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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Verapamil less effective over time
        
(Message started by: Marijke on Nov 22^nd, 2007, 8:45am)

Title: Verapamil less effective over time
Post by Marijke on Nov 22^nd, 2007, 8:45am

I have been on Verapamil more or less continuously over the last 4 years. As it became less and less effective, and upping dose was out of the question due to low BP, I switched to methysergide (working great btw).

But, the end of my 6 month maximum use of methysergide is near. Anyone of you has done the same? Did the verapamil start working better after a vera-free period?

Thx for your replies,

Marijke

Title: Re: Verapamil less effective over time
Post by Kevin_M on Nov 22^nd, 2007, 8:57am

It's been possible the beast can get used to it, requiring more from my experience. Don't know if that is permanent or not if you go off for a time and then go back on.
I've gone off and then on again within a few months, not recently though, shadowing fairly well in between, so it wasn't enough of a vacation I think for the beast to be unfamiliar with it. Wish I could help, Mari.

Another episodic would help. Many go back on verapamil during cycles at the same level again after a couple years, I think.

Title: Re: Verapamil less effective over time
Post by Bob_Johnson on Nov 22^nd, 2007, 1:01pm

Explore for some options. Lithium has been helpful for a good many folks.
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HERE ARE TWO MAJOR DOCUMENTS WITH RECOMMENDED TREATMENTS FOR CLUSTER HEADACHE, ONE FROM A U.S. PHYSICIAN, THE SECOND FROM EUROPE.
_________________________________________
http://www.plainboard.com/ch/chtherapy.pdf
Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002. Rozen)
================
Treatment guidelines from Europe

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A. May, M. Leone, J. Áfra, M. Linde, P. S. Sándor, S. Evers, P. J. Goadsby:
EFNS guidelines on the treatment of cluster headache and other
trigeminalautonomic cephalalgias.
European Journal of Neurology. 2006; 13: 1066–1077.

Download free full text:
http://www.efns.org/files/guideline_49.pdf
(Thanks to "cluster" for link.)

Title: Re: Verapamil less effective over time
Post by chewy on Nov 22^nd, 2007, 5:51pm

Ya think maybe this is why Goadsby suggests dropping the verap when out of cycle?