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 >> Last night......
        
(Message started by: strider on Jun 25^th, 2002, 2:35pm)

Title: Last night......
Post by strider on Jun 25^th, 2002, 2:35pm

was a miserable one for me...

I had been taking compazine (10mg) as a preventive at night, with Zomig as an abortive during the onslaught of the cluster. The Compazine did not seem to work as I would be awaken every night with an attack.

Based on alot of suggestions, I asked my Dr. to prescribe Verapamil as a preventive. He obliged with a prescription of 80mg everynight when I go to bed.

Last night was my 1st night using verapamil. I had 2 minor clusters during the day and went to bed relatively PF. I took my verapamil and compazine as directed by my Dr. About 1:10am, I woke up with a CH. Small at first, but I was still groggy and the verapamil made me kind of loopy, and I did not get up to take the Zomig.

Well, the CH exploded to a 7-8 and I was doing my dance. However, what made this one different was the fact I was somewhat dizzy and shortness of breath... which made the bout even worse....It was a good night for me.... I took the Zomig and danced from 1:15am until 2:20 am. when I woke up a 6am and even now, my head hurts like a rebound or like someone smacked me with a bat...constant-like. Almost took another Zomig ( 2.5mg tabs), thinking another onslaught was coming....

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Should I continue taking Verapamil? Eliminate the Compazine? ???

Slammy 8)

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by eyes_afire on Jun 25^th, 2002, 7:35pm

Sorry you're having a rough time. Most common side effect of verapamil is constipation. Less common are dizziness and fatigue. I read somewhere that allergic reactions (rashes) are a possible side effect. I don't know much about your other meds. Since you had shortness of breath it may be a good idea to consult your neurologist. I do know that it may take up to a week for the verapamil to take effect so you can't expect instant results. Hope this info helps.

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by Donna on Jun 25^th, 2002, 8:03pm

80 mg of Vera. sounds like a mighty low dose when I hear of people taking it as a preventative with doses of 480 mg and up.

You really should consult your doc. Do you have low blood pressure to start with?

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by strider on Jun 26^th, 2002, 12:45am

Thanks guys! I'm going to print this stuf out and get my doc to revise the meds..... I don't know what I would do without you all!

Slammy 8)

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by kristi on Jun 26^th, 2002, 8:05pm

Sorry you're having such a hard time, Slammy!

Good luck with the doc - hope he gets the meds right for you and that you are PAINFREE soon!

K

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by RebelNiner on Jun 26^th, 2002, 11:25pm

Slammy,
I am very sorry :-[ you had such a rough night! I can only imagine! My pain has only been at about a 7 on the Kip scale.....last night was the first time I was painless in a week....remember I posted earlier about the water treatment.
My wife found a book today called "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" I just began to read it a little bit ago. You might want to check it out..... :) I have never taken anything for my pain. I hate any kind of drugs....they seem to dull my brain to much, and believe me, I am NOT "the sharpest tool in the shed" :)
The MD that wrote this book has a web sight you might take a look at when you have the time....it's http://www.watercure.com --- it can't hurt :)

Till tomorrow,
Reb

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by Slammy on Jun 27^th, 2002, 10:38am

Thanks Reb...

Last night was so much better.... up'd my dosage on Verap to 240 mgs on my own and faxed the article on meds to my Doc. Don't know if he will read it, but I asked him to up the dosage.... I woke up at 5:30am with a level 3 CH.... not bad... enough to make me take a Zomig.... but able to take a shower and get ready for work... I will look at your thread.... I've alwasy been a fan with water ( especially when it is a frozen state covered with Vodka) ;)

Slammy 8)

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by mwt on Jun 28^th, 2002, 8:37pm

Slammy,
I've been taking the Vera. for a month now and have never had that kind of reaction. I do like everyone's idea about uping the dosage. My doc. has me at 40mg 3 times a day. I only works a little. I'm uping my own dosage tonight.
Mark

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by Dan H on Jun 30^th, 2002, 12:37am

Slammy,

I started my dose of verapamil at 240 mg for the first week. The second week I went to 480 mg and still haven't seen a differance in the cycle. I am now on my way to 720mg in the hopes that sometime will change.

Last night the beast was back. The attack started at 3 and would not give in. I tried everything that I know to abort the CH. I danced until 8 this morning where I finally went back to sleep... lucky for me it is Saturday. I have had a shadow all day. Last night was 10 on the Kip scale.... All I could do was pray for me to be taken. 5 hours of hell... :-[

I have an appt with my neuro on Tuesday and I cannot wait... We have to try something different.....

.... Dan H

Title: Re: Last night......
Post by Karla on Jun 30^th, 2002, 1:13am

When I was on vepramil I was light headed, short of breath, and did had a horrible time with it. I could not walk from my front door to my mailbox. My dr. told me it was a side effect of the medicine and i had to either live with it or go off the medicine.