Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


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

        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Verapamil
        
(Message started by: Dpactech on Jul 14^th, 2003, 9:25am)

Title: Verapamil
Post by Dpactech on Jul 14^th, 2003, 9:25am

Many of you have been typing about how well Verapamil works in so many cases. I agree with your comments on its effectiveness as it allows me to be pain free.

What I do not agree with is the comments some of you are makeing about insisting a doctor prescribe this. Along with comments I have seen saying the docotor is no good if he will not prescribe it.

I felt I had to post on this point as in my case Verapamil conflicts with my regular heart medication, this conflict could be fatal. Fortunatly I am able to stop taking my heart medication to take Verapamil.

I understand that the doctors should know about this drug and should condsider it and that suggesting it to the doctor may be well worth it. But unless you know the full medical history of the person posting please do not insist that they order thier doctor to perscribe this or else.

I was fortunate enough to have my family doctor and Cardioligist working together for me.

I have seen a lot of good advice and helpful thoughts here.
I would just hate to have someone seeking a new doctor based on the good intentions of someone here when the doctor was looking out for the patient in the first place.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by juvy on Jul 14^th, 2003, 9:28am

that's a very good point. It's not wise to mix any medications without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by don on Jul 14^th, 2003, 11:59am

Quote:

I have seen saying the docotor is no good if he will not prescribe it.

I believe those comments were made with the consideration that there is no medical reason not to Rx the verapimil.

There are many good Docs out there but when it comes to treating CH they have their head up their ass.

If the Doc wont Rx it simply because it is off label then get a new Doc.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by cbolony on Jul 14^th, 2003, 12:40pm

Quote:

What I do not agree with is the comments some of you are makeing about insisting a doctor prescribe this.

Dpactech all we are saying is that verapamil helps a lot of people it's up to you to bring it up with your doctor about taking this drug.And remember the members here do not insist to take verapamil we only advise.And yes
a lot of members do know more about CH and the meds
to take then most doctors.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Dpactech on Jul 14^th, 2003, 6:04pm

cbolony

I understand that members are only giving advice, a few of the posts did not come accross that way.

The people who posted these messages may have only meant it as a suggestion it just came across as more of an instruction.

I know everyone here wants to share information and help out other members. I also know that we would all like to ensure that everyone else here gets the best help and treatment that they can.

I just feel that in this world of information and communication it is important to avoid miscommunicating ideas or advice.

I would like to urge any one having problems with doctors to get as much info from that doctor as possible to find out why they wont give a certian treatment for you. And by all means get a second oppinion on anything you dont agree with.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by oringkid on Jul 14^th, 2003, 6:24pm

I would hope that a doctor would not just prescribe a drug to a person based solely on that person asking for it!!!

If anyone here EVER sees a doctor who is willing to prescribe a medication based only on your asking for it, without any examination or consultation of previous and current medical records, I would definitely advise you to not only find a NEW doctor, but report that doctor to the AMA!!

I think all the advice given here is based on the assumption that any worthwhile (licensed, accredited) doctor would NEVER prescribe based soley on request.

Sherry

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by jonny on Jul 14^th, 2003, 6:32pm

verapamil and Lithium are my gods, over 3 weeks with no HA's now.....Everyone try this combo if all else has failed, just check with your Doc (like you could get it without a fucking Doc)

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

BINGO!!!!....Sherry

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by don on Jul 14^th, 2003, 6:39pm

Well actually I know this street corner lithium dealer out in Chelsea. Not making much money. Dumb Fuck. Thats why he lives in Chelsea.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by eyes_afire on Jul 14^th, 2003, 6:56pm

Hi Dpactech. Welcome here ,you are among friends. You are correct, there are some for whom verapamil may be a bad suggestion. I think that since this is a cluster headache board many of us give suggestions on the basis of cluster headache diagnosis... our purpose is not to consider all other medical possibilities.

Many of us suggest finding another doctor based upon evidence that the doctor is not treating properly. I think the reason we feel so strongly about this is because many of us have been through the extreme frustration and danger of being treated by truly incompetent doctors.

My personal horror is that I was sent to a psychiatrist so that he can treat my incorrectly diagnosed headaches with Paxil. Big mistake. I had a HORRIBLE reaction and doctors who refused to acknowledge that such a reaction could possibly happen. It stole a month of my life and put my well-being at risk... despite the fact that I was a classic clusterhead and verapamil would have been a much much much safer option. I'm a true believer in taking the med with the least side effects, so it baffles me to hear a doctor prescribe the newest seizure medicine before trying verapamil when the patient has no other medical problems. I can only assume that this occurs because:

1. The doctor has reason to believe verapamil would be bad in this case.
2. The doctor is uninformed and not knowledgeable enough to treat cluster headaches.
3. The doctor has some other agenda. I hate to admit this, but doctors are wined and dined by pharmaceutical company representatives. I hope the doctors are not influenced by the representative's 'claims' (read: incentives)... but I wouldn't bet on it.

Personally, I think the most common reason is #2. But you do bring up a valid point. It is important for the patient to be well informed about the meds they take.

Welcome to the board and I'm wishing you many pain free days.

--- Steve, one of many...

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by cbolony on Jul 15^th, 2003, 7:26am

Quote:

I would like to urge any one having problems with doctors to get as much info from that doctor as possible to find out why they wont give a certian treatment for you. And by all means get a second oppinion on anything you dont agree with.

Yes i agree with you that's why i'm on my third neuro
the first two new nothing about cluster they treated me like i had migrains.I wasted one of pain with the first two.The neuro i have now did more for me in one visit then the first two did in a year.Even the first two new i had cluster the meds they gave me were in very low doses did shit for the CH.BTW i know that you are new but a lot of the post people write will tell you that if you have low BP verapamil is not for you since it is a BP pill.
And as for imitrex injection or any other Triptan if you have heart problems these meds are not for you and maybe you should try 02.I will like to take Lithium but i can't because i have a growth in my thyroid and the thyroid doctor said that med i can not take.Any meds i take i talk to all my doctors first because i have four doctors for the things that are wrong with me.Dpactech
I know you are new to the board so Wecome Aboard :)

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Dpactech on Jul 17^th, 2003, 10:18pm

on 07/15/03 at 07:26:02, cbolony wrote:

...i can not take.Any meds i take i talk to all my doctors first because i have four doctors for the things that are wrong with me.Dpactech
I know you are new to the board so Wecome Aboard :)

I have some understanding what you are going through there. It is hard enough having a condition like CH but it doesn't help when you have other heatlh conditions to go along with it.

The Verapamil does lower blood pressure, my heart medication does this more so. But the combo of these meds could cause an obnormal heart rythem, which I am at some risk of already because of my Cardiomyopthy.

Thanks for the welcome.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by stuey on Jul 18^th, 2003, 12:05pm

I'm taking 960 verapamil and also 100 mg of elavil and am still getting hit. Wondering how long the higher dose of verapamil takes to start working. Maybe it has something to do with I've been taking it for blood pressure for three years I don't know.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by Bob P on Jul 18^th, 2003, 12:45pm

Stuey,

Note from the OUCH survey page that verap only works in about 1 in 3 cases.

Title: Re: Verapamil
Post by stuey on Jul 18^th, 2003, 1:22pm

Thanks Bob, I just started taking the 960 3 days ago. I will give it another week before complaining to my headache neuro.