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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Norvasc
        
(Message started by: catlind on Nov 18^th, 2002, 10:30am)

Title: Norvasc
Post by catlind on Nov 18^th, 2002, 10:30am

Does anyone out there have any experience with norvasc? It's a calcium channel blocker like verapamil. If so can you tell me if it did or didn't work, or what side effects you had from it?

Thanks mucho

Cat

Title: Re: Norvasc
Post by Not4Hire on Nov 18^th, 2002, 12:47pm

hey cat.....glad to hear your exam came out well and hope you find the right combo for your condition....if they work and ya come out PF....all the better. Re Norvasc: I have been taking 5mg/day for several years (along with atenolol--at 100/25mg/day) for high blood pressure and it helps with the BP.....no joy whatsoever with the CH, tho. I also take Indomethacin for arthritic knees....likewise no joy for CH. There is a diuretic effect from the atenolol (called Tenoretic) and there may be some similar effect from the Norvasc.

I wish I could give you some better news, but that's all I can tell you re these meds and CH......the only thing that
has been effective for me is the shrooms and I know that may not be something you can try at this point.....I hope you find your *key*.......best....Steve

Title: Re: Norvasc
Post by catlind on Nov 19^th, 2002, 8:23am

Thanks for the info Steve.

I'm on 2.5mg/day at night because I already have hypotension. I was hoping it would help with the CH but I guess it's more for controlling the angina. Of course whatever is going on still has folks lookin at me and saying "interesting" LOL. Well the good thing is I've got my O2 and that helps both situations, and until I can try 'alternative' therapies, I'll be stuck with preventative, narcotics and O2.

Maybe, the norvasc will help the b/p and help the CH for me! ... I can wish ;)

Cat

Title: Re: Norvasc
Post by epic2002 on Nov 21^st, 2002, 2:00am

I can give you a little background on Norvasc. it is probably the sixth or seventh med that my neuro has had me try as a preventative for episodic CH.

Two years ago I started on Norvasc (10mg at bedtime)about two months into the bout of CH's. my headaches ended in about a week but I didn't really know if the med worked or it was coincidence. quit taking the med after about two weeks pain free.

went almost two years pain free until this latest round started. tried the norvasc 10mg again a few days after daily CH started. after several days on the med, my CH stopped for three days, but then came back and stayed. took the norvasc for almost a week then stopped and by then my CH was daily.

I guess what input I have is that Norvasc, with an effect on blood pressure, may have affected my CH, but I am not certain of this.

my side effects on norvasc are heavier sleep and vivid dreams, nothing major. I went off the Norvasc after the CH resumed, but just today I decided to go back on.

here is how I am going to try Norvasc. rather than taking 10mg every night, I am going to take half a dose (5mg) every time I feel the earliest symptons of my CH. I often get the early symptoms for a long time before the killer pain hits. and today, after taking the norvasc at the onset of early symptons, I did not get the full-blown CH.

don't know if any of this helps, but I feel like the jury is still out for me and Norvasc. I will keep trying it until I feel like I know for sure if it helps or does not.

in the past I have tried prednisone, sansert, topamax, verapamil and others with no help.

good luck,

kevin