Hello, I've been a fan of this site for a long while - many times you've all helped me out. I had to post this time since  I can't seem to find this particular issue, (part of that could be the lack of sleep from attacks):

The one thing that has worked best for me over the years is the calcium channel blockers. Although there are many brand names, they boil down to 3 kinds. Anyway, First they started me on the Norvasc group. That worked great for 3 or 4 years, then lost its effectiveness. My doctor then put me on Verapamil (aprox 300 mg daily) and that took over and another 3 or 4 wonderful years passed. Then that stopped working so the doctor just tried Diltiazem, the third member of the family. Long story short it did not work at all. The other two where great, but I suddenly find myself wondering if others may have had this issue? 

So many use verapamil that I'm surprised the issue with it loosing it's effectiveness hasn't come up, but if you have some info, Please let me know!!

It's not uncommon. You have a couple of options, keep upping the verapamil doseage.....under doctors care while monitoring your BP and heart........until you get relief. Some go to 960 mg a day and beyond before they get relief.

Combine lithium with the verapamil, sometimes referred to as the "chronic cocktail", has worked for many when either by itself lost its effectiveness.

Do check out Batch's long running post, "123 pain free days and I think I know why" A simple vitamin/anti inflammatory regimen that's helping many go pain free. No cure all but it's cheap, healthy for you even without CH, and too many people are showing great results for it to be merely a placebo affect.

Hoping you catch some pain free time soon.

Joe

One section in this review applies....

Print and give to your doc.

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Thank You all for your reply's, I'm grateful for your taking the time to be of help. I think I will try the anti inflammatory regimen - I think of all the meds that mess with your heart, immune system, have a threat of seizures, etc. -  Who wouldn't prefer a healthy treatment? When I see how it works, I'll complete the survey so the data will be helpful in the future.

Thanks again!!

Xpywka,

Good move on starting the anti-inflammatory regimen...  Response times vary so don't get disappointed in nothing happens after only a week to 10 days...  Some CH'ers have taken 6 to 8 weeks to get a favorable response and they needed to up the vitamin D3 dose to 15,000 to 20,000 IU/day.

Try to see your doctor for the 25(OH)D lab test.  This is the only way to know where you stand and knowing the concentration of this vitamin D3 metabolite can give you a better idea on how long it's going to take to go pain free.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch