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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Verapamil depression
        
(Message started by: mwt on May 4^th, 2005, 7:35pm)

Title: Verapamil depression
Post by mwt on May 4^th, 2005, 7:35pm

Has anyone experienced depression with the use of verapamil???

Mark

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by Jonny on May 4^th, 2005, 7:40pm

Nope......480 mgs everyday for the last 14 years.

But meds effect everyone different....check with your Doc!

Good luck!

....................jonny

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by BikerBob on May 4^th, 2005, 8:26pm

How's your blood pressure? Have you had it checked lately?

Verapamil lowers blood pressure. If your BP gets too low some of the symptoms are excessive tiredness, lightheadedness, dizziness, lack of energy.

What exactly are the symptoms of what you're calling "depression"? Is it a physical depression, which can be related to BP being too low, or a psychological depression?

Bob

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by mwt on May 4^th, 2005, 10:22pm

some physical - tiredness, no energy, little light headedness. That stuff I can live with. I'm more talking about I want to cry and I don't know why. My wife came home today and ask me what was wrong because it looked like I was on the verge of crying. At that, I did. I've been like that for two days now. All day long, being on the verge of crying...It sucks.

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by sundancer on May 4^th, 2005, 10:39pm

No depression, but after one week on verap. my liver stopped functioning properly, I turned yellow, my heart rate dropped below 40....spent two days in the hospital. Not fun.

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by mynm156 on May 5^th, 2005, 1:36pm

No my only depression is I am out of it and lost my health insurance. Gonna have to go med free here all too soon. Glad I stocked up while I could.

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by lionsound on May 5^th, 2005, 5:34pm

Hi Mark,

I would check with your doctor about the Verapamil contributing to depression. When did you start taking the verapamil? If recently, the physical lag may not be helping your emotional cause. As Jonny said eveyone reacts to meds differently.

on 05/04/05 at 22:22:12, mwt wrote:

I'm more talking about I want to cry and I don't know why. My wife came home today and ask me what was wrong because it looked like I was on the verge of crying. At that, I did. I've been like that for two days now. All day long, being on the verge of crying...It sucks.

I am no professional, but from my personal experience battling depression, this sounds like a psychological depression. I understand where you are. Good for you for catching it.

Can you talk to your doctor , or a therapist,or a shrink? Don't be put off by the shrink...if you want meds for depression they tend to know more about what fits you than a regular doctor.

And lots of us suffer from depression with CH or just because we are so special to begin with :)

This place too is absolutely wonderful for support....it's a tremendous help to me.....and know that we are here for you too!

Be well,
lionsound

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by Margi on May 5^th, 2005, 5:40pm

Haven't heard much about verapamil causing depression but you really should talk to your doc a.s.a.p. Are you on any other meds at all? Even for things other than cluster? The reason I ask is that my husband reacted just exactly the way you describe after taking Zyban (to quit smoking) for just two days.

How long have you been on the verapamil and what dosage?

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by floridian on May 5^th, 2005, 7:33pm

Depression is listed as a possible side effect of verapamil:

http://www.healthdigest.org/drugs/verapamil.html

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by sandie99 on May 6^th, 2005, 5:23am

Hi Mark!

I've been taking verapamil since last summer. Currently my dose is 600mg/day.

I have a low BP, so I have nearly fainted 3 times... but generally the only side effect I'm getting is the tiredness. And that means that instead of waking up at 7 I sleep until 10.30 if I can, which is rare for me. I'm the early bird.

I had some sort of depression doing on in February, but I didn't think much of it to be honest. The verapamil packet I have doesn't mention anything about depression being a side effect (but good to know that it is!). I thought it was just due to life in general...

Well, whatever it was in my case, it's over. Verapamil keeps my ch in order. Attacks are rare and when they come, they are short and mild.

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by RClarke54 on May 15^th, 2005, 5:45pm

Hello,

I have been an episodic cluster sufferer for 10 yrs now. I have been taking 120mg of verapamil for 2+ yrs now on and off. I currently do not have any health insurance and with no refills. Recently started to cycle around a few weeks ago, however, my headaches this time around are much less severe and less frequent which is good. Took the leftover medication from my last cycle Verapamil for about a week until I ran out, it did seem to help considerably, and so I do not really want the headaches to start occuring again since I am now off of the medication. Understand this is kind of weird, but am wondering if there is anybody that has any leftover verapamil for those that take it for their clusters in there medicne cabinets, any supply or dosage would do. Please send me an email at RClarke54@hotmail.com as soon as you get a chance if you think you could be of help. Once again I do appreciate you taking the time to read this.

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by Marta on May 16^th, 2005, 2:24am

Hi Mark,

I took Verapamil for just oneweek and then had to stop. I couldn't think straight let alone walk stright. I don't know if I was depressed, I was on another planet. Having low BP to start with anyway I don't think that was the way to do.. However, other people seem to have had good results with it. As everyone says, we are all different in our reactions.

I really hope you find the right meds and no more depression.

I'm thinking of you

Marta

Title: Re: Verapamil depression
Post by TonyG1 on May 25^th, 2005, 9:36pm

No depression with Verap... but I do sleep well when I'm taking it for CH !!