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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Permanent Verapamil
        
(Message started by: tzeller on Jul 14^th, 2002, 8:12am)

Title: Permanent Verapamil
Post by tzeller on Jul 14^th, 2002, 8:12am

I've been very lucky in that the standard battery of treatments for cluster headache has usually worked to control a bout. And by standard battery, I mean this:

1) Large doses of prednisone at outset, to knock out the headaches immediately (this really works).

2) Simultaneous daily dose of 240mg of Verapamil

3) Taper off prednisone over 2 weeks while continuing Verapamil - now built up in the system - for a month and a half or so, or until I think I'm in the clear and the cluster period is over.

I wonder, though, if it wouldn't make sense to just stay on Verapamil permanently. I recently met a fellow cluster sufferer whose headaches seemed to disappear when he hit his mid-40s (he's in his mid-50s now). He attributes it to age, in that some people have been shown to "grow out of" cluster headaches. But he also mentioned that he's been taking calcium channel blockers every day since that time! I was floored.

Anyone know if this is common? I had always thought of verapamil as a temporary treatment, to be used until the bout was over, but if it works for the bout, why not just stay on it and prevent future bouts altogether? Are there major side-effects? Anyone doing this?

Best to all and may you find your way to relief.

Title: Re: Permanent Verapamil
Post by Marijke on Jul 14^th, 2002, 8:18am

tzeller,

Yes, I have heard more ppl saying that CH can get less the older you get.

There is one thing you should consider, when you take verapamil for a longer period: it can stop working, and then you will need at least a 3 month period for it to start working again. If prednisone helps to stop attacks pretty soon, I would not take the stuff continuously. Why take it when you don't need it?

Marijke

Title: Re: Permanent Verapamil
Post by Ueli on Jul 14^th, 2002, 3:13pm

I started Verapamil 6 years ago, with great success. On the recommendation of my neuro I continued Verapamil after the bout had ended, reducing the dose to about 2/3 to 1/2.

Big advantage: At the beginning of the next bout, going back to the full dose, the preventive effect was reached again in 2 or 3 day. I never had to take the poisonous Prednisone.

I don't believe in Verapamil losing its effectiveness by prolonged use, and I can't imagine a way why this should happen.

PFNADs
Ueli

Title: Re: Permanent Verapamil
Post by Svenn on Jul 14^th, 2002, 3:57pm

I use Verapamil Retard 120mg 1/day every day
When i`m in cycle i`m up to 5X120mg a day
Its does miracles for me.
Imitrex is Gods gift to mankind when its come down to kill the pain

Title: Re: Permanent Verapamil
Post by Marc on Jul 15^th, 2002, 10:36pm

I've been on Verapamil at 360-540mg everyday for almost 2 years. I'm not pain free, but compared to before ........ I can handle the "break-throughs" with ease!

Once in while, I try to taper down to 240mg but I get "hit" bad. I have NO intention of giving up my friend Verapamil.

Title: Re: Permanent Verapamil
Post by rick on Jul 16^th, 2002, 2:07am

All y'all,

It's great to hear of a drug actually working for once. I pray you all have continued success.

PFDAN to all,

-Rick

Title: Re: Permanent Verapamil
Post by RichardN on Jul 16^th, 2002, 10:26am

Another on the Verapamil bandwagon. Don't know about the "gets better with age" - - - I'm 55 an (only?) battling the beast since 1/01 - - - I'm one of the 15-17% whose CH's seemed to start as the result of head injury. When came here in late Feb., was having 6-8 attacks per day, KIP 5-9, EVERYDAY ! Took info from this site to my (skeptical) doc, and got script for Verapamil (120mg) and 02. Increased Verap to 180, then 240 at which time CHs all but stopped - - - when they started increasing intensity/duration again last month, I wanted to go up another 60 mg. Doc says they don't make it in 300mg, so he prescribed Verelan 360. Mostly pain free this last month, with maybe a dozen KIP 3-4 and a couple or three shadows a day I knock out with the 02 - - "hit" it a little while ago - - - 02, wunnerful 02
Question..........Just called my (new) doc's office to request script for Verapamil 240 &180 - - - Chs have been getting "regular" again (almost every night) and I need an increase. Scripts for both the Verap 240 AND 180 mg Verapamil are less than half the costs of the Verelan capsules. Do those of you who take multiple tablets "spread them out", or do you take them at the same time? Also, haven't I read that The regullar Verap is preferable to the time release capsules?
Sorry to be so long-winded. Also forgot to mention that I am chronic. All praise Verapamil - - - thanks guys

Title: Re: Permanent Verapamil
Post by Ueli on Jul 16^th, 2002, 12:53pm

For RichardN

Dr. Goadsby (and he should know it) recommends the regular Verapamil over the slow or extended release versions. (It is usually cheaper too). It can't hurt to spread out the daily dose, and breaking the regular tablets in halves is no problem. I take my daily dose of 560 mg as 7 tablets at 80mg, spread into 3 takings.

PFNADs,
Ueli