Posted by Jack Boyd on August 17, 1998 at 14:16:44:
In Reply to: Cluster headache, Verapamil and Imitrex Questions posted by Daniel W on August 17, 1998 at 11:50:30:
I can't figure out from your message whether the Verapamil is working. On one hand you say that the clusters resume as soon as you stop taking the Verapamil and then you also say that you are using Imitrex injections everyday. You also are not sure whether you have gone chronic or not.
I am episodic and Verapamil always works for me. I take it immediately at the beginning of a cycle and I stop as soon as the cycle is over ( for me it is always one month ). My doctor has casually suggested staying on the Verapamil all the time - I am not sure why, I don't think he knew why. My instincts told me that was not a good idea, particularly since my cycles are now up to 3 years apart.
I would humbly suggest to you that you baseline your medication and also determine whether you are chronic or not. It seems to me that you should stop the Verapamil and see what the effect is. You could get your hands on some oxygen to also reduce your Imitrex injections during this trial.
I bet you are still episodic!!!