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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> The latest verap and RC update
        
(Message started by: birdman on Sep 3^rd, 2007, 2:59pm)

Title: The latest verap and RC update
Post by birdman on Sep 3^rd, 2007, 2:59pm

Well here goes. Was down to 840mgs of verap(3-1/2 240mg pills) and trying to get off. Every time I dropped it by 120mg (1/2 pill) I would get one hit. I tried to space my dosage out through the day versus all at once. Nothing mattered, once I dropped the dosage, bam I got hit. Went to the hospital fro pre-testing for a kidney stone procedure on Friday and they ran a million tests. Once they did an EKG on me, the immediately sent me to the ER due to an arythmia(spell?). Spent five hours hooked up to monitors and they finally released me when it calmed down. Cardiologist insisted I cut my dosage in half, so much for tapering. As of Saturday, I started taking 480mg, 2 pills, and by yesterday was getting heavy shadows. Last night I took 30 RC seeds and today fought of one legit hit with Red Bull, Ice, and O2. Figure it is the seeds doing something. I know there has been a lot of talk about verap and EKG's, but I am concerned that my cardio is going to make me find another med. Verap has been a gift and very successful, but what do I do? Headaches versus heart? I guess I am venting but also looking for ideas and support. HELP!
Tim :P

Title: Re: The latest verap and RC update
Post by MR_FLOOR on Sep 3^rd, 2007, 4:51pm

on 09/03/07 at 14:59:17, birdman wrote:

Verap has been a gift and very successful, but what do I do? Headaches versus heart?
Tim :P

Thats a no brainier.Listen to your doc.You can't live without the ticker.Good luck.

Dave

Title: Re: The latest verap and RC update
Post by birdman on Sep 3^rd, 2007, 5:10pm

Yeah but sometimes I feel like I can't live with the HA's. Obviously I am frustrated and NOT suicidal but I sometimes think I might side with clearing up the HA's. GOnna have to find an alternative med I guess. Argh! >:(

Title: Re: The latest verap and RC update
Post by birdman on Sep 4^th, 2007, 9:54am

I can't believe that in NY I can't find clusterbuster alterantives. I think that the RC seeds are helping but I need to kick it up a notch. Frustrated in New York is my new moniker.
Tim

Title: Re: The latest verap and RC update
Post by karma on Sep 4^th, 2007, 4:06pm

I tried one cycle with the meds, Verap, pred, Zomig, Trex etc. It ended up being the longest most intense cycle I had ever had. conicidence or not?
Verap was the last med I got rid of because, like you when I skipped a dose or cut back I would feel the shadows and twinges again. At the time I was at 480/day.
I finally got fed up and threw it in the trash. Within a week I was completely pain free and enjoying life again.

Title: Re: The latest verap and RC update
Post by billyjoe on Sep 5^th, 2007, 8:29am

Sorry to hear about the EKG results. I am surprised that they didn't prescribe something else to take the place of the verapamil. I didn't mind taking 75mg of topmax with the verapamil. Others seem to be having good luck with Lithium. I hope you find a safe cocktail that works for you.

I have found that the RC seeds wear off after about 4 days, so be prepared to redose regularily. The shrooms kits are easy enough to use, but I haven't gotten a batch to harvest yet. You could also try the Woodrose seeds. Lots of options out there still.

Title: Re: The latest verap and RC update
Post by birdman on Sep 5^th, 2007, 9:39am

Saw the cardiologist last night and the arrythmia is gone but my heart rate was 43. I am taking 480mg, and he told me to split it up 1/2 in the am 1/2 in the pm. Hoping this brings the heart rate up. He prefers that my nuero find a different treatment method. I went ahead and ordered the necessary kit to grow my own. Hopefully in 6-8 weeks I will rid myself of verap and try shrooms. Till then, God only knows. Hopefully the RC seeds will provide some relief.

Title: Re: The latest verap and RC update
Post by littlefoot on Sep 7^th, 2007, 3:02pm

I thought you had to be off all meds for the seeds or shrooms to work???

Title: Re: The latest verap and RC update
Post by Poli on Sep 7^th, 2007, 6:20pm

Hi littlefoot, you are right, they work better been off all meds, but sometimes people tries alternatives while on verapamil, and it still works. It's hard to detoxe but I'm convinced, my only weapons out of shrooms are O2 and Red Bull.
Saludos
Poli