In my last update I said that I had been pain free since approx. Sept 7th and asked about coming off Verapamil. I decided to stay on it a little longer because I had weddings to attend on successive weekends and didn't want to risk screwing things up. Still pain free and attended the second wedding last Friday. I even risked a couple of beers and 2 scotch and soda with no ill effects. I stopped cold turkey, after talking to my doc. Saturday morning. Still pain and med free at the moment and have my fingers crossed. Hope to file a final update after a week medication free. Here's hoping

Here's hoping, too.

It takes 10-14 days to build up to theraputic levels in the system. Maybe it takes that long to leave. Who knows?

Good to hear Jimi,

In another post I asked if anyone has had any drinks on verap because my pill bottle specifically says do not consume alcohol. I am heading to the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday and not having any beer is pretty much out of the question. I'll give it a try in moderation!

Cheers

Jim,

What was your dosage before quitting?

Counter to popular opinion, my Neuro(s) have always let me quit cold turkey if I was at 480mg or less. At higher doses, they wanted a taper over a few days.

Their reason was that I don't have high blood pressure, so a hypertensive crisis wasn't a concern.

As explained to me, anyone with high blood pressure should never (ever) do it.

Marc

Marc wrote on Oct 5^th, 2009 at 3:42pm:

Counter to popular opinion, my Neuro(s) have always let me quit cold turkey if I was at 480mg or less. At higher doses, they wanted a taper over a few days.

Same here. At 480 the neuro was pretty blasse about quitting. She said..."two weeks would be nice...one week ok...and actually, I'm not worried at all if you just stop".

This from someone who is so convinced on verapamil that she almost giggles when prescribing...apparently has worked oh so well with her cluster patients. Including me.

BTW...she is EQUALLY convinced re O2...and delighted to prescribe.

Being me, I rarely STOP any med cold turkey....it's not hard to taper down...why chance it?

Best,

Jon

I was taking 320mg a day although I had been prescribed 360mg. I found it was overkill. Oddly enough I was able to drink alcohol while taking it with no ill affects.Alcohol has always been taboo in the past. The ensuing CH was brutal.  Having a couple of beers may be the only way to stomach a Bills game though. Damn the headache! Go Argos.
Murphy

Great news Jim!  Hang around if you can.  We can always use the support, and it is a good idea to keep up with what is going on for your next go-round.

Jerry

ClusterChris wrote on Oct 5^th, 2009 at 3:32pm:

Good to hear Jimi, In another post I asked if anyone has had any drinks on verap because my pill bottle specifically says do not consume alcohol. I am heading to the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday and not having any beer is pretty much out of the question. I'll give it a try in moderation! Cheers

Moderation definitely!!  Verapamil will enhance the affects of alcohol, you may be drunk before you know it.  Just in case have a Designated driver.  Cheers and have one for me while your at it, I can't touch the stuff.  :(

thanks for the advice, I think I am more afraid of the bills giving me a headache rather then the alcohol :-[

Chris