. Its really pretty clear.

You're so childish.

Didn't you write that you're episodic and have been PF for the last 4 years while using verap? How do you know that the verap hasn't prevented any episodes in your case?

He said he has a healthy heart. That doesn't mean that he doesn't have high BP. The point is that his doctor knows more about his condition than we do and your suggestion that he shouldn't take his doctors advice is just plain wrong.

BB

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by chewy on Apr 7^th, 2007, 9:21pm

Quote:

PF for the last 4 years while using verap? How do you know that the verap hasn't prevented any episodes in your case?

Wrong again Bobbi! Thats not what I said.

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by Yorky on Apr 7^th, 2007, 9:46pm

vrpml can tke ten days to work
your doc shud av given pred steroid, 4 1st week.(to build up your vrpl. (with regular ecg)....120mg wont tuch the sides.
while he sets a programm, that coinsideas,with vrpml startinf to kisc in.....

i will be seein my doc to start again(iv been offf all meds, 4 months)

ps i was on 720mg a day (i used to sneak another 240mg if avin bad day)
good luk.

ps im not that experianced with ch......so some one wilkl
say where iv got it rong

good luk

iv learned allthis on ch.com and personel trial

thats why we are told read...read......then read again ;)

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by BrianJ on Apr 9^th, 2007, 10:29am

Thanks guys much help no i dont have high BP not atall
i was at the docs for a totally differant reason than ch but he decided to get me my verap and o2 now and i wasnt going to complain the earlier i can attack this shit with everything to hand the better for me so if i have everything a few months earlier then its all good

no need to argue guys we are all in the same situation in here and a shitty situation it is so take it easy :)

Brian

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by pieface_49 on Apr 9^th, 2007, 7:51pm

I went to my Neuro today and the Neuro suggested I start taking Verapamil. I do not like taking medicine of any kind and turned down the prescription. I did get a script for O² and Imitrex. I would like to try some OTC meds, (Melatonin, Kudzu Root) before going to something stronger. Also, I think I am episodic with two episodes per year. Also will not be able say I have CH for sure until go into cycle and find out if the O² and Imitrex work. Looking for feedback concerning the decision not to take Verap.

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by chrisw on Apr 10^th, 2007, 9:48am

Pieface,
Personally, I would much rather take verap. to prevent and decrease the severity of hits, rather than shoot imitrex when they hit. Dont get me wrong, trex is a lifesaver, but it is a very strong, and very expensive med. Usually insurance will only cover about 12 doses a month, if youre lucky, and o2 dosent always stop an attack, so if you are getting many hits a day, you may be left without anything to help treat your ha.

I am on verap, and I am still getting between 1-5 hits a night, but I recently weaned off the verap, thinking it wasnt helping, but my attacks were way more frequent, and the pain level 10 times worse than when taking it. Needless to say , I went back on it, and while I am not ha free, I feel better on it, and I have only needed one trex shot in the two weeks since I went back on it. Without it I was taking two a night.

Just an opinion,\
good luck with whatever you choose to do
chrisw

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by Judge_Smails on Apr 10^th, 2007, 10:34am

I second what Chris W said about Verapamil. Keep in mind that each of use is different and there are no silver bullets, but this is my first time on Verapamil and it's worked wonders. I would always suggest a preventative to go along with O2 and Trex, why suffer if you don't have to?

Again, just my opinion.

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by pieface_49 on Apr 10^th, 2007, 4:10pm

The decision not to take Verap is partially based upon my last cycle ending with a good possibility indocine helped. Two weeks after taking indocine, the cycle ended. Perhaps it is just another fluke with this illness? I don't know. I do know Verap is known as the "Gold Standard" as a preventative medication for CH. The decision not to take Verap is also based on readings found on the board and elsewhere. There was a lengthly thread here in 2005 where many stated Kudzu worked wonders. I will certainly relate my experiences in the future. Hopefully it won't be "Pieface_49 <------- Stupid" :-X

Donnie

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by burnt-toast on Apr 10^th, 2007, 5:54pm

Unfortunately everyone has to make difficult choices in how to treat this disorder. My recommendation is to always make them with as much information as possible. Here are two helpful links but don’t forget that your Doc. and Pharmacist can provide information that can help with some of these decisions.

http://www.drugs.com/

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

I also have my Docs. email so that I can ask questions, keep him up to date with something new we may be trying, get his input, advice, opinion or more medical information on potential treatments I come across between visits.

Tom

Title: Re: verapamil
Post by pieface_49 on Apr 11^th, 2007, 9:06pm

Thanks Tom, 2 excellent bookmarks.

Donnie