Posted by Brad S (209.192.82.143) on August 19, 1999 at 15:50:17:
In Reply to: chronic CH posted by Kim on August 19, 1999 at 11:40:05:
Kim,
I've been on verapamil since early February; first 180mg/day, then 240, then 360. Each increase was necessary to regain control over the attacks. 360 is all I can tolerate (BP runs about 100/60 and have passed out once). Can't say what's right for you, but I know what my neuro did when my attacks returned about a month ago. Continued the verapamil and added Lithium (target 0.6 micro-eq/l serum level, 900mg/day for me). This is a minimal lithium dosage. The attacks are gone, for now. Have some shakes and get thirsty a lot. On the good side, it eliminated the depression I had been feeling. If the lithium didn't work, the neuro said she would try Depakote, Neurotin, and Topamax, in that order. I asked her specifically about the Topamax since there's been so much discussion about it lately. She just felt that the other 2 anti-convulsants are better CH treatment choices, at this time.
Brad S