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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Verapamil and Prednisone!
        
(Message started by: Patrick_A on Aug 22^nd, 2003, 11:43pm)

Title: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by Patrick_A on Aug 22^nd, 2003, 11:43pm

Aug 17th i went to see my Neuro about my CH's. I was right in the middle of my usual cycle. 3 to 5 a day, 6 to 10 Kip. He put me on 480mgs of Verapamil, and 60 miligrams of Prednisone. That was on a Wednesday. By Friday, I was miserable as far as the side effects of the Prednisone. Intense pressure inside my head and of course the Verapamil made me bloated. Also the Prednisone made me jumpy, couldnt sleep! By Saturday, i was starting to get a little worried about my head, and called the On-call Neuro and he told me it was the Prednisone that was making me feel bad, so i backed down to 40mgs and by Monday, I actually started feeling pretty damn good. No Ch since that previous Friday.
I went back to my Neuro today and he basically gave me a plan. I am gonna taper off the Prednisone, and am gonna stick with the Verapamil till i feel sure the CH is gone. He said if i stop taking the verapamil and the CH comes back to just go right back to the original plan, and taper back down off the Pred!
Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to give ya'll a feel of what is successful for me!

Patrick

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by Eb on Aug 23^rd, 2003, 4:42am

I hope the Verapamil works for you...didn't do much for me, but my dose was lower. I started at 90mg and ended at 360mg...maybe I need a higher dose.

I think I had seen some info here about which type of Calan to take....I was taking the SR, don't know if that "S" stands for Standard or Sustained. Does anyone remember which type of Calan was recommended?

As far as the prednisone goes, I've been on it twice and both times it completely stopped my headaches~~until the last few doses...

I'm thinking of trying a combo of Calan (higher dose) and Depakote (which I'm taking now) to see if together they can battle this beast...

Eb

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by Patrick_A on Aug 23^rd, 2003, 4:46am

Yea, its amazing. I got nothing out of the Depakote except maybe 5 extra pounds!

Patrick

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by Svenn on Aug 23^rd, 2003, 8:22am

Hi there

This is my coctail

Verapamil Retard 120mgX5-7/daily during cycle 3 weeks after last hit tapering down with 1 verap every 3/4 days until you are on 1 a day.1 a day for another 2 weeks you can decide to quit the verap or take 1 a day.Oxygene alone at 10ltm for 15 minutes or combined with imitrex-shots does miracles.The shots should start working in 6-9minutes.a few seconds after that you are almost painfree
Prednisolone in high doze for 10 days 80mg
then over a 3 weeks periode step down like 70-60-50-40-30-20-10-5mg every 3/4 day
This work fine for me

The very best from Svenn

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by lexhoermann on Aug 26^th, 2003, 9:19am

I started taking 60 mg of prednisone last week and am about to cut down to 40....I've only had 2 headaches in the last week but now my head feels likes its ready to burst from all the pressure and I don't know how to make it go away. Its nothing compared to the cluster but I was wondering if this is common when on such a high dose of prednisone? And if it usually goes away once the dose is lowered?

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by Patrick_A on Aug 27^th, 2003, 7:19am

on 08/26/03 at 09:19:47, lexhoermann wrote:

Yes Lex, Exactly the same for me at 60. Went down to 40 after 5 days of 60 and got almost immediate relief. I am now down to 20 and dont even feel my head anymore. Sounds like to me ur on the same plan. You taking Verapamil too? I am still taking 480mgs of Verapamil, and tapering down to nothing on the Prednisone.

PFDAN, Patrick

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by 5-string on Aug 27^th, 2003, 5:06pm

Hey all,
This is really good info. I'm going to the neuro on the 3rd. I'm concerned about side effects. I really need a clear head if I'm going back to work. Is there anything that works without mental side effects? or is that just the golden egg that has'nt been found yet? I'm sure the neuro can answer some of these questions but it's good to arrive prepared. Man, what a pain in the neck eh?
Mark.

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by Cooked Brain on Aug 27^th, 2003, 6:41pm

Hi Mark,

try verapamil a.s.a.p., like all meds it has side effects, but not as bad as prednisone, litium or ergotamine.

check this link too:

http://www.headachedrugs.com/archives/preventivemeds.html

hope you will do well soon

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by kbbogo1 on Aug 27^th, 2003, 7:13pm

Verapamil or Verelan works best for me w/out too many side affects. Currently taking Veralan PM 300mg (have been taking for about 1 year) and am about mid cycle (week 6). Normally around mid cycle I am getting approx 6 to 8 hits a day between KIP 7 - 10. So far I have just been getting random hits with nothing over a 6. I do have lots of brain fog/forgetfulness/fatigue, but I always have this just before a cycle starts right thru to when it ends - it's not due to the Verelan.

I tried Topomax last year - what a trip! Literally, I was so dizzy I was falling down! Speach was really messed up too.

Be sure to let us know how your neuro visit went - -

Kim B

Title: Re: Verapamil and Prednisone!
Post by lexhoermann on Aug 28^th, 2003, 9:52am

on 08/27/03 at 07:19:22, Patrick_A wrote:

I've also been taking 240 mg of Verapamil. I'm down to the 40 mg of prednisone and I'm feeling sooooooo much better...what a relief. AND no clusters either.....I'm finally starting to feel like normal again!!