Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> verap+topamax+depakote?
        
(Message started by: MarkV2 on Jan 27^th, 2004, 7:38pm)

Title: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by MarkV2 on Jan 27^th, 2004, 7:38pm

I'm chronic, and have CPH traits along with the more traditional CH hits (indo stopped a cycle in its tracks when I tested it b4 but tore up my stomach like eating razors).

Anyway, anyone ever tried this combo? I went to the neuro hoping to get off topamax (since its not working as well as it has been and I'm sick of the side effects). But the neuro suggested adding depakote to the mix. I was previously on depakote and it stopped working well after a year . That's why I went on the topamax. He thinks the 3-some combo may work out better.

360mg verapamil
100mg topamax
500mg depakote

Thanks

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by Prense on Jan 27^th, 2004, 11:02pm

Perhaps, but as reported from many clusterheads, you would have probably been better off adding Lithium to the mix instead of depakote...

Chris

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by Wifeofchman on Jan 28^th, 2004, 8:55am

I've tried dep, lith and top all at the same time with indo and the results weren't worth the side effects. depakote by itself doesn't seem to work very well at least p.o. but I was also getting solu-medrol i.v. at the time so how knows. Lithium has had the best results for me until my last cycle which went on for 4 months and stayed in a scale of 6 to 10 in the kip. It's frustrating, dude; to find the right so called cocktail that works for you. Relying on imitrex injection the rest of your life is not a physically good option but there isn't much more out there that works as well at smacking the the beast down. I hope you find something out there for you and it works forever. I thought I did but then the beast just side stepped my prednisone, lithium and indural mix after 4 years and has been baffling me ever since. I've been to 5, count them 5 different; neuro and specialists and the best they can come up with is well we can refer you to vascular surgeon and have them tie off some of the blood vessels but you may lose some brain function. Doesn't sound like an option to me. Michael aka "the chman"

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by MarkV2 on Jan 28^th, 2004, 2:30pm

Thanks - I was keeping lithium as the next sale to the neuro if this combo doesn't work. On a side note, ended up in the ER this morn with a kidney stone, 2nd in 4 months. Haven't been drinking enough liquids with the topamax. Double ouch.

Mark

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by Prense on Jan 28^th, 2004, 6:31pm

on 01/28/04 at 14:30:41, MarkV2 wrote:

Haven't been drinking enough liquids with the topamax. Double ouch.

That sucks...

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by Wifeofchman on Jan 28^th, 2004, 11:45pm

What hurts worse? I'm serious!

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by MarkV2 on Jan 29^th, 2004, 6:31pm

Different pains. Clusters are absolute, pure pain. Kidney stone pain is more a sickening pain that nauseated me. Each rates up there on the scale for different reasons.

When I was at my worst kidney pain at the ER, I told the nurse I was at a 8.5 on a 1-10 scale. She looked at me like I was nuts since it had taken toradol (sp?) and dilotted (sp?) to get it under control.

I explained I get CHs and I considered a really bad clusterheadache a 9-9.5 and there was nothing like the really bad suicidal CH that topped out at 10. Not even a kidney stone (at least not yet I hope [smiley=huh.gif]). I'll tell you for sure when I finally pass it.

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by PatFan on Jan 30^th, 2004, 1:03pm

What is the max dose of Verap you have been on?
If it is 360, You might want to try a larger dose (I'm 480), some go even higher. I found that when you are taking too many drugs (cocktails) it becomes very difficult to see what works and what does not.... and then you are back to square one...

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by MarkV2 on Jan 30^th, 2004, 5:15pm

360 is it. Neuro didn't want to go higher because of my blood pressure, but the BP was only 130/65, which I didn't think should have been a problem... Oh well, we'll see what happens with this combo.

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by chronic_chic on Jan 30^th, 2004, 5:30pm

I just had to readjust my verap dose because the blood pressure/heart rate complications I got on a really high dose sent me to the ER on Sunday morning. My blood pressure had dropped to 74/44 and my heart rate was 58 (normal for me is 100). I was experiencing an incredible pressure in my chest as well as nausea and dizziness (with the room blacking out) when I got up. After trying to bring it up on my own for a few hours by drinking a lot of fluids, I kept getting worse. My roommate dragged me off to the ER where it rose up on its own over time and monitoring. I had another attack on Wednesday which was actually a little worse than the Sunday one, but I didn't want to go back to the ER since they didn't really DO anything the first time.

I was on 960mg (480 twice a day), and it has since been backed off to 360mg twice a day (total of 720mg). So far I've been ok on this dose. My only meds for headache right now are verapamil and methergine.

Good luck, and if you get on a really high dose, I would definately buy a blood pressure monitor! I'm really glad my dad lent me his. Take care!

~Lizzie :)

Title: Re: verap+topamax+depakote?
Post by Artie on Jan 31^st, 2004, 9:44am

My husband is now a chronic ch'er. He has been on Verapamil (960mg) and depakote (1500 mg) for several years. This combo has kept him from having to inject imitrex all the time. I don't think its working very well anymore, but it did help for several years. Also, in the Spring and Fall, the cycles get more aggressive and he has alot of breakthrough headaches. A prednisone taper has been very helpful in stopping that. Hope this helps. Artie.