Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


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

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Verapamil
        
(Message started by: Drk^Angel on May 2^nd, 2002, 4:32am)

Title: Verapamil
Post by Drk^Angel on May 2^nd, 2002, 4:32am

I'm sorry if this has already been covered (been trying to go though past post, and search the archives, but haven't found an answer yet :( ). How long does it take before verapamil starts working? Just started on them, so I'm not expecting them to help yet, but I was hoping for some enlightening information.

PFDAN............................ Drk^Angel

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by SusanM on May 2^nd, 2002, 5:14am

It can vary...depending on the dose as well. My dr. said anywhere from a week to a month. What dose are you on?

I know it's making a difference for me. When I tried to go off of it....BAM...CH city! Went right back on it, and now have added Depakote (500mg daily) and my verapamil dose is 360mg daily (was on 480mg, but after awhile went down and didn't notice any big difference...so stayed with the lower dose to reduce the side effects).

Hope this is the one for you!
Praying for PFDAN for all!
SusanM

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Ann on May 2^nd, 2002, 7:33am

It can take up to 3 weeks before you see a difference. Like Susan said, the dosage is important. I started out at 2 times 80 mgs and am now at 4 times 120 mgs. It's been doing the trick. I haven't been hit since Saturday. Make sure you take it at the same time every day. Are you taking slow release or regular? Regular is best for clusterheadaches.
Good luck and be patient. You'll soon see a difference.
PFDAN and of course a huge hug!

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Bob_P on May 2^nd, 2002, 8:36am

Visit the verap surveys on the OUCH site. Looks like 1-2 weeks is the norm.
http://pahlow.net/images/ouch.gif

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Drk^Angel on May 2^nd, 2002, 2:16pm

Right now, the neuro has me ramping up to 480mg/day. And I'm on verapamil SR.

Thanx Bob. I didn't notice the surveys. I was looking in the wrong place I guess.

At least the information gives me hope. The CH has been so bad lately, I can use a little hope.

PFDAN y'all......................... Drk^Angel

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by NotH20 on May 2^nd, 2002, 2:23pm

Keep the faith Drk - knowledge is everything as a ch'er....good luck w/ the verap - hopefully you will see some relief soon.

NotH20

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Greg_A on May 2^nd, 2002, 6:38pm

Im doing 720mg of regular now. Working great. Pretty much my HAs are gone although i still get a hint o pain from time to time.

One thing on taking the doses.... i noticed that if i miss a dose for what ever reason, i will get headaches for the next few days.

When i was taking the SR version... i got no relief.

Ramp up time was about a week for the regular stuff with me.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Ueli on May 2^nd, 2002, 7:34pm

I haven't found yet in the literature any figures how long it takes for Verapamil do to its job of blocking calcium channels. From the experience of the people on this board, and my own, I guess the half life time is about a week, maybe two weeks. (But if an over-concerned doc starts you with a low dose and increases it only slowly it can take several weeks until a therapeutic dose is reached).

My own experience: In February my neuro suggested that I reduce my daily dose from 560 to 480 mg. For the first two weeks I didn't notice any difference, but then the break through's got stronger, leading to an increased oxygen consumption. I continued another two weeks at the lower dose, but then decided it wasn't worthwhile and went up again to 560 mg. It took about ten days until the previous level of attack suppression was reached again.

Sorry, I can't remember how long it took when I started Verapamil, 5 years ago. I didn't get relieve very fast, but it took some time to find a useful level for me.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Drk^Angel on May 2^nd, 2002, 7:41pm

Thanx everyone for your replies. About the ramping up with the doses, I read somewhere that it's advisable to do this to avoid the side effects that some others have mentioned in other posts (constipation), but I'll prolly consider speeding up the ramp up, and risk the side effects. I would be very pleased to be rid of the beast as soon as possible. Thanx again y'all!

PFDAN............................... Drk^Angel

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Drk^Angel on May 2^nd, 2002, 7:44pm

Oh... btw... Before anybody else can say it... I know that this is not a cure. I'll just settle for one pain free day now and then.

PFDAN................................. Drk^Angel

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by nancyc on May 2^nd, 2002, 10:49pm

angel, at one time, verap alone worked for me...but the SR did not work....i had to go with the regular verap...the fast acting...that is what Doc Goadsby recommends too...hope you get relief from it..i got relief in less than a week and stayed pf for about 9 months until the doc pulled me off of it...side effects...now, i am taking depakote and verap and may have to come off the verap because of the swelling again....good luck and keep us posted... :D if you do stay on the SR, let me know...i have two bottles of it here doing noone any good...