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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Verapamil http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1352781038 Message started by Akat on Nov 12th, 2012 at 11:30pm |
Title: Verapamil Post by Akat on Nov 12th, 2012 at 11:30pm
Hi, My name is Amanda, I am 23 and have suffered from episodic cluster headaches since I was 18. The cycles tend to occur sometime between November-January and last between 2-4 weeks with multiple headaches a day for the duration of the cycle. So far I have not entered a new cycle yet this fall, but I am nervously dreading it since it hasn't failed to arrive in the last 5 years.
It took quite a few Dr office visits before I was referred to a neurologist (which my family doc flat out told me was a waste of my time and theirs since my case wasn't "severe enough" to warrant their attention). Today I met with a neurologist who actually listened to and understood what I had to say about what I go through. This is truly a first when it comes to these headaches for me. He prescribed Verapamil to start with and if this doesn't prevent the headaches, he came up with a plan B (Sumatriptan nasal spray) and C (Prednisone) to help control the pain. We also discussed the possibility of me using oxygen if these first three options prove to be ineffective. My question is does anyone have experience with these medications, more specifically Verapamil? Has it actually helped prevent/lessen the pain? What sort of side effects, if any, did you suffer? I appreciate your responses, this is my first time trying to connect with other people who understand and are dealing with cluster headaches. |
Title: Re: Verapamil Post by ClusterHK on Nov 13th, 2012 at 1:34am
Hello Amanda. I am an episodic sufferer as well and I find Verapamil greatly reduces the severity and frequency of attacks - from 2-3 Kip 9/10 attacks a day to one Kip 5/6 attack every 2 days. It is certainly worth trying as a preventative.
For me, Verapamil is like an on/off switch. Below 480 mg a day, it does nothing for me, but once I get the correct dosage, it works like a charm. Even with a good preventative, me and most other members here will state that you'll need a good abortive to back it up. As such, Oxygen is strongly, strongly recommended. Sumatriptan can be very effective (injectable #1, nasal spray distant 2nd, tablet distant distant 3rd) but it is a rather powerful drug. Like any drug, long term use can do damage to your system. Used correctly, Oxygen is fast and effective at aborting an attack and since it isn't a drug, it's almost 100% safe. (I say almost 100% as pretty much anything can be misused in an unsafe way.) |
Title: Re: Verapamil Post by Akat on Nov 13th, 2012 at 8:06am
Thank you, I appreciate your input. I truly don't want to have to rely on 2-3 types of medications so I think I will discuss oxygen with my Dr. if/when the next cycle starts.
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Title: Re: Verapamil Post by Bob Johnson on Nov 13th, 2012 at 9:27am
You come here having seen a doc who appears to know what he's doing. You don't know about the meds he is suggesting. Then you tell us you won't use them even before you get any of the information you asked for.
Can you see any contradiction here? |
Title: Re: Verapamil Post by AppleNutClusters on Nov 13th, 2012 at 10:46am
Well, verapamil caused my legs/feet to swell so badly that I couldn't get my shoes on. Also, I experienced heart palpitations. That being said, it has been the most effective treatment for me so far (except for Topamax, which I could not tolerate at all.)
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Title: Re: Verapamil Post by Akat on Nov 13th, 2012 at 11:35am
Thank you all for the information, I very much appreciate it.
I did not say I wasn't going to take the medication, I said I did not want to have to rely on multiple meds that could cause harmful side effect vs. oxygen which it seems many people have had success with without other harmful side effects to the body... |
Title: Re: Verapamil Post by ClusterHK on Nov 13th, 2012 at 1:10pm
I hope I didn't scare you with the harmful side effects bit. Don't be afraid to take the medications at the doctor's recommended dosage. The biggest danger is probably from taking far more sumatriptan in one day than recommended - when Kip 10's strike, all reason goes out the window. But if it's only used as a backup to Oxygen, an overdose unlikely to happen.
And yes, you can't really go wrong with oxygen. ;) |
Title: Re: Verapamil Post by BobG on Nov 14th, 2012 at 7:18pm
For me, Verapamil works very well. I've been on it for about 6 months now. The side affects were constipation, peeing a lot, dry mouth/throat and a dry cough for the first 2 months. Verapamil can lower blood pressure and slow the pulse rate.
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Title: Re: Verapamil Post by wimsey1 on Nov 15th, 2012 at 1:13pm
Amanda, I know this is a scary time for you. I also know there is some relief in discovering what is causing so much pain. It's a contradiction for sure, but we've all been there. The beast is most certainly beastly, but it can be managed. Sometimes you do have to take a med combo but be reassured it will be at the lowest level needed to make it effective. O2 is a great abortive; it is my friend. Yours, too, if you let it. It will not eliminate the ch's but it will reduce the amount of time you are in pain. Let us know how you make out as time goes by. God bless. lance
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