As you consider comments from individuals, keep in mind it will be data = 1 whereas when you look at good medical research/reports you are getting data covering hundreds or thousands of people.

To me the meds I was put on a few years ago were worse than the disease.  Sure they knocked back some of the hits, but I was loggy and lethargic, almost depressed while on them.  I took myself off and started using Kudzu with as good or even better results than with Verap and Lithium, but without the bad side I experienced.  No two of us are the same though, so you will need to determine what is best for you.  The nice thing about Kudzu is that it is relatively inexpensive and you don't have to do a  lot of doctoring to use it.  If it doesn't work you aren't out all that much, and you can regulate your own dosage (within reason) if it does.  Sometimes I don't really think it is doing all that much for me, but then I forget to take a dose or two, or run out for a couple of days and I know if it is working or not!

Jerry

Lefty wrote on Mar 19^th, 2010 at 12:40pm:



The first couple times I used verapamil when episodic there were side effects like swollen feet, some tiredness.  I haven't had any bother from it since and it became more effective as I found the correct range to use, no hits most usually, stress level about ch basically nil and that helps.  It can seem side effects are more pronounced when introduced to a body until time acclimates to verap. 

On another side, it's been six years since being episodic anymore, I'm on it all the time at gradually varying levels, chronic hits without.  In that time though, the average level of year-round dosage has dropped.  Been quite a while since the high-level usage at peaks.

Just things to consider.    

HOW you treat this condition is one of the most personal/intimate decision you get to make. I think of it as how I assert control over the beast.

I've obtained the best results using Lithium as my only prevent. Oxygen and energy drinks as my primary abort. (I say primary only because I keep Imitrex and Cafergot on hand...at month 3 of current cycle and haven't had to resort to either.)

For me, the lithium blocks about 70% of my hits, a HUGE reduction for me, as with no prevent I'm generally a 2 hit a day guy, 1 am and 1 pm.

Hoping he loses your address and you NEVER have to worry about it again!

Joe