Posted by GRAHAM (195.92.64.198) on February 26, 2000 at 14:23:51:
In Reply to: Suicide................. posted by Renee on February 26, 2000 at 12:34:36:
I am a chronic sufferer of over four years. I was undiagnosed for just short of four years, and was blessed with around 2-6 attacks per day. Found this site, suspected that I was a sufferer of CH's and asked a doc for a prescription for Verapamil. It had an immediate effect. It started working the same day as I started taking it. I still get the odd attack (around one a week) but it has eliminated 95% of the attacks.
It seemed to be losing its effect after about a month of taking it, but then it appeared to 'kick in' again and started working as good as ever. So much so that I have now decreased my dosage to 120mg a day (slow release) from 240mg a day (again slow release). Its now been three days on 120mg and I have had two attacks (one very painful and one relatively mild!!!) - but I am still hopeful and will persist for a while to see what happens.
I did run out of Verapamil for ONE day a few weeks ago and was immediately hit with two level 8's that night. I learnt three things with that experience.
(1) not to forget to renew my prescription again
(2) I do not think I can handle the pain of clusters as well as I could six months ago
(3) I do not know if I could manage living with these headaches again should the Verapamil stop working. I'm kind of getting used to living a relatively normal life.
Anyway, I am starting to ramble on a bit so I will leave you with my tips for Verapamil consumption!
Take in the morning with plenty of water (if you are on one tab a day)
Try your best not to vary the time you take your tablet, whatever time of day you take it.
If its effect seems to be lessening, persist with the dosage if at all possible. It may start working again.
Don’t even look at grapefruit juice, nevermind drink it. It can stop Verapamil from working.
Hope you stay pain free
G.