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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Verapamil and more
        
(Message started by: Carla_Comiter on Aug 2^nd, 2003, 2:10pm)

Title: Verapamil and more
Post by Carla_Comiter on Aug 2^nd, 2003, 2:10pm

::)
Thanks to those who replied to my posting about taking Verapamil in the morning. After reading info about Verapamil and other meds, I think I'm about at the end of this episode--a couple of weeks early!

I started taking Covera (Verapamil) extended release 240MG twice a day. I also started taking Melatonin before bed--I used to take it, but recently had switched to Valerian. I read somewhere that Valerian could be diminishing the effectiveness of some CH meds, so have quit.

I also take 25MG of Paxil each AM, but started that before this last episode.

The good news is that with Verapamil, Melatonin and Paxil, and taking 2.5MG Zomig at first sign of CH, I've been nearly PF for the past 4 days. I had been having 4 CH per day. In the past 4 days I've had 2 completely PF days and 2 that were minimal, easily aborted with the Zomig.

I would also like to comment about doctors. I go to DO's, not MD's. I find them to be approachable and very knowledgeable about meds. My internist is a male, my neurologist and her nurse practitioner are both female. They are all very supportive, generous with samples and aware that I haven't been able to get health insurance. My neurologist has lowered her office visit charge since I lost my insurance.

Another unexpected blessing during this episode is that a couple of my girlfriends had samples of Zomig and other triptans that they didn't need. I'm four weeks into this cluster and have yet needed to pay for a prescription.

I mention this because it's so easy to feel all alone with this type of suffering. Yet, one of the gifts its brought me is proof that I'm not alone, people do care and will help.

I am so grateful for them and for all of you.

Carla

Title: Re: Verapamil and more
Post by Prense on Aug 2^nd, 2003, 6:07pm

Great news Carla! If your cycle truly is coming to an end, don't be a stranger! There are others here that I am sure would love to have you around. We clusterheads and their loving supporters gotta stick together!!!

PFDANs!!!

Chris

Title: Re: Verapamil and more
Post by tommyD on Aug 2^nd, 2003, 8:48pm

Carla -

Welcome! Glad to hear things are going well, verapamil works well for many.

But you might want to be careful taking triptans and Paxil at the same time.

I was just researching something else today and came across some reports that SSRIs and triptans taken together can lead to Serotonin Syndrome, which can be nasty. Might want to check into this with your doc. I've been known to be wrong.

Maybe some of the pharmacological experts here can weigh in .... Ueli! help!

-tommyD

Title: Re: Verapamil and more
Post by Ueli on Aug 2^nd, 2003, 10:40pm

rxlist.com on Paroxetine HCl (Paxil) side effects:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/parox_ad.htm

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Sumatriptan: There have been rare postmarketing reports describing patients with weakness, hyperreflexia, and incoordination following the use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and sumatriptan. If concomitant treatment with sumatriptan and an SSRI (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised.

Whatever "rare" means here....

PFNADs
Ueli