Probably the Elavil, it did that to me 15 yrs ago. Your Verapamil dose is kind of low for CH. Are you ramping up?

Don

pretty much undoubtedly the Elavil.

Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker which can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, among other side effects.  Certainly low blood pressure and dizziness can make you feel lightheaded and woozy but generally not zombie-like.

Elavil on the other hand is the brand name for amitriptyline which is a tricyclic - originally used in higher doses for antidepressant but now mainly used in lower doses for insomnia and chronic pain.  Side effects very commonly include disorientation, confusion, incoordination, drowsiness, etc etc.

Don't completely give up on the Elavil - it's a good med for chronic pain (though I'm not sure if known to be generally useful for CH).  Often times, you just need to give yourself time to adapt to the med and the side effects will greatly improve.  If it seemed to be helping, keep at it and just plan to be an idiot for a few days to a week after a dose increase... 

(Just FYI, for depression, generally 150mg are used - imagine what zombies those people must have been!)

Quote:

I'm thinking about ramping the dosage of the elavil to one 10 mg pill at bedtime, but not sure if this is the right move or not.

Over the past 23 years I think I have taken just about everything everyone here has or is taking for a preventative. And often had some success for awhile until my body adapted to the med, or the beast mutated, or something. I'm currently taking both verapamil (400mg) and elavil (just 10mg) as well as melatonin at night (15mg). Right now everything seems to be working or the beast went to sleep. Either way, I'm not messing with the formula until I need to.

Point is, I too, feel zombie-like, but kind of a low grade zombie cuz I still have enough energy to get through the day pretty well on track. For me, it's worth the trade. God bless!  lance

WHOA! We had to get to message #5 to find out that you are you are using two meds which induce sleep!

A small oversight which misleads and, I fear, all too common in folks who are seeking some insight. The reader may be frustrated but it's the writer who, in the end, bears the burden of misdirection.

Bob Johnson wrote on Jun 18^th, 2010 at 3:32pm:

The reader may be frustrated but it's the writer who, in the end, bears the burden of misdirection.

hahaha - eloquently put, Bob!

Elavil

davidbsd wrote on Jun 19^th, 2010 at 12:19pm:

Listen, first I don't appreciate the suggestion that I'm stupid and don't know the difference between the feeling that the benadryl mixed with the elavil will make me very sleepy and the feeling of being a zombie.  Trust me--I have had these headaches for over 10 years and don't need someone on their high horse to be so confrontational.  I was once on Seroquel to help me sleep through the night and trust me this made me very sleepy to the point I could barely wake up, but it did not make me feel like a zombie.  I do not need the likes of someone on this site to attack me--all you would had to state was "have you thought that the mixture of the elavil with the benadryl may be making you feel like a zombie"  and I would have told you that that was not the case since when I went down to 1 10mg pill of the elavil mixed with the benadryl I feel fine.  I have noticed on this site a number of people that are really full of themselves to the point you just blurt crap out of your mouths without really helping anyone at all--this is not helpful and you as an adult should know this--quit acting like you are in high school and start treating people like adults.

You need to put down the gun and stop taking yourself so f'n seriously. Bob was not attacking you. Have you lost your sense of humor, or did you not have one to start?

Sheesh.

Quote:

I have noticed on this site a number of people that are really full of themselves to the point you just blurt crap out of your mouths without really helping anyone at all--this is not helpful and you as an adult should know this--quit acting like you are in high school and start treating people like adults.

Oh really?  FYI Bob Johnson is one of the most helpful kindest man on this board. I looked at his post and saw nothing smart ass at all.

Also you posted last month that you were also taking Topamax. I don't know if you have quit taking it, but if you are, I would think that the combo of that and Elavil would cause you to feel a little out of it.

Just my opinion from up here on my high horse.

Chill out or you will have to increase your verapamil for your high blood pressure.

Quote:

Listen, first I don't appreciate the suggestion that I'm stupid and don't know the difference between the feeling that the benadryl mixed with the elavil will make me very sleepy and the feeling of being a zombie.  Trust me--I have had these headaches for over 10 years and don't need someone on their high horse to be so confrontational.  I was once on Seroquel to help me sleep through the night and trust me this made me very sleepy to the point I could barely wake up, but it did not make me feel like a zombie.  I do not need the likes of someone on this site to attack me--all you would had to state was "have you thought that the mixture of the elavil with the benadryl may be making you feel like a zombie"  and I would have told you that that was not the case since when I went down to 1 10mg pill of the elavil mixed with the benadryl I feel fine.  I have noticed on this site a number of people that are really full of themselves to the point you just blurt crap out of your mouths without really helping anyone at all--this is not helpful and you as an adult should know this--quit acting like you are in high school and start treating people like adults.

Wow!

Talk about a high horse when you yourself are riding on that pony.

Bob Johnson is one of our most respected,  and intelligent folks around here who...on a daily basis is here with VERY helpful information for newcomers. 

YOU need to take a deep breath and read DJ's rules around this site, or a whole slew of moderators will be in your face.  Bob Johnson doesn't have a smart-ass bone in his body, nor did he call you stupid. 

Good grief. >:(

This little snaffoo should remind all how important it is to list the facts as they are, not as we see them or as we "want" others to see them. 

If you want proper advice list all the TRUE facts not just your opinion of what the facts should be. 
Otherwise don't bother asking for the advice to begin with.  A Dr. doesn't want to treat someone with out having all the facts and we do not want to give advice to someone who withholds pertinent information needed to give proper advice.

Elavil alone will give that zombie feeling but add to it benadryl and you can kiss wakeful coherence good bye.   

::)